‘The Best of Both Worlds’: R-Phils Tasting Festival Allows Fans to Enjoy Beer, Baseball 

(Reading, PA) — Perusing through FirstEnergy Stadium’s left field deck Thursday night, tasteful aromas filled the air. Sweet and savory. Fruity or bitter.

Look past the beverages gracing the high-top tables, and it wasn’t the back of your typical bar. What appeared was green grass and a baseball game.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” attendee Sam Fanus said as he sipped on a blueberry lager in his right hand, using his left to dish a similar sample to a nearby friend.

Alcohol at a baseball game has served as a fixture of the national pastime since its earliest days, dating back to the American Association in 1882. The Reading Fightin Phils continued the tradition Thursday during its doubleheader against the Erie SeaWolves with its third of six R-Phils Tasting Festivals this season.

As vendors lined the left field deck, fans sampled a flurry of alcoholic options from traditional beers to unique IPA options and everything in between. The tasting extravaganza allowed attendees in Baseballtown to enjoy the games with a splash of delectable drinks.

Meanwhile, vendors continued to build their community among each other while pouring their cans into pint glasses printed with “R-Phils” on the side.

“Craft beer is a rising tide, and all ships benefit from a rising tide,” Alex Roche, representing Pagoda City Brewing Co., said. “The more we can support each other, the more we can work with each other.”

Pennsylvanians know a thing or two about craft beer. The Keystone State produced 2,654,359 barrels of craft beer in 2024, according to the Brewers Association, ranking second in the U.S. Pagoda City is key in the totals, and is based directly in Reading. Roche said he’s been to approximately three or four R-Phils tasting festivals in the past and knows the event helps grow interest among patrons.

Thursday, he brought what he feels are their “house staples”: Pray for More, Nothing Gose as Planned and Split Face. Roche described “Nothing Gose as Planned” as a classic orange and vanilla mixture, mirroring the finish of a creamsicle. The “Split Face” has become a fan favorite, Roche said.

Using over 300 pounds of Unique Snacks’ “Splits,” the beer is brewed as the pretzels melt into the lager. The Unique Snacks factory is across the street from the Fairground’s Farmer’s Market right here in Reading.

“It tastes like pretzels and lager, which is like the most Berks County thing you can get,” Roche joked.

Just a few tables away from Roche stood Brad Moyer showcasing Garage Beer. Moyer sported a black t-shirt with the Garage logo on the front. On the back? Kelce, 62 — paying homage to the Philadelphia Eagles' legendary center and freshly minted majority owner of the Ohio-based company. Jason and his brother, Travis, became co-owners in June 2024. While they aren’t from Pennsylvania, Moyer said the interest in the beer in PA has proven Jason is “for all intents and purposes from Philadelphia.”

Moyer added that the most prevalent feedback they received from patrons was their surprise with how light the beer is despite its fulfilling flavor. Fan Bill Funk, and his friend of 50 years Todd Young, instantly appointed the Kelce’s brand as their favorite out on the deck. The beer’s flavor played a large part in the declaration, Funk’s fandom for the Eagles also played a factor, he said.

The two, Funk a Sunbury native and Young hailing from Lancaster, didn’t even know it was a doubleheader when they entered the gates at FirstEnergy Stadium. They’ve been coming to Baseballtown for years together and participated in an R-Phils Tasting Festival in the past, acting as the main attraction for Thursday’s decision to attend.

“We like choices, to trying something new,” Funk said.

The doubleheader, though not originally planned to pair with the festival, created a perfect gap-filler in between both games. The first ended around 6:40, allowing 45 minutes before starting pitcher Braeden Fausnaught’s first pitch. The tasting session lasted from 6 p.m. until past 8.

Fanus tried nearly all of the options parading the deck, declaring Rusty Rail Brewing Co.’s blueberry lager his favorite due to its “freshness.” Along with Rusty Rail, he worked through choices like Adler Brewing Co., Jimmy Juice and Ommegang Yards — a Cooperstown staple — among others. He also, like many, explored Cigar City Brewing, the first table at the deck’s entrance.

Andrew Hoke comes to every Friday home game of the season in Reading, allowing him to know the fan experience. Representing Cigar City, he said each time he brings samples to the festival, their bar located along the concourse down the third baseline sees higher sales. Hoke said the Double IPA “Florida Man” was beloved by fans.

“We want to show the people that it's good beer,” Hoke said. “This is such a great atmosphere here at the Reading (Fightin) Phils. I'm impressed every time I come.”

The Fightin Phils dropped both games of the doubleheader to the SeaWolves, falling short of a comeback in the second game. Despite the negative result for the home team, the experience with the festival created an eccentric experience for all involved.

“It's so cool because you're able to be here with your friends, experience it, and watch the game,” Fanus said. “When you add the festival, it makes it well worth it.”

The Fightin Phils have three Tasting Festivals scheduled for the remainder of the 2025 season: July 2, July 22 and Sept. 9. Fans can get tickets at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2025 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.