October 1, 2007
They owed $800K in back rent. It was subpar at best. The beers weren’t bad but the formula was ill-conceived.

August 20, 2007
Closed the other day. If you’ve ever been ... you’d know why. A terrible waste of a great location & facility. See: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/joe_sixpack/20070817_Joe_Sixpack___When_beer_comes_second__brewpubs_die.html

August 15, 2007
Not bad for a brewery in center city Philadelphia, however for the price and what they offer there are so many better options in walking distance. Had the IPA and Kolsch, disappointment in the Kolsch, but the IPA was a little better. Their food just is not up to bar with other bars. Recommend walking the 8 blocks to Eulogy or Good Dog. It is really nice inside and attempts to cater to upper crust a little, which honestly creates a snobbish atmosphere which is again disappointing. Food services very slow.

February 21, 2007
Stopped here on Sat. Feb 10th after the Philly Auto show. Seated promptly. Disappointed to fins out that they were out of several of their drafts, including their cask offering (oatmeal stout) and their winter seasonal. I had the IPA and a Yards Love stout. Food was average. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go here again.

January 23, 2007
Bad beer, bad service, bad everything. I hate t be negative, but I will never go back here again.

December 1, 2006
Was in for dinner, music was kinda loud almost had to shout to hold a conversation with someone. Food was good however my fish & chips got to me about 10 min after everyone else got their food. No real explanation was given.

August 28, 2006
Came in after lunch and the place is basically dead, so had all the attention we could want and discovered our barmaid is actually a pretty nice person. The beer unfortunately is nothing special at all, though it’s mostly palatable enough, and I wouldn’t complain about drinking several pints of the oatmeal stout. The food is above average for a brewpub, nothing from plastic bags but cooked on spot. My companion is an expert on chicken tenders and said they were very excellent. Ambiance is like an 80’s office building in some ways, huge atrocious pillar in the middle of the bar, drop cieling. Nice view of the fermenters and nice big circle bar. It’s ok, but there’s no way you’d make a habit of it. It’s extremely annoying to see some czech guy judged all east coast IPA from the one at this place. This beer is not really intended for beer geeks but for average joes. It doesn’t always match the style too well and is mainly not inoffenseive or too far in taste from conventional beers.

May 17, 2006
More of a brew pub for non beer drinkers than beer drinkers it’s located in the heart of convention-ville. Lunchtime the place is filled with suits and jurors looking for a quick bite and better beer ans they have that. The selection brewed isn’t the greatest but it’s above par. Food was decent at best.

December 27, 2005
Independence was formerly known as Dock Street but there have been no rumors (lately) of the brewpub’s demise. Located at 11th & Filbert (Headhouse) and next to the PA Convention Center. Independence Brewpub is large enough to hold the masses and serves generic enough beer and food to appease them. Always a beer on special ($3 a pint) and a standard line-up. Beers are middle of the road and no aroma. I found the barmaid highly entertaining and attentive. I’d go here again just for a quick beer, and to use the spacious and clean bathrooms.

December 7, 2005 [ Updated December 8, 2005 ]
If they’re out of business, someone forgot to tell them. (Though if they were, it wouldn’t be a huge blow to the craft brewing scene.) A phone call on Dec 7 2005 confirmed they’re still around and plan to be until further notice. Atmosphere was faux-yuppie-urban, beer was average, selection thin, service preoccupied with something else though it couldn’t have been other patrons since there were only 2 others there at the time. The oatmeal stout on cask was its redeeming feature. Worth checking out if you’re near the convention center but don’t make it your primary purpose for going to downtown Philly unless you thrive on mediocrity.