It’s amazingly easy to get great beer in Philadelphia... unless you want to do something crazy like take it home. While bars and restaurants with huge selections abound, stores selling beer to go are much harder to find, thanks to quirky state laws. That’s why it’s pretty exciting news that Old City just landed a new beer distributor.

Benjamin Franklin Beer & Cigars is now open on Second Street between Market and Chestnut — an extremely convenient location that happens to be right across the street from a Fine Wines & Good Spirits shop. Hundreds of beers from all over the region, the country and the world are available to purchase by the case (the only way to buy bulk beer to go in PA).

If you stop in and don’t see the brew you’re looking for, just ask the staff to order it for you — special orders typically can be filled in just a few days. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, just stay and browse. The shop is clean and well-lit, with hardwood floors and tin ceilings.

In addition to brew, Ben Franklin also sells cigars from four well-stocked floor-to-ceiling humidors. More than 200 varieties include Arturo Fuente’s OPUS X ,God of Fire, Romeo and Julieta, Vega Fina CAO, Montecristo and tons more. Even if you’re not a tobacco fan, you might enjoy the iconic Punch cigar statue standing guard by the front door.

Each Friday evening the shop hosts a free beer sampling from 5–7 PM, and regular business hours are 10 AM–10 PM everyday (including Sundays). You can even call for delivery.

27 S. 2nd St.; 215-792-6330