Beer, bikes, boats: Trails on Tap brings craft beer to the Schuylkill River Trail

The Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area is partnering with FCM Hospitality, the creators of Philadelphia’s successful “Parks on Tap” series, and Mainstay Independent Brewing Company, to bring a mobile beer garden to riverside locations this summer. The new series is called “Trails on Tap.” For a total of six weeks, the pop-up beer garden will travel to four different locations: Pottstown Riverfront Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Royersford Riverfront Park and Norristown Riverfront Park.

All of the locations are in a park next to the Schuylkill River Trail and alongside the Schuylkill River to highlight these two significant regional resources as well as each park’s amenities. A portion of all proceeds from Trails on Tap will be reinvested toward protecting the river, expanding the Schuylkill River Trail, and supporting the nonprofit Schuylkill River Greenways.

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“Trails on Tap provides the opportunity for people to enjoy a casual social atmosphere while also experiencing the Schuylkill River Trail and River,” said Schuylkill River Greenways NHA Executive Director Elaine Paul Schaefer. “We hope residents and visitors alike will attend to celebrate this region as a destination for the craft beer and local food movement as well as to experience the area’s history and natural resources.”

Since each beer garden is along the trail, attendees are encouraged to arrive on bike or foot whenever possible. Limited parking will also be available for those driving.

Trails on Tap will allow families and friends to come together to enjoy food, drinks and fun in a natural green space. Philly’s buzzed-about craft brewery and exclusive Trails on Tap partner for the 2019 season, Mainstay, will offer perfect pairings for outdoor recreation including their popular Constitution Lager, Poplar Pils, and Trails Pale Ale.

Each location will have Mainstay beers on tap, non-alcoholic beverages and fresh, delicious food options from Chef Justin Koenig. The beer garden will be created in a festive outdoor space featuring lighting, comfortable chairs, hammocks and restrooms. Trails on Tap will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. No seating reservations will be taken. Dogs on leashes are welcome!

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Schuylkill River Greenways will offer free kayaking and bicycling opportunities every weekend of Trails on Tap from 2 to 5 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. People will be able to borrow a bike from Riverbend Cycles or use a kayak through Take It Outdoors Adventures. Only individuals who haven’t consumed alcoholic beverages will be allowed to borrow the bikes and kayaks.

People must be 16 years of age or older to ride a bike and provide a driver’s license or an equivalent form of identification. People must be 12 years of age or older to borrow a kayak and regardless of skill level, will receive a safety briefing. All paddlers will be required to wear the provided personal flotation device. An acknowledgement of risk is required from anyone using a bike or kayak.

Recreational fitness activities will also be available through the Schuylkill River Greenways Pedal & Paddle excursion to be offered at three of the Trails on Tap sites: Pottstown Riverfront Park, Valley Forge National Historical Park and Norristown Riverfront Park. The Pedal & Paddle program is a round-trip adventure which will begin and end from a Trails on Tap park. It starts with a 4.5-mile bike ride using cruisers from the free Pottstown-based bike share program. After the bicycling portion, participants paddle back in a kayak to their starting location via the Schuylkill River.

Gear, guides and snacks are all included in the registration. The cost is $35 per registrant and participants must be 16 years of age or older. This program is limited to 15 people at each site and participants must register for the trip in advance at the website  schuylkillriver.org/pedal-paddles or by calling 484-945-0200.

In additional to recreational services, Schuylkill River Greenways and its nonprofit partners will be featuring a variety of educational opportunities at the Trails on Tap locations.

“The goal of Trails on Tap and the corresponding recreational opportunities is to bring residents and visitors to the Schuylkill River Trail and the Schuylkill River to help them discover and embrace these extraordinary amenities,” Schaefer said. “Trails on Tap will help showcase how vital it is to protect and advocate for these resources.”

More information about the Trails on Tap locations, dates/times and parking  can be found at the website TrailsOnTapPA.com. Trails on Tap will be cancelled in the case of severe inclement weather. Cancellation notices and parking detours will be posted on the Schuylkill River Greenways website schuylkillriver.org and social media pages as well as the Trails on Tap Facebook and Instagram (@trailsontapPA).

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