The Foodery - Northern Liberties

slander

New York

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

Won me half a brewery in a ping pong game but between garbage and, well, no that's it really, just garbage; I never had any time for it. Deadbeat volunteers always showing up late, hanging outside smoking cigarettes, breaking glass, and just not knowing when to leave, I'd had enough. So I packed it all up and dropped it into storage in Philly, and then went out for dinner locally in the Northern Liberties. Had me a look at the new Foodery next door while I was there...

Or maybe it should be called the Anti-Foodery, as it's, um, you just have to see the both of them and you'll know what I'm talking about. A clean well lit place, with a food counter at one end and about 9 tables at the other end along the windows. Snacks and coffees line the area around the center island registers.

A wall and a half of coolers chock full of singles, 22's and 750's. Belgians, Germans & English, but who are you kiddin'? You're here for the American micros. Grouped by brewery, it's all easy to sort through, cooler by cooler, shelf by shelf. Pulled pairs of the Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga (The Firefly), and Three Floyds Rabbid Rabbit. The JP's were priced within reason but the Three Floyds were stupid costly. They own you. They've got the beers, they let you see them, they let you hold them, you've got it in your head that it's yours even before you've paid for them, you're done.
During a post-Kennett brunch next door with (Evil) Davo, I dropped over, nabbed another pair of Fireflys and made a mixed four pack of Bell's Rye Stouts & Two Hearted Ales.

Pricey beyond reason and good behavior in my opinion. Still, theys gots the goods, so I'd say just get what you need, not all you want.

11-20-2006 03:22:24 | More by slander

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +9.8%
quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$$

Wow, I was shocked and elated to discover that this place is located right on the approach to the Standard Tap, headed northwest from the Spring Garden (Blue Line) station.

It was set up in an elongated, inverted "U"-shape with a deli counter just inside of the door, to the right. Beyond the deli, beginning along the back wall and hooking around to the left, was the extensive bank of coolers. I was left gasping for breath as I took in the depth and breadth of their selection. In fact, I may have even been hyperventilating, as the floor salesman came over and offered me a chair. Yow! I declined, but as I stood there, transfixed, he recognized me an began addressing me as "The Beer Pest", which was even more disconcerting. I was really taken with the mixed-six discount, but I some point reality set in and I took a step back, realizing that I am awash in beer and do not really need more. I finally made a small token purchase and wandered out into the night.

11-01-2007 22:23:31 | More by woodychandler

Billolick

New York

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

Every time I visit this neighborhood, I like it more. The new northern Foodery location is a big addition. Almost all of the brew is kept in nice, clean, new cooler units along the rear of the store. Selection is impressive, plenty of BA worthy selections. Also a counter for sandwiches and other tasty treats. Guy behind the counter was helpful and informative and even advised me not to buy certain caged and corked brews that he said had oxidized. Next door to the also very worthy Standard Tap. Fine place to purchase quality beer. Highly recommended.

08-30-2006 23:30:42 | More by Billolick

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

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

The new Foodery in Northern Liberties opened on July 1, 2006, right across the street from The Standard Tap. It has the same great beer selection that the center city location has, as well as a new deli area. It's clean (and new), and there's seating as well, so you can grab a sandwich and enjoy it with an unusual brew. Beyond that, the store is quite nicely done with lots of dark wood and some breweriana. There's also a MAC machine ($1.50 charge on top of bank fees), and they accept credit cards.

The beer prices are similar, and I paid $42 for a mixed six-pack on my first visit. I did, of course, buy 4 large bottles which explains at least part of that. And it IS a deli, so there's going to be a charge for that. Overall, it's not that bad when you compare it to buying by the six-pack or case.

There's a discount if you buy 6 bottles, and you really need it because they'll gouge you pretty badly. And keep in mind that you only get the discount if it's 6. If you add another bottle or two (or even 5) they'll be at the regular price. I personally find that ridiculous, but that's they way they work it.

On top of that, there's no price list so you don't know what you're paying. I guess that's another way they get you, since you don't know how badly they're gauging you, you'll spend more. Anyway, if you are going to buy more than a six-pack, you'll want to make sure that you group your more expensive beers in that six. I used to grab a mixed six and then a Belgian 750ml before I realized what was going on, and I always ended up losing the discount on the big bottle. I should have jammed it into the 6 pack carrier and left a cheaper 12 oz. out, or just skipped it altogether.

And don't bother asking them to give you the six-pack discount anyway because they'll just act like they don't know how to do it, or just tell you they can't. And always watch what they ring up, and ask for the itemized receipt. They won't normally give you the itemized receipt and you have to ask. Too many times I've found them charging me for an extra bottle! And at roughly $4.50 for a 12oz. that's just too costly.

Apart from being ripped off, I was impressed with the selection, and I'm quite sure that it exceeds that of the center city location, although there seems to be more of an emphasis on domestic breweries. Regardless, there are plenty of European brews available and I'm sure they'll add more as needed.

Apart from the chips and snacks they sell, the deli is quite nice. I grabbed a cheese sandwich for $4.50 and was quite pleased with it. Hoagies run $5 or $5.50, and panini's are available for $5 to $6.

They're generally open from 10 until 10, so you can stop in before you hit the pub, or even during a mini pub crawl. And come to think of it, now with the Foodery in Northern Liberties, the area has really become a kind of beer Mecca. You can hit The Abbaye, North 3rd, 700 Club, The Druid's Keep, and Standard Tap all within a short walking distance.

07-06-2006 18:34:28 | More by NeroFiddled

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -2.7%
quality: 5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | $$$

This place had a huge selection of beer, everything available in singles (which is definitely not the norm in PA). Many many USA craft breweries, rarities from Belgium, all the German goodies, just a beautiful selection of awesome beers. One big negative is that I couldn't find prices on anything. Anything I wanted to buy I had to first show to the cashier so I could hear the price. Then I felt cheap if I didn't buy it, I swear this place would do better business if they just displayed prices so people wouldn't get all sheepish when they have to ask. Probably the Foodery doesn't need my advice, and I'd shop here occasionally anyway if I lived in the area, but it's a hassle shopping blind.

03-07-2009 01:59:50 | More by TurdFurgison

Yetiman420

Ohio

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

Made the easy Market-Frankford line subway ride (east Frankford from downtown) to the Spring Garden stop and an 8 minute walk to The Foodery.

All the beers you could ask for at a price you would expect for such a collection in the city.

I picked up a whiskey aged Fat Dog from Stoudts ($27) and The Bruery Saison with brett (~$18) and a 't Smisje Calva Reserva and the bill came to $58. They had a '05 Panil Baroque for ~$27, RR Consecration for ~$29, Black Albert for ~$12, and espresso oak aged yeti imperial stout for ~$12.

The guy helping me was very helpful and I made a point to drink my t' Smisje there before heading across the street to The Standard for a couple of pints.

03-24-2009 23:01:33 | More by Yetiman420

GJ40

North Carolina

4.55/5  rDev +4.1%
quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$$

I decided to stop by The Foodery during a quick visit to Philly after finding it here on BA.

The store in neat and well organized. The beer appears as soon as you enter the door. The selection is outstanding and about 80% of it is refrigerated with only a limited selection on the shelves. They carry a lot of locals but also a good number from the west coast, the rest of the US and Europe. I was impressed to see several Michigan beers I'd only seen in MI. I was hoping to find a few I can't get in NC or other states I visit regularly. Ballast Point Dorado DIPA fit that bill. I also picked up Troeg's Nugget Nectar, SN Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale and SA Longshot DIPA. I didn't really have any questions but my limited interaction with the cashier went well.

The Foodery has a great selection of craft beer and is well worth a visit.

06-13-2009 18:11:26 | More by GJ40

blackie

Virginia

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

rolled by The Foodery after a fantastic lunch at the nearby Arbol Cafe

outstanding selection - only catch is that it's singles only (not a problem as a visitor, as I'm after variety), lots of regional items, beers from up and down the east coast, and around the world, representing the rarer or harder to find beers well, everything is in coolers save for some of the bomber/750 selections

items of interest may include Russian River, Lost Abbey/Port, Pretty Things, Terrapin, Dark Horse, Founders, Victory - the list goes on and on, not just a couple bottles per brewery - but nearly complete lineups for more than a few, let's just say it gets these consistently high scores with good reason

both guys working offered useful advice when attempting to narrow down my selections, and were candid when answering questions as to the quality of certain breweries

beers are available for in-house consumption alongside their menu of deli items

03-15-2010 01:45:25 | More by blackie

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

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

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

After having tried what seems like 75% of what is available in NYC, one must find other avenues to obtain different beers. There's trading and then there's the Chinatown train to Philly.

This is the top stop for me. Really it's come to the point that it ends up being my only stop. Rarities abound here, and in a good rotation as well. Things come and go, but there is always something interesting available. And by interesting, one might mean: Nøgne Ø Dark Horizon, Saint Somewhere, Lost Abbey/Port Brewing, Hoppin' Frog, Voodoo... And the list goes on and on...and on. As far as more "regular" stuff goes, they always have Bell's and Tröegs of course. There have to be about8 refrigerator doors worth of selections here. If you can't find something to enjoy here, you should go explore the world of crocheting.

Service is pretty good. The guys here are chill but willing to help.

The prices are high here. There is no debating that. It helped me to achieve the highest purchase by a single person ($280). If you have beaten that, please feel free to take the award right out of my hands.

Like I said, this is the stop for me in Philly. I haven't found a reason to explore other avenues quite yet.

02-26-2008 12:36:04 | More by RblWthACoz