How to barhop in Philly
I’ve been working on a book project while planning for Philly Beer Week ‘10 PLUS Philly Oktoberfest ‘09, so Beer Radar has been lagging a bit lately. But that’s not the only reason I’m turning over today’s dispatch to a reg’lar Joe Sixpack reader.
Gettysburg beer fan Mark Purdy had emailed me for some advice on a local pub crawl. I gave him a few ideas and he did the rest. Here’s his (slightly edited) report. If you’re headed for Philly sometime soon, bookmark this entry!
Yo Joe, awhile back you were kind enough to help me out with a planned walking tour, starting at 12th and Spruce. Well, we completed the trek this past Saturday and while we didn’t get to every one of your suggestions, we did pretty well…
As you pointed out, Tria was right across from our hotel. We were tempted to start there but I was afraid we’d never leave. So I elected to save it for last. Instead, after a nutritious breakfast at the Reading Terminal Market’s Down Home Diner, we walked over to the Old City area where we were among the first customers of the day at Eulogy. The beer was great (had a Leffe, which the knowledgeable bartender very diplomatically explained was an In-Bev product) and the atmosphere was cool, starting with the Drink Good Beer sandwich board out on the sidewalk. Truly a classy place. Great bar discussion on Marvin Gaye and why vinyl still sounds better than digital. Honest.
Then, it was on to Brownie’s, where we enjoyed a Walt Wit (great summertime choice, in my humble view) and very friendly conversation with the female bartender. Great place.
From there, it was back a bit to Sugar Mom’s after a look at Christ Church. I was happy to find O’Reilly’s Stout on tap, one that’s long been on my to-try list. It did not disappoint. I’ve drunk Guinness in Ireland, and I think O’Reilly’s is better. Need to visit that Sly Fox Brewery someday. Aside from my sister in law (who “doesn’t like basements”), we loved Sugar Mom’s. One of our party got a Walt Wit which was kind of flat and a little sour (and I never send food back - ever) and he told the bartender, who replaced it without any question. (Learned that from your book.)
We were then on to McGillin’s Old Ale House, where I can’t remember what I had. Pretty sure it was another Sly Fox product, Pikeland Pils perhaps? We liked McGillin’s, where we struck up an immediate conversation with a few patrons and really enjoyed that. Saw your book on display in the case by the stairs.
As we made our way back, I was most curious about our next stop - Dirty Frank’s. You had described it as “incomparable.” We could think of nothing so eloquent. What a place. Total, uncontrived cool. We played the juke and dived into multiple Kenzingers. When it was time to go and the bartender scribbled up the tab on the back of a scrap of paper (badly underestimating our tab, we thought) we left him a 90 per cent tip and swore we’d be back. I have no doubt of that. A classic.
Then, back to Tria. While some members of our party headed for an all-you-can-eat steakhouse, I was delighted to end the day with a few appetizers, a great sandwich and a fabulous Victory Schwartz. My wife, two daughters, and a few others loved it as well.
The next day, it was out to the ballpark for my big day. Long story - but won first-ball honors at Fan Appreciation Day last September. We have Sunday season tickets. (I only needed one $6.75 Flying Fish Pale Ale to calm my nerves before the pitch.) A great weekend, Joe. I thank you for your guidance. Still need to get to Monk’s, Johnny Brenda’s, Caribou Cafe, Plough and Stars…
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