Beerlass

BONGOGASH- this THURSDAY 8 pm

2013-05-06T11:41:00.001-04:00

Ever since I saw Toots and the Maytals and Hugh Masekela four days apart two weeks ago- I've been listening to their Pandora stations.

The arduous drives to and from DC are better, chores are better, everything is better.

Varga Bar and I had an event slated for Thursday May 9th. I thought it would be fun to add a lil
Afrobcuban, reggae, ska, calypso music to the evening.

As of now they're calling for possible thunderstorms which is unfortunate- but that's 96 hours away.
things could change. And even if they don't- I'm sure people still play bongos in the rain. (as long as their not walking down the stairs in the rain playing bongos).

I am not a graphic designer so forgive my attempt at an event sign.
See you this THURSDAY at VARGA at 8! 10th and Spruce if you've never been.

The POURS
interlude
bourbon black
grand cru
curieux
odyssey
white
triple
dubbel

Tuesday Two Track: Willie Nelson 80th Birthday Edition

2013-04-30T23:40:00.000-04:00

It's been months since a Tuesday two track. I almost wondered sometimes if it was possible to run out of material so to speak, but no I don't think I could. I just run out of time...

Today- Willie Nelson was thanked again and again for 57 years of music on his special day. Lots of twitter and facebook tributes. He is nothing short of a living legend- and probably pretty lucky to still be among the living.

Here Willie does a lovely version of the Righteous Brothers "Unchained Melody"

Righteous Brothers

Kutztown's Saucony Creek Trickles into Philly Taverns this Week

2013-04-29T23:01:00.001-04:00

This Wednesday, Saucony Creek launches at the P.O.P.E.

They were one of 1,118 microbreweries that were slated to open in 2012. And they actually did.

Owner, Matt Lindenmuth took his dream to Kickstarter last Spring and with enough support and a generous landlord, built a brewery and crew (Joe Percoco, head brewer formerly of Barley Creek in the Poconos) and started distributing this year.

What makes them different (besides the fact that Lindenmuth spent years as a globe-trottin' Guinness Book inline vert rollerblader/snowboarder) is they are farming and malting their own barley.

What else do you need to know???

The brewery took over an old Saucony Shoe warehouse.
They've named the brewery for the Sacony Creek that there water is sourced from, but kept the original spelling.

It appears that 7% Stone Fly IPA is a potential flagship out of the gate.
On Wednesday between 7-10 pm you can try that as well as North Ramp Stout and Bling Blangers Brown.

Guests can also meet Lindenmuth who I imagine has a few great stories.

Kudos to them for making it happen and being one of the 2, 416 breweries now operating.

Follow Saucony Creek on twitter here. Website coming soon.

Big Beer Weekend in University City

2013-04-19T10:49:00.003-04:00

Saturday 4/20
12 pm- 4pm
City Tap House is hosting a BBQ with
BROOKLYN Brewery
$20 all you can eat Barbecue (vegetarian options avail)
and $3 Brooklyn CANS
Live Music from Estimated Profit (Grateful Dead tribute band) featuring
Brooklyn Brewery rep, Miles Moser.

Sunday April 21
THE "HEADDIE"
BEER FEST
The Blockley/Jollys
38th and Chestnut
2 pm- 5 pm
Tickets available HERE

Spot burgers (never had, but apparently they're delicious) are available for purchase from their food truck.
Music will be provided by Professor Slim.

Tickets to Blockley concerts will be given away every hour.

Those who purchase tickets online- are privy to 24 additional beers.
Some of
THE POURS

1. Troegs Nugget Nectar

2. Dead Guy

3. Ithaca Flower Power

4. Northern Lights IPA

5. Starr Hill Dark Starr Stout

6. Lagunitas Hop Stoopid

7. Sixpoint Resin

8. Abita Purple Haze

9. Firestone Walker Wookey Jack

10.Stone Smoked Porter

11. Loopy Oatmeal Red

12.Rochestafarian

13. Too Kind DIPA

14. Skunk Black IPA

15. Stony Face

W E A T H E R - Partly Sunny both days 55-59 degrees

Revenge of the Runner-Up. Vote LANCE for Philly Beer Scene Brewsmaster of the YEAR

2013-04-17T00:11:00.000-04:00

Come on- He's wearing Weyermann overalls.

Last year- Lance Romance was really gunning for Philly Beer Scene Brewmaster of the year.
Casey Hughes won two years in a row- So New Jersey was getting some love, but not necessarily Maple Shade.
Chris Wilson of Weyerbacher took the prize. Weyerbacher actually took almost every prize.

But it's a new year. Lots of locals are putting out some great beer, and there are a few new folks in the mix too- Neshaminy, Tired Hands, and Forest and Main. For some CRAZY reason Lance was not nominated for Brewmaster of the Year.
BUT perhaps the ol' "Write-in" could work. Lance Romance could be my very own Captain America. Another famous sucess story- was John F Kennedy won the 1960 primary with 183,703 write-ins.

Please take five to fill out the nominee ballot. Find it HERE.

I just paid a visit to Iron Hill Maple Shade yesterday. I had an awesome tettnang pils, two different Whites (one barrel-aged with some brett character) and a mild Scottish Ale. Each one was a four star beer.

If after 6 years you don't know Lance Romance's real name you can email me.
Thanks for you support! And now you know- in my limited spare time, I'm a campaign manager as well.

2nd Annual HOP CHEF presented by Brewery Ommegang next Tuesday 4/23

2013-04-16T23:31:00.001-04:00

Chef Lucio had shirts made.
Buy them here

Ommegang's HOPCHEF is back with a change of venue, and a change of chefs.

This years contestants include: Yun Fuentes of JG Domestic, Lucio Palazzo of La Calaca Feliz, Nick Macri of Southwark, Eli Kulp of Fork and Mike Deganis of Alla Spina.

The throwdown will move to Union Transfer. Tickets are $53.50. You can purchase them right HERE.

Each chef will prepare a dish with Ommegang beer. The fine ales will flow and Jersey Dan of Sixpoint (and Tastemakers) will deejay to take advantage of Union Transfer's great sound system. I am taking the year off.

The competing chefs have followed last year's line-up with some fighting words on the twitter platform. Search #hopchef to follow the ping pong game.

At HOPCHEF Each chef gets 15 minutes to "defend" their dish to the judges.

Judges include Art Etchells, founder of Foobooz; Caroline Russock, food editor for City Paper; Collin Keefe, editor of Grub Street; Danya Henninger, editor of Zagat’s Philadelphia Blog and Drink Philly; Scott Schroeder, the 2012 HopChef People’s Choice winner; Will Blunt of StarChefs.com; and Cory Baldwin, associate digital editor for Saveur.com.

***Attendees will get to vote for People's Choice

Plenty of Ommegang will be on draft including the elusive Game of Thrones beer, Iron Throne.

Chef Lucio Palazzo and Chef Eli Kulp will be cooking on Good Day Philly tomorrow during the 9 :00 hour.

HOPCHEF
Tuesday, April 23rd
7 pm
$53.50
A portion of admittance will go to the Philadelphia Mural Arts fun and Groundswell.

First Friday at Bottle Bar East with........Colorado's Left Hand Brewing

2013-04-03T00:09:00.001-04:00

Left Hand sign from a bar in Scottsdale, AZ

This First Friday April 5th- Bottle Bar East welcomes Left Hand Brewing- which means they welcome Dan Conway.

Dan's known for sporting camouflage on the daily, having Philly bars stock 1809 Berliner Weisse basically just for him (although it's a very good beer), and ideas- great ideas! The stuff of genius. You either want to be there while he's brainstorming- or riding out the brainstorm with him.

He also is the ambassador for Left Hand Brewing so from 7-9 he'll be pouring out some samples.
Victor North Trio will be playing 7:30-11. You might recognize them from playing Sunday brunch at Nodding Head over the years.

THE POURS
Good Juju
Twin Sister IPA
Black Jack Porter
Stranger Rye Pale Ale

HELLO OXBOW! Philly's much loved "Fava" returns for a four day stint accompanied by his Oxbow brotherhood.

2013-04-02T23:22:00.002-04:00

Fava with Tim at Max's Belgian beer weekend

We were all sad to see Mike Fava leave his assistant brewers post at Nodding Head to head north but the months have treated him well. He joined
Tim Adams and Geoff Masland, founders of Oxbow, last summer and has been brewing up some fine farmhouse ales ever since.

The brewery is situated in Newcastle, Me- about an hour or so north of Portland. As mentioned, they focus on farmhouse ales. The fellows put out a "freestyle series" that includes a varying styles like Belgian Stout and Loretta- a 4% saison.

They'll hit Philly next Thursday afternoon (4/11) kicking off their Philly tour at Monks.
Guaranteed they'll be "Throwing Bows" all over town.
But - here's the official schedule:

THURSDAY 4/11
4:30 pm -6:30 pm MONKS
7:00 pm- Jose Pistolas

FRIDAY 4/12
12-2 Lunch at Teresas Next Door in WAYNE
4:30-6:30 Resurrection Ale House
"Night time is the right time" POPE

SATURDAY 4/13
Brunch- MEMPHIS TAPROOM
"Pub crawl" (watch out!)
6:30-9:30 THE CAMBRIDGE
10 -? VARGA

SUNDAY 4/14
Brunch- KENNETT

Some of the POURS include:
Farmhouse Pale Ale, Space Cowboy, Oxtoberfest, Saison Noel, Sasuga, Funkhaus, Barrel-aged Farmhouse Pale Ale

To learn more about the Maine brewery watch this--

Chestnut 7 Reserve Dinner This Thursday

2013-03-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

Gosh it's gloomy out. I'm sore as all heck from the gym. Trying to get some fitness in to counter act all the beer events I've had this week. Next up is Chestnut 7 on Thursday night.

We're doing a Reserve Beer Dinner featuring some Allagash rarities. It's a very reasonable $45 ++.

You are able to come as you please and do the dinner. There is not one seating.

I'll arrive by 5 pm.

CH 7 & ALLAGASH

Present:

ALLAGASH RESERVE BEER DINNER

$45.00

FIRST COURSE

PASTRAMI PLATE

PASTRAMI FOIE GRAS, PASTRAMI PORK BELLY, FLAVORED MUSTARDS, SAUERKRAUT

ALLAGASH YAKUZA

A STRONG GOLDEN ALE, DRY-HOPPED WITH LOTS OF SORACHI ACE AND CASCADE HOPS.

9.0% ABV

SECOND COURSE

CRAB SALAD

WATERCRESS, CORN AREPA, CHILI’S, LIME

ALLAGASH GRAND CRU

BREWED WITH A TOUCH OF PEATED MALT AND SPICED CORIANDER, SWEET ORANGE PEEL AND A HINT OF ANISE. IT IS DEEP GOLDEN IN COLOR, FULL BODIED AND HAS HINTS OF SMOKE AND LICORICE IN THE TASTE AND AROMA.

7.2% ABV

THIRD COURSE

RABBIT SUGO

HOUSEMADE ORECCHIETTE

ALLAGASH BLACK

A BELGIAN STYLE STOUT BREWED WITH 2-ROW BARLEY, TERRIFIED WHEAT, OATS, BOTH ROASTED AND CHOCOLATE MALTS AND A GENEROUS PORTION OF DARK CARMELIZED CANDI SUGAR. THE SILKY MOUTH FEEL IS A GREAT BALANCE TO THE ROASTED CHARACTER, COFFEE AND DARK CHOCOLATE NOTES THROUGHOUT THIS BEER

7.5% ABV

DESSERT

BLOOD ORANGE CRÈME BRULEE

HOUSE MADE BISCOTTI

ALLAGASH ODYSSEY

A DARK WHEAT BEER AGED FOR TEN MONTHS, A PORTION IN OAK BARRELS AND TH EREAMINDER IN STAINLESS STEEL TANKS. THE RECIPE INCLUDES 2-ROW BARLEY, MALTED WHEAT, ROASTED BARLEY AND BELGIAN CANDI SUGAR. THIS DEEP BROWN BEER BOASTS AN AROME OF BLACK TREACLE AND RAISIN. THE FLAVOR HINTS AT DATES, WITH A MILDLY ROASTED FINISH IMPARTED BY AGING IN BOTH MEDIUM AND HEAVY TOAST AMERICAN OAK BARRELS.

THE FINISH IS DRY PUNCTUATED BY VANILLA.

10.4% ABV

BREWERS PLATE this SUNDAY

2013-03-07T10:51:00.000-05:00

This Sunday from 5:30 till 9:00 pm Brewers Plate returns to the National Constitution Center.
This will be the 9th annual take for one of Philly's favorite beer events.
I remember back to the first one at the Reading Terminal.
It was a special day. You felt like you were part of some secret society being at the market after hours.
But the event out grew the space - and found a variety of homes through the years including the Independence Visitors Center and the Museum of Archeology.

Philly Tap Finder has the actual tap list here.
It will be my first sips of Philly Brewing Co's "Schwarzinger."

$70 for GA
$140 for VIP

Buy tickets HERE.
See you THERE.

Get Busy!

2013-03-06T12:14:00.002-05:00

One of my all-time favorite flicks- is Shawshank Redemption.
Today I woke up thinking of it for some reason.
I think partly because I barely worked out all winter.
Yesterday I struggled all day. I was so tired. I missed the energy I had when I was running four times a week last year, hitting the gym and chomping on bananas. It's March and it's go time. Time to get busy in my sneaks!

I also want to watch this movie again. It's been some time.

Here's two clips. One where Andy explains his philosophy to Red and where Red adopts it in the end.

CRAFT BEER EXPRESS this SATURDAY

2013-03-04T18:59:00.002-05:00

Twice a year- a bunch of friendly publicans charter a couple of school buses to take thirsty Philadelphians from craft beer bar to craft beer bar.
There are "themed" events at all the participating bars. The drinking starts at 11 and the buses run until 7 pm. They will run every 25 minutes.

Here's the website with all the details.

Brauhaus Schmitz will be doing STARKBIERFEST- featuring 12 bocks.

Devil's Den-Mid-Atlantic brewery tour. including Stoudts Vanilla Fat Dog stout on cask.

Johnny Brendas is doing their 5th annual STOUT brunch.

Race ST- "Lights out" featuring dark beers to bid farewell to Winter

Kraftwork is doing a Two Brothers tap takeover. Two brothers is out of Illinois. They've been out of the market for a couple years and now they're making a comeback at Kraftwork.

Institute- 4th annual barleywine bonanza!

Bishops Collar- THE GREAT GAZOO featuring all Shangys products

Kite and Key- Firestone walker takeover featuring a few elusive beers that are being specially shipped for the event

P.O.P.E.-Lock, Stock and 12 Oaken Barrels. Check out their line up on Philly Tap Finder. The list includes some of the Zymatore beers from B United AND a barrel-aged Hop god from Nebraska.

SIDECAR- IPAs greatest hits

JOSE PISTOLAS-- dual birthday party for CHuck Norris and Webster. Half pints of kick ass beers including the Skullsplitter

BARCADE CHILI COOK OFF this Sunday

2013-03-01T11:56:00.000-05:00

This Sunday March 3rd

1 pm - 6pm

BARCADE Philly's 1st ever CHILI COOK-OFF

$5 gets you chili and a beer.

There will also be beer specials for

ALLAGASH, Victory and Dogfish Head.

See you there.

I'M BACK! Finish Your February with a Beer Dinner at the Churchville Inn 2/28

2013-02-27T14:48:00.002-05:00

Hi! Hello! How are you??
Well that was quite the hiatus! Things have been so busy- that the blog took a major hit. I've been tweeting- because that's a quick 140 characters I can shoot from my phone. Granted both are a bunch of words loaded with typos but Blog posts take more time.

I've been quite busy traveling to and from Baltimore, DC and Virginia. I know all the spots that the cops frequent on i-95 that's for sure. In the midst of all that Mid-Atlantic traversing- I scheduled a few things in the Philly as well. You might notice that I updated my calendar on the right hand side of the site >>>>>>.

Tomorrow - I'll be at the Churchville Inn. The Inn had burnt down in the spring of 2011. Andrew Wallace and his parents brought it back to life last year and refocused the beer program. Their signature ribs are still available but now you can pair them with a Firestone Walker brown. (They have 16 taps).

7 pm tomorrow- we'll be feasting on the following...$60 per person.
Interested- call 215-357-3967.

A Fond Farewell to 2012.

2012-12-31T02:12:00.002-05:00

This is a plate I took a photo of in Anthropologie last Spring.

Things that shaped my year- or at least were memorable enough to make this post.

I joined Sweat. It was the first time in my entire life that I signed up for a membership and actually went.

I ran three organized runs- The Odyssey half marathon. (you should do it with me again this May) The Dogfish Dash (10 K and enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Rehoboth) and a 5k in Portland, Me with Allagash- this one was 20 degrees weather. It snowed. I was so cold.

My sister got married. Said marriage took place on the day of the World Beer Cup so I couldn't go. I was quite bitter while taking Lance Romance to the airport. But on that day, once I saw the beaming bride nothing else mattered. Allagash took Gold for Belgian White. I found out at a hotel bar at 12 am. And that was pretty awesome. So awesome- in fact- that I jumped up and down.

I made popovers from the recipe that BLT steak (washinton DC) gives you when you dine at their restaurant.

Jennie Hatton introduced me to Camera + at the Red Lounge
Lance Romance finally convinced me to go to the Red Lounge. We sang "Jack and Diane" and drank Swedish fish. Gross. I'd rather eat swedish fish and listen to the original.

I dipped my fingers in the sour mash at Makers Mark in Bourbon Country

Road on the top of a car from Southwark to my house. There's a video just in case you don't believe me.

Survived three beer weeks. 3! (3 different cities)

Made great new beer buds down in DC

Played scrabble (deluxe!) in front of a fire place in Bruges drinking a Rochefort 10. #dreamy

I had one of the best meals of my life at Catbird Seat in Nashville.

I had a great year with Allagash. They're the bees knees.

I got really sick in October and ended up in the ER twice in two days. I'll be paying for it until October of this year. But at least my doctor was hot?

I had an wondeful french omelette at Hot Suppa in Portland, Me. Caramelized onions and gruyere. So simple and so freakin' good.

I listened to Tom Waits the Early Years Volume 2 probably about 100 times.

I saw Langhorne Slim doing a backyard concert in a rainy Nashville parking lot at Grimeys records.

I made girl scout cookies thin mint ice cream.

I ate a canele from Laduree in Paris. But I had an even better one at Daniel Boulud's Epicerie Boulud in NYC.

Drank Champagne and St Germain on La Rue Mouffetard

c Jean

Had an amazing dinner in Ghent at C Jean. The owner's daughter served us. She had the nicest way about her.Her husband was in the kitchen. The plates were works of art. I was in awe.

Lumineers did a cover of "This must be the place" at Johnny Brenda's on my birthday.

I made a bundt cake. Then I made two more.

Had my best Salad of the year at In Riva. Megan Maguire would agree. She can't eat beets anywhere else now.

I got to co-host a COOK class with Sanjay Shende of Tashan before he moved back to Ireland. He also had a small party in Silver Linings Playbook. Which means I co-hosted a class on Indian food and Belgian Beer with a famous person. What an honor. I love the food there and maybe maybe one day they'll have white on the list.

After hearing the Raging Panda talk about it for a year- I found out I really like SMAK parlour- the lovely boutique on Market st. Check it out.

I stained a picnic table.

I ran to Grey Lodge from Fishtown- TWICE.

Drank Irish Coffees at Kennett (the very best!)

I found this charming little town just north of Baltimore called Hampden.

My patience was tested in multiple ways. It still is.

Voted.

I'll never forget this turkey leg as long as I live.
I was so sick.
I have no ideas who those sunglasses belong to either

I drove white-knuckled - hands clenched on "10 and 2" for the hour drive from Portland to Portsmouth.
I skidded for about ten feet. Lance told me I was one snow flake away from a meltdown. He was right.

In other life-threatening news= I thought I was going to die on a plane crossing the Atlantic on our way back from England. The only thing that calmed me down - was noticing that 7 year olds were totally fine.

I scored a 1970s leather bag on a stoop sale for $2. It's really hard for me to pay full price for things after that.

I enjoyed an afternoon reading on a porch and over looking the main street of Jim Thorpe.

Everytime I have a sip of Firestone walker, I taste excellence. And I am motivated to try and be better at everything I do.

I went camping with my family and walked across boulder field.

My nephew Kellen said to me, "I love you Aunt Suzy, and I missed you"

My two best multi-course dining experiences of the year were at Sbraga and Will.

I gave up coffee for 11 weeks and alcohol for 11 days.

I swear I never heard the song "Cut here" from the Cure before. It's an important song. "Later doesn't always come."

Lacquer lounge opened- and my manicures forever changed. I can walk there and they have free mimosas on Sunday. (Back to that whole cheap thing I talked about earlier).

I found hammocks in the middle of Catherine st with friends Wendy, and Liz and we rested in them for a bit. Twas a lovely, lazy Sunday.

I scored so many nice hotel rooms for so cheap I lost count. (there it is again!)

I had the best chocolate chip cookie ever in Louisville. It's a place called Please and Thank you. They also have Thai coffee and sell records. That place tried to single-handedly steal me from Philly. But I am still here. So you guys obviously mean more to me than that cookie.

I had the best brick chicken of my life at Via Matta in Boston. Everything else about the restaurant was so-so, but the Chicken- oh the chicken. I love that chicken and the brick that sat on it while it cooked.

I left an Allagash sticker on a Philly-inspired pizza joint called Spinellis in Louisville.

Got booed off a karaoke stage in Nashville. I guess I should really stop trying to relive how great I did Thunder Road- at a Wedding in 2009.

Had a girl crush on Olivia Munn.

Got picked up from the Louisville airport in a pink limo and transported with the Allagash crew to Makers Mark.

Dressed up like a gladiator and got my ass kicked by my friend Wendy during a Philly beer week event at Kite and Key. I thought I was going to die. It was right up there with the turbulence over Greenland.

Got to celebrate one of my favorite people - who was able to save three children from an awful environment and give them a second chance.

Had an amazing dinner on a farm in Connecticut. And was the only lady not wearing Lily Pulitzer.

Had best spa experience ever at REVEL. Ahhh, the Sanctuary.

Built a pinewood derby car resembling a cheesesteak. I will be happy to show it to you sometime. Although it now has graphite all over it.

I also ate about 7 cheesesteaks coming home from the POPE. I pass cheesesteakville on the way to my house. I hated every single one.

Got my picture taken with Joe Gunn at least twice.

Drank way more Allagash White than you did.

Met a couple new friends. That I promise one day I will stop calling "my new friends."

Went to my college best friend's bachelorette in NYC. Survived.

Found a blue cheese I could finally eat- Rogue Smokey Blue.

Signed the US Brewers wall at "The Rake" in London.
Got to see the legendary cask room at the Whitehorse Pub on Parsons Green in London

Saw Peter Nero and the POPS for their final Holiday show. Was blown away by the talent. Felt very small.

Olivier at Brasserie Dupont explaining
Grandfathers Recipes

Spent three days in Bruges with the great company of Scoats, William Reed, Tom Peters, Steve Bell, Melanie Bergwall, and of course Lance Romance.

Got to tour Brasserie Dupont and Brasserie De La Senne. Yvan de Baets is da man.

Made my own hamburger helper and compared it to the Betty Crocker Hamburger helper.
I think Lance romance preferred the box. Oh well.

Fell in love with Royal Tavern's soba noodle salad again and again. One day I will count how many steps from my front door to their bar. And I will know exactly how far away I am from that salad.

I'm tired. I'll end there. Maybe I'll add to it tomorrow. No- actually tomorrow is my first day back to work since 12/21. Maybe I will add to it at some point. There is so much more.

It was a ~~good~~ great year.

A very happy 2013 to all of you.

YOURE INVITED: IPA beer club HOLIDAY Shindig at Standard Tap

2012-12-13T23:44:00.002-05:00

Cruising up and down 95 and managing 5 states meant that IPA beer club went on a major hiatus in 2012. It makes me sad- but I just didn't have time. I didn't even have time to appoint a new pres so the group could continue to grow. BUT we are still having a holiday shindig at Standard Tap.

Whether you make beer, or simply enjoy drinking it- you're invited. It's pay as you go and will kick off at 7 pm.

One Track: I Wish it was Christmas Today

2012-12-10T00:23:00.001-05:00

Julian Casablanca wrote for Christmas 2009

Two Track: Save it For Later

2012-11-27T11:23:00.001-05:00

This has been the longest lapse in two tracks. Sorry.
Here we go...................

"Save it For Later"

Pete Townshend- covered this song a lot in the 80s.

and the original
The English Beat
Frontman Dave Wakeling wrote this song before the English Beat was born. It was inspired by his desire to ignore all the advice being thrown at him as he crossed over into his 20s.

BLACK FRIDAY BRUNCHES -there's bunches!

2012-11-20T10:17:00.003-05:00

People say "never say never"
I can honestly say I would NEVER
wait in this line. Never.

Fun Fact: Black Friday originated in Philadelphia in 1961. According to Wikipedia- It described "Heavy and distruptive traffic the day after Thanksgiving and later an alternative explanation began to be offered: that "Black Friday" indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, or are "in the black".

While some earlybird ladies are getting in their mini-vans at midnight after too much turkey- Black Friday is looking to be more of a drinking holiday this year for Philly beer lovers.

There are a number of bars across the city that are featuring roasty stouts, porters, black IPAs, etc.

Sadly this will be the year that Lance Romance and I break tradition and I will be staying here by my lonesome. (the good news is my sister is carrying my future nephew and she needs my help!) I will be hitting all of these spots- so hit me up over email and join me along the way.

CITY TAPHOUSE
City Taphouse is celebrating the Art of Dark beer.
The list is here. And it's a long one!

LOCAL 44-
1st annual BLACK FRIDAY brunch featuring a bunch of ALLAGASH
THE POURS
Confluence

Fluxus

Bourbon Black

Dubbel

Tripel

White

Black

Smoke and Beards

Curieux

Hugh Malone

KRAFTWORK- BLACK OUT
Chef Bryan Lofink is doing a Thanksgiving LEFTOVER brunch
All the dark you can dream of AND here are a few of the brunch options

*Biscuits and Turkey Gravy with onions, celery, carrots, fresh sage, turkey bechamel and cranberry sauce
*Green bean casserole Quiche with stewed tomato compote and crispy shallots
*Crispy Mashed potates and country ham benedict
*Gobbler egg wrap -house made turkey sausage stuffing and cranberry
*Spiced cranberry pancaskes with walnut crumble and maple butter

THE POURS
Bells Black Note!
Green Flash(Coll.) Friendship Beer
Nebraska Black Betty
Brooklyn Black Chocolate
21st Amend. Back in black
Allagash Black (Bourbon)
Allagash Black
Bear Republic Big Bear
De Ranke Noir De Dottignies
Mikkeller Black Hole

BOTTLE BAR EAST-
Just a few doors down from Frankford Hall and Fette Sau is the newly opened Bottle Bar East.Fishtown's new bottle emporium in the front and bar in the back. Excellent Cheese plates and good local eats are coming out of Chef Bill Wilson's kitchen.

Further Northeast at
MEMPHIS TAPROOM-Everything went BLACK
BRUNCH MENU 11-3
WOW -check out this list
Harviestoun Engineer's Reserve
Stone IRS (2010)
Sprecher Black Bavarian
Allagash Black
RCH Old Slug Porter (Cask)
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil Reserve
Birrificio Del Ducato My Blueberry Nightmare
Yards Love Stout
Leipziger Porticus
Dogfish Head Miles Davis Bitches Brew (2010)
Lost Abbey Angel's Share (2009)

We have a cookbook- Let's Party! Tomorrow night @Pub and Kitchen

2012-11-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

TOMORROW NIGHT- ALLAGASH: THE COOKBOOK LAUNCHES with Allagash Founder Rob Tod, Author James Simpkins and Photographer, Brian Smestad at Pub and Kitchen.

7 pm start.

Smoke and Beards, Fluxus '12 (Belgian golden with green and pink peppercorns), Hugh Malone (our hoppiest annual effort) and WHITE will all be tapped.

Dishes will be available from the cookbook.

One being the smoked pork loin and the other being fried oysters.

This is the National premier party right here in Philadelphia!

Books will be available for purchase and can be signed.

Hope to see you there.

Nose to Tail pig dinner This Thursday at South Philly Taproom.

2012-11-06T10:10:00.000-05:00

Nose to Tail Pig Dinner

Featuring Country Time Pork

amuse

pickled heart and chopped liver salad on rye

smoke and beards

first

foot scrapple, herb cured yolk, hot sauce

fluxus ’12

second

new england style belly and clams

confluence

third

orecchiette pasta, stomach ragú, pecorino

hugh malone

fourth

whole pork loin and saurkraut

white

dessert

sweet chicharròn, bourbon ice cream, chocolate-caramel sauce

bourbon black

7:30 PM
Reservations: call 215.271.SPTR (7787)

$70 ++

Only 25 tickets will be sold

I will also be doing a sampling beforehand at BREW across the street 5-7.

CRAFT BEER EXPRESS this SATURDAY

2012-11-05T11:39:00.000-05:00

Admittedly I have lost track of what "Craft Beer Express" this is. I think it started in 2010. But it's engine will be crankin' this Saturday, November 10th.

Bus tickets are $10 and buses run every 25 minutes. 11 am- 8 pm.

Participating bars:

	Johnny Brenda's
	Standard Tap
	Institute
	Bishop's Collar
	Kite & Key KRAFTWORK

	Jose Pistolas
	Sidecar
	P.O.P.E.
	Devil's Den
	Brauhaus Schmitz
	Race St. Cafe

Here's the website with who's doing what.

I'll be around throughout the day- but you will definitely find me at Bishops Collar, Race St and the POPE where Allagash is being poured.

And somebody at Craft Beer Express- start tweeting again ;)

Ommegang/Duvel USA to the rescue

2012-11-04T23:16:00.003-05:00

SimonThorpe President of Ommegang/Duvel USA sent this message out last week-

“To all our brewery friends impacted by Sandy,

We understand that a number of breweries are still flooded, damaged or unable to operate for many reasons post-Sandy. This is an offer of help wherever it is needed.

If you are unable to operate and we can help we will. We have spare capacity here at Cooperstown; materials and ingredients; packing capacity; distribution capabilities etc etc. If you are unable to brew and any of that is of use to you we will gladly pitch in our team and our resources. Equally, we have been working the phones trying to make contact with other breweries hit and if you know of anyone else who needs help then please could I ask you to let me know?

We were battened down here and expecting the worst in upstate NY, but fortunately the storm worked further south and west and we were spared.

You can reach me either on this email address or my cell phone.

If we can help yourselves or others in any way, please let me know. People have helped us in the past and the craft movement is better because we we all pitch in and help each other.

Best regards to you and your people,

Simon

Simon Thorpe
President/CEO
Duvel Moortgat USA/Brewery Ommegang
656 County Highway 33,
Cooperstown, NY
13326

Meet LLOYD- Fishtown newcomer

2012-11-04T22:52:00.000-05:00

As you probably know by now- Girard Ave has itself a couple new tenants- Bubba's BBQ is open at 19 Girard Ave and LLOYD also opened last weekend 89 feet from Kraftwork.

I popped into LLOYD last week to swap out their Allagash handle. Place looks great. I met the chef, Matt and he shared his menu with me. Looks like he will take guests on a trip to comfort town.

M E N U
Crispy Fried Deviled eggs
Fried green tomatoes
Goldfish crusted mac and cheese
hand cut fries with homemade ketchup
Bourbon porter braised beef stew with lardons and roasted fingerling potatoes
Velvet Chicken and country biscuit
BBQ Turkey poblano meatloaf with sweet yam mash
Pulled Chicken Po Boy
Lloyd burger with a special house blend beef, muenster,pickled onion lettuce tomator brioche bun
Cornmeal -crusted catfish with creole mustard tartar sauce
Green Tomato grilled cheese with provolone, gruyere, muenster on San Fran Sourdough

TROEGS is So Excited about their Scratch 79 Being a Pumpkin Beer- they Made a Video

2012-10-27T01:31:00.001-04:00

The guys with all the GABF glory- have taken the time to film their "wild" idea to brew a pumpkin beer from conception. What's going to make theirs so different?

Take 117 seconds to see for yourself.