Philadelphia’s oldest continuously-operating tavern creates its own beer & Celebrates with series of events, beer tours, parties PHILADELPHIA (July 7, 2009) – On January 1, 2010, McGillin’s Olde Ale House will begin a year-long celebration of its 150th anniversary. McGillin’s threw open its doors in 1860 — making it the oldest continuously operating tavern in Philadelphia and one of the oldest in the country. The tavern will mark its 150th anniversary with the launch of its own beer, called McGillin’s 1860 IPA. The special brew will debut 150 days before the 150th year – on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. And that night, a giant countdown clock will begin marking the days until 2010, when McGillin’s will throw parties, beer tours, roll back pricing, costume parties, street festivals, special events, contests and more. McGillin’s long, storied history is filled with celebrities, ghosts and a tale of survival through not only the current economic recession but also the Great Depression, and even Prohibition. And, through it all, McGillin’s has only been owned by only two families: the McGillin’s, who raised their 13 children upstairs, and the current owners, Spaniak/Mullins family, who have passed it down through three generations. McGillin’s 1860 IPA is made by Stoudt’s Brewing, brewer of the tavern’s two house beers: McGillin’s Real Ale and McGillin’s Genuine Lager. McGillin’s 1860 IPA, is unfiltered, as it would have been in the 1800s, and is made from a secret recipe that includes centennial and amarillo hops. McGillin’s serves more of Stoudt’s draft beer than any other tavern in the Commonwealth and has a strong commitment to serving Eastern Pennsylvania microbrews. McGillin’s 1860 IPA will be available, on tap, exclusively at McGillin’s and it will be bottled and distributed throughout the state, starting in the fall. McGillin’s 1860 IPA will debut at the “Party of the Century –And-A-Half” on Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – exactly 150 days before the tavern’s 150th anniversary year. The party will begin at 6 p.m. when Joe Sixpack (a.k.a. Don Russell) will read from his book, Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide: A Reporter’s Notes on the Best Beer-Drinking City in America and culminate when “Abe Lincoln” (who was elected president the year McGillin’s opened) taps the first firkin of McGillin’s 1860 IPA. One lucky partier will win the honor of starting the giant countdown clock, which will count down the 150 days until the tavern’s anniversary year begins on January 1, 2010. The party will continue past midnight and into the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 5 (until 2 a.m.) No cover. A few days before the Party-of-the-Century-&-A-Half, a busload of revelers from McGillin’s will take a road trip to Stoudt’s Brewing in Adamstown, PA, to pick up the first kegs of McGillin’s 1860 IPA and bring back some celebratory firkins. On Saturday, August 1, the group will meet at McGillin’s at 10 a.m. for kegs ‘n eggs, then travel to Stoudt’s Brewing for a factory tour and lunch followed by revelry. Rumor has it they may get a pre-debut tasting. $20 tickets are available at McGillin’s or by contacting McGillin’s at mcgilllins@aol.com or 215/735-5562. “McGillin’s has become just like the fictional Cheers,” said Chris Mullins, co-owner of McGillin’s with his wife, Mary Ellen. “it’s the place people go for its welcoming atmosphere, good food at a reasonable price, camaraderie and, of course, large selection of local and regional beers on tap.” Though it sounds simple, the bar doesn’t rest on its laurels. After a century and a half, McGillin’s continues to receive accolades, including being named “one of the 14 coolest bars in the U.S.” by Gourmet magazine and one of the “top 100 bars in the U.S.” by Nightclub and Bar magazine, for two consecutive years. Originally called The Bell in Hand, the tavern opened in 1860 inside a small row house. The laborers who frequented the place just called it McGillin’s after William McGillin, the Irish immigrant who owned the bar and raised his 13 children upstairs. The nickname stuck and the tavern grew to encompass the oyster house next door, the back alley/washroom, and the McGillin’s house. On August 31, 1901, “Pa” McGillin died and “Ma” McGillin took over running the restaurant. No push-over, “Ma” had a list of troublemakers who weren’t allowed into McGillin’s. McGillin’s survived Prohibition and Ma ran it until her death in 1937 at the age of 90. The McGillin’s daughter, Mercedes McGillin Hooper, who grew up above the tavern, sold it to brothers and experienced barkeeps, Henry Spaniak and Joe Shepaniak in 1958. (That’s not a mistake, the brothers actually spelled their name differently.) Keeping it in the family, Henry’s daughter, Mary Ellen Spaniak Mullins and her husband, Chris Mullins have run the restaurant since 1993. Mary Ellen’s sister, Kate Newcomer, (another of Henry’s daughters) is the general manager. And, the legacy of hospitality continues with Mary Ellen and Chris’ son, Chris Mullins, Jr., representing the family’s third generation to manage the historic tavern. The history hangs right on the walls at the classic English-looking pub with beamed ceiling, tall windows, dark paneling and a working fireplace. It’s a story woven into the very fabric of the city. The original bar sign, a wooden arm holding a bell, hangs above the bar. It’s flanked by 149 years worth of liquor licenses and surrounded by musical instruments, vintage beer cans, varsity banners, caricatures of past regulars, retail memorabilia, aged newspaper clips, old photos and much more. A timeline showcasing McGillin’s history alongside local, national and international events has been created for the anniversary celebration. The timeline, which is posted on www.mcgillins.com/anniversary.htm, includes historic firsts, ranging from Civil War ending (when McGillin’s was 5 years old) to the invention of the cheesesteak (McGillin’s was 70) to the ending of the Phillies’s curse (McGillin’s was 149). Over the years, many big names have frequented the friendly tavern tucked into one of Philadelphia’s littlest streets, including Will Rogers, Tennessee Williams, Thomas Eakins, Ethel Merman, Vincent Price, the Marx Brothers, W.C. Fields and John and Ethel Barrymore, That tradition has continued in recent years with visits by Robin Williams, Ed Bradley, Will Ferrell, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, Tug McGraw, Lynne Abraham, Ty Pennington, Def Leppard, Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia Phillies. Like the locals, the celebs have been attracted by the quaint atmosphere and a special emphasis on brews from Eastern Pennsylvania and nearby (Yard’s, Stoudt’s, Victory, Sly Fox, Dogfish, Flying Fish, Yuengling). McGillin’s honors Pa McGillin’s commitment to serving fine beer, with 29 taps pouring the region’s best brews. McGillin’s also serves an eclectic mix of stouts, ales, lagers and pilsners from Europe (New Castle Brown, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, Paulaner: Hefe-Weizen). The tavern that opened around the time the Liberty Bell cracked and long before anyone ever tasted a cheesesteak, is a stone’s throw from City Hall, Loews Philadelphia Hotel, the Philadelphia Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton and other Center City hotels. A private upstairs room for 90 plus guests is available for beer tastings, bus groups, fundraisers, and more. Tavern hours: Mondays through Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. McGillin’s, 1310 Drury Street, between Chestnut & Sansom, 13th & Juniper 215/735-5562. www.mcgillins.com. twitter.com/mcgillins. Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/c2ohzj. ##