Fermentery Form is a craft brewery that opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in June 2017. It was founded by friends and business partners Ethan Tripp, Matt Stone and Scott Hatch. The three started out as homebrewing buddies about a decade earlier. They were all very interested in the art and science of fermentation. Instead of typical light lagers, they brewed various experimental, wild-fermented, aged, fruit-infused, "super-nerdy" beer on a regular basis. After being laid off from his job in the digital advertising industry, Tripp decided it was time for a career change. The trio didn't want to open a traditional brewery because they didn't want to deal with the high costs of ingredients, equipment, a large space, or simply brewing beer styles that they didn't care about. So they came up with a brilliant idea: instead they would purchase wort (the liquid poured off the mash in the initial step in the brewing process) from a licensed brewery which they could then age, condition and ferment the way they wanted. So Fermentery Form is not a true brewery; it's technically a fermentery. This business plan solved all the financial problems of having a brewery by not having a brewery. The trio found a small space in the Kensington section of Philly and purchased 50 used oak barrels from a winery in Napa. Today, Fermentery Form is considered to be one of the finest breweries in the Greater Philadelphia area. I recently visited Fermentery Form while my family and I were on a short trip to Philadelphia. I had heard a lot of great things about them in the past few years and was very excited to visit. Fermentery Form doesn't operate like most breweries, and I guess that's part of their appeal. They are open very limited hours; as of this writing, only Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons. The tasting room is a lot like an old-fashioned speakeasy. There's a doorway down a narrow alley. There's no signage, just a green light that turns on to indicate when they are open. You probably won't see the place if you don't know that it's there. I entered to find a very small taproom filled with lots of barrels, a small bar with only four beers on tap, and maybe five other people there. The beers I tried were "Form To Table" (Table Beer), "Form Extra" (Table Lager; collab with Human Robot), and "Barrel-Aged LO-FI" (Barrel-Aged Farmhouse Ale). Every beer I tried was exceptional; each one better than the previous one! I also purchased a bottle of "Merry Merry!" (Barrel-Aged Belgian Strong Dark Ale) to take home. Whatever they're doing at Fermentery Form, they're doing it very well. I highly recommend this brewery to serious craft beer enthusiasts! read more

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If you are a fan of Belgian ales or sour beers, you gotta check out Fermentary Form. I'm a red wine drinker, but on a hot day, I may forego wine and have a beer from Fermentary Form instead. Their beers are refreshing and incredibly easy to drink, with layers of complexity. So far our favorites are the Origins/Sangiovese, Merry Merry (stout), and the Vieux Selection. Currently they're only open at 5:30pm on Thursdays and accept credit card payments, but make sure to follow them on Instagram for any up to date information, including the beers they are selling for the day. The rare ones have a limited supply and do sell out quickly. You can enjoy drinks in their outdoor patio, but we prefer to buy bottles to go. The bottles come in 750 ml bottles, and are easily good for about 2 drinks. read more

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As a former Philly resident who moved down south a couple years ago, I heard all about the greatness of Fermentery Form upon their opening via local friends. Since they're open so rarely, it made it hard to plan a visit. Finally the planets aligned for a trip at the end of September, and our group of four had the best time. We tried a whole bunch of their beers, both on draft and in bottle, and received a full tour/explanation of their operations. We stayed for a few hours at least and it was all around an enjoyable and educational experience. I have a bottle of Slo Mo calling my name in my fridge, and I can't wait to open it with local friends here in Richmond, VA, so they can experience the greatness of this brew-speakeasy as well. Hopefully a return trip will be in the stars soon. read more

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There used to be a time where the majority of alleyways in Kensington/Fishtown led to rare mysteries that most people would be out of their minds to explore! But when times change and Fishtown lead to brand new ventures like distilleries, breweries, axe throwing, indoor batting cages and more it leads to even more possibilities! So when one such building led to indoor/outdoor mini-golf (Mental note: must go!) it led to a great opportunity to create a phenomenal hidden gem brewery. And despite being the tiniest brewery that I ever visited, Fermentery Form is one that delivers some of the most forward thinking sour beers that I ever did try! I give a four because even though the main room is a miraculous one that's filled with antlers, church pews, a mahjong/card table, and more; its a tiny one bar space that gets crammed rather quickly in the winter. But during the spring/summer FF opens up an incredible outdoor side patio that opens up a lot of grand possibilities. Ultimately you come to Fermentery Form for the delicious sour beers, and whether you get them on draft or in big bottles to share among friends, you get some pretty serious winners! My initial favorite was their Pure Phase which is a satisfying tart IPA style that they made with Crime & Punishment (https://www.yelp.com/biz/crime-and-punishment-brewing-philadelphia). But I've also been impressed with their Gestalt dry hopped farmhouse whose flavor changes with batch release, and their dank Super! Belgian tripel. But for their bottles it doesn't get much better than their Slo-Mo which contains decadent notes of cherry and blackberry puree. read more

Fermentery Form - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Been waiting to check this spot out. Finally made it on a Saturday around 5pm which was just in time before a huge rush -- the actual room itself is quite small but they somehow managed to have around 40 people standing there's 3 barstools at the bar for seating and one larger table where people were playing card games. The outside area is HUGE -- great for warmer weather. The owners are extremely nice and knowledgeable on everything they are serving and doing at their locations. Most bottles are able to be purchased to go which is a nice benefit. Price range is $16 for a bottle. If you're going for your first time it's worth it to just buy by the bottle then what's on tap. They're only open one day a week saturdays 2-8pm Form Extra is delicious! read more

Fermentery Form - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sours excite me. Kensington scares me. However, all I've heard is positive buzz from the time Fermentery Form opened within the past few months. Odd operating hours and the location were deterrents for sure; however, it's well worth the visit. A few important tidbits- 1) They are cash only. Come prepared. 2) The bar is extremely tiny; however, they have an outdoor courtyard. Planning a nice day for your visit is ideal. 3) Between the drafts and bottles, the menu isn't robust. It won't take too long to "conquer it all" in one visit, especially if you are sharing bottles with a group. No need to plan a full day there. 4) It's conveniently located by Federal Distilling and not too far from St. Benjamin's and Evil Genius. Between all the Fishtown hotspots, you can easily make a day in Fishtown and Kensington. I heard it gets pretty dark in that alley at night, so just plan your travels accordingly if you don't like wandering down dark alleyways. 5) They have snack foods, but no real food. I'm not sure their policy on BYOF. Fermentery Form is different because they actually ferment their beers. I'm really not sure the whole process involved, but I'm sure they'd be happy to explain it. It seems like they collaborate with others, as they had just tapped a collab beer with Crime and Punishment. While not immediately jumping to my "favorite sours ever list," I think it's so great to have something new to the beer scene. The beers I tried (Pure Phase, Solmo, Gestalt 8, Super! And Bitter) were very complex and you could taste the intricacies and heart in them. I see great things to come for Fermentery Form, and I'm excited to take that hike over to Kensington. read more

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Look for the green light! There's not a whole lot else indicating you're in the right place. You might pass by the weirdly placed Vodka-distillery/ indoor putt-putt place, but other than that, Fermentery Form is situated in a somewhat desolate-feeling spot in a not-so-hot neighborhood. Once you're inside, however, you're transported to a kind of small, industrial feeling barrel house with a modest bar, seemingly sporadic wooden benches and tables, lots of flannel, and good beer. It feels less like a brewery and more like a secret beer club that only the true brew lovers flock to. This could be for a number of reasons - their operation is open only one day a week (sometimes two - check their Instagram/ Facebook for most up-to-date opening information!) It could also be their odd, yet oddly perfect Kensington warehouse location. The beers are as good and funky as they come. I'm not typically one for dark beers, but I loved their sour dark beer (Form to Table - maybe). I can't recall specifically which beers I tried on my visit, but I can tell you one thing - I enjoyed them all. It might be a little crowded, but don't let that deter you. The customer flow is pretty steady all night, and on a cold winter evening, it's the perfect cozy "party." They do have an outdoor seating section in which I'm eager to indulge in the warmer weather. Fermentery Form gets the greenlight. read more

My husband loves sour beers, so we we're pretty psyched to check this place out. It's conveniently located next to one of our favorite bars/distilleries. Finding it wasn't hard, but can be difficult if you don't know what you're looking for. We went on a Spring Saturday around 5 PM, and it's clear their secret is out. The small seating area was full, but we we're lucky enough to grab the two seats at the bar. The owners/ bartenders were friendly. We enjoyed slo-mo, informal #1, and super then grabbed dark light to enjoy at home. We enjoyed everything, though some was too sour for my tastes. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was able to enjoy without being a huge sours fan. We look forward to returning with friends and would recommend this place to anyone. read more

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Super cool super low key super unknown(as of yet) spot cranking out top shelf craft beers. From the walk down the alley into the unknown, we were met with a wave of cool air and thankful for the small but kitschy indoor space. Friendly staff, beer geeks abound, we had a blast tasting our way through their current bottle selection Pros: Flavorful unique brews Drinking amidst the barrels Knowledgeable staff who are proud of their product On site slices of pizza brain being slung Cons: Small indoor space (the outdoor patio looked super fun and spacious but it's currently 100 degrees out) Bottles are not to go read more

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This is a must-visit. If you like wild ales and are open to the idea of hitting mini golf next door after drinking several of them, this place is for you. Don't be scared of the dark alley and look for the green light on the wall outside. Really pleasant and approachable beer here--they nail the style very well. Nothing pretentious and very laid back. I like that there are several options to enjoy on-premise as well as to-go. I will definitely be back next time I'm in the area. read more

This place is difficult to find and difficult to catch when their open - but so worth it if you do! Following them on Instagram is the best way to know if they're open or closed. It's pretty hard to locate it and you'll probably miss it a couple times. The beer is great! It's a pretty small room but worth it. Definitely recommend it! read more

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Really cool neighborhood gem hidden away in an alleyway! I've been to this area a couple of times but had no idea that this spot existed. On Saturday evening around 5 pm, a few friends and I decided to check this place out. The inside area is pretty small with just one main table and a few other places to sit available. They have a small bar with 3 beers on draft, as well as a bottle list which are priced at around $20 per about 750 ml bottle. The inside area has several large barrels, but otherwise no other special decorations or anything. During the time we were there, it was fairly crowded inside with people both standing and sitting. They also have an outdoor seating area that is pretty large with several tables to sit at. Since it was nice out the day we came, we were able to sit outside and enjoy our drinks. Regarding the beers, I ordered one of the drafts called the Smile. It was $6 for this draft, and I really loved this beer. I also tried a couple of my friends' beers and was pleasantly surprised by all of them. Their beers are unique and flavorful, definitely some of the best I've had in the city. This probably wouldn't be my first choice place to come for beers with other breweries in the area like Evil Genius, but I would definitely stop by again if I'm sticking around the area for a few hours and am willing to bar hop! read more

Form is maybe the truest speakeasy in the city. Searching it's address, you'll get close, then glance down a deserted-appearing alley - is this really it?! It is. Just go for it. Once you've found it, you won't be disappointed. This tiny spot is churning out some of the most interesting brews in the area right now - Gestalt and Smile are my particular favorites - but there is no pretention or attitude from the staff. The bar area is cozy, the attitude is welcoming and friendly, and the beers are really great. Watch their social media for opening alerts as the hours vary. Pro tip: if the green light is on, they are open. read more

FYI: CASH ONLY. Great underground place for sours. Somewhere between a home brewer's house and a micro brewery, Fermentory Form exercises the best of brewing and bottling. There are $16 large bottles to take home (or stay) and various other pints on draft too for in-house consumption. All the beers have a sour/gose slant, which really grows on you a few sips into it. There's a cozy garage-type area with seats and stools and even a vinyl record set up with a DJ. Only open on Saturdays 2-8pm, make sure to double check the hours. read more

If you like sours, you'll like this place! It's a little bit hard to find--you'll end up walking down a nondescript alley that won't seem right, but keep going! Finding it is part of the fun. Once you do, you'll be greeted by a cozy space with just enough room for a couple of tables and a small bar. You're also able to purchase beer to take with you, so definitely stock up after you've enjoyed a pint or two. After tasting their beers, you'll definitely want more for later! As other reviews have mentioned, keep an eye on their Instagram in order to find out about hours and events! read more

You'll never believe that the best beer made in Philly is down this dark, dank alley in a homely tasting room in Kensington. But it's true. What the guys at Form have done is transform Philly into Brussels. I cannot recommend this place enough. This is how beer should be made. read more

Great beer. Tiny inside though. The place was jam packed when we went there. Fortunately someone was leaving when weight there, so we were able to snag some seats. 3 beers on tap and about 6 bottles available for on site or offsite consumption. read more

Follow the green light down the murder alley to get to this gem. Had a great time here, small selection of beer but solid selection. Small place but surrounded by great company. We weren't originally going to go here but was recommended by some people we met at another brewery, we found them sipping some beer as soon as we walked through the door and spent the rest of the evening chatting with them. We ended our night here and we made some friends and my husband was just chatting it up with he bartenders. Great little spot. read more

I'm a bit reluctant to write this review because I would love for this place to stay slightly under the radar. But with beer this good, this place is destined for great things. As of now, only open 1-2 days a week, so check their Instagram for updates. Go as soon as you can, drink as much beer as you can and take home enough bottles to hold you over until the next time you can visit. read more

Really great maker of sours and farmhouse beers. They open once or twice a week, often on very short notice. It's a small tasting room without a lot of seating, but with better weather they open up a big courtyard. Very much worth a visit for the unique beer options. Many of their bottles are only available on site. read more

If you are open once a week and an occasional weekday to showcase your floral saison-type beers, this man is gonna stop by and check it out. Making the trek of the Berks station and walking through Kensington was serene and quiet until we hit the corner of Cecil B Moore Ave and Hancock. New row homes appeared and the beautiful Stateside Vodka Distillery appeared. It was a mini utopia with the Keystone Arcade and Mini Golf next door! And then, you walk around the corner to the alley which dead ends and is surrounded by haphazard and dilapidated buildings. A beautiful wooden door awaits as you pass the large outdoor seating area and walk inside into the quaint LOR type tasting/finishing room. Absolutely quaint and bustling with locals and foreigners (myself included) imbibing and playing board games (UNO, connect four). Four beers on draft where my wife and I started with the Form to Table (their signature saison table and drinkable beer) that is only 4 dollars for a 10oz pour. Very light, tart, and subtle hop infusion. Great and drinkable. I next went to the Informal #1 coming in at 7% ABV which packed a funky, fruity and tart (their MO). I think they labelled this as a solera beer which means they fractionally blend different ages of the beer. My wife ordered the Merry Merry (Belgian Strong Ale) that is dark, strong (aged in bourbon barrels THEN white wine barrels) which added a subtle signature tart. The tartness took away from the syrup taste you usually get in bourbon barrels which I admired! A majority of the patrons went with the wide selection of 750mL bombers available for purchase and consumption at the bar (About 6 to purchase and consume on site). Great idea and great price point (15-20 dollars). Will definitely be back to this place as their creativity reminds me of Second District and Tired Hands. Very well done. read more

Fermentery Form - Go to the red arrow - Breweries Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Feels like being in Europe. Sour beer HQ for Philadelphia. Semi hidden but easy to find location adds to the fun.

Cool vibe for a small brewery. Very devoted to tasteful quality. Atmosphere is good for groups. Beer is really quality despite limited selection. read more

So, I have a beer crush on this place, so you can take my review with whatever level of salt appropriate. The concept behind the Fermentery Form model is awesome. They take a base beer made elsewhere and add their house yeast and Solera barrel process to make something glorious. The weird walking down a random alley thing totally works for me, but ymmv. They are typically open only during hours my children are awake, which is complicating, but if you like the style of beer, you'll find no better. read more

Very cool brewpub in a cozy, rustic-industrial setting. Off the beaten path, but worth the journey. Excellent artisan sour beers. Very friendly and helpful staff. read more

Absolutely excellent, local made sour beers in an up and coming neighborhood. Super hidden down a dark alley but a great atmosphere. Such s hidden gem. read more

Great hidden gem. If you like sours, this spot is a must. Small, but I don't mind it. Cash only, so come prepared.

Delicious, thoughtfully-made beers made and served by good people. The interior is cozy (yeah, it's small... ) and if you're looking for a brewery-bar with tours and revelry and pretzels, go to Yards or Evil Genius. But if you want to support a cool small business that produces quality product, come here. read more