July 3rd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Word arrives this morning from Leigh Maida and Brendan “Spanky” Hartranft, the folks at Memphis Taproom and Local 44, that they’ll be opening their third joint in September. They’re moving into the space formerly occupied by the Yello Bar (Grays Ferry Ave and Catharine Street).
Their new bar will be called Resurrection Ale House, a beer-centric bistro. (No indication whether this is Spanky’s dream of a cask ale-only tavern. Interestingly, Leigh reports he’s planning to round up a keg of Brewer’s Art Resurrection - currently unavailable in Philly - for the opening.)
Sez Leigh:
We’re hammering out a menu now that we think fills a gap in the neighborhood, casual, beer-centric, someplace you can feel like a grown up, and be catered to with care, but not have to spend a ton of money to feel like you got some real value out of your experience. We’re focused (as always) on a stellar craft beer list, but we’re equally focused this time on the dining side of things too. For now we’re sort of working under the term “beer bistro” as a guiding principle, for the menu, the decor, the over all vibe of the place. We’re hoping for the same kinds of laid back, food and beer savvy, mixed-bag of cool guests that we get to meet at Memphis and Local 44.Â
According to Leigh, Yello closed last night.
Here’s the website, where you can sign up for a mailing list to get first word on opening night.
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July 2nd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
The buzz around town this week was over the opening of Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street. Meanwhile, an hour and a half up the Jersey Turnpike, the new Zeppelin Hall opened, and it sounds like a monster: 144 taps and a massive outdoor garden with seating for 800.
I haven’t had the chance to visit, yet, but here’s a guy with a new blog who’s committed himself to trying every one of the taps.
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July 2nd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Since it opened in ‘07, Florida’s tiny Saint Sylvester brewery has built a quick and well-deserved rep for bottle-conditioned farmhouse ales. Founder/brewer Bob Sylvester reports he’s going to start keg-conditioning some of his beer for the New York market, where his distributor helpfully provided the necessary barrels.
Which, in my not-so-subtle hint to St. Sylvester’s distributor in Philly (Bella Vista) to track down more kegs!
In other Somewhere news, Sylvester expects to debut his new Pays du Soleil (Sunshine State) at a craft brew festival in Florida on July 18th. It’s a saison flavored with whole hibiscus and palmetto berries, the latter of which Sylvester says tastes like a cross between roasted peanuts and black patent malt.
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July 1st, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Center City finally has a German restaurant once again. Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.) is the new baby from Doug Hager and his wife, Kelly Schmitz-Hager. IÂ stopped in yesterday for a bite and a gulp.
Two things to note right up front:
- There’s an informational picket line on the sidewalk, by the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters. They say the owners used non-union labor. I confess I crossed the line - mainly because I have a job to do. I have mixed feelings on this because I’m a union member, but in this economy I want to see a new business succeed. Also, the pamphlet calls Dough and Kelly “rats,” which is just bullshit intimidation. In any case, I think I’m going to wait till it’s gone before I return. You make your own decision.
- On a more pleasant note, the waitresses are wearing dirndls. Of course, I support this as a matter of authenticity and not merely eye appeal.
As for the bar itself, it’s beautiful. Handsome oak details, old German touches, a wall full of old apothecary boxes, a giant plaque with the Reinheitsgebot in German.
The taps are well thought-out, a nice group that’s nearly equal to the now-closed Ludwig’s at its finest. Among the notables: Schneider Aventinus, Franziskaner Dunkelweisse, Schlenkerla Helles (!), Kostritzer, Uerige Sticke Alt, Bayerischer Berliner Weisse, Ayinger Brau-Weiss, Reissdorf Kölsch, plus a house beer from Stoudt’s. Can’t complain about that, though as I sat there I tried to think of an alternative to its doppelbock (Optimator, Salvator) selection. Is Weltenburger Asam available of draft?
Food-wise, you’ll find many classic German dishes. Potato pancakes and roll mops as appys; house-made knackwurst and other specialties from Rieker’s Meats; and, of course, schnitzel. And try a pretzel with spicy mustard; Doug says they get their characteristic hard crust by soaking them in food-grade lye.
Bottom line: Like all new joints, give the kitchen and staff a chance to get up to speed. Enjoy the superb beer (yes, you can buy a full liter), and thank god we’ve got an authentic German tavern back in our very German town!
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June 30th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
I love the age verification at Tru-Blood’s web site. Which century were you taken?
Type AB, I’m guessing, is an oatmeal stout. Great for sucking down. All flavor, no bite.
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June 29th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Looking for your favorite beer in town? Wondering what’s on tap at that new joint across town? A new web site just launched that’s promising to provide that info and more.
It’s BeerMenus.com, with a section devoted to Philly. So far only about 50 local joints are cataloged and most of those are incomplete. (For example, there’s no draft list for Monk’s Cafe, yet, though that info is available at Monk’s website.).
Over the years, I’ve seen a bunch of people try to tackle this Herculean task: a digitized list of who’s serving what. The biggest problem are those drafts; bars routinely kick kegs in a day or two, and around Philly it’s common to continually rotate brands.
How do you keep a website like this up to date? I have no idea and I’m skeptical that it’s doable. I will note, though, that BeerMenus.com seems to be putting a lot effort into the task (it’s New York section boasts an impressive 500-plus joints with more than 3,600 beers), and I wish ‘em luck!
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June 28th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Discovered while working on an upcoming column on beer floats: A Weekly World News report (circa 1989) that lumps them in with a bunch of other disgusting entries in “the world’s weirdest snacks.”
But never mind Ruffles potato chips covered with Heinz Home Style Gravy, or mashed potatoes with Cool Whip and apple sauce, what ever happened to the Incredible Frog Boy? “The tiny freak is so revolting,” the paper of alien record reported, the anguished mother is not allowed to see “the incredibly ugly being…”
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June 26th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Nothing better than a cold one in the fresh air. Here are the joints I mentioned this morning during my spot with Glen & Ike on 610WIP:
- The Beer Garden @ Silk City - 5th & Spring Garden, Northern Liberties.
- The Blue Ox Bistro beer garden - 7980 Oxford Ave, Fox Chase.
- Manayunk Brew Pub deck on the Schuylkill - 4120 Main St., Manayunk
- Taproom & Grill - 427 West Crystal Lake Ave., Haddon Township, N.J.
And are a few others worth visiting:
- Union Jack’s on the Manatawny - 546 Manatawny Road, Boyertown. Creekside dining.
- Newportville Inn - 4120 Newportville Road, Newportville. German/17 taps.
- Belgian Cafe - 21st & Green, Art Museum. Tree-lined city street, Belgian
- Triumph Brewpub - Chestnut between Front & 2nd, Old City. Historic sidewalk, fresh beer.
- Three Monkeys - 9645 James St., Torresdale. Side patio right at the train station.
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June 26th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
A cool beer, a warm puff of smoke… I’ll be pairing great beer and handmade cigars tomorrow at B&B Cigars (7920 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill). Duck Rabbit & 3 Habanos, Troegs & Tatauje Havana... and more. Crack open a bottle and light up, from 5-8 p.m.
Stop by and take a few drags.
Info: 215-242-6776
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June 26th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
- Harpoon Big Bohemian Pilsner @ the new-look Bridgid’s (726 N. 24th St., Fairmount), expected to tap this weekend.
- Sierra Nevada Kellerweis @ the Beer Yard (Wayne, Chesco) free tasting with SN rep Patrick Mullin, today, 5-7 p.m.
- Herkules IPA one-off from ‘09 Craft Brewers Conference @ Blue Monkey (Merchantville, N.J.) Victory Keep the Glass Night, tonight, 6-10 p.m.
- PBC Walt Wit plus about 30 other wheaties @ South Philly Tap Room Wheat Beer Fest (15th & Mifflin, Newbold), Saturday, all day, $3 pints, music, outdoor grill.
- Weyerbacher Double Simcoe IPA firkin @ World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St., University City) for launch party of Philly Beer Scene mag, Sunday (6/28), 3-7 p.m. Info here.
- Abandon Ship Smoked Lager @ Teresa’s Next Door (Wayne, Chesco) Ballast Point Brunch, Sunday (6/28), 11 a.m.
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