With the tap of the keg by Mayor Michael Nutter, the beer flow started and so did Philly Beer Week.
The line was long on Independence Mall as hundreds of people waited to get into the Independence Visitor's Center to taste one beer after another from local breweries.
The 10-day event is in its 4th year and is responsible for pouring much needed business into bars and restaurants all over the city.
"This is something we can be proud of, beer is really an important part of our local culture," said Don Russell, Executive Director of Beer Week. "We're a beer drinking city now we get to celebrate it for 10 straight days."
Mayor Michael Nutter welcomes the business and says using the "Hammer of Glory" to tap the ceremonial keg always puts on the pressure.
"There's the opportunity for beer spray all over the place including on myself, that's a fear, and then I've got the hand right there," said Mayor Nutter.
Organizers say this year's beer week is bigger than ever. There are more than 200 businesses participating and 70,000 people are expected to drink up.
"Wherever it said 'people' we wrote 'beer drinking people' because they are the salt of the earth and the foundation of this great country," said Samuel Hobbs of the new Declaration of Independence.
"This sounds like your dream? It's a great dream. It's a good thing, it's a beautiful night, Independence Hall, having some beers with friends, you can't beat it," said John Derenz.
