Yards’ Real Ale Invitational Returns This April With 40+ Cask-Conditioned Beers From the Area’s Top Breweries
Yards’ Real Ale Invitational Returns This April With 40+ Cask-Conditioned Beers From the Area’s Top Breweries
Beer lovers, mark your calendars—one of Philadelphia’s most beloved craft beer traditions is making its return. Yards Brewing Company is bringing back its annual Real Ale Invitational on Sunday, April 12, inviting guests to experience a rare and time-honored style of brewing inside one of the city’s most iconic breweries.
Running from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event offers a unique opportunity to sample more than 40 cask-conditioned beers from top breweries across the Philadelphia region—all under one roof. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
A Celebration of Traditional Brewing
What sets the Real Ale Invitational apart is its focus on real ale—a traditional brewing method that dates back centuries to England. Unlike modern beers, real ale is unfiltered, unpasteurized, and naturally carbonated inside a cask, resulting in a fresher, more complex flavor profile.
Yards has long been a champion of this style, helping to revive real ale in Philadelphia more than 30 years ago with its flagship Extra Special Ale. Since 2008, the brewery has continued that legacy with this annual event, turning it into a must-attend for both casual drinkers and serious beer enthusiasts.
Explore the Brewery While You Sip
The experience goes beyond just tasting. Guests will have the chance to wander through Yards’ brewhouse and packaging facility, soaking in the atmosphere of the working brewery while sampling a wide variety of beers.
Expect:
- Rows of casks poured fresh on-site
- Live music throughout the afternoo
- An industrial backdrop of kegs, cans, and bottles
- A lively crowd of fellow beer fans
Every ticket also includes a classic Philly-style pretzel, with additional food available for purchase on-site.
This year’s invitational features an impressive roster of participating breweries from across the region, including:
Attic Brewing Company
Big Oyster Brewery
Broken Goblet Brewing
Cape May Brewing Company
Carbon Copy
Conshohocken Brewing Company
Dewey Beer Company
Evil Genius Beer Company
Forest & Main Brewing Company
Human Robot
Levante Brewing Company
Lucky Cat Brewing Company
Magnify Brewing
New Ridge Brewing Company
Sacred Vice Brewing Company
Sly Fox Brewing Company
Tonewood Brewing
Urban Village Brewing Company
Wissahickon Brewing Company
And, of course, Yards Brewing Company
With more than 40 beers on tap, attendees can expect a diverse mix of styles, flavors, and creative takes on traditional cask ales.
