The already blooming craft beer and pop-up beer garden scene in Philadelphia has welcomed yet another brewery. For now, Evil Genius is just a brew garden, but an actual brewery is in the works for next year. To me, there are two main components of a successful beer garden/brewery. Firstly, the beer needs to be good. Evil Genius already has that down. I've had many of their brews in the past but got to enjoy Turtle Power and Stacy's Mom at the garden during it's opening weekend. Generally, they have a nice list of beers, with great names, in their repertoire. In terms of the brew garden, they had four of those represented at the time of my visit, as well as some guest brews from St. Benjamin. How great is it that our local beer scene plays well in the sandbox together? How can good things (and maybe collaborations...fingers crossed!) not come of this? Secondly, the atmosphere needs to be good. Aside from the El roaring by every so often, the Evil Genius Brew Garden has the atmosphere down. There are a bunch of tables and chairs to hang out at. At least during opening weekend, they had food trucks parked out front on the street. In the brew garden, they had popcorn and a vendor that sold cookies beverages (beer cookie shot anyone?) The garden was everyone friendly. During my visit I saw an array of puppies, babies and adults of various age ranges. Speaking of ranges, I thought the $6 price range of the beers were totally on point and appropriate for what we got. It was a really chill scene and a place I'd easily see myself hanging out at. I think a challenge will be getting there, but that's probably the biggest Center City to Fishtown challenge anyways. For those using the El it shouldn't be too hard. Welcome to Philly, Evil Genius. I see you fitting right in and thriving. read more

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First visit to the Evil Genius Lab location. Great environment to relax and enjoy. Food was okay, could be better. Had the nachos and soft pretzel. Nachos were decent, soft pretzel was old and too hard. Beer is outstanding. Enjoyed a flight of five Lab exclusives and all but one I'd gladly enjoy again. The one I didn't like was not due to quality but style of beer; not sure why I added that to my flight card since I know I don't like that style in general. All in all, great experience. Very cool space to enjoy world class quality beer. Staff was perfect, friendly, and accommodating. Bathrooms were very clean. read more

Really good beer and with funny, creative names to boot. My favorites include the "ma! The meatloaf!" And "I thought the Rockies would've been rockier than this". Also good are the nachos and brucetta. When it's nice, sit outside and play games! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I am a big fan of Evil Genius beers and I am so happy I was finally able to visit the brewery! I loved the atmosphere and the vibe this place gives off. The outdoor area is roomy and there are plenty of spots to hangout with a group. It is also dog friendly which is awesome. We stayed here for about two hours and started off with a flight to try all the different beers. The beer names are fun and quirky and all tasted great. If you're a fan of IPAs this is your spot because they have a ton. Can't wait to come back because I absolutely loved it here! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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What a great name for a brewery, right? The atmosphere of this place is awesome, both inside and out on the patio. Lots of people, great music on the speakers, just a great vibe. The beer is delicious, which is probably the most important thing to know. I've tried many of what they have on tap, and most of them are really really good (a few aren't for me, but that's ok). The names of the beers are amusing too. The food is solid, can't complain about enjoying a good sandwich with my beer(s)! I will definitely be back. read more

Great beers with the best names and an even better atmosphere! I got a cheese plate to snack on while drinking and the food was yummy too.

LOVE THIS PLACE! Enough said... joking haha this brewery is just awesome and wholesome with an array of specialty craft beers, I personally stick to IPA's but everything is so good, I could care less what I'm drinking. They have city wides that come with a shot of whisky and I suppose they change it up but one time They had collaborated with Miller high life, and it was absolutely a better beer than expected (orange and mango IPA). The service is quick, can grab some snacks and just hang out. Definitely will be back sooner than later. read more

What a perfectly adorable spot in Fishtown! If I had to design my ideal brewery location, Evil Genius hit the nail on the head. Funky, fun, and a little bit hipster, it's ... well, Genius! Stocked with plenty of seating options from booths to tables and bar stools, games, cards, and fun Guess Who boards scattered about as well - it's perfect! We came here with a large group of people for a birthday celebration on a sunny April Saturday from 1-5ish. We had probably 15-20 people and 2 long tables complete with cards, games, and plenty of brews! When we arrived around 1, the place had open seating and booths but by the time we left, it was crowded, and there were lines to order. *Full disclosure, a couple arrived at noon when they opened to reserve 2 long tables in the back for our party. I LOVED the names of the beers, and pretty much based our flights on the names alone. (seriously though, not joking). The hubby and I split 2 flights throughout the afternoon, since we had to be responsible adults and drive to another event that evening. I'll list the brews and my thoughts below. Please excuse my beyond elementary beer palate. We ordered one of them twice (Scotty Doesn't Know), so there are 9 listed below - each flight is 5 picks. :: #iCan'tEven (Watermelon Blonde Ale - 5.6%abv) - it absolutely tasted like watermelon! I know people like this, but not for me - fun and interesting to drink though. :: Aziz Light (Cucumber New England Style IPA - 5.8%abv) - meh. kinda cucumber-ey, kinda bland. :: Scotty Doesn't Know (Oatmeal Pale Ale - 4.6%abv) - one of my favorites of the night. Light and refreshing, slightly oat-ey, if that's a thing? :: I Love Lamp (Pineapple Hefeweizen - 5.5%abv) citrus-ey and bright - albiet somewhat bitter, yet refreshing. :: Purple Monkey Dishwasher (Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter - 6.7%abv) - SO good, for a porter. You can taste the peanut butter and the chocolate, super super smooth. Heavy. :: It's a bold strategy, Cotton, Let's see if it Pays off (Blue Coat Gin-Inspired New England Style IPA - 7.7%abv) good and funky - hard to explain. :: Morning Mudslide (Chocolate, Vanilla, Lactose, Coffee, Imperial Porter - 10%abv) - ordered this because, #wheninRome. It was bitter and heavy. the Purple Monkey Dishwasher was MUCH better. :: Kill it! Kill it with Fire! (Biere de Garde with Elderberries + Plums - 6.5%abv) - nothing too memorable, slightly sweet from fruit - but don't remember being wow-ed. :: Stacy's Mom (Citra IPA - 7.5%abv) - my other favorite of the night. Citrus without being tangy, smooth and delish. Plus the name makes me giggle. **Please take my review with a grain of salt, I'm not usually a beer drinker. read more

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Great beer selection and surprisingly nice food with a big spacious location. Love the beer names, which is reflective of their overall style. The menus are on VHS cases. There is an SNES you can play. The decor has a nice weird feel to it. Very large indoor space as well as a nice outdoor space with lots of tables and chairs. Dog friendly. Had the Buffalo chicken dip which was very simple but surprisingly delicious. Came with very nicely toasted pieces of bread. Plates and utensils were all bio-degradable. Cons I suppose were that its right next to the subway which was kind of irritating in the middle of the day. Not a huge food list. But hey, you should come here for the beer, not for a five course dinner. Great addition to the brewery scene of Philly! read more

Evil Genius is my favorite brewery in Philadelphia! I came across it on a hot spring day when looking for a place to drink outside in the Fishtown area, and the line for Frankford Hall was too long. Located underneath the train tracks, it has both an open indoor area, and an outdoor area with seating! There's one line for both food and drinks with multiple registers open, so it moves quickly, even when it extends all the way out onto the sidewalk. I highly recommend getting a flight (5 5 oz pours for $12) to check out the huge selection. Their beers all have funny/punny names, and you simply can't go wrong with any of them. My favorite is their watermelon blonde ale - called #icanteven; it's the perfect summer beer! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Flights - 5 5 oz for $12 - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This really cool spot along Front street is a welcomed addition to the community. Great beers, okay prices, plenty of bathrooms. 3 drawbacks would be almost always a big crowd... with that crowd comes BIGGER NOISE (so loud its almost offensive, makes you not want to hang around) & lastly parking... but you can't have it all. The food here is good, lots of small plates, some charcuterie and cheese boards, pickled things and bar food. Whats not to like? I SAID... WHATS NOT TO LIKE?! I know, it's hard to hear in here. I love that they do many styles of beer, not just IPA's. My number 1 pet peeve with most brewpubs. They offer a large number of sours if you're into that sort of thing (I am). Viva Evil Genius! read more

The snacks were tasty, and everyone at my table enjoyed their beers! I usually don't love IPA's but these ones were tasty for both IPA fans and people like me! It's one of the best stouts I've had. The vibes are great too, and there are games and plenty of space to get a table. read more

As brewpubs go, this is good find. Located way up Front St in Kensington and filled with cool beer, an open beer garden, plenty of sunlight, and some throwback games, EG does what pretty much every other area Brewpub does. This review serves to correct some points in made during my Check In. Brunch--the beer is plentiful and fine (I did a flight as did my guest) but the food menu leaves much to be desired. That's ok, the focus here is beer and atmosphere. EG aces that. Don't come here hungry, though. Good for kids--I wanted to say no. That throwback Sega console is for ME and my other Millennial friends, lol! But after seeing wave after wave of families come on and seeing the kids post up by the Sega or play jenga all while drinking root beer I realized how selfish my Check In was. Bring your kids. I saw babies and all of that during my visit and it didn't ruin my day. Just don't let them hog the Sega Touristy--I figured being so far north under the L that no tourist would venture up. I was WRONG. two large groups toured through to see the brewery and to celebrate someone's 40th and then.....the Big Red Pedal Bike tour rolled in. Listen, you will definitely see tourists here. Guess we can't have all good things to ourselves. And that's ok, limited release beer and reasonably priced flights were worth it. read more

Evil Genius Beer - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

While we were in Philly, we wanted to try some of the various breweries in and near the city. Evil Genius Beer Co. was on our list! It's located about 20 minutes outside of the city near Fishtown/Kensington on Front St. The drive from the city to the brewery was interesting as you drive under the subway rails. It almost gives the vibe of NY City with the businesses along the road. I also loved seeing some of the artwork on the buildings - especially in Fishtown. Parking seemed a little tight when we arrived. I'm not sure if they have a private lot around back; but, we only saw street parking available. It took us a few rides around the block until we landed a spot right in front of the brewery. The inside of the brewery is really neat. It is very clean and industrial; and, they have some interesting artwork on the walls! They have plenty of seating inside and surrounding the bar with additional outdoor seating in the back. If you're looking for a place to watch a game, there is a large projection screen TV on the wall toward the back of the brewery. We tried the #Adulting which was a guava IPA and we really enjoyed it! So much so that we got a crowler to go :). I love the names of their beers, overall. If you've not been to this brewery or have not checked out their beers, take a visit to their website. They have their beer menu posted online and the names are definitely worth a gander, haha. I'm sure we'll stop back next time we're in Philly! read more

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Too much fun stopping in at this brewery. I don't remember much after visiting but I do recall 2 things Stacy's Mom definitely has it going on and how the heck did they make a beer taste like a chocolate peanut butter cup? Dangerously delicious combo in an alcoholic beverage...thank you sir, may I have another? Just thank goodness for their great service, comfy seating and friendly crowd. I grabbed a power nap fo...sho... read more

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There are too many positive things to say about Evil Genius that I don't know if I can say much except that I have Stupid Love for the space! #RC read more

Relaxed at Evil Genius Beer's outdoor garden on Saturday night. A place to grab a decent beer and chill with friends. Just don't come hungry, as the food options are severely lacking. Quality: While Evil Genius Beer did not stand out in terms of any of the beers I tried, they had a good staple of options and a nice beer garden, at a time where outdoor bar space is a necessity. During my visit I tried five beers including Stacy's Mom Citra IPA, Everyday I'm Rustlin Oktoberfest-style Marzen, Trust the Process Hazy IPA, The Gang Gets Quarantined Fruited Sour, and Has Anyone Tried Turning 2020 Off And Then Back On Again Biere de Garde. The Biere de Garde showed they are willing to push boundaries, even though the beer did not work for me. Everyday I'm Rustlin was my favorite of the bunch, a beer that will suit with the changing weather. In terms of food, they need to figure out a better option. The Pretzel Bites were barely adequate, and the other options were sad to look at. They also had run out of beer cheese, which is inexcusable when your options are so limited. Either up the game, find a food truck, or let folks order from elsewhere. Quantity: Either 16oz Draft Beers or 16oz Can Beers. The Pretzel Bites is a sharable item and seemed like the best choice on the menu. Value: $7-$9 for Draft Beers. $8 for Pretzel Bites. Ambiance: Evil Genius Beer is located in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia. They have a large space, with a pretty massive indoor taproom and a good sized beer garden in the adjacent alley. The indoor area was only open for take-out and restrooms, but it looked like a nice space. The outdoor area they created was perfect, but a little concerning at how quickly it got cold even with a heat lamps setup. They had a big tent that covered the majority of it, with picnic tables and hightops underneath. Massive televisions split the center, allowing at least one major game to be played. A few tables sat outside the tent, but not sure how long they will last as the elements set in. The music was a little too much on the pop for me, but I'm sure someone was pumped for it. Crowd: Reservations, especially for larger groups, are highly recommended. A few small tables remained open throughout the evening, but most of the space filled up. Service: They instruct each table to pick one person to order everything via phone. It did not give an opportunity to tip at the end, instead I got an email the next day with tip already included. The host was super nice and accommodating, but the staff was not. Simply requests like changing the channel to a different game after the game showing was over were met with hostility. Parking: Decent street parking in the area. read more

I liked their beer before I came here, but I LOVED their beer by the time I left. I ordered a couple different flights, plus a pint I enjoyed during their tour (brief, but informative and fun). There were still so many beers I wanted to try! I tried to hit the ones that I haven't seen on draft near my home in Allentown. The decor is crazy and fun, the menus are on VHS cases (I LOVE ironic anachronism), and there are board games available to play at your table. I had the most amazing grilled cheese sandwich. We went on a Saturday morning, soon after they opened, and it quickly became jam-packed. When we got up to leave, several different groups descended upon the table, preparing to battle it out for the valuable real estate. I had such a fun time and am hopeful to go back again soon. read more

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Great place to grab a couple of beers with your friends. I would recommend the charcuterie board! It was so good. read more

Evil Genius Beer - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Can't go wrong for a quick stop at Evil Genius. The brews are always tasting good. Service is on point. If you're looking for a good time with friends, this is the place to be. Between the board games and quirky fun beer names, this place is always on top of my list of favorite breweries in Philly. read more

What a great place, I love the stouts. My wife and daughter got lighter beers and enjoyed. Very relaxed casual atmosphere. The architecture inside is incredible. We will definitely be back! read more

What a great brewery! There's a lot of beers available, so there's definitely something for everyone. Loved their little tasters. Staff was very knowledgeable and helped guide the process. The location is convenient to the el, and the space itself is cozy and fun. It was pretty packed on a Saturday early evening. Definitely excited to come back and try more! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Beer flights - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Evil Genius has quickly become one of my must-visit spots in Philly. No brewery will ever beat out Tired Hands in terms of delicious beer, but Evil Genius is probably my second favorite in the area. They have a wide variety of beer with something that's sure to please everyone. They also have a solid snack menu - the warm PB&J stands out in my memory. The only downside is that it's difficult to find a place to sit, particularly if it's cold and you don't want to be in the courtyard! read more

One of my go-to spots for great beers with an awesome staff! I had the pleasure of sitting down with Trevor Hayward the Co-owner. Check out the interview below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu8c7M1f5As read more

There is literally nothing to not love about this place. They have unique names for their beers - they are all fantastic and have a variety of different styles that are all unique. A peanut butter porter? A lavendar hibiscus? They also have board games and couches to lounge on. They have an outdoor area where you can lounge and watch the summer pass you by. This is one of my favorite breweries in the city and I'm always excited to come by for a flight. It's a great starting point for a great night. read more

Evil Genius definitely captivates the uniqueness of the Fishtown neighborhood from its open, industrial feel, to its unique names for beers. That being said, coming into this bar, one does not simply order a single 16oz beer. If you want the full experience, a flight is an absolute must. $12 gets you 5 samples of any of the beers on draft (which is nice because I've noticed that quite a few places in Fishtown will charge a premium for certain beers in a flight). I think my favorite beer from the entire selection is the Purple Monkey Dishwasher, which is a chocolate peanut butter porter. The peanut butter taste is very strong with a subtle hint of chocolate, which makes for the perfect dessert beer. I also really loved the "But Marge, It Works", which is a Vienna style lager made with sesame seeds and adds for a unique flavor and the "Bye Felicia", which is a passion fruit IPA. I'm not a fan of fruity beers, but this one in particular changed my perspective. The food, for what it is (think crockpot/panini press) is also decent. We ordered the grilled cheese and vegan tacos, which were both excellent and hit the spot in satisfying the inevitable munchies that come with consuming a few beers. If you're a craft beer lover and find yourself in Philly, this spot is definitely a must! Side note: definitely a fun place to bring my pup as well when the weather is nice enough to sit outside! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here last weekend for their birthday! Was a great time! They threw a block party with games and lots of outdoor seating. This was my first time at Evil Genius and had a great time. Atmosphere: Casual, plenty of tables for large groups to come and chat over a cold beer or two (or more!). Food: Didn't order food, menu looked great, friends had some fries and enjoyed those. Drinks: They mostly have IPAs and I'm not a huge fan, but all of my friends enjoyed them! I ordered the Stacy's Mom and the #Adulting IPAs. Both were good, and on the less hoppy side of things lol. Service: Great and efficient service. Definitely will come back. Pro tip: parking on front street is free and plentiful on the weekends Prop tip #2: ask to sample a beer before u commit, they're great with advice and sampling! read more

This is such an awesome spot to hang out and have some great beers. I wish these beers were available on the west coast, I loved every beer I tried. I especially loved New Phone Who Dis, a caramel macchiato porter. I was so into it, I bought a 6 pack on the way out to take a few home with me to LA. The place itself was large with lots of seating. The menus are on VHS cases and the names of the beers are all original and fun. They had a really unique and interesting pricing concept. There's a screen with the current prices, which is based on the popularity of the beer at the time. So you could be on the way to the register to get a round and the prices of the beers you were going to get could change. Prices ranged from around $5-8. I'm sure it evens out, but it could be frustrating or good depending on which beers you were going to get. Overall, this is a great spot. I would definitely come by again if I was in town. read more

This is a great space to get a beer and hang out with friends. I came once in the summer and didn't enjoy the beers as much (only because I'm more of a fall/winter seasonal beer fan), but returned in November and really enjoyed their options. You can get a flight to try a few, or just get smaller pours if you don't want to fully commit. I think this is a great option since they have some pretty unique beers you may want to try, and might really enjoy, but maybe wouldn't want a full pour. Haven't tried the food yet, but everything around us looked good. I like the menus on VHS tapes and board games scattered throughout the space. I only wish there were more of them because it can be hard to get your hands on one when they're busy! Will definitely be back. read more

Love the beer garden! I have been to evil genius more times than I count in the past 2 years. There beer never disappoints and they always have around 12 beers to taste. On a nice day the outside is wonderful and of course dog friendly which is always a plus! Just visited on July 12th with 7 friends who all enjoyed their flights and beers. We also split the pretzels which came with cheese and spicy mustard, yum! read more

Evil Genius Beer - Trust the process ipa - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Hands down my fav brewery in Philly so far. They have a great selection and such unique beers (with very clever name). Their Sunday menu is pretty limited so I'd probably recommend going on a different day if you want to eat as well. read more

Update to my review. First off, I used the wrong "their" in my last review. I said "they're" when I meant "their". Huge pet peeve of mine. Anyway the Lab now has wine available and their food menu has been expanded. They do dips, pretzels, spreads, charcuterie, sandwiches and tacos. I tried various tacos and they were all awesome. read more

This is probably my favorite brewery in the area. Such a fun place to go on an off day and just relax with friends. The beer selection changes seasonally, and food is pretty good too. Definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a chill, hipster vibe! read more

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