Death of The Beer Fridge

I am officially a killer.  A true cold blooded destroyer of all that is good.  After years of service with no problems I brought down my beer fridge with one mighty blow.  The ill-fated incident occurred a couple weeks ago during a well overdue cleaning.  Instead of properly defrosting the freezer compartment I decided to speed up the process and attack the overgrown ice behemoth with a chisel and hammer. Bad decision. With one misguided tap the chisel punctured a freon line throwing a blast of gas into my face.  I survived the gas attack but after several minutes of high pitched hissing my one time favorite home appliance was reduced to nothing more than a paperweight.  The official death of The Beer Fridge.  It serves me right for not having patience and doing the job right.  To the non amusement of the wonderful Kelleigh, all the beer that once was kept in a fridge, in a corner of the Manroom, now resides in the kitchen fridge battling for space with the milk, mayo and cheese. 

I bring all this up now because I've slowly come to grips with the fact that my fridge is no more.  It's merely a piece of junk taking up precious space on the deck.  What's done is done so tomorrow morning it's headed curbside with the rest of the weekly trash, sniff, sniff.

Old friend you served me well and though you'll be replaced you won't be completely forgotten. This evening I bid you adieu and raise a bottle in your honor.  If anything at least after tonight I'll have fewer bottles to maneuver around in the kitchen fridge.  Cheers!

HBO My Sunday Night Fix

Vince, all that cash and all you get your boys is Bud?

Sunday night use to bring a feeling of dread.  The joy of the weekend was over and the weekly grind lay only hours ahead.  Now I look forward to Sunday night all because of HBO.  This past weekend brought the cable movie channel's full on power summer lineup.  From 9 to 11pm it's vampires, werewolves, pimps, prostitutes, Hollywood posses and power players.  True Blood, Hung and Entourage are successfully taking  the gloom out of the end of the weekend.  Of the three shows Entourage and True Blood are the established heavy hitters here.  Although I'm starting to believe that Vinnie Chase and the boys may have already jumped the shark. The bad ass vamps top my list however Hung might be the most compelling of the three shows.

This woman knows the way to my heart

HBO is betting that you will hang on after True Blood to watch the up and down (pun intended) life of struggling Detroit high school teacher/coach/male prostitute Ray Decker (Thomas Jane).  The pleasant surprise is Hung holds it's own (make your own joke) in the evening lineup.  Good character development, humorous interaction and quirky sexual trysts all draw in the viewer.  Even though Ray is in the business of pleasure (only for the ladies) most of us can still relate to his hard times, troubled relationships and less than perfect family life.  All  points that resonate more with the common man than the lusty sex and bloody gore of True Blood or the big time livin' in Entourage. This past Sunday's episode even managed to throw a bone to craft beer. 

Founders Double Trouble along with a couple burgers are used as a good will offering by Rhonda (Ray's pimp) to put her back in his good graces.  This is product placement I support.  It's good to see the show is true to it's Michigan base. It would of been too easy to have the characters toss back a Bud or Miller Lite.  Unfortunately something the Entourage crew does far too often. Even the patrons at Merlotte's, True Blood's local hangout, can get an Abita Turbodog.  The craft angle is a nice touch for those of us who care about such things.  Gotta wonder whats next for Ray's fridge: New Holland, Bell's, Jolly Pumpkin, Dark Horse.  Dr. Joel you may want to send a letter to the writers emphasising the wonders of New Holland. Heck, why should Founders have the TV spotlight all to themselves?

The bar owner shape shifts into a dog so of course Abita's Turbodog is on draft

Mmmmm PBW Beer Scraps @ TJ's

Since Philadelphia is a true beer lovers paradise we've all come to expect frequent events that present an excellent opportunity to indulge in great craft beer. Think about it. When was the last time a solid month passed and there wasn't some beer tasting, dinner, special tapping, cask event, brewery promo, etc? Following that wonderful trend and with Philly Beer Week still fresh in our minds TJ's in Paoli rolls out PBW the Scraps.  Yes all those beers that didn't get their chance to shine during Beer Week take over the taps on Saturday (6/26).  Included on that draft list the much sought after Russian River Registration Ale. The naming plays off those infamous Philly beer raids that had the PLCB carting off all those "unregistered" kegs and bottles. The 7.5% abv even pays homage to $75.00 fee to register the beer in PA. The beer fun starts at noon. PAYG

TJ's what's on tap Sat

Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA - FIRKIN Ballast Point Simcoe Hopped Big Eye IPA- FIRKIN

Russian River Consecration

Russian River Registration Ale

Troegs Scratch 31 (Citra IPA)

Southern Tier 2XIPA

Arcadia Hop Rocket

2008 Eel River Tripel Exultation

2009 Dogfish Head Old School Barleywine

Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron

Dogfish Head Festina Peche

Dogfish Head Sah'tea

Bear Republic Crazy Ivan

Stillwater Oliver's Channel Crossing

Petrus Oak Aged Pale

Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti

Meantime Chocolate Porter

Emelisse Imperial Russian Stout

FYI

If you can't make it to TJ's and you're near Lansdale make your way to Via Marconi's Pizza Pub for Russian River Fest 2.  Registration Ale and Pliny the Elder tap at 11:00. PAYG

Beer Week @ City Tap House

Beer Week is just about two weeks in the past so this is obviously the perfect time for slacker me to toss up some photos from the few events I attended.  Unfortunately a nagging cold and an unforeseen increase in the work schedule kept this from truly being my best beer week ever.  Instead of hitting all the events I had highlighted old school style on paper (no iPhone apps for me) I spent more time plowing through paperwork and coughing up Phlegm.  Not pretty.  The cool thing is the time I did spend tripping around the city with friends was a much appreciated good time.

Me, Woody Chandler & Ed

Cask Ale Kev, Dr. Joel, Ed

During the week I couldn't resist the gravitational pull of the  City Tap House.  Somehow I managed three visits: the Deschutes Philly Debut, 31 Flavors of Bells and a random night for food and a few drinks.

The new University City 60 tap beer utopia is impressive.  All I could think entering the unassuming frosted door next to Jimmy Johns is that from ground level the place had a secret lair feel.  Reminiscent of Maxwell Smart entering Control.  A dimly lit curved hallway leading to a mysterious elevator.  Press the button and your adventure begins.  Once at restaurant level the doors open and with a step to the left the mystery quickly fades and a mega bar awaits.

For the Deschutes event we arrived after a day spent at Yard's Smoke 'Em if Yous Got 'Em.  Managing to beat the crowd, the place was fairly empty so grabbing a table was no problem. The first round went to, Hop Henge followed by  The Abyss.  As you can imagine after hours of smoked beers the senses weren't the sharpest.  However even abused taste buds could appreciate both wow beers.  I won't give a detailed review until I've had each again during a clearer state of mind but trust me Hop Henge fantastic mix of tropical fruit/citrus and piney hop goodness and The Abyss is dark, sweet, raisiny heaven in a glass.  We should all put our hands together and pray to the beer gods that Deschutes turns their Philly trial period into a full time gig.

Bells Rep Derek Zomonski holding two of his 31 flavors

The 31 Flavors of Bells made for an even more impressive evening.  A Bells world record (for now) for number of Bell's beers poured at one time in one place.There was no beating the crowd for this one.  The people were easily two deep at the bar. Not a surprise with the amount of rare beers on the draft list. My only regret is not taking notes on everything I had.  No way is memory going to help here.  What I do recall is loving Black Note, Batch 9000 and Barrel Aged Hell Hath No Fury.  Sadly the tasting details have faded like the thin white head on a cask beer. Going, going gone.

Now only time will tell if City Tap House survives the campus life.  A draft list of 60 is the largest in the city, the patio with fire pits is perfect for those chilly nights and the overall space gives off the right kind of hangout feel.  This ain't your daddy's or for that matter my college beer bar.  So do craft beer heads make it a must stop? Do all those taps keep pouring the good stuff? We'll all wait to see.  

Overall my only real gripe is that prices seem a touch high for food. With Local 44 close by pouring good beer and dishing out amazing food at reasonable prices it may be tough to make City Tap House my number one destination in West Philly.

More Beer Week? Nope Just Another Day @ Capone's

The biggest week of beer ended almost 2 weeks ago and life in Philly is back to normal.  Lucky for us normal means plenty of opportunities to have more amazing craft beer.  Today Capone's unleashes the taps with a monster draft line up.  Since it is only here on a trial basis Deschutes Hop Henge has gotta be the hot beer of the day. However with Sculpin, Stone IPA (Dry Hopped), Brooklyn Buzz Bomb and Petrus Aged Pale it won't be the only highly sought after draft.  Hopefully Deschutes is taking notice of the stir it's caused in the market and the trial period quickly turns to more beers headed to Philly on a regular basis. Start 11:30am, PAYG

What's Pouring @ Capone's

Ballast Point Sculpin "Nice And Fresh!"
Deschutes Hop Henge "Experimental Imperial IPA"
Stone IPA "Dry Hopped"
Lancaster Kolsch
Green Flash Le' Freak
North Coast Old Rasputin "On Nitrogen"
Petrus Aged Pale "Great Sour Beer"
Spring House Diabolical Dr. Wit
Spring House Goofy Foot "Summer Wheat Beer"
Brooklyn Brew Master Reserve Buzz Bomb Ale "Braggot Mead"
Great Lakes Erie Monster IPA
Southern Tier 2X IPA
Roy Pitz Watermelon Lager
Port Brewing Shark Attack
Victory Summer of Love
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice
Brassiere Saison Dupont
Weyerbacher Kilo "Limited Draft Release"
Weyerbacher Verboten
Weyerbacher Merry Monks
Stillwater and Oliver Ales Channel Crossing Volume 1
Stillwater Stateside Saison
Stillwater Cellar Door"Belgian Bitter"
Steenbrugee Tripel
Dogfish Head Sah'tea 2009
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Ayinger Brau-Weisse
Founders Porter

Odell Brewing Company @ Capone's

We are headed into the final weekend and I have been dealing with a cold for the past few days.  Great timing. Unfortunately I've missed many events on my can't miss list. Since physically I feel somewhat better I have my sights set on Capone's for Meet the Brewer with Odell Brewing Company.  Tagged as one of the best breweries in Colorado they are making their east coast debut. The beers are here on a trial basis which is all part of deciding if PA gets the opportunity to pour more in the future.  Looks like we have to make a good impression. Definitely a good reason to drag myself to a bar stool and partake in the afternoon festivities.  Besides we all know the healing benefits of a good pint.  See ya there. Cheers

Capone's
2-4pm, PAYG
Odell Drafts
90 Schilling
IPA
Saboteur Brett Barrel Brown Ale
Woodcut 4 Oak Aged Lager

Smoke 'Em if Yous Got 'Em PBW 2010

Philly Beer Week Takes Off

Philly Beer Week is off and running. I am trying not to go too crazy about getting to places and have somewhat come to grips with the fact that I can't go to every event I want.  I'm not a iphone person so I've been tracking the grand festivities through the site and the old school way on paper.  At this point everything has been circled, asterisked and highlighted to death.  So far the plan is to hit favorites, see old friends and check out the new guys, both bars and breweries. 

My week kicked off at Capone's with Old Dominion.  Thanks Scott and Dave for the beer selection you guys were great.  On Sunday it was off to Smoke 'Em if Yous Got 'Em.   Loved it last year and this year's gathering didn't disappoint. It was also my first visit to Yards since the arrival of the new bar and I understand why the place is so damn popular.  It's the best place on Del Ave to grab a pint. Yards just doesn't stop improving.  On the new side, the Philly debut of Deschutes at City Tap House. The beer and the bar were equally amazing.  60 taps is impressive. With The Abyss and Hop Henge on, it's draft paradise.  If you haven't had any of their beers just trust me, you want Deschutes to keep pouring in Philly.  My only regret so far is missing Lew and Scoats at the Grey Lodge for Upstate Brewery Haul. In past years I've missed it and I knew after Smoke 'Em and Deschutes there was no way I was getting to the Grey Lodge.  Ya gotta know when to say when.

I'll toss some pics up soon.  Until then keep enjoying the week.  Cheers!

All About Beer in the Perfect Place

The other day in the mail I received a special double issue magazine wrapped in plastic.  Take your mind out of the gutter, it was the July issue of All About Beer. The special part was the accompanying Beer Traveler issue.  The magazine covers festivals, beer excursions, provides a beer vacation planner for the US and Europe and some helpful travel tips. Along with that comes a list of the 150 Perfect Places to Have a Beer.  I know these lists are always popping up: Must Have Beers Before You Die, Best Bars in America, The Country's Best Beer Cities and so on.  I love them all because like many who are into the craft thing I want to see how many places, beers or whatever I can check off and there's fun in seeing where your favorites rank. 

In this version of the perfect beer list the Philly area  is represented, not once, but twice.  Monks Cafe rolls in at the #4 spot and Eulogy takes #79. Not too shabby.  However for "America's Best Beer Drinking City" I want more.  Heck, Chicago hit 6 spots on the list (Goose Island, The Map Room, Piece Brewery, Clark Street Ale house, Hopleaf and Delilah's). All excellent, however classic places like Capone's and Grey Lodge can easily hold their own against any of them.  I guess we can take some comfort in the fact that some other places in the area and PA got props: Selin's Grove Brewing Company #63, Dogfish Head Ale House Rehoboth #91 and Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh #130.

For the record,  #1 spot went to Great American Beer Festival.

Mad Hatter Rages on the South Side

There are many reasons I have for getting back to Pittsburgh: family, friends, Primanti Bros, real pierogies, the view from Mount Washington, to hear the word yinz, growler hours at East End Brewing and to be surrounded by those who love the black & gold as much as I do.  All great.  However, after checking in over at The Grain Bill, Dr. Joel gave me another reason. 

One Saturday June 12 the dear Dr. is conducting a New Holland Mad Hatter Bar Crawl on the South Side. It's six different bars and six different versions of Mad Hatter (Imperial, Black, Oak Aged, Cask Conditioned, Rye and of course the original). Unfortunately a trip back home to The Burgh on that weekend isn't possible for me.  I'll have to cross my fingers and hope that the Dr. throws some of that multiple Mad Hatter love in Philly's direction.

Heading into Philly Beer Week with Deschutes

Sad to say I'm still catching up on past activity on the eve of Philly Beer Week. It's a little difficult looking into the past when you know there's a hop behemoth lurking around the corner. However I'm also moving ahead and focusing on an event during the best week ever that is sure to get some attention. 

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine passed me a few great beers and I've been slowly working my way through them.  Thanks again Brandon, you rock! Two of the better choices that have filled a glass over the past few days are from Deschutes Brewery in Portland.  Inversion IPA and Green Lakes Organic Ale are my first experiences with Deschutes and if they are a good indicator of their other offerings I need to get my hands on more bottles.  The Inversion IPA starts off on the malty side with an orange and carmel sweetness.   Most of the bitterness holds off until the end.  Typically I lean toward an IPA with a good amount of hop bite but the malt forward side was a good change. The Green Lakes Organic follows a similar taste profile, sweet moving to bitter but was slightly more toasty and bready. Both had me wanting more when the last few drops were poured.

As luck would have none of us have to wait very long to get a taste of Deschutes.  The brewery is making its big premiere in the Philly market during Beer Week.  City Tap House is pouring 5 drafts (Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Hop Henge IPA, Hop in the Dark Black IPA, and The Abyss Imperial Stout) on Sunday afternoon, 6/6 from 3-6pm, PAYG. Hopefully this is the beginning of a good flow of Deschutes into Philly.

Finally all caught up.  Time to let the week begin.