The highly anticipated Yards Real Ale Invitational is back this week, making its return to the Yards Brewing Company.
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm, beer enthusiasts will gather to sample over forty unique beers from some of the finest brewing establishments in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Celebrated as the area’s only cask-conditioned beer festival, the event promises a festive atmosphere within the Yards brewing facility, complete with towering walls filled with kegs, cans, and bottles.
Attendees will be able to enjoy not only exceptional brews but also live music, delicious food, and great company in this vibrant setting.
The Real Ale Invitational is distinct from typical beer festivals, focusing exclusively on Real Ale—a style of beer that is both unfiltered and unpasteurized, naturally carbonated inside a cask.
For over thirty years, Yards Brewing Company has played a vital role in reviving this traditional brewing method, notably through their acclaimed Extra Special Ale (ESA), which remains on cask in their taproom.
According to Tom Kehoe, founder of Yards Brewing Company, “We’ve been producing real ale from the very beginning; in fact, ESA was the first beer we ever brewed as a company.”
Kehoe emphasized the company’s commitment to honoring traditional brewing styles while delivering high-quality beer to their community.
Since its inception in 2008, the Yards Real Ale Invitational has grown into one of the premier beer events in the region, bridging a love for tradition with a celebration of innovation.
Festival-goers can expect to encounter an array of inventive creations that showcase the versatility of Real Ale, such as IPAs infused with terpenes, spiced English porters, barrel-aged Belgian quads, and even habanero-watermelon pale ales.
The 2025 Real Ale Invitational promises a diverse selection of over 40 hand-picked cask-conditioned beers from the top breweries in the Philadelphia area.
Among the notable breweries participating this year are Dock Street Brewery, the city’s first microbrewery, and the award-winning pioneers from Iron Hill Brewery.
Additionally, breweries from the greater Philadelphia area, including Forest & Main Brewing and Levante Brewing, will showcase their unique offerings.
Beer lovers can also expect to see Delaware staples such as Big Oyster Brewery and Dewey Beer Company, along with New Jersey favorites like Cape May Brewing and Tonewood Brewing, among many others.
Kehoe expressed the significance of bringing together breweries from across the region, stating that it’s not only about celebrating exceptional beer but also acknowledging the shared history, passion, and creativity that fuels the craft beer movement.
“Our motto has always been ‘brew unto others’, to encourage everyone to get together, enjoy good brews, and each other’s company.
This event is the culmination of everything we stand for,” he remarked when discussing the importance of the event.
The Yards Real Ale Invitational promises an unmatched atmosphere for attendees to enjoy remarkable beers while also satisfying all of the senses.
Live entertainment will feature the Folk-Rock duo Burnin’ Bridges, who will perform acoustic renditions of rock, pop, and oldies classics.
For those looking to enhance their understanding of Real Ale, Yards will also offer complimentary brewery tours throughout the duration of the event.
Hungry guests will delight in small bites, including the popular beer festival staple of soft pretzels sourced from Philly Pretzel Factory, as well as the world-famous tomato pie from Marchiano Bakery—all included with the ticket.
The festival will take place at the Yards brewing facility, located at 500 Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia.
Tickets for the 2025 Real Ale Invitational can be purchased online and include admission, samples of each beer, live music, food, and a commemorative glass.
For those who prefer to abstain from drinking, a designated driver ticket is available for just $20.
image source from：https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles2/2025/04/20/yards-brewing-company-honors-tradition-with-over-40-beers-at-one-of-a-kind-festival/
