ST VINCENT the “MAINLAND”

 A HIDDEN GEM

Sandals St Vincent

We just returned from a wonderful trip to the island nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines. AKA “SVG”. AKA paradise. Part of the windward chain of the Lesser Antilles St Vincent and her array of islands lie south of St Lucia, west of Barbados and north of Grenada.

The Grenadines are a chain of islands between St. Vincent and Grenada. Some, like Bequia and Mustique are part of SVG, while others like Carriacou and Petit Martinique are part of Grenada. In other words, it is remote, but the world is rapidly discovering this hidden gem.

TOURISM COMES LATE

St Vincent is the largest of the islands in SVG, called the “mainland” by the locals who are called “Vinceys”. We first traveled to Bequia, the second largest island in SVG, known as much for its shipbuilding and whaling history as it is tranquil. Our 4-day stay at the Bequia Plantation Hotel right on the edge of Admiralty Bay was a proper way to ease safely into paradise.

On St Vincent we stayed at the newest resort in the Sandals family of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts. Opened during the spring of 2024, Sandals St Vincent covers 50 acres in a valley edged by green mountains leading to the turquoise waters of Buccament Bay.

THE SANDALS EFFECT

It was once difficult to fly into St Vincent because of an inadequate airport. That changed in 2017 with the opening of Argyle International Airport allowing more flights into SVG. A previous airport, E.T. Joshua, had reached its capacity and decommissioned with the opening of Argyle. You will drive across the old tarmac to reach the Sandals resort. Even before Joshua the only means of flying into St Vincent was by seaplane.

view from our room

The boost in tourism is welcomed by Vinceys and is helping the local economy through some very troubled times in recent years. 

NO, PLEASE

From an early age the children of SVG are taught to be polite and “Yes, please” or “No, please” are proper responses and still frequent with many adults. Even when describing the island’s recent history of having to deal with the twin issues of the COVID pandemic and an erupting volcano are the stories related with politeness and smiles.   

La Soufrière is an active volcano on St Vincent on the north end of the island. It last erupted in 2021 causing mass evacuations and lots of volcanic ash to cover the island and other nearby islands like Barbados and St. Lucia, but with no loss of life due to the eruption. The Sandals resort is in the “Green Zone” or safe zone and was less affected by La Soufrière. 

ST VINCENT VOLCANO 

Covid hit St. Vincent in 2020 and along with the tumult of La Soufrière for a time life was bleak on the island. Still, the people of SVG are extremely friendly and pleasant and have emerged from this all with their smiles intact.

It helps that the local economy is being fueled by St Vincent Sandals and soon a family-oriented Beaches opening a few miles north will further boost St Vincent’s outlook on life. The once quiet St Vincent is “opening up” and this once remote destination in the Caribbean will soon be very popular. It also helps that Sandals St Vincent is strikingly beautiful.

SANDALS ST VINCENT

Nestled in a valley that leads to Buccament Bay, clouds are caught in the dramatic hills that edge this expansive resort, and rain comes daily, softly and briefly, but gracing us with rainbows. Late November is the tail end of the rainy season which runs from June to November.

Normally we like a walk out room on the ground floor, but the ground floor rooms at St Vincent all have a swim up pool, which doesn’t interest us. So, we stayed on the third floor of 5 in a series of buildings overlooking the grounds and with a view of the ocean. We are in the furthest building from the ocean. Our deck had couches and a soaking tub.

There is one long pool, broken up in the middle for stairs to get to the lone swim-up bar on the grounds. The pool is long enough to resemble a canal. There is a curving pool that runs the length of the “canal” on the side closest to our building. There is a heart-shaped pool on the far end of the resort and there are twin infinity pools at the edge of the bay. The white sands of the Buccament Bay have plenty of chaise lounges and palapas umbrellas reserved for Sandals guests, though the beach is open to the public.

SANDALS RESORT   

NEVER HEAR “NO”

our deck

Of course, when one visits an all-inclusive Sandals, it is expected that indulgent whims are catered. With several restaurants on the grounds, mostly located near the water’s edge, we routinely order off the menu. For instance, Janet is constantly ordering two lobster tails with her meals. Or, when I wanted chicken breast for a meal instead of the thigh meat listed on the menu for my sandwich, that was easily arranged by the kitchen staff. 

We have been traveling to a Sandals resort since 2018 and with our visit to St. Vincent we have been on every island that currently hosts this all-inclusive resort. All the restaurants are similar from one resort to another, with sushi and steak houses and beach-side seafood establishments, but here on the mainland there is Buccan.

As much cultural experience as a great meal, local dishes with island flavors are served family-style at Buccan. Servers bring out the dishes, like lamb curry, fresh fish and yabba pot rice, and bowls of spices like tamarind chutney and rum spice, explaining what goes best with what dish.

It is the most unique island meal in all our trips to a Sandals resort. There are just two sessions per night and reservations are required. 

BUCCAN MENU SANDALS

DIVE / BARS

What is a trip to the Caribbean unless there’s rum involved. Every island has their own take on this elixir of the gods, but often only the Jamaican-based Appleton Estate is what’s readily available at a Sandals. On Sandals St Vincent though there is a proper rum bar called “Three Jewels” offering an array of rums from throughout the Caribbean. Although you can order mixed drinks at Three Jewels a flight of different rums is the way to go.

On the mainland the St Vincent Distillery offers three rums, Sparrow, Captain Bligh, and the Sunset Very Strong Rum. At 84.5% alcohol content this rum is not allowed in your baggage going home, AND they DO check. At the Sandals on St Vincent only Captain Bligh and Sunset are available, although on Bequia we were drinking Sparrow. Anyway, Three Jewels had been our favorite watering hole though there are several dotted around the grounds.

HOVERING

Diving is included with a Sandals vacation, and we were certified through their PADI courses. We take full advantage of this perk. The dive crews at whatever Sandals we are visiting are professional and helpful and friendly, but as we get better at diving (I’m now over 50 dives) we are treated more like efficient divers than children. 

dive gear with bungalows in background

As with anything, there are still skills to learn and on this recent trip we decided to take a class in “Peak Performance Buoyancy” to improve our breathing. We used less weight on our weight belts and were able to glide effortlessly and through the lesson we learned to ascend or descend or hover in place with just our breathing. I came back from the dives with more air in my tank than ever before. Of course, PADI doesn’t just mean “Professional Association of Diving Instructors”, but also “Put Another Dollar In” and the course cost $500 for the two of us. Money well spent.

PADI

ONE LAST PERK

Loyalty to the Sandals family of resorts has an extra perk. Not only do we stay at a beautiful resort, but we are accruing days and once we stay at a Sandals for 70 days, we get a free week! We like free. A lot of our conversations at other Sandals resorts are usually about where we are going to eat that day, but at St Vincent we were seriously considering a return to SVG when we finally reach that 70-day goal.

It was difficult to leave this beautiful island nation.

Thanks for reading.

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

BEQUIA SERENITY

A HIDDEN GEM

When the St Vincent Sandals became the newest destination of the all-inclusive resort chain we began to plan not only for it, but also to revisit the island of Bequia. We had been to Bequia in 2006 when we sailed from St Lucia through the Grenadines to Grenada. On our return trip the captain of the Yankee Clipper who was born on Bequia had the proud wooden ship anchored overnight in Admiralty Bay.

At the time our impression of Bequia was of a quiet tranquil place with a rich history of whaling and shipbuilding, but we weren’t there long enough and when this opportunity to return presented itself, we made plans

It’s relatively easy to get here once on St. Vincent. Bequia is just an hour’s ferry ride from the “mainland” for $10 USD.

SAILING HUB

Thankfully Bequia hasn’t changed that much in the 20 years since we were last here. Whaling and shipbuilding are a major part of the island’s history, and the island has always been a popular gathering spot for sailing boats and yachts. While lounging on the beach at our hotel on Admiralty Bay the past few days we watched the commerce of sailing as several boats looking like million dollar “holes in the water” as they moored in the azure waters or sailed away. Two massive ships entered the bay and their passengers filled Port Elizabeth and the area shops and some day trippers passed our beach on the way to Princess Margaret Beach a short hike away. The second ship was the three masted Sea Cloud Spirit which launched in 2021. She reminded Janet and I of our voyage on the Yankee Clipper so long ago.

The Sea Cloud Spirit

We really didn’t explore Bequia beyond Admiralty Bay like we did the last time here when we toured the island. This time we were content to simply enjoy the serenity of this laidback island and the convivial spirit of her people. 

WALK THIS WAY

Belmont Walkway Bequia

It is possible to walk from the port all the way to Princess Margaret Beach along a narrow pathway called the Belmont Walkway. It is a narrow cement strip path, at times uneven, at times splashed by the wake of the ferry coming in and our hotel and all the establishments we visited while here are located along it.

In 2006 there were only two restaurants / bars that we knew about, Frangipani and the Whaleboner. The entrance to the Whaleboner has two massive whale rib bones arching over its entrance and whale vertebrae are the tops of their bar stools. We were looking forward to returning to Bequia just so we could have another drink at this unique place. 

The area has gotten a bit busier and there are several more establishments along the Belmont Walkway. We talked to a couple of natives including Chief, a former skipper and his wife and daughter who run a boutique shop in town called Solana’s, and they agreed there is a lot more going on here than when we first visited. That’s not to say Bequia has been built up. There are no mega resorts on Bequia, and you would be very overdressed wearing an Aloha shirt and slacks going out. So relaxed is the spirit of Bequia that T-shirts and shorts are the uniform or at worst your Aloha shirt needs to be wrinkled like it was pulled out from the dirty pile.

Janet at the Whaleboner Bequia

BOUTIQUE

We are staying at the Bequia Plantation Hotel which is on the far end of Admiralty Bay, but still just a short taxi ride from Port Elizabeth where the ferry docks. We were told we could walk to the BPH via the Belmont but don’t try to do this with luggage…and at night. I recommend you take a taxi, which should be $11 usd for two people.

Bequia Plantation Hotel

There are several similar hotels and Airbnbs throughout the island, but we’ve run into a lot of people staying on their boats and taking their dinghy to shore for meals. There are several boats catering to the sailing community, including a floating Tiki Bar and other gaily painted boats offering ice or fuel or laundry services plying to the bay. 

So pervasive is the boating community on Bequia that several shop owners asked us what sailing ship did we use to reach the island.

BEQUIA PLANTATION HOTEL

Bequia Plantation Hotel

The property of the BPH is ringed by a white fence and the green grass has statuary and fountains on the grounds, with the blue waters just beyond. It is beautiful. Our “garden view” room we have in the main building overlooks the pool and the bungalows that are also for let.

Beyond the BPH the Belmont Walkway turns into a slightly steep, but short, trail that leads to Princess Margaret beach. We’ve seen a lot of day trippers from the ferry tramp past our pastoral spot on their way to this long, beautiful stretch of sand. Jack’s Beach bar is located at one end of the beach. 

JACKS BEACH BAR BEQUIA

Walkway to Princess Margaret Beach

We’ve had several meals while on Bequia. Laura’s is closest to the Port Elizabeth right at the end of the Belmont Walkway where we had “catch of the day” tuna.

LAURA'S BEQUIA

We also had a “catch of the day” snapper meal at the hotel’s open air bar and restaurant.   

At Mac’s Pizza Janet had seared tuna and I had “catch of the day” Mahi. That was the best meal on this most recent visit to Bequia.

MAC'S PIZZA BEQUIA

We heard a trio of guitarists playing reggae and popular music at the Fig Bar and one night Mac’s had a solo guitarist playing while we enjoyed some drinks.

HO HO HO

Speaking of drinks, rum has been our go-to elixir. I’ve swayed Janet away from those sweet concoctions and we are drinking a lot of rum neat. There are several local rums available all made by St Vincent Distilleries. Sparrow, Sunset Very Strong and Captain Bligh. The high octane proof of the Sunset prevents it from being brought home by plane. We tasted it and Janet jumped out of her seat and ran around the room. Captain Bligh XO is too expensive, so we have been drinking Sparrow.

ST VINCENT DISTILLERY 

Bequia flies under the radar, unless you know about this charming sleepy beautiful island you will never get there. Of course the new prime minister of SVG, Dr. Godwin Friday, who was born on Bequia, hopes to boost tourism on his home island in the Grenadines.

I hope he doesn’t succeed.

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

A NEW PARTY IN BEQUIA

DR. GODWIN FRIDAY TAKES THE DAY

There’s a new prime minister in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG). After more than 2 decades a new government has been elected and the new PM, Dr. Godwin Friday, is part of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and he is from the island of Bequia.

The people of SVG are wildly elated and we waded into the celebrations yesterday as we tried to make the port and the Bequia Express ferry in Kingstown St Vincent. Our hired driver, Stefano, was getting a bit worried because traffic on the narrow streets was stopped for a time and people danced to blaring music and tooting yellow horns. The Bequia Express was scheduled to depart at 6:00 pm and we were up against it. It has been 20 years since we were last on Bequia, and we didn’t want to spend another day away.

Providence was with us though, and we managed to weave around the weaving revelers happy with the election results and made the ferry with plenty of time to spare. Luckily the ferry that brimmed with supporters wearing similar yellow t-shirts espousing the winning party’s phrase “Together We Win” was delayed with dancing and music at the port. It wasn’t until the pick-up truck with huge speakers blasting Soca rumbled onto the ferry’s vehicle transport area which thudded throughout the ship for the hour-long ride to Bequia.

It was tumultuous and fantastic and everywhere people are happy with the landslide election result.

One way on the Bequia Express was $10.00 USD cash only. A small price to pay to immerse oneself in the local culture.

Thanks for reading.

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

ST VINCENT HERE WE COME

SLOUCHING OFF THANKSGIVING

As we are of a certain age and as we have shed our careers and our families have scattered across the universe our Thanksgiving holiday has been more of a chore to be avoided. For too many years she and I have struggled with the holiday. Too often we cooked an expansive meal for just ourselves. I even learned to efficiently carve a turkey, (info culled from a Youtube CIA video). Sadly, my culinary skills were never properly displayed.

We tried going out to restaurants on the holiday only to find this especially depressing with divorcees and their sad mommy-missing children or kitchen challenged hordes paying for overpriced meals.

ONLY YOU CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY

So, rather than continuing this downward trend we have opted to “get outta town” on Thanksgiving Day on our way to St. Vincent and Bequia. This has served a dual purpose. We have busied ourselves with the whys and wherefores of travel thus avoiding the holiday and with it the bustle of holiday travelers. We departed Philadelphia yesterday morning and got to Miami unbelievably early. We are always worried about our Miami flight connections, and we factored in a hotel stay near the airport, but we could have easily made it to the second leg of our travels to SVG.

We had a holiday meal of burgers and chicken wings and craft beers at a sports bar that is attached to the hotel. If they offered Turkey burgers on the menu we would have ordered that in our only deference to the holiday.

WORKING THE SYSTEM

Janet has Platinum status with American Airlines, so we are now hanging out at their “Admirals Club” area in Miami. As this is an international flight she is allowed one guest (ME) and I’m drinking something with rum after eating breakfast waiting for our flight to board. This is the best way to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.

Hope you all survived it.

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

 

HAVE QUILL WILL TRAVEL

NO MONEY STAY HOME

brother can you spare a dime?

Well, I hope all of you out there in blog land like to read this silly travel blog as much as I like to write it. VFH has been in “business” since 2009 and our travels near and far have been extensive and I’ve cobbled our experiences and given lots of free advice in VACATIONS FROM HOME. This is all simply for the thrill of travel. We receive no compensation from any places recommended in the blog. We are not moochers…er, influencers… Just a loving couple with a yen to see the world.  

Janet and I are retired. She is officially retired. For me, as a freelancer in the television industry for nearly 40 years, I will never “retire”, I just won’t answer the phone… not there’s a lot of calls for work coming in these days.

MISSING BY SIX NUMBERS

Our travels are supported through pensions, and we are smart and frugal when it comes to choices in destinations. That money though will only take us so far and even though we would really like to constantly be out there, somewhere, we simply don’t have the means to always to be elsewhere.

The lottery isn’t cooperating with our travel plans. We keep missing the whole megillah by six, sometimes seven, numbers. Nonetheless we toss a buck or two into those large drawings, because, hey you never know. That is the extent of our gambling.

WELL, WE CAN’T, WE WON’T AND WE DON’T STOP

Never fear dear sainted readers of this whimsy of a travel blog. We will continue to travel regardless of our fortunes, and we will continue to post entertaining drivel and anecdotes from the road, even as our belts tighten like tourniquets.  

Your readership is greatly appreciated, but if you’re so inclined you can help us here at VFH Central by throwing us some money. 

Soupy Sales

Now, this isn’t deceptive like the Soupy Sales bit when he asked kids to go into their parent’s wallets and purses to send him the green pieces of paper that had men with beards depicted on them. (He claims he received $80,000!) No, we're going to be more up front about the request.

SHOW ME THE MONEY

There are several ways to show your appreciation. You can always comment (favorably) on the blog, but of course that won’t buy us a beer.

One way is to buy something on the Vacations From Home official online store. We offer T-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. Everything is priced modestly, so I don’t make that much money on each item, but you will look cool. There’s a link on the website, but here it is as well:  VACATIONS FROM HOME STORE.

I also offer links to my two self-published novels on the website, but here they are:

HI, HOW ARE YOU? by GREGORY DUNAJ 

THE MUSIC MADE ME CRY by GREGORY DUNAJ

One is great for leveling out your wobbly kitchen table…although you may need to rip out a few pages to get it right.

The other one doubles as kindling for the fireplace.

You need to decide which is which.

For a limited time if you bring your Gregory Dunaj novel over to the local gin mill and buy me a beer, I will sign it for you at no extra charge. Heck, if you buy me a beer I'll sign any book.

PENNY NICKEL DIME QUARTER

Now, there’s yet another way to keep us moving. We have just recently established a Venmo account, and we are now accepting donations. Maybe you think the T-shirts are ugly, or your kitchen table is perfectly fine, but you still want to help us get out the door. Janet tells me everyone as a Venmo account. I just got mine. 

So, here’s the QR code to link you to my account. Any donation amount will be greatly appreciated, but even if you don’t feel the need to support your destitute dilettantes, we will still be somewhere and telling you about it.

Btw: if you don’t want to use Venmo or buy a book or T-shirt, write me @ greg.dunaj@yahoo.com and I’ll tell you where to send the check (cash is preferrable).

Remember, sharing is caring.

Love, Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

REVISITING THE GRENADINES

ST VINCENT AND BEQUIA 

sailing in the Grenadines

Though the credo of VFH Central is to never repeat travel destinations because, well, “it’s a big world out there and someone’s gotta see it”, I have always had a secret desire to revisit the island nation of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, or SVG.

We last visited the area nearly 20 years ago on what was our first vacation together when we sailed on the now defunct Windjammer Cruises. With just 36 or so people onboard the majestic three-masted Yankee Clipper we sailed from St. Lucia through the islands of the Grenadines. Along the way we stopped for a time at several previously unheard-of islands like Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island, anchoring in Grenada overnight before sailing back to St. Lucia. 

The Yankee Clipper

It was quite a trip, and the beauty was unending.

It was in the Grenadines where I went scuba diving for the first time ever. I was shocked by the clarity of the water and the diversity of marine life beneath the surface. Although I did not dive again until we started traveling to the Sandals family of resorts, where diving is included in your stay, I have always harbored a desire to see this part of the world again.

KIDS? 

Technically we are not actually “repeating” a destination when we travel to the newest Sandals resort located on St. Vincent, for on that Windjammer “bucket-list” cruise long ago we never physically stopped at the island.

Originally, the Sandals company planned St Vincent to be a “Beaches” resort which is (shudder) a family resort also run by them, but for some reason Sandals decided to transition the property into a proper, adult couples only all-inclusive resort where you will never hear the word “no”, or for that matter, incessant prattling and whining as you would expect at a child-centric location. Ugh.

A Beaches resort will open on the island in 2027 according to an article in the St. Vincent Times. We will NOT be there….

NEW BEACHES RESORT ON ST VINCENT

SANDALS EFFECT

Tourism is growing on St. Vincent because of Sandals. Used to be there was only one flight daily (except for Tuesdays) on American Airlines, but because of the popularity of Sandals other airlines like JetBlue and soon, Delta, are adding flights from the United States. It once was difficult to get to SVG, but that is changing. Still, just be sure to plan far in advance as flights fill up. We (Janet) booked our flight a long time ago, using Aadvantage Miles.

St Vincent 
and the Grenadines

YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE

For further insurance against missing a connecting flight out of Miami (where American notoriously schedules very tight windows) we (Janet) chose to fly into Miami the night before our flight to St. Vincent. We (Janet) didn't want to risk missing any time in the Grenadines, because before our stay at Sandals St Vincent we are first traveling to Bequia, one of the islands we visited on that long ago Windjammer cruise, for a four-night stay. 

There is also a tight connection once we arrive at Argyle International Airport on St Vincent, for after we clear customs we then need to head to Kingstown a half hour drive away to catch a ferry to Bequia. 

To expedite matters we (Janet) arranged for a car to take us directly to the Bequia Express ferry for the hour-long passage to Bequia. At first the arrival time for the flight and the departure of the ferry didn’t jibe, but Bequia Express people shifted the departure time to accommodate a later arriving flight.  

(I cannot stress enough how valuable Janet is in this entire process. Without her doing all the necessary research and arranging we would not have made the ferry.)

BEQUIA EXPRESS FERRY

Bequia

BEQUIA (BEK-wee)

With this trip to St. Vincent we will have visited each of the islands that hosts a Sandals resort, Janet and I are really looking forward to returning to Bequia for this extended stay. It will be our vacation before our vacation as it were. We are staying at the Bequia Plantation Hotel before our Sandals visit on St Vincent.

The Yankee Clipper's captain was born on Bequia and on that Windjammer cruise we anchored overnight in Admiralty Bay and only got to see a little bit of the island. It was not enough. 

BEQUIA PLANTATION HOTEL

A HIDDEN GEM

A bit about the island. Just 7 square miles and with only 5,000 inhabitants, Bequia is large enough to offer plenty to do but still be intimate and peaceful.

Sugar was once the prime commerce, but that has faded, and now Bequia is known for her shipbuilding craftsmen and whaling. Many of the inhabitants can trace their heritage to Scottish immigrants so the local patois comes often with a Scottish brogue. Whaling is still allowed and up to four can be harvested each year, although years can pass without a catch. To read more about Bequia's history and whaling culture, click below for two great resources.

WHALING ON BEQUIA

BEQUIA HISTORY 

Whaleboner

WHALEBONER

There are several reasons to get excited over a visit to Bequia. One could explore her maritime history at the Boat Museum and take a tour of the island and visit Sample Cay where the whalers process the animal. 

Or, one could visit the Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary. The Yankee Clipper’s captain spoke of his time as a boy when the sea turtles were so plentiful that they could literally hitch rides on their backs. Their numbers have dwindled over the years, but at the sanctuary they are endeavoring to replenish the population.

OLD HEGG TURTLE SANCTUARY BEQUIA

Blackbeard the pirate had some business in Bequia in the the 1710s. Perhaps there may be some hidden booty somewhere on the island, but for us simply lolling about on any of the beautiful beaches is probably the extent of our exploration. You'll probably find us lounging at the Whaleboner Bar, sipping a local Hairoun beer. A mere 10-minute walk from our hotel, the entrance to the Whaleboner is decorated with two soaring whale rib bones and you can sit in chairs right on the water's edge, overlooking Admiralty Bay. We'll be there, happy that we have finally returned to this beautiful island.

 THE WHALEBONER BEQUIA

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS SVG?

Just in case you're unsure about where St. Vincent and the Grenadines is located... 

The island nation is south of St. Lucia, north of Grenada and west of Barbados. Bequia is 9 miles south of St. Vincent.   

Thanks for reading

Love Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

OKTOBERFEST IN PHOENIXVILLE

THE POWER OF POSITIVE DRINKING

As if anyone needs an Oktoberfest celebration for a reason to drink beer. This is especially so here in Pennsylvania where there is a rich history of beer drinking.  Philadelphia even has a section called “Brewerytown” and during its height in the late 1800s there were several breweries clustered in a 10-block area, and at one point there were 100s of breweries scattered across the city.

Early on Pennsylvania embraced the “craft” and "micro-brewery” movement and the proliferation of these varied brews can be found in every corner bar and hipster hang out throughout. Even the dive bars have at least one or two or more beers that ARE NOT Bud, etc. on-tap.

KEEP ON QUAFFING ON

So, as the Oktoberfest season is upon us there is not a lot of extra “celebrating” here in southeast Pennsylvania, it is just another weekend. And, in Phoenixville, just a 5-mile uber drive from our Collegeville address, the beer flows generously as each weekend the main street is blocked off and beer revelers crawl from pub to pub, with nary any lederhosen in sight.

PURITY LAWS

Although, there are scattered attempts in Pennsylvania at upholding the Oktoberfest tradition that started in 1810 in Munich as a celebration of the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen, with wavering results.

In the past we have attended some lively Pennsylvanian Oktoberfest celebrations that featured oompah bands and dancing and a parade with the roasted pig. Some even serve beer only brewed according to the Reinheitsgebot or “purity laws” that state only barley, water, hops and yeast are the only allowable ingredients.

DIRNDL, LEDERHOSEN AND KOLSH OH MY!

PARTY ON

There are two notable Oktoberfest celebrations around Reading. One is the highly rated Reading Liederkranz, it is considered quite authentic. We haven’t had a chance to get to this one. Here is their website:

READING LIEDERKRANZ

Stoudt’s brewery in Adamstown, not far from Reading, used to have a phenomenal Oktoberfest, like if you’re not sporting lederhosen you’re underdressed. It featured everything from requisite brews and a parade through the crowd with a roasted pig, dancing and bouts of drinking songs.

One of the earliest craft breweries, Stoudt’s started in 1987 but closed when the brewmaster Carol Stoudt retired in 2020. We attended this one several times over the years. Janet even got on stage to flail about with her accordion.

*There is an update on Stoudt’s. It turns out that a collaboration between Stoudt’s and another area craft brewery, Evil Genius, have restarted the brand with Carol giving advice on recipes, etc. There was also this past weekend the second annual “Stoudtoberfest”. Set in a faux Bavarian village square created as a shopping area, Stoudtoberfest had beers, music and stein hoisting contests. Despite the slight constant dreary drizzling we had a great time.

STOUDTOBERFEST

Here is the website for Munich’s Oktoberfest:

MUNICH OKTOBERFEST 

RISING FROM THE RUST BELT

But, this article is really about the beer scene in Phoenixville.

The town had a rich history before it became a beer destination.

Phoenixville was once the site of the historic Phoenixville Iron Company, which cast most of the cannon used in the Civil War by the Union. When the company closed its doors in 1987 the town suffered a severe economic downturn.

The 1958 science fiction horror film The Blob was filmed mostly in town and the Colonial Theatre was featured prominently when the titular critter from outer space oozes out of the projection booth. Each July the Blobfest is held, and patrons can recreate the pandemonium of the film as they partake in the “run-out,” which is a highly sought after ticket.

Colonial Theatre
Plaque 

Activities like the Blobfest and the convivial atmosphere of the many restaurants, shops, distilleries and breweries have had a great positive impact on the regrowth of Phoenixville.

Here’s a sample of what Phoenixville offers as a beer destination and drink responsibly:

 

BREWERIES:

Rec Room at Conshohocken Brewing

Rec Room

Spacious area with several bars on premises offering Conshohocken Brews, with free (at least during the day) shuffleboard, table tennis and pool tables.

CONSHOHOCKEN BREWING 

Stable 12 Brewing Company

On Bridge Street, the main drag that’s closed off weekends, but beyond the enclosed area. Good beers, finger foods, open area with tables and a small stage for music.

STABLE 12 BREWING 

Root Down Brewing

Big airy building steps away from Bridge Street. Great array of beers.

ROOT DOWN BREWING 

Twelve78

Newest brewery in town. Nestled near the parking lots when you first enter town coming south. In a converted garage. Live music sometimes.

TWELVE78 BREWING

TWELVE 78 BREWING 

Rebel Hill Brewing Company

Across the street from the Colonial Theatre

REBEL HILL BREWING 

Sly Fox

Various locations. Phoenixville’s is just outside of town on Route 113. Great burgers, even better beers. Try my personal favorite their 113 IPA or Odyssey if it’s on tap.

SLY FOX BREWING 

RIP:

Stable 12

Iron Hill

One of the original brewpubs. Fantastic array of beers and great food. Various locations were in Delaware and Pennsylvania, but in September they abruptly filed for bankruptcy and all brewpubs were closed. Very sad

BANKRUPTCY OF IRON HILL 

Notable Drinking Establishments in town:

Bistro on Bridge - Oktoberfest

Large rotating taps of beers from all over the area, plus descent food. There’s an open air bar upstairs that only serves cans, although the recent weekend we went there, they were having their mini-Oktoberfest celebration. Several Bavarian beers on tap, German delicacies and even the mayor of Phoenixville pranced around looking resplendent in his lederhosen.

BISTRO ON BRIDGE 

Rivertown Taps

RIVERTOWN TAPS 

Steel City Coffeehouse and Brewery

It is a coffeehouse, a music venue (we saw Steve Forbert there a while ago) and they serve food, coffee and a couple of beers brewed specifically for them by an area brewery.

STEEL CITY CAFE 

Great American Pub

In the beginning of Phoenixville's regrowth, it was only Iron Hill and the Great American Pub in town. A beautiful old Oak bar inside and a modern airy bar in the back. Different beer lists at either bar but can order from both. Good food.

THE GREAT AMERICAN PUB 

Sedona Taphouse

A chain establishment but has good food and a nice beer list…. In Phoenixville they’d better.

SEDONA TAPHOUSE 

Molly Maguires

Standard issue Irish bar. Guiness for all. Seating on the street and on the balcony overlooking the steel works across the street.

MOLLY MAGUIRES 

Fenix

Next door to Molly Maguires. It’s quieter and a great place for mixed drinks. Our go to for a martini.

FENIX BAR

Foodery

Don’t worry about finding a particular beer in this beer emporium. You want it, they probably have it. A chain, there is one on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. Some food available and there are tables outside to enjoy your choice. 

THE FOODERY 

Distilleries: (In case you don't want a beer)

Boardroom (partnered with Boardroom Spirits Landsdale)

THE BOARDROOM 

Blue Bird Distilling

BLUE BIRD DISTILLING 

Nearby:

Lock 29 (across the bridge in Mont Clare)

LOCK 29 MONT CLARE 

Fitzwater Station

FITZWATER STATION

Along the canal across the river from Phoenixville proper. Mont Clare is where the Sundance Kid (not Robert Redford) was born. Great beer list and even better barbeque. Sit on the deck overlooking the canal. You can even rent kayaks.

FITZWATER STATION 

Troubles End (Collegeville)

The day after Troubles End opened the COVID pandemic hit, but this thriving establishment just down the block from our place in Collegeville has a great selection of house and guest taps and cans. Great chef. Great location, because we can walk there!

TROUBLES END BREWING COLLEGEVILLE 

So, Oompah your way through the Oktoberfest in Phoenixville, even if it’s just another weekend.

Prost!

Thanks for reading, and you’re all welcome to come by and buy us a beer.

Love, Janet and greg

© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj

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