9 Summer-Ready Brews & Wines Made Right Here in Delco

Isn’t Delco in the summer just the greatest? Sure, the humidity is thick, but that’s a small price to pay for the sheer joy of kids jumping through sprinklers, the sizzle of burgers on the grill, the brainfreeze from a scoop of water ice … we could go on and on.

One of the other best parts of summer is the refreshing Delco-made adult beverages to stock your cooler and fridge with. Cooling off is just a little more fun when you’ve got a locally made craft beer or glass of wine to wind down with! 

Between special releases and reliable standbys, there are plenty of tasty brews and wines that are perfect for summer. Here are nine to try when the temperatures rise: 

 

2SP Brewing Co. Summer Hoppy Ale

This Aston-based brewery is beloved for tasty, true-to-style beers that are also fun and innovative. We also love how full of Delco pride they are — have you tried their iconic Delco Lager? Every summer, these folks roll out their Summer Hoppy Ale, a sessionable 5% ABV blonde ale that features Mandarina Bavaria hops, which are known for a unique creamsicle orange flavor. The 2023 edition goes heavier on the hops for a heftier dose of flavor and aroma. Find it in 2SP’s tasting room, or at local retailers.

The 2SP tasting room is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

120 Concord Rd. #101-103, Aston, (484) 483-7860.

 

Photo courtesy of Iron Hill Brewery

Iron Hill Brewery Watermelon GOZERita 

At the Media outpost of this long-standing local brewery chain, find a beer that just screams summer: the Watermelon GOZERita. This fruited sour ale is a party in a glass, sort of like a combo between a margarita and a beer — but hold the tequila. Tart and juicy, this brew is made with fermented watermelon, limes, ground coriander and pink sea salt, for a bright and bold flavor that’s just right for beach trips and picnics. Watermelon GOZERita is available on draft at Iron Hill’s Media location.  

Iron Hill in Media is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

30 E. State St., Media, (610) 627-9000.

 

Photo courtesy of Sterling Pig Brewery

Sterling Pig Technicolor Haze Hazy IPA

This local gem at the edge of downtown Media recently released a new beer, just in time for summer: Technicolor Haze Hazy IPA. This fresh cut features four kinds of hops (Citra, Simcoe, Meridian and Nugget) for a complex medley of aromas and flavors, and is brewed with pilsner malts and a touch of oats for a velvety, full-bodied texture. This is a great one to keep around for your craft-beer-loving pals! Technicolor Haze is available in cans at Sterling Pig’s brewery in Media, as well as at local retailers.

Sterling Pig is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 p.m and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.

609 W. State St., Media, (484) 444-2526.

 

Photo courtesy of Penns Woods

Penns Woods Winery Rosé

If your unofficial summer motto is “Rosé all day,” keep a few bottles of Penns Woods Winery’s Rosé chilling in the fridge! This lovely wine is a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauv and Malbec, for layers of flavor that’s anything but one-note. Swirl the glass for aromas of peach, apricot skin and orange blossom, and take a sip to find flavors of summer stone fruits and white flowers, with vibrant acidity and a long, elegant finish. Shop for Penns Woods wines at its tasting room or online.

The Penns Woods tasting room is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

24 Beaver Valley Rd., ​Chadds Ford, (610) 459-0808. 

 

Photo by Terra Gold Photography, courtesy of Grace Winery

Grace Winery Pinot Gris 

For those muggy, sticky days, a super-chilled glass of white wine is the ultimate summer sipper. When that’s what you’re after, try Grace Winery’s Pinot Gris, a light, delicate wine made with a blend of estate and locally sourced grapes, with lovely notes of peaches, lemons and limes. Try it with a seafood dish, or a salad made with farmers market produce for a wonderful pairing! You can find Grace Winery wines at its tasting room, or shop online.

The Grace Winery tasting room is open Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

50 Sweetwater Rd., Glen Mills, (610) 459–4711.

 

The Larimer Beer Co. Shlip & Shlide Hard Seltzer

Calling all Union fans! This nano-brewery is just a quick walk away from Subaru Park in Chester, and there are plenty of craft beers on draft to try once you’re there. But for a real summer treat, try The Larimer’s new hard seltzer Shlip & Shlide, featuring a truly creative combination of cucumber, lime, coriander and sumac. Doesn’t that sound delightful? Enjoy a cold one on the brewery’s festive outdoor patio, and connect with fellow Sons of Ben before or after a match.

The Larimer Beer Co. is open Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

15 Engle St. G Unit, Chester, (484) 480-3918.  

 

Photo courtesy of Four Fingers Brewing Co.

Four Fingers Brewing Co. High Hops

Sing it with us: We’ve got high hopes, we’ve got high hopes, we’ve got high apple pie, in the sky hopes…

If you know all the lyrics to this Phillies anthem by heart, this is the beer for you! Four Fingers Brewing releases this baseball-themed “Bullpen Session IPA” every spring to celebrate our hometown team. Grab a few of these tall cans to enjoy on game day; at 5.2% ABV it’s a sessionable choice that’s still full of hoppy, juicy flavor. Grab High Hops at Four Finger’s brewery on draft or in cans to-go.

Four Fingers Brewing Co. is open Friday from 3 to 9 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9 p.m and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. 

4500 Aston Mills Rd., Aston, (610) 241-1212.

 

John Robert Cellars Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal summer wine: it’s crisp, bright and food-friendly. Snacking on some chips and dip? Grilling up some chicken and veggies? Serving up a nice cheese and charcuterie plate? Sauv Blanc can pair with all of these dishes, and so much more, from happy hour right through dinner time. For a locally-made option, try John Roberts Cellar Sauvigon Blanc, which offers refreshing notes of grapefruit, lemon zest and apricot. Pick some up at the John Roberts Cellars winery.

John Roberts Cellar is open Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

301 Wanamaker Ave., Essington, (484) 494-6576.

 

Photo courtesy of Ship Bottom Brewery

Ship Bottom Brewery Coastal Living

Named after relaxed days down the shore, Ship Bottom Brewery’s Coastal Living is a clean, crisp New American Pilsner — exactly what you want after a long day in the sun. Grapefruit and mandarin orange aromas from the Citra and Saaz hops are in harmonious balance with a well-crafted malt profile. Find it at Ship Bottom Brewery’s Blendery and Barrel House in Swarthmore and at its Beer Garden at Linvilla Orchards. 

Ship Bottom’s Blendery & Barrel House is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday from 4 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.; the Linvilla Beer Garden is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

5 Park Ave., Swarthmore, (610) 467-5804; 137 West Knowlton Rd., Media.

 

• • •

 

Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Find us at 1501 N. Providence Rd., Media, PA, 19063; (610) 565-3679 or online.

— Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo courtesy of 2SP Brewing Co.