By Brenda Hillegas

Before it becomes beer, cider, or spirits, it all starts with water.

On March 28, Philadelphians are invited to toast the Delaware River — and the clean waterways that make their favorite drinks possible — during a festive evening of tastings, music, and environmental awareness.

Hosted by the Independence Seaport Museum in partnership with Home Brewed Events, the 21+ event runs from 4 to 9 p.m. and invites guests to sample beverages from a wide range of regional breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries while learning more about the waterways that make those drinks possible.

Throughout the evening, attendees can meet experts from environmental and beverage industries who will share insight on the Delaware River and why protecting it is vital for both the environment and the region’s craft beverage scene.

Participating drink vendors include Dewey Beer Co. (VIP only), Carbon Copy, Commonwealth Ciders, Fell to Earth, Human Robot, Love City Brewing, Milestone Spirits, Mural City Cellars, Philadelphia Distilling, Ploughman Cider, Requiem, Sacred Vice, Sgraffito, Top Dog Cocktails, Two Locals, and Wissahickon Brewery, among others. 

Live music during the evening will be performed by Roots with Ruark, Ship’s Company Chantymen, and JR Everhart.

Food will be available for purchase throughout the evening from vendors including Jezabel’s, La Llamita Vegana, Popcorn for the People and Campo’s (included with VIP admission).

General admission tickets are $50 and include museum entry, beverage samples from participating vendors — including beer, cider, wine and other brewed or distilled libations — along with educational programming, activities, music, and entertainment.

VIP tickets are $80 and include everything offered with general admission, plus an exclusive pre-festival welcome aboard the historic cruiser USS Olympia from 3 to 4 p.m., complete with food and drinks, as well as designated seating and food options during the event.

Members of the museum receive $10 off any ticket level.

Tickets are available online at phillyseaport.org/drink-the-delaware.