The Foodery - Northern Liberties

irishking1977

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +11%
quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

When I walked into this place for the first time, I thought I heard a choir chanting and felt I found the meaning of life. Okay, not really, but this place has almost any obscure beer one can think of.They have nearly any Belgian brew one can think of, and an immense selection of craft brews as well I spent over an hour finalizing a mere six pack. Granted, it came out to over $40, but it was worth it to sample some really rare brews. Perhaps when i win the lottery, or consider getting an unsecured line of credit, I'll go back and go hog wild.

01-02-2010 05:32:35 | More by irishking1977

mymrnngjckt

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -8.5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$$$

This was my first stop at the Northern Liberties Foodery. Much nicer, cleaner and organized than the Center City location. Everything appeared fresh. I wasn't asked if I needed help but they were busy so I can't hold that against them. The selection was excellent. My guess is that if it is available in Philadelphia, the Foodery has it. The only slight against this place is the prices. They are outrageous, even for Philadelphia standards. Not sure I would stop back unless I really wanted to try something and was willing to pay the extra prices.

12-29-2009 03:28:06 | More by mymrnngjckt

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$$$

Have been here quite a few times now. All I've done is sift through the beer selection. Haven't tried any of the food as Standard Tap, Abbaye, and other great pubs/restaurants are so close nearby.

Anyway, I come here specifically to look for beers that I'd like to try. Their selection is great. I could easily spend a half hour just deciding what beers to try out. The only problem is....it'll run you a pretty penny. Once, I was going to buy a Stoudt's Old Abominable but found out at the register that it would have cost me around $20 alone. Given the close to 100% markup, I had to put it back even though I was dying to try it. I wish the cost was a little more affordable, otherwise I'd probably be here every other week. But then, I understand that the owners have to pay the rent so there's the rub.

Quality of service has always been great. The guy behind the counter has always been helpful. I've even traded plenty of stories as to which beer is good and some of my experiences at various breweries. In fact, I just stopped into the place today to look for a Life & Limb. The guy behind the counter explained to me that I had missed it by one day. Apparently, they sold out in next to no time; they even had people calling up the store to find out when they would have it.

Overall, a great store. I just wish they were a little less pricey. I'm definitely glad it's not walkable from where I live!

12-04-2009 22:35:54 | More by jwhancher

mbudner

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$$

Q- They generally have great beer that is kept in proper temperatures. My one problem is that they tend to sit on IPAs and other hoppy beers without regard for the customer's desire for freshness. I understand that not all IPAs, PAs, and DIPAs can have a 1 week turnaround as I would hope, but I lack confidence in the Foodery's ability to monitor. No matter who I ask or what beer I ask about, "Oh yeah, that just came in last week"...then I get home and I have a 22oz. malt bomb that drinks nothing like any review I have read. This is only partially their fault as too many breweries fail to date bottles.

S- There are some people who work there that don't know much, but from my experience, they are in the minority. The employees who do know a good amount about beer are on the beer geek end of the spectrum and are often quite helpful in comparing brews or offering advice about new great beers in stock.

S/V- Undoubtedly the best selection for singles in Philadelphia, but this ribbon comes with its price tag. I have never seen such outrageous prices ANYWHERE. For example, Everyone has been complaining about Rasputin XII being in the neighborhood of $21-23/bottle....the foodery charges $34/bottle. Founders Breakfast Stout is $5/bottle. Sometimes you just have to suck it up though because they get great stuff, a lot of the rare stuff and they are the only ones with a selection like this in center city.

11-18-2009 04:13:48 | More by mbudner

Tiklmelmo

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +7.6%
quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$$

Great bottle shop in Northern Liberties. One of the best selections of single bottles (VERY hard to find in this area, outside of a bar) in the city. However, it is extremely spendy. You will pay probably double (or more) here what you'd pay in New Jersey or any other state for the same bottle.

That said, it's one of a very few places in and around the city with anywhere near the selection (Capone's in Norristown being the only other I can think of).

If it's convenient for you, go there ,as it's probably the best around you for a quick fix. If you're from out of the area, you can probably do cheaper elsewhere.

11-11-2009 05:47:10 | More by Tiklmelmo

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +6.4%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$$$

This place by far has the best selection in the Philadelphia area. The stock close to 1000 different beers that you can mix in a six pack and get 10% off. They have about 15 coolers that are separated by region with an incredible selection of American craft, especially locals as well as the best selection of imports that I've ever seen. They have rare Cantillon, Drie Fonteinen, North Coast, west coast beers, Italian and Scandinavian beers. The service is excellent here and the people who work here are very knowledgeable about there products. Jeff the purchasing manager is really cool and probably knows more about beer that most people I've met. I usually spend more time talking toi him than shopping for beers. They also have a small little deli section with great sandwiches, artisan chocolates and cheeses as well as quality hummus and other treats. This is the best place in the area for singles but the biggest problem is how ridiculously high the prices are. Expect to pay $35-$50 for a quality six pack. I mean you may as wel bend over when you walk in and expect the worst. For example, Rasputin XII is $34.50. Give me a fuckin' break!

10-16-2009 07:35:01 | More by corby112

cooch69

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

The Foodery has a phenominal singles selection for the restraints that pa holds. One of the best in the state. They have everything you could want and more. Most of the beer is already cold, exept for the mountains of it around the registers. The prices are a bit high, this may be due to the city or some other reasons. They had some nice Belgians and Italians. I heard they had glassware as well to, but I'll have to look next time because I was so fixated on the beer I didnt even look before I left. If I am ever in the city I will surely come here again.

09-13-2009 07:10:42 | More by cooch69

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.5/5  rDev +3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

One of the clerks at the Center City Foodery recommended coming to this place when I told him I was from New York.

Let me begin by saying that this is place is, selection wise, by far the best beer distributor that I have ever been to. They have it all! From hard to find brewers like Mikkeller, Lost Abbey, and Russian River, to favorites like Stone, Founders and various Belgians. They also have a decent food selection to go with the beers that you pick out along with a seating area if you're with a bunch of friends and would just like to hang out.

As with Center City, all the beers here are refrigerated and well kept and the clerks were ready and willing to go above and beyond to help out with anything from a beer recommendation to even giving you a history lesson about why beer distribution is so incredible in Philly (hint: ask the owner of Monk's Cafe')

Although again a bit pricey, I wouldn't hesitate to make another 2 hour trip out here from New York just to get some other brews I may be missing.

08-09-2009 02:27:43 | More by SpeedwayJim

jgasparine

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | $$$

I randomly stumbled onto this place whilst strolling through Philly with the wife. What can I say... I was f'in blown-away. I just stepped into a beer wonderland.

This store may have the best selection I have seen in the United States... all efficiently compacted into this smallish storefront. Most bottles were individually sold AND refrigerated (for instant gratification); and all were superbly organized by place of origin (i.e. German beer grouped together, Belgians together, etc.)

I spied several rare and obscure beers here, and I was equally impressed by the vast knowledge of the staff there as well.

I would recommend that anybody go out of their way to visit this store.

07-28-2009 00:58:39 | More by jgasparine

mltobin

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev -5%
quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$$

Located in the hip and trendy section of Philadelphia known as Northern Liberties is a food and beverage store called "The Foodery". Upon walking into the entrance there is food to right, but if you walk straight, you will see the beer and if you hang to the left, you will see more beer. My brother who has been living in Manayunk for a little over a year, told me about this place. They carry a big selection, which includes : Lost Abbey, Fantome, Anderson Valley, JW Lees, Urthel, Russian River, Moylans, Lakefron and many other great breweries. The big downside is that they charge very high prices. Some of the beers they carry that I can get here in CT or over the border in NY, they charge double what my local stores charge...double ! So if you are flush with cash, then shop here, because they have a very good selection.

07-18-2009 01:29:27 | More by mltobin