By Amaris Pollock, special correspondent to Philly Grub

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant is bringing flavor to the city of Philadelphia by opening its newest location in Center City located at 1150 Market Street.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Center City Preview [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

While at the preview party hosted on Thursday evening, I was able to sample some of the menu offerings and craft beers created to celebrate all things Philly. Among them were two specialty beers which Head Brewer Benjamin Schamberg poured for us; the two Philly-centric brews were Hungry Dog and the Philly Special IPA. Both of the beers were heavy on their hops, however, Hungry Dog was a little lighter in color due to the use of grapefruit and a little more bitter. With both beers, their flavor and taste of hops lingered on my tongue.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Center City Beers [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

I also tried a small sample of their Vienna Red Lager which was sweet and smooth. If you are new to beers or prefer ciders then this one is perfect for you. The flavor is sweet, but not as sweet as a cider.  I prefer beers that are more on the malted side or a crisp light beer—so out of the beers I tasted, the Vienna Red Lager was my preferred beer of the night.  

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Center City [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

As for the atmosphere, the new Iron Hill Center City is upscale and open. Each location has its own individuality, and this particular one feels like it’s designed to fit into city life. There’s an open area with an abundance of tables for those who want to unwind and have a nice meal, and there will be outdoor seating available to enjoy an airy get-together with friends. And just like VIP’s who enjoy being a part of the action but remaining private, the booths by the bar felt we were seated at our own dining oasis. The bar, which faces the taps and televisions, is perfect for anyone who wants to grab a quick bite to eat while having some drinks and cheering on their favorite team.

Speaking of food, I have yet to go to an Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant and not walk out full and content with what I ate. And unlike going out to eat alone, the preview party offered an advantage; they had numerous selections from their Signature Appetizers and Brewhouse Entrees which were presented to us buffet style so we could sample a variety of their menu items.

For starters, I had the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps, which were spicy and had a great bite to it both due to its flavor and how it combines crisp lettuce with peanuts and tender chicken.

Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad & Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

Of course, I can’t resist the temptation of a good Philly Cheesesteak Egg Roll, so I ate one of those crispy, cheesy, and mouthwatering Philly favorites and used some of the beer-infused cheese to dip them into.

Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

Afterward, I had a few bites of the Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad, which you can taste the chipotle dressing as soon as you eat it. Then I tried a little bit of the Char-Grilled Ribeye Steak that was seared to medium-rare perfection. It was tender, juicy, and the chimichurri sauce added a delectable touch. I was beginning to feel full, so I tried the Jaegerschnitzel but only a couple of bites of the fried pork cutlets—which were tender and moist on the inside and the outer breading layer was crispy and delicious.

Jaegerschnitzel [Photo: Amaris Pollock]

I could continue writing about how Iron Hill Center City can satisfy your appetite for delightful craft beers and scrumptious food, but I think the better idea is that you try it out for yourself! You can visit the new location which will hold its Grand Opening on September 13th at 5PM.

And just so you know, in addition to their brand-wide donation to CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, the brewery and restaurant will be collaborating with Philabundance to donate $0.75 for every Triple Chocolate Hill dessert sold—how is that for a sweet ending?

Marilyn Johnson

Food enthusiast. Travel lover. Social media maven.
Independent Journalist. Food marketing/PR expert.
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Email: phillygrub@gmail.com