Savoring the Session: Navigating the March Mildness Passport in Philly
At Pint Perspective, we are all about the "Sip, Savor, Share" lifestyle, and there is no better time to embrace that than during March Mildness. Originally a celebration of the Mild ale style started by Machine House Brewing in Seattle, the event has grown into a local tradition in the Philadelphia area through the Mild Passport program by Forest and Main (Ambler, PA)
The concept is simple but rewarding: beer lovers visit participating local breweries, order a pint of mild, and collect a stamp on their passport. Each stamp earned throughout the month serves as a raffle entry for the grand finale closing party held on April 4th. For those looking to go even further, the Mild Master Program at Forest and Main’s locations rewards the individual who collects the most punches with a separate prize.
Here is a look at the stops we have made so far on our quest for the perfect mild:
Forest and Main Brewing Co.
As a cornerstone of the local mild scene, Forest and Main is heavily inspired by traditional British-style ales. We visited their Fish-town location on Frankford Avenue, which brings their signature "thoughtful” brewing approach right into the heart of the city. Their commitment to the style is evident, as they serve as a primary hub for passport collectors and those vying to become a "Mild Master". In addition we tried their collaboration Mild with Human Robot in honor of this year’s March Mild.
Tonewood Brewing
Crossing into New Jersey, Tonewood Brewing is participating in the celebration with their Bedford Dark Mild. This 3.7% ABV ale is a masterclass in the style, offering notes of pumpernickel toast, toffee, chocolate brownies, and cold brew coffee. To mimic the smooth mouthfeel of a traditional pub cask ale, Tonewood uses the "speise" method of can conditioning, adding fresh wort at the time of packaging for natural carbonation.
Brewery ARS
Located in South Philly and Fishtown, Brewery ARS offers the Woolen Jumper Dark Mild Ale. This 3.8% ABV English-style dark mild delivers a cozy profile of light chocolate and medium roast coffee with a subtle hint of fruit-filled caramel. It is the perfect low-ABV option for those looking to visit multiple stops in one afternoon.
The South Philly and Fishtown Circuit
Our journey also took us to several other key participants listed on the "Wild for Mild" passport:
Human Robot: We stopped by Human Robot Süd in South Philadelphia, a must-visit for any lager or session ale enthusiast.
Second District Brewing: Known for their "thoughtful ales and lagers," this South Bancroft Street brewery is a staple of the South Philly beer scene and a vital stamp for the passport.
Love City Brewing: A central figure in the Philly brewing community, Love City is a proud participant in this year’s March Mildness festivities.
Humble Parlor Brewing: We rounded out our Fishtown stamps at their taproom on East Girard Avenue, enjoying the local vibes while securing another chance for the April 4th raffle.
There is still time to grab a passport and join the fun. Keep sipping, stay sessionable, and we will see you at the closing party!
