Each year, the iconic Hammer of Glory (HOG) is shuttled, chauffeured and relayed across the great beer-drinking city of Philadelphia prior to arriving at Philly Beer Week’s Opening Tap Ceremony. This year is no different, and you are invited along for the ride.

The mighty mallet, which is said to have been forged from the sweat and blood of 10,000 brewers and has come to symbolize the passion, fervor and thirst of Philadelphia’s beer-drinking population, will begin its journey just before 7 AM on Friday, May 29, at CBS 3. From there, the HOG will travel to Fox 29 in Old City just before 8 AM, followed by brief stops at Red Owl Tavern and Philadelphia Inquirer before jumping on the Septa Fox Chase Line and arriving at Hop Angel Brauhaus at around quarter to 10 AM. The Philly Roller Girls will escort the HOG from Hop Angel to Grey Lodge Pub when things get a little spacey.

This year’s HOG Relay theme is Hitchhiker’s Beer Guide to the Galaxy. Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect will take over possession of the HOG and will keep it, and the Earth, safe. Arthur and Ford will hop aboard the Two Roads Beer Bus and send the HOG back on its way down Frankford Ave.

You too can follow along on the HOG’s great adventure. Check out the full relay schedule below:

6:45 AM – arrives at CBS 3 (1600 Spring Garden St.)
7:55 AM – arrives at Fox 29 (330 Market St.)
8:18 AM – arrives at Red Owl (433 Chestnut St.)
8:34 AM – arrives at Philadelphia Inquirer (8th & Market)
8:57 AM – arrives at Septa Fox Chase Line (11th & Market)
9:47 AM – arrives at Hop Angel Brauhaus (7980 Oxford Ave.); departs via Philly Roller Girls and bike convoy
10:55 AM – arrives at Grey Lodge (6235 Frankford Ave.); departs via Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect hitching a ride on the Two Roads Bus
11:18 AM – arrives at SawTooth (4717 Princeton Ave.); departs via caddie
11:56 AM – arrives at St. Benjamin Brewing (1710 N 5th St.); departs via horse-drawn beer wagon
12:29 PM – arrives at Philly Brewing (2440 Frankford Ave.); departs via kinetic sculpture
12:50 PM – arrives at Johnny Brenda’s (1201 Frankford Ave.)
1:15 PM – arrives at Bar Ferdinand/El Camino Real (1030 N 2nd St.); departs via Fishtown Beer Runners
1:33 PM – arrives at Standard Tap (901 N 2nd St.)
1:59 PM – arrives at Yards (901 N Delaware Ave.)
2:17 PM – arrives at SugarHouse (1001 N Delaware Ave.); departs via SugarHouse bus
2:55 PM – arrives at Garage (1231 E Passyunk Ave.); departs via motorcycles
3:20 PM – arrives at 12 Steps Down (767 S 9th St.)
4:03 PM – arrives at Time (1315 Sansom St.); departs via motorcycles
4:28 PM – arrives at Jose Pistolas (263 S 15th St.)
5:01 PM – arrives at Institute Bar (549 N 12th St.); departs via wheelbarrow
5:39 PM – arrives at London Grill (2301 Fairmount Ave.); departs via Marie Antoinette
6:02 PM – arrives at Belgian Cafe (601 N 21st St.)
6:25 PM – arrives at Kite and Key (1836 Callowhill St.); departs via The A-Team
6:58 PM – arrives at 23rd Street Armory for Opening Tap (22 S 23rd St.)

If you’re feeling so inclined, you can hop aboard the SugarHouse bus at Grey Lodge Pub and follow the HOG on its journey. The bus will follow the HOG’s route, stopping at each bar along the way, and you can hop off whenever you like. Remember, don’t panic and don’t forget your towel!

Photo by Stephen Lyford

Add to Calendar 2015-05-29 7 AM 2015-05-29 7 PM 15 Hitch a Ride and Follow the 2015 Hammer of Glory Relay America's Best Beer-Drinking City false YYYY-MM-DD
Event Date: 05/29
Event Time: 7 AM - 7 PM
Location: America's Best Beer-Drinking City
Price: Free
Type: Beer,Beer Week