June 11th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Steve Hawk was named Philly Beer Geek 2010 last night at Manayunk Brewpub. He clinched it with his nomination of Philly Pale Ale for mayor. Here’s his campaign poster and a hilariously inventive winning speech.
Â
Yards Philly Pale for Mayor
I assure you as a registered voter in the city of Philadelphia – I took this round very seriously.
As we all know this great city of ours is on the forefront of the beer world. Known for being innovative, passionate and notoriously hardworking. But unfortunately as the PLCB raids from a couples months ago prove - we still have a long way to go.
In my opinion we need a mayor that’s a refreshing alternative. A candidate who isn’t afraid to - pour himself into the job. And if you are like me, you too are sick and tired of the same bland candidates, who make these big promises but only leave a bitter aftertaste.
That’s why I’ve accepted the job as campaign manager for a beer we all know and trust. One of our own - born and raised here in the shadow of the liberty bell, Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale.’
A session beer that came from a modest upbringing and slowly rose to prominence in the last 16 years. A beer that was born from a small brewery actually not too far from here actually, A beer that campaigned hard for over a decade in local beer bars. This beer has won me over and will win you over too.
And behind this great ale stands the mighty forefathers of our nation- Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, as represented by their respective ales of the revolution. And whilst it would be easy to pick any of THEM for mayor- they have all HAD their time in office and it is time now for someone new, someone who, unlike any of our esteemed forefathers, was born and raised in Philadelphia from the sweat and toil of Philadelphians themselves, someone who ALREADY represents this city. Ladies and gentlemen- YPPA IS this city!
• My candidate pledges to give a full 4.6% to the city that raised him.
• My candidate goes well with cheese steaks, soft pretzels and even tasty cakes.
• My candidate will not tax his carbonated cousins
• And my candidate will not require Monetary compensation either. The only form of payment he needs is…Refrigeration
Ben Franklin said “It is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man.” But I say it is Yards Philly Pale Ale that can make a miserable man happy
And tonight I leave you with our campaign slogan – Drink baby drink. For there are much happier times at the bottom of this bottle.
(Raising a mask to his face) I’m Tom Kehoe and I approve this message.
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June 7th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Opening Tap… Haddon Pub Fest… Ladies Beer Tea… 12 separate bars in one day… Smoke ‘em if yous got ‘em… McGillin’s 150th and a ride aboard the Clydesdales.
So how am I going to work off some of those pints? Happy Hour Yoga at Yards Brewery tonight. Loosen up with me (and Mrs. Sixpack) for the rest of Philly Beer Week.
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April 30th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
After the void left by the demise of Ludwig’s Garten, it’s been great to see a full-fledged German bierhall back on the scene. The newish Brauhaus Schmitz (7th and South) is participating for the first time in Philly Beer Week, and they’ve gotten behind a bierfest at the German Society (7th & Spring Garden).
- Brauhaus Schmitz Bierfest (At the German Society)
- Saturday, June 5
- Noon-6 p.m., PAYG
- All-day outdoor biergarten event with live music, games, German food and plenty of German beer. Bring the family.
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April 29th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Friday June 11 is shaping up to be a tasty preview to the big Zythos Belgian beer festival on the following Sunday (more details to come). With plenty of Belgophiles around town, several bars are running events featuring Belgium’s exotic brews. Here’s a few, and more are coming - just keep checking in at the Philly Beer Week web site.
- Â Afternoon Delight
- Monk’s Cafe (16th & Spruce, Center City)
- Noon-3 p.m, PAYG
- A meet-and-greet with brewers from St. Bernardus, Brasserie de Rocs and Abbaye du Val Dieu.
- Belgian All-Stars tasting class
- Trolley Car Diner (7619 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy)
- 7-9 p.m., $25
- Tutored session with author Lynn Hoffman
- Â Ommegang & Duvel Night
- Grace Tavern (2229 Grays Ferry)
- 5-8 p.m, PAYG
- Â Meet-and-greet with brewers from Ommegang and Duvel.
- Â Wide World of Beer
- Tavern 17 (220 S. 17th St., Center City)
- 5:30-8 p.m., Tix $40
- Beer dinner hosted by Tony Forder of Ale Street News - a worldwide selection, true, but that obviously includes Belgian styles.
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April 29th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
We made more room for a couple extra elbow-benders at Happy Hour Yoga next Friday (5/7).
It’s just 25 bucks for an hour-long yoga class followed by a tutored tasting by me. We’ll be sampling springtime beers - a great way to kick off the weekend.
 There’s info here.
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April 27th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
I just got word that there’s ONE more seat available for Happy Hour Yoga. It’s just 25 bucks for an hour of yoga followed by a one-hour tutored beer tasting by Joe Sixpack.
This session, we’ll be tasting springtime beers.
First person to email me gets the seat. joe (at) joesixpack.net Last spot taken ! Look for the next Happy Hour Yoga at Yards Brewing during Philly Beer Week.
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April 2nd, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Traffic around town is insane today (Friday). If you’re caught in a jam in the vicinity of I-95 at the Schuylkill Expressway, pull over for a cold one at Bell’s Beverage (Front Street, below Oregon, at the I-95 off ramp).
From 4-6 p.m., I’ll be pouring Wolaver’s & Otter Creek, including a couple specials. Like I tell everyone who stops in: It’s beer, it’s free. Do you need another reason?
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March 13th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
If you’re cooped up inside, trying to decide which of tonight’s Philly Beer Weekend events you’re going to go to, just think how nice the weather’s going to be on June 4th.
Specifically here. (Shhh… the official announcement comes on Monday.)
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February 24th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
I won’t tempt you with the details about last night’s dinner with Tomme Arthur at Monk’s Cafe, other than to say I may have enjoyed the greatest cheese-and-beer combo ever. It came along in the fourth course, after the duck pate, salmon tartare, stuffed quail and osso bucco.
Lost Abbey Angels Share Grand Cru with Colston Bassett Stilton.
The Grand Cru is a sipping beer. Monk’s served a very small portion of perhaps 3oz. But that was plenty. The beer is a blend of 6 vintages of Angels Share, aged in brandy, bourbon or Cabernet barrels. This is a sipping beer, reminiscent of port, but better than any port I’ve swallowed. Its oak flavor is balanced with a palate-tickling salad of dried fruits, caramel and vanilla. I kind of think it might be a little much on its own - but paired with the Stilton, it excelled.
Normally, I’ve paired Stilton with barleywine, thinking that only a beer with massive hop bitterness could stand up to the funky blue. Instead, the ale’s boozy sweetness and fruit character brought out intense layers of chocolate flavors - yes, chocolate! - I’d never recognized in this cheese variety. While the beer cut through the cheese’s intense creaminess, the potent strength of this Stilton reigned in the ale.
A mouthful was a warm, sensuous kiss. I want to do it again.
Posted in Events, Food | 1 Comment »
February 15th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Count me among the many who don’t give a rat’s ass about the winter Olympics. But you don’t need to be into that sort of thing to appreciate the special that Devil’s Den (South Philly) is running throughout the games. Each night, the pub will tap a different Great American Beer Festival medalist.
Here’s the remaining lineup:
- Mon, Feb 15 - Steamwork Kolsch - Silver 07
- Tues, Feb 16 - Great Divide Old Ruffian - Gold 06, Bronze 09
- Wed, Feb 17 - Allagash Tripel - Gold 06, Silver 09
- Thurs, Feb 18Â - Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown - Bronze 06
- Fri, Feb 19 - Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel - Silver 08
- Sat, Feb 20 - Great Lakes Edmond Fitzgerald Porter—Silver 08
- Sun, Feb 21 - Ithaca Cascazilla - Silver 08
- Mon, Feb 22 - Dogfish Head Midas Touch  - Silver 07, Bronze 09
- Tues, Feb 23 - Blue Point Toasted Lager - Silver 06 & 07
- Wed, Feb 24Â - Southampton Double White - Sliver 07, Bronze 06
- Thurs, Feb 25 - Dark Horse Scotty Karate - Silver 07
- Fri, Feb 26 - Stone Levitation - Gold 07
- Sat, Feb 27 - Sly Fox Pikeland Pils - Gold 07
- Sun, Feb 28 - Flying Dog In Heat Wheat - Bronze 06; Flying Dog Raging Bitch - Mid-Size Brewery on the Year 09
By the way, if you haven’t already, check out that Raging Bitch. It’s a Belgian-style IPA and it just might be the best new beer from Flying Dog since it moved to the east.
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