As an industry worker zipping around on your feet for hours, the best part of the day is enjoying a shift drink: a post-work alcoholic beverage to decompress, take a load off, and yes, enjoy a nice buzz before heading home. In this series, we explore the many fantastic bar programs of Philadelphia where you can treat yourself after a hard days work. In this edition of Shift Drink we venture out to West Philly to visit a longstanding Philadelphia microbrewery, Dock Street Brewing Company.
The brewing company gets its name from the pre-revolutionary Philadelphia seaport district Dock Street, which at the time was the largest producer of beer in the country. In a 110-year-old former firehouse now resides Dock Street’s brewing facilities and restaurant.
It was late afternoon when I arrived at Dock Street’s main location, its brewery and restaurant on Baltimore Avenue. The layout of the restaurant is both cozy and spacious, with natural light beaming through the large firehouse windows illuminating the wooden dining tables. I opted to sit at one of the two small bars because of the wood-fired pizza oven behind the counter. The sight of bubbling hot pizza coming out of the EarthStone oven was a wonderful backdrop for my draft beer. Besides pizza Dock Street also turns out burgers, wraps, small bites and salads. On the wall above the bar is the artwork from the beer I was drinking, Man Full Of Trouble Porter, which won bronze at the 2017 Great American Beer Festival. My bartender informed me that they had just updated the draft lists for the spring season. Spring Haze is one of their seasonal drafts and is perfect for a hoppy, slightly sweet and refreshing end to a long day.
Remember how I said I arrived at Dock Street’s main location? Well, that’s because the brewery has expanded to a second spot in a garage conveniently situated right behind the restaurant. The Cannery + Lounge is a multi-use space that was created to supplement the brewery in various ways. A canning line inside allows for Dock Street to can and sell their beer on premises. Additionally, there are a couple of fermenters to allow for the brewers to get funky. Like the name suggests, there is a lounge area with a couch and comfortable chairs, making it perfect for an after work gathering with friends. The rustic wood-lined bar is stunning. Beer isn’t the only thing that Dock Street has on tap at the bar; they have beer cocktails for more adventurous drinkers. One beer cocktail in particular uses their sister company Dock Street Spirits’ Vicio Mezcal. Dubbed “Spirit Guide” this beer cocktail combines Vicio Mezcal, lemon juice, honey ginger, chili and Dock Street’s Bohemian Pilsner.
Another great thing about Dock Street? They offer an extensive selection of beers-to-go. In case you didn’t get enough of the beers while you were in the restaurant, you can purchase cases, 4- or 6-packs and/or growlers before you leave. So whether you are grabbing a pizza, enjoying a beer, trying one of their beer cocktail creations, picking up beef for home, or just lounging around, Dock Street has it all.
Brewery + Restaurant
701 South 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.726.2337
Cannery + Lounge
705 South 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143
215.726.2338
