The Real Ale Invitational at Yards Brewing Company returns Sunday, April 12, at the brewery\u2019s Spring Garden Street location, with more than 40 beers from regional breweries.<\/p>\n
Unlike most beer festivals, which focus on variety, this one is built around a specific style. All of the beers are cask-conditioned, meaning they\u2019re unfiltered, unpasteurized and naturally carbonated. The result is a flatter, less carbonated pour compared to standard draft beer.<\/p>\n
The timing also lines up with Philadelphia\u2019s 250th anniversary in 2026. Cask beer was the standard in early American taverns, making the festival a nod to how beer would have been served in the city\u2019s earliest days.<\/p>\n
Breweries including Human Robot, Tonewood, Sly Fox and Cape May are expected to participate, with many bringing small-batch or one-off versions made for the event.<\/p>\n
The festival takes place inside the working brewery, with optional tours, live music and food available throughout the afternoon. Tickets include beer samples and a commemorative glass.<\/p>\n
General admission tickets are sold in tiers, starting around $34 and increasing to about $55 as lower-priced tickets sell out. Each ticket includes beer samples, live music, a pretzel and a commemorative glass. VIP tickets are about $82 and include early entry and a T-shirt. Designated driver tickets are about $23 and include non-alcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n