Axios Philadelphia

April 30, 2026
Hi, Thursday!
🌞 Cloudy before becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the mid-60s.
Today's newsletter is 930 words, a 3.5-minute read.
1 big thing: 🍺 Craft brewers get innovative
Pennsylvania's craft beer industry took a hit last year as production plunged.
Why it matters: It's forcing brewers to get creative and expand into nonalcoholic beverages to boost revenues from this multibillion-dollar industry.
📉 Driving the news: Production fell roughly 28% among Pennsylvania craft brewers in 2025 from the previous year, per data from the Brewers Association.
- The industry's economic impact in the state also dipped 6.5% in 2025 to $4.8 billion.
State of play: 538 craft breweries were operating across the state last year — five more than in 2024.
- That includes Pennsylvania-based Yuengling, which held onto its title as the nation's largest craft brewery in 2025.
Meanwhile, notable closures last year included Iron Hill Brewery, a significant player in the Philly region that had several locations. (Some former Iron Hill locations are reopening under new ownership.)
Zoom out: National production fell 5.1% last year.


Threat level: Craft breweries are facing several challenges.
- They include rising production costs, declining consumer spending, intense competition (like the rapid rise of ready-to-drink cocktails) and a trend away from alcoholic drinks.
Yes, but: Coming off the industry's Craft Brewers Conference in Philly last week, Hannah Ison, executive director of Brewers of Pennsylvania, tells Axios the industry's mood remains hopeful, primarily due to a rise in partnerships and innovation.
- Pennsylvania craft breweries are expanding their menus to include non-beer alternatives, like seltzers and ciders, as well as leaning into merch.
- Look out for "hop water," too — a carbonated, nonalcoholic drink brewed with hops.
Plus: Some are bucking the trend.
- Wissahickon Brewing Co. opened two new locations over the past year.
- Love City Brewery is set to unveil its new Manayunk spot.
- And Evil Genius Beer Co. recently bought San Francisco's 21st Amendment Brewery.
What they're saying: "Craft beer isn't going away," Ison said.
- "Times are tough right now," she added. "But brewers are still making it work and we will get through this."
2. 💪 Flyers close it out
The Flyers punched their ticket to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last night.
Why it matters: The team's improbable playoff run lives on.
Driving the news: The Flyers finished off the Penguins in South Philly 1-0 in overtime to win Game 6 and the first-round series.
- Cam York played the hero, firing a wrister from just in front of the blue line to end the game.
Context: The Flyers advance to the second round for the first time since 2020.
Up next: The Carolina Hurricanes in Round 2.
Threat level: The Canes were the best team in the Eastern Conference this season.
Worth noting: Earlier this month, the Flyers secured their playoff spot with a shootout win over the Canes.
- Yes, but: The Canes won their three other matchups with the Flyers this season.
3. News Market: 🥯 New deli and bagel spot
📣 The popular D.C. sammy and bagel spot Call Your Mother is eyeing an end-of-summer opening for a new location in the former Metropolitan Bakery space in Rittenhouse, a spokesperson tells Axios.
- It will be the deli's second planned location in Philly. The Fishtown outpost is also expected to open this summer.
🎤 Two of the four candidates in the Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District squared off yesterday in an hourlong debate on WHYY. (Watch here)
- One of the frontrunners, Ala Stanford, declined to participate because her campaign and WHYY couldn't agree on a format, her campaign said in a statement.
- Meanwhile, candidate Shaun Griffith didn't meet the criteria to participate in the debate.
🤦 Up up up: The average cost of a gallon of regular gas was $4.34 in Philly yesterday, per AAA.
- The state average was not much better — $4.31
🗣️ Quote du jour
"Listen, I'm better because of you. We could be a whole lot worse off had it not been for you, so I'm grateful."— Mayor Parker chumming it up with U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick recently in a post on X. The mayor also took the senator to Del Rossi's for cheesesteaks.
4. Weekender: 🏆 Spring festivals and a trophy tour
🏌️ The PGA Championship is taking its Wanamaker Trophy on tour with a first stop set for Dilworth Park today from 4-7pm. Enjoy golf lessons with PGA professionals, a mobile golf simulator, music and selfies with the trophy.
- The tour will also make stops at Media's Plum Street Mall (trophy appearance only) on Friday from 4-7pm, and King of Prussia on Saturday, 11am-2pm. RSVP.
🎉 Celebrate Día del Niño (Children's Day) at FDR Park's Gateway Plaza today, 5-6:30pm. Count on family-friendly games, music and activities at this free event.
🚨 First Friday brings special events and exhibits at galleries, showrooms and shops across the city. That includes:
- 🖼️ First Friday mixer at the Barnes from 6-9pm, where you can sip cocktails and hear singer Farah Siraj. (Tickets: $35)
✨ The Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival takes over the neighborhood this Saturday from noon to 5pm. The popular event includes a '90s block party with a live DJ, giveaways, deals at restaurants and businesses, and activities for kids.
🎈 The South Street Spring Fest is also Saturday. This festival, running from around Headhouse Plaza to 7th Street, will feature live performances, vendors, food trucks, mini-golf, a bounce house and more.
- Runs from noon to 7pm.
5. 1 fun thing to go: ⚽ FIFA volunteers suit up
FIFA has revealed the official uniform for the 50,000 2026 World Cup volunteers.
- It's designed by Adidas and features a heart-shaped pattern that recognizes volunteers as "the heartbeat of the tournament."
- Each volunteer gets three host city-specific patches inspired by varsity jackets, letting them rep their hometown.
Have a good day!
Today's newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia Orozco.
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