TJ's "The Scraps"

The notion of getting scraps isn't typically anything to write home about.  That's unless those scraps come from Philly Beer Week 2011. Today (7/16) TJ Restaurant and Drinkery breaks out a full lineup the good stuff for a PBW flashback.  Sure it wasn't that long ago but I'm sure no one will complain about an early nod to this years mondo event.  The official start time is 4pm PAYG.

TheScraps on Tap

Ballast Point Navigator

Ballast Point Tongue Buckler

Ballast Point Sculpin

Boulder Bourbon Barrel Aged Mojo Risin

Bruery Mischief

Cigar City Hillsborough Dry Stout

Central Waters Illumination DIPA

Coronado Hoppy Lager

Coronado Black Pearle

Dark Horse Raspberry Black Ice

Dark Horse Shake Mocha Porter

Evil Twin Yang

Hill Farmstead Double Citra

Hill Farmstead Abner

Hill Farmstead Edward

Sixpoint Bill's Burger Bar Beer

Stillwater/Brewer's Art Debutante

Stillwater Existent

Stillwater Jaded

St. Somewhere Lectio Davina

Sprecher Black IPA

't Gaverhopke Extra

Voodoo Bitchin' Camaro

Voodoo Pilzilla

Voodoo Black Strap (FIRKIN)

Williamsburg Bourbon Barrel Porter

Holy Hop Trinity @ TJ's

What natural occurrence is strong enough to pull me out of a

winter hibernation?  A truly perfect hop storm.  Last week a quick stop at TJ's revealed a whole lotta love for hopheads.  On draft were Bell's Hopslam, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum and Troegs Nugget Nectar. Three short pours of each created a true Holy Hop Trinity.

The hype is as big as ever with the release of Slam and Nectar, but after praising TJ's on the holy gathering it was the Sierra Nevada Hoptimum that took me by surprise. This whole-cone brewed DIPA is a sweet, biscuity, tangerine, grapefruit, hopfest. That familiar Sierra pine bitterness doesn't come in until later.  At 10.4% the booze hits and the sticky factor is there. However, it's a big beer that works.  This double more than holds it's own with it's mega hyped counterparts.  If you don't fear going big it's a must try.

Happy 7th Anniversary TJ's Restaurant & Drinkery

Wow 7 years and going strong.  I only discovered TJ's a few years ago after moving from the city. It was one of the places that my wife used to convince me that great beer and food were available in the land of chain restaurants. Along with Capone's, Craft Ale House, Teresa's Next Door, Flying Pig, Sly Fox and Iron Hill  it's made transition to life beyond the Blue Route easy going.  The area is a regular craft beer utopia. This Saturday TJ's becomes the capitol of that utopia.  Always known for a great draft and bottle list the 7th Anniversary celebration takes it to another level.  Congratulations Jeff and Terri. Thank you for continuing to keep amazing beer flowing.

The pours start at noon. PAYG

Featuring TJ's 7th Anniversary Ale

(A British Pale Ale brewed for us by our friends at Sly Fox)

Allagash Fluxus 2010 (Russian Imperial Stout)

Allagash Interlude
Ballast Point Dorado DIPA

Ballast Point Sculpin (FIRKIN)

Cantillon Kriek 100% Lambic
Corsendonk Christmas
Dieu du Ciel Aphrodite

Flying Dog Wild Dog Coffee Stout

Founders Devil Dancer

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout

Great Lakes Christmas Ale

Hitachino XH

Jolly Pumpkin Oro De Calabaza

Lost Abbey Bourbon Barrel Aged Angel's Share

Mikkeller Black Hole

Port Brewing Older Viscosity

Russian River Consecration

Russian River Supplication

Russian River Temptation

Russian River Pliny the Elder

2009 Troegs Mad Elf

2010 Troegs Mad Elf (Randallized with Brandied Cherries)

Troubadour Magma
White Birch Barrel Aged Elysium Stout

Yards Bourbon Barrel Aged Olde Bartholomew

Roll a 7 with the giant dice on our craps table and win a commemorative "I Crapped Out at TJ's 7th Anniversary" shirt. (Only 72 available)

Special toast with Methuselahs (6L) & Jeroboams (3L) of Allagash Tripel at 7:00pm in a TJ's 7th Anniversary Snifter. (Keep the Glass - Only 144 Available)

Sorry no growlers

@ TJ's the Night Belongs to Ithaca

It's time for another good beer gathering at TJ's in Paoli.  This evening it's all about Ithaca Brewing. IB beer rep Eric VanZile will be on hand to talk about what's on draft and all things Ithaca.  Start time is 4pm but some of the goodies are already flowing. Cheers!

Draft Board

Brute

Alphalpha (Firkin)

Cascazilla

Flower Power

Cold Front

Outdoor Harvest

Nut Brown

Apricot Wheat

Randall or Brooklyn for a Friday

Since Philly is a great beer town it's no surprise that multiple events tend to bump up against one another  The dilemma of going here or there and doing this or that is bound to happen.  Such is situation this weekend. It starts Friday with Randall @ TJ's or a taste of Brooklyn @ The Grey Lodge.


Randall 3.0



Sam with original Randall
































The new and improved Randall the Enamel Animal (3.0 version) has been unleashed upon the world.  From the beer stained lab of creative brew genius Sam Calagione Randall the, "organoleptic hop transducer module" has been redesigned.  The new two chamber system was created to allow for a less foamy pour.  While it's common to use whole flower hops with Randall for an over the top hop infused beer, some bartending visionaries are already experimenting with more unique blendings.  A variety of fruit, spices and herbs can be added to the chamber to create endless flavor combinations.  I'm thinking Raison D'Etre with bourbon soaked raisins.

TJ's Restaurant & Drinkery
On Friday see Randall work its blending magic at TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery.  Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu gets Randallized with Chinese 5 Spice. Once you've had your Randall fix the rest of the impressive TJ draft list is at your disposal. Randall is unleashed at 4pm.

The Grey Lodge
Brooklyn in the house.  Such is the case at The Grey Lodge Friday night.  It's Brooklyn Detonation Night. A line-up of rare Brooklyn Brewing goodies. 6pm start PAYG

Brooklyn Oktoberfest

Brooklyn Detonation Ale (double IPA)

Brooklyn Cookie Jar Porter

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Randall or Brooklyn.  The choice is yours.

Did someone say BROOKLYN? Any reason for some Beasties

Favorite Beer Menu of the Week

The draft board from TJ's PBW Scraps event

Ok, so the event was last week, that's not what's important here. Petrus, Citra IPA (Scratch 31) , Dogfish 75 Minute (cask), Simcoe Hopped Big Eye IPA, Oak Aged Yeti (Espresso & Chocolate), Consecration and Registration Ale that's where you need to focus.

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

BIG #6 for TJ's

Happy Anniversary to all over at TJ's. They have been doing it for 6 years and it is only getting better. As you may have figured there are a few good beers pouring today for the celebration. The festivities start at noon.

(Noon Tapping)

Lost Abbey 10 Commandments

Oskar Blues Ten FidyPort

Brewing Hop 15

Rogue I2PA

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Russian River Blind Pig

Stone Sublimely Self Righteous

Ballast Point Barrel Aged Sea Monster

BrewDog Bashah (Stone Collaboration)

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout

Dogfish Head 120 Minute

Duck Rabbit Rabid Duck

Great Divide 15th Anniversary

Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (Firkin)

Meantime London Stout

Moylan's Double Kiltlifter

Terrapin Gamma Ray

(5pm Tapping)

Ballast Point Sculpin

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Ithaca Brute

Limb & Life

Russian River Temptation

The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (Firkin)

TJ's East Coast/West Coast Throwdown

Yeah, this time it's an east coast vs west coast thang. In TJ's ongoing regional beer battles the tag team from New York Ithaca/Southern Tier takes on California's Stone/Coronado. Throwdown goes 7pm-12am. Can't we all just get along?


(West Coast):
Stone IRS
Stone Vertical Epic 09.09.09
Stone Cali-Belgique
Stone Ruination
Stone 13th Anniversary
Coronado Hoppy Daze
Coronado Islander IPA
Coronado Red Devil
Coronado 12th Anniversary Stoopid Stout
Sierra Nevada Estate Harvest or Moylan's Hopsickle

(East Coast):
Ithaca Flower Power
Ithaca Eleven
Ithaca Cold Front
Ithaca Cascazilla
Ithaca Outdoor Harvest Ale
Ithaca Brute
Ithaca alpHalpHa (CASK)
Southern Tier Pumking
Southern Tier Mokah
Southern Tier Creme Brulee
Southern Tier Unearthly
Southern Tier Cuvee II
Southern Tier Harvest
General Lafayette Bier de Cerise

Catchin' Some Dark Horse

Aaron Morse is in the middle of an invasion of Philladelphia. Aaron is the Owner and Head Brewer of Dark Horse Brewing out of Marshall Michigan and since distribution has started in PA, DH events are full speed ahead at good beer spots in the area. The P.O.P.E and Capone's have had theirs and today TJ's has a serious selection of Dark Horse brews all day.

Crooked Tree IPA

Boffo Brown

Sapient Triple

One Oatmeal Stout

Raspberry Ale

Rod

Special Reserve Black

Scotty Karate

Need more opportunities to taste what Dark Horse is Brewing?

DH @ The Kyber

9/1

5-7pm

Enjoy discounts on one of Michigan's finest breweries!!

DH @ Devil's Den

9/2

7-9pm

Draft specials & Flight Specials available. On Draft: Scotty Karate, Raspberry Ale, One Oatmeal Stout & Crooked Tree IPA.

Faces at the Face Off

After going crazy for the past few days trying to find my camera and an SD card all is in order. As it is with most things it's just better to ask the wife before tearing the house apart. Time to get up to speed.


Last Saturday Ballast Point and Bear Republic squared off at TJ's in Paoli for a little CA beer smackdown. Four beers from each brewery were in the competition. Each beer was listed on the ballot and those who sampled were asked to rate them 1-10. Once the the ballots were collected and the votes tallied the overall winner in a close battle was Bear Republic with 809 points (B.P. 793). Detailed scores here .

The Sculpin was a big winner. No surprise there. Thanks Mr. Kolesar for reminding me I wasn't going to chase this beer around Philly. It's tough to resist this tasty fish. As good as the Sculpin was the Racer 5 on cask is the beer that really left an impression on me.

The 5 (cask) started with big aromatic hops, hops, hops and some caramel sweetness . The fruitiness showed on the first sip. Grapefruit and a bit of lemon with an herbal quality. The smooth and creamy mouth feel was a pleasant surprise. I should of expected that with the lower carbonation. The bitterness was there but it never smacked the mouth. Much more subdued than the bottle or regular draft version. This reminded me why I need to search out cask beers more often.

A bar full of joyous participants were on hand to pass judgement on all the liquid best from California. I'm sure some of the following faces are familiar. My guess is many will return next month when the focus shifts from CA to Michigan.

Saturday the Beer Choice is Yours

So beer fanatic who are you gettin' with on Saturday? The choice is yours.

Get with Joe?
Edible World Joe Sixpack's Northern Liberties
Don Russell, a/k/a Daily News Beer Reporter Joe Sixpack, will lead a fun tour of the beer scene in Northern Liberties this Saturday. It's part of the "Edible World" series at First Person Arts, whose mission is to promote memoir and documentary arts.
Learn about the neighborhood's long history of beer and brewing while exploring one of the city’s most vibrant tavern scenes. We’ll enjoy great beer and food during an afternoon of tracing the steps of Philadelphia’s original craft brewers.
The tour is this Saturday, June 13, from 2-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 ($140 per couple), which includes ample beer and food samples. Info and tix 267-402-2055 or visit First Person Arts’ website at http://www.firstpersonarts.org/program/edible-world-food-tour

Get with TJ's
Bear Republic/Ballast Point Face Off
Two of the best west coast breweries face off with a head-to-head challenge. Who will be the victor?
6pm-??
On Tap:
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (No Growlers)
Ballast Point Dorado DIPA (No Growlers-Bombers are available)
Ballast Point Big Eye IPA
Ballast Point Navigator Doppelbock
Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat
Ballast Point Calico Amber
Bear Republic Racer 5 (CASK)
Bear Republic Racer X
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
Bear Republic Heritage
Bear Republic Nor'Cal Pale Ale

Get with Wegmans
Kick off Summer--Beer and Food Pairing
What a great way to start summer! Stop by any of our Wegmans stores in Pennsylvania to taste great beers and easy entertaining foods that complement them. You’ll also be able to talk to regional brewery reps and our own culinary experts!
Date: Saturday, June 13
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Address: All Wegmans Pennsylvania Stores:
Allentown, Bethlehem, Downingtown, Erie, Erie West, Harrisburg, Nazareth, Scranton, State College, Warrington, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport.
Located in the Market Café Restaurant.
Cost: Free



Do Da Dippity

Anniversary View

Thursday is Beer and World Series Night

With The World Series happening tonight who really needs a special activity to get them out of the house and down to their favorite beer spot. Just pick the place that has the best viewing options and a great beer list and head out. If you need help just refer to the long list of bar options on the right side of this blog. I don't want to play favorites but if you live out here around Audubon Capone's works and of course TJ's is a short drive.

The other day I had someone suggest Chap's Taproom and Sports Grill. Surprisingly this place is only 5 minutes from my house and somehow I haven't managed to stop in. When I first clicked on their website I was worried about all the BudMillerCoors specials but they do have some decent crafts and imports. They even have Microbrew Night every Wednesday when they take $1.00 off all micro pints. Since, "sports bar" is in their name I am guessing TVs are in abundance and they do have the NFL Ticket and MLB Extra Innings so it maybe worth a look.

Still want a Thursday is Beer Night activity? Check out Suzanne Woods suggestion for tonight.

Watching the Game with Gordon

The Phillies winning ways continued last night with a victory in game one of the World Series. I caught the game at TJ's from a bar stool perfectly positioned in front of a flat screen and surrounded by energetic fans. The only annoyance was a vocal Phillies hater (a bitter Red Sox fan) who the crowd appropriately bashed with a rousing chant of ASSHOLE, ASSHOLE.

Just as I sat down Scott prepared to pour me a Russian River Damnation. Either he is the best bartender ever or I am damn predictable. I think it is a little of each. As much as I enjoyed the Damnation it was the Oskar Blues Gordon on draft that made an impression.

Gordon is a beer with a mild identity issue. The brewery calls it a,"hybrid beer". A cross between an Imperial Red and a Double IPA. It's considered a Strong Ale and most sites seem to list it simply as a Double IPA. Call it what you will it's a good strong drinker at 8.7% abv and 85 IBUs. Served in a pint glass the beer is reddish orange with a creamy finger high, off white head that fades down and leaves slight lacing. The aroma is sweet, floral, juicy hops. This beer definitely lets you know what your in for. The taste of hops is upfront but not in an overly assertive way. It's true to the aroma; sweet and citrusy and the malt has a chance to show through. The taste then slides to a more bitter piny presence and finishes only slightly sticky. Gordon is never stabbing and leaves the tongue fairly clean. It was great to finally have this on draft after drinking it a few times from the can. If memory serves me right the canned Gordon is little more on the bitter side but not drastically different.

Since the Phillies won and I was enjoying a Gordon I may need to head to TJ's for tonight's game. If I am going to be superstitious I might as well go all the way an enjoy my full beer lineup and have the Damnation and S'muttonator . Anything for a victory.

GO PHILLIES !!!

A quick view of Oskar Blues

Where Ya Watchn' the Game

I mentioned a few posts back that Phillies Phever had taken hold of this Pittsburgh fan in a big big way. Again I don't pretend to be a huge baseball fan but I haven't missed a game in weeks. I don't know how anyone who calls Philadelphia home could ignore the NLCS, especially after the last game. If for some reason the Philadelphia sports world has passed you by now is your chance to catch up and possibly see a bit of sports history. Tonight the Phillies have a chance to clinch their spot in the world series with a win over the Dodgers. Everyone knows how much this town wants to celebrate a winner so what better place to watch the game than your favorite watering hole surrounded by baseball fans? I am just trying to figure out where to plant my butt for a baseball filled evening. I have an early morning tomorrow so I have to keep it close. Unfortunately that means no trip into the city. It comes down to Capone's or TJ's, although it sounds like there should be a good gathering at Victory. Wherever you decide to watch do it with a good beer and cheer like there is no tomorrow.

GO PHILLIES!!!

Oktober Past

The weekend is almost upon us again and I am just getting around to posting info about last weekend. Sorry for the slow response time. I am sure that most of you have already read comments from fellow bloggers and beer enthusiasts about the big Philly Oktoberfest that took place at the Armory. After seeing some of the photos and hearing the tales I wish I could of been in the city. Instead Kelleigh and I went to TJ's for the evening to enjoy their Oktoberfest celebration.

I always catch a good vibe from TJ's and this time was no different. Scott had a pint of Blind Pig in my hand before I could utter a word. It was a zen like meeting of the minds. That simple move had me thinking, "damn this guy is good". I am sure my dingy Pliny hat tipped him off to my love of all things Russian River. Maybe Scott is completely in tune with all his patrons. Either way the choice was perfect. The Pig started the night off right. I swore that this year I would find one place and make it my home for the evening. That didn't happen. Even the good draft list at TJ's didn't keep me in my seat. After two hours instead of heading home I persuaded Kelleigh to go to Victory to catch the end of Fall Fest.

I don't have much to say about our limited experience at Fall Fest. We got there with about 30 minutes remaining. This was just enough time to grab a mug of Sunrise Weissbier and the largest pretzel I had ever seen. Five minutes later the rains came and it was time to go. Once the wife is tired and water logged there is no reason to stay. Even though our time was limited the Fall Fest seemed like a great gathering. Next year we will pray for no rain and make sure to start a little earlier.

TJ's for Hops

If you are a hop fan then put down everything and head to TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery right now!!! This week the Paoli bar is hop central. There are no less than seven hop forward ales among the always strong draft list. The stand out of the bunch is the hard to find Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing. The double IPA rarely makes it to the Philly market and when it does beer fanatics tend to track it down and consume it quickly. However Pliny is not the only shinning star in this hop heaven. If it's DIPAs you are looking for Great Divide's Hercules also brings the hops hard and heavy. Besides the two doubles TJ's has, Green Flash Hophead Red, Ithaca Brewing Flower Power, Sly Fox IPA Project Cluster, Ballast Point Big Eye IPA, and Flying Dog Doggie Style IPA. The rest of TJ's draft list is also available. Check the website for a complete list of current beers. So if you need a serious pine and citrus fix get to TJ's while the hops flow in abundance.