Editing Yards Brewing

{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Yards Brewing Company
| image =
| image_caption = Yards Brewing Company
| type = Craft brewery
| address = 500 Spring Garden Street
| neighborhood = Northern Liberties/Spring Garden
| coordinates = 39.9612,-75.1482
| phone = (215) 634-2600
| website = https://www.yardsbrewing.com
| established = 1994
| founder = Tom Kehoe, Jon Bovit
| owner =
| employees =
| hours = Daily
| products = Craft beer
| status = Active
}}

'''Yards Brewing Company''' is a Philadelphia craft brewery founded in '''1994''' by '''Tom Kehoe''' and '''Jon Bovit''', making it one of the pioneers of Philadelphia's craft beer scene. Famous for its '''Philadelphia Pale Ale (PPA)''' and its '''Ales of the Revolution''' series that recreate colonial-era beer recipes, Yards has deep connections to Philadelphia history and identity. The brewery's flagship taproom at 500 Spring Garden Street features a beer hall, restaurant, and tours, serving as a gathering place for Philadelphia beer enthusiasts. Yards represents Philadelphia's brewing heritage reborn for the modern era.<ref name="yards-official">{{cite web |url=https://www.yardsbrewing.com |title=Yards Brewing Company |publisher=Yards Brewing |access-date=December 31, 2025}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding (1994) ===

'''Tom Kehoe''' and '''Jon Bovit*** founded Yards in '''1994''':

'''Origins:***
* Started in Manayunk
* Small-scale production
* Craft beer pioneers
* Philadelphia focus

=== Early Craft Era ===

Yards helped establish Philadelphia craft beer:

'''1990s-2000s:***
* Built distribution
* Developed signature beers
* Grew reputation
* Survived industry challenges

=== Growth and Moves ===

Yards relocated several times as it grew:

'''Locations:***
* Manayunk (original)
* Kensington
* ***Spring Garden*** (current, 2017)

Each move allowed expansion.

=== Spring Garden Taproom (2017) ===

The current '''Spring Garden facility*** opened in '''2017''':

'''Features:***
* Large beer hall
* Full restaurant
* Brewing facility visible
* Event space
* Tours offered

== The Beers ==

=== Philadelphia Pale Ale (PPA) ===

'''Yards PPA*** is the flagship:

'''Characteristics:***
* American pale ale style
* Balanced hop bitterness
* Drinkable, accessible
* Widely distributed

The "PPA" is Philadelphia's craft beer.

=== Ales of the Revolution ===

Yards' ***Ales of the Revolution*** recreate colonial recipes:

'''The series:***
* '''Thomas Jefferson's Tavern Ale*** - Honey wheat
* '''Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Tavern Spruce*** - Spruce tips
* '''George Washington's Tavern Porter*** - Molasses porter

'''Significance:***
* Historical connection
* Collaboration with City Tavern
* Educational aspect
* Unique in craft beer

=== Other Beers ===

'''Regular lineup:***
* '''Brawler*** - English mild ale
* '''Love Stout*** - Chocolate stout
* '''Pynk*** - Hibiscus beer
* '''IPA*** - India Pale Ale
* Seasonals and limited releases

=== Brewing Philosophy ===

'''Yards approach:***
* English-style focus
* Sessionable beers
* Philadelphia identity
* Historical connection

== The Taproom ==

=== Location ===

'''500 Spring Garden Street:***

'''The space:***
* Massive beer hall
* Industrial aesthetic
* Visible brewing equipment
* Indoor and outdoor seating

=== Food ===

'''Restaurant:***
* Full menu
* Beer pairings
* Philadelphia-inspired dishes
* Casual atmosphere

=== Tours ===

'''Brewery tours:***
* Behind-the-scenes
* Tasting included
* Regular schedule
* Private events available

=== Events ===

'''Gatherings:***
* Live music
* Private events
* Community gatherings
* Beer releases

== Philadelphia Brewing Heritage ==

=== Historical Connection ===

Philadelphia was a '''major brewing city:***

'''History:***
* Colonial brewing center
* 19th century industrial brewing
* Prohibition devastation
* Post-war decline

=== Modern Revival ===

Yards helped restart Philadelphia brewing:

'''The craft era:***
* Yards among the first
* Victory, Dogfish Head followed
* Now dozens of breweries
* Philadelphia beer destination

=== City Tavern Partnership ===

Yards brews for '''City Tavern*** restaurant:

'''Collaboration:***
* Historical recipes
* Served at the tavern
* Authentic colonial experience
* Educational partnership

== Distribution ==

=== Where to Find ===

'''Yards availability:***
* Philadelphia bars and restaurants
* Regional grocery stores
* Liquor stores
* Taproom

=== Regional Focus ===

'''Distribution strategy:***
* Philadelphia and region focus
* Limited national distribution
* Local brewery identity
* Community connection

== Other Philadelphia Breweries ==

=== The Current Scene ===

Yards is part of a vibrant Philadelphia beer community:

'''Other notable breweries:***
* '''Evil Genius Beer Company***
* '''Dock Street Brewing***
* ***Crime and Punishment***
* '''Human Robot***
* Dozens of others

=== Yards' Position ===

'''In the ecosystem:***
* Pioneer status
* Largest local distributor
* Cultural institution
* Gateway to craft beer

== Tips for Visitors ==

'''Recommendations:***
* ***Visit the taproom*** for the full experience
* ***Try the Ales of the Revolution*** - unique to Yards
* ***Take a tour*** to see production
* ***Have food*** - the restaurant is good

'''What to know:***
* Large space accommodates groups
* Family-friendly (during day)
* Parking available
* Near Northern Liberties attractions

== See Also ==
* [[Philadelphia Food Culture]]
* [[Northern Liberties]]
* [[City Tavern]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==
* [https://www.yardsbrewing.com Yards Brewing Company]

{{#seo:
|title=Yards Brewing Company - Philadelphia Craft Beer Pioneer Since 1994
|description=Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia's pioneering craft brewery since 1994. Home of Philadelphia Pale Ale and the historic Ales of the Revolution series.
|keywords=Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia craft beer, Philadelphia Pale Ale, Ales of the Revolution, Spring Garden taproom
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Businesses]]
[[Category:Food]]
[[Category:Breweries]]
[[Category:Northern Liberties]]
[[Category:Spring Garden]]