Thaison Nguyen and his dog Travis found the fourth and final keg under the arches at the north end of FDR Park at the very last minute of the three hour scavenger hunt

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Nearly 200 people showed up Saturday at FDR Park in South Philly to hunt for hidden kegs of beer. Yep, you read that right.

Philadelphia was chosen as one of four cities to host Pabst Blue Ribbon’s inaugural Kegg Hunt. Instead of eggs, the Milwaukee-based beer company hid four canisters of beer for participants 21+ to find. In the spirit of the holiday, they were decorated with pastel polka dots and other Easter-inspired designs.

While beer-seekers in Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, and Portland were given 1 to 3 “keggs” to find, Philadelphians got to search for four.

Why do we get more? Reps for PBR had no better answer than because this is Philadelphia, and we love beer. (Plus, the brand looms large in Philly drinking lore, thanks to Bob & Barbara’s and the citywide.)

Attendees were mostly from Philly, but a few said they traveled from New Jersey, and even Brooklyn. Participants searched the 348-acre park on foot, by bike, and someone even brought their dog.

Three “keggs” were discovered within the first hour of hunting, but the final one eluded searchers until the very last moment at 4 p.m. — perhaps thanks to the dog.

Successful scavenger hunters took home a festively decorated keg and a $150 gift card to fill it up Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn

The contest was free to enter. Participants had to solve a riddle posted to PBR’s social media at 8 a.m. Saturday morning in order to find the location of the hunt — the “longest-serving president” was the key clue.

If people made it to the FDR Skatepark, they found two beer reps wearing bunny ears, who gave lucky winners a $150 giftcard to fill their kegg with brew.

And what’s a Philly event without at least one semi-aggressive standoff between adults over an empty barrel covered in pink polka-dots?

This brunch party turned search party arrived last at the kegg hunt. Despite taking time to strategize their search route before setting out to find the final keg hidden somewhere in FDR park, they came up empty handed. Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn

Contestants were able to begin their search at 1 p.m. However, a slight time miscommunication led to confusion when one participant showed up a few hours early and laid claim on one of the keggs. Tensions bubbled when another participant arrived at the appropriate time and found the same item. Eventually the situation was resolved, and the rest of the day went off without a hitch.

It was hot, but the resolve was high. Spouses tapped out and relationships were tested, but in the end friends were made, and everyone had a beer in hand.

Thaison Nguyen and his dog Travis found the fourth and final keg Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn

Thaison Nguyen and his pooch Travis finally found the final prize beneath the arches at the north end of the park, under a giant paper mache leaf nestled in with a big wire carrot and some artificial pink glitter grass. Just like at the beer store, if the beer store was Target.

“We’ve been here for an hour and a half,” said Nguyen. “Started walking, got a little frustrated and then we came up here because it seemed like a good spot — and there it was.”

Nguyen has big plans for his pastel-colored keg: “It’s going to be a decoration.”

Participants flash a thumbs down after one member of this search party decided to head home empty handed Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Participants who stuck around until the end of the scavenger hunt were given a can of PBR Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Almost 200 people showed up to FDR park Saturday to participate in PBR’s first ever Easter Kegg Hunt Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
After nearly three hours of waiting for participants to find the final keg, reps took a walk through the park to check on progress Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
One of four Easter ‘keggs’ hidden in FDR Park Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Participants who stuck around until the end were given PBR stickers to take home Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
This PBR rep went all out on his hat Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
South Philly Resident Thaison Nguyen takes the keg he won at the PBR Easter Kegg Hunt to his car Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn
Not everyone found a keg, but everyone got a chance to take a photo with the final prize at the end of the hunt Credit: Erin Blewett for Billy Penn