Mid-Atlantic - Looking to pick up a particular microbrew near 30th Street Station

I'm going to be passing through Philadelphia later this month, and I should have a couple hours to get from PHL to 30th Street Station to board a train to New York.

During that time, I was hoping to pick up a couple six packs of a particular kind of beer (Bell's, which is distributed in PA but not NJ or NY) to surprise my friends back in the city, where we never get to have it.

Does anyone know a likely place near 30th Street station? Failing that, how about one in Center City that's easily accesible to 30th Street Station?

If it's by that one ice cream place near Rittenhouse Square, well, that'd be ideal, but the beer is really my priority. Though an espresso soda and a sweet cream cone definitely wouldn't suck.

Six packs of beer are sold in PA almost exclusively in bars if that is any help. Perhaps search google for bars near 30th St station and call them. There are a couple near there and far more in the Univ of Penna area (10-15 min walk).

MisterNice

Six packs of beer are sold in PA almost exclusively in bars if that is any help. Perhaps search google for bars near 30th St station and call them. There are a couple near there and far more in the Univ of Penna area (10-15 min walk).

MisterNice

It took me a while to figure that out, PA has to be the worst place for buying beer. They have retail "beer distributors" that sell only by the case. "Wine and spirits" stores that are just that, no beer. Some/many? bars have a cooler where retail beer is available. My limited experience is that most have a very limited selection as far as micros are concerned.

I guess it is not absolutely the worst, it is still better than dry locations.

The Foodery
324 south 10th street (10th & pine)
(215) 928-1111
philadelphia, pennsylvania 19107

hours: everyday 9:00am to 12:00am

Not close to 30th street but you can buy up to 23 individual bottles.
You can take a Septa train to Market East (2 stops) and walk the 6 blocks south from there. A cab is around $11 each way.

Rich

It took me a while to figure that out, PA has to be the worst place for buying beer. They have retail "beer distributors" that sell only by the case. "Wine and spirits" stores that are just that, no beer. Some/many? bars have a cooler where retail beer is available. My limited experience is that most have a very limited selection as far as micros are concerned. I guess it is not absolutely the worst, it is still better than dry locations.

Also typically you will pay as much for 2 six packs at a bar than for a case of 24 will cost at a distributor. Recently PA authorized beer sales at some places other than bars, distributors etc (ie Wegmans supermarket) after being sued tears ago by a mini-market chain.

MisterNice

There is a "Deli" that has an excellent selection of take out beer at 21st and
Chestnut Streets which is a 10 to 15 minute walk from 30th street station. Forget the name, but it is on the left hand side of the street right after 21st street. If you load up with beer and don't want to walk back, cabs are easily available in that area.

These are all incredibly helpful. Thanks to everyone.

TD

UPDATE: As it turns out, I took a bump and no longer plan to be passing through Philly. Alas. But the help is much appreciated in case I try this gambit again.