After a long awaited arrival of Philadelphia’s newest brewpub, Second District Brewing Co., located at 1939 South Bancroft Street opened their doors at 5pm on February 16th. Some Philadelphia beer fans may notice some familiar faces are present, as John Longacre of American Sardine Bar the Brew bottle shop and South Philadelphia Taproom and Curt Decker of the former Nodding Head have joined forces to create a neighborhood brewpub that embodies the spirit of the Newbold neighborhood it serves.
Enter Second District Brewing. This project has been in the works for quite some time and the effort put in shines through in every facet when you walk in the front door. While this is not the second coming of Nodding Head, the same welcoming, warm and inviting environment remain present in the new South Philadelphia brewpub. This sentiment sings true with the staff as well. The decor features a blend of rustic and gilded with an array of antique mirrors lining the back of the bar. Step beyond the bar into the back and you’ll be in the midst of the bi-level brewhouse featuring some of the old Nodding Head equipment with an array of barrels throughout, which will soon produce great beers to come. Along with the rustic decor are sliding garage doors that are sure to liven up this space during the summer time.
Now that we’ve painted the picture for the atmosphere of this brewpub, let’s talk about what’s the most important: the beer. Head brewer Ben Potts’ seasoned background features three local mainstays in Dock Street, Dogfish Head and Tired Hands, so rest assured the beer will be great. The taplist features a diverse blend of mostly sessionable, straightforward and good, honest beers that everyone is sure to enjoy. Opening night featured six beers, with capacity for two more. The starting six were diverse and delicious with two IPAs, a dark English Mild, a light, citrusy pale ale, Vietnamese Coffee Stout and English Barleywine, finding a favorite beer will be easy for everyone.
After enjoying a bit of each beer and taking in the whole experience, I spoke to Curt about the beer, congratulated him on the new space and gave credit for the delicious beers I enjoyed this evening. He was visibly glowing while conversing with his patrons, a sign that his hard work has paid off, and it has.
If my words have not convinced you to check out this new neighborhood gem, do yourself a favor and let the beer do all the talking. You’ll surely be back for more. See you there.
February 19, 2017 | Breweries In PA