February 26th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
- Founders Centennial IPA @ Nodding Head (Center City) The Foodery Beer Academy, Saturday (2/27), 1 p.m. Tix $15.
- Allagash Tripel @ Stoudt’s Brewery (Adamstown, Lancaster County) Winter Fest, Saturday (2/27), 7 p.m. Tix $35. (May be sold out, call 717-484-4386 x 204 for late info.)
- Duvel @ Maggio’s (Southampton, Buxco) 2nd Annual Brewfest, Saturday (2/27), 1 p.m. Tix $45.
- Baltic Maple @ Dock Street Brewery (Cedar Park) Brewers Homecoming with alumni Victor Novak, Chris LaPierre, Eric Savage and Bill Moeller, Saturday (2/27).
- Nodding Head Saison @ DiBruno Bros. (Italian Market) cheese & beer pairing, Wednesday (3/3), 5 p.m. FREE.
- Sly Fox Chester County Bitter firkin @ Devil’s Den (South Philly), Thursday (3/4).
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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.
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February 19th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
- Beyond the Gates Double IPA @ Blue Dog (Lansdale, Montco) Spring House tasting, today, 6:30 p.m.
- Yards ESA @ Dawson Street Pub (Manayunk) Haitian relief benefit with music by the Cabin Dogs, today, 9 p.m.
- The Situation @ Iron Hill (Maple Shade, N.J.) release party (wear your Jersey Shore best), Saturday (2/20), 1-5 p.m.
- George Washington Porter firkin @ The Institute (Spring Garden) Pork, Yards & Pints with all you can eat roasted pig & Yards, Saturday (2/20), 2-7 p.m., Tix $50 at door.
- Victory St. Victorious @ Avalon Restaurant (West Chester, Chesco) Victory/DiBruno’s beer-and-cheese 4-course dinner, Tuesday (2/23), 7 p.m. Tix $50.
- Three Sheets Barleywine aged in French oak Syrah barrel @ The Sidecar (Grays Ferry) Ballast Point night, Thursday (2/25).
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February 16th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
State Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montco) is taking another shot at Pennsylvania’s Byzantine sixpack law. His proposal announced yesterday would give distributors the right to sell sixpacks (not just full cases) while creating a new F license for grocery stores. Here’s the press release with fact sheet.
If I’m reading it correctly, it looks like the proposed regs would allow one to purchase any beer amount at any licensed location.
In an attempt to placate the nanny crowd, Rafferty’s proposal also calls for 100 percent carding, which means that - regardless of adult’s legal right to drink - authorities will be able to track their consumption.
Posted in Regs | 2 Comments »
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 18 - 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 24 - 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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February 12th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
Headed to Center City and looking for a bottle to bring to a BYO?
Everybody knows about the Foodery (10th and Pine), but if you’re on the other side of Broad I greatly encourage you to check out the selection at Latimer Deli (15th between Locust and Spruce). I’ve mentioned this joint before, but I stopped in the other day and noticed they upgraded their coolers. The Foodery has more brands, but Latimer’s array of 750mls and 22oz bombers can match anybody’s. We’re talking big boys from Westmalle, Unibroue, Victory, Weyerbacher, Ommegang, Rogue, Sly Fox, Smuttynose and at least 50 other breweries.
Remember: In a city with so many BYOs, don’t ruin your dinner with a crappy bottle of State Store wine.
(Note: If you’re a bit further west, check out Food & Friends at 1933 Spruce St., also a very good selection.)
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February 12th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
- Cigar City Jai Alai @ Brady’s (Trevose) Bella Vista night (also Ballast Point & Boulder), today, 7 p.m.
- Founders Black Biscuit Barrel Aged Porter @ Union Jack’s on the Manatawny (Boyertown, Berks) Strong Ale Fest, Saturday (2/13), all day.
- Sweaty Betty @ Grey Lodge Pub (Mayfair) Boulder, Paper, Scissors night, Saturday (2/13), 7-10 p.m.
- Flying Dog Raging Bitch (half-price) @ Devil’s Den (South Philly) Anti-Valentine’s Day special, Sunday (2/14), 7-9 p.m.
- Ommegang Witte @ The Mad Batter (Cape May, N.J.) beer and cheese pairing, Sunday (2/14), 2 p.m.
- Bitto Honey IPA @ 3 Fish Pub (Port Richmond) Prism Brewing night, Tuesday (2/16), 7-9 p.m.
Oh, and one more: Molson Golden.
OK, it’s not really a great beer, but drinking it this week during the city’s Barstool Olympics is at least a great cause. Five local sports bars will be bringing you all the Winter Games action starting tonight, while raising money for the Fraternal Order of Police Survivors’ Fund through the sale of Molson (at a cheap 3 bucks per pint). Check out the Games (and the beer) at:
- Smiths Restaurant | Lounge (Rittenhouse Square)
- Kite and Key (Spring Garden)
- New Wave Cafe (Queen Village)
- South Philly Bar & Grill (Passyunk Ave.)
- Swift Half (Northern Liberties)
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February 10th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
You’ve gotta love the beer scene in Oregon. I’m betting this dude is a member of S.N.O.B.
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February 8th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
I’ve posted a couple notices recently of places looking to hire beer help. Mainly I did it because I often field questions from readers looking to get into the business.
I almost always tell them: First, volunteer a couple days. See if it’s something you really want to do.
Now, courtesy of Pete Slosberg who sent me the link, here’s a fine report on what it’s like to work in a brewery for a day. In this case, it was on a bottling line at Russian River, where they were putting out their latest batch of Consecration.
Peter Estaniel of a Better Beer Blog writes:
Oh. My. God. By the end of the day, my entire body hurt. My back was stiff, the arches on my feet sore, my core sore from the constant twisting motion. My shoulders were in pain from the nearly endless repetition of lifting bottles one after another after another after another. My hands hurt from constantly gripping bottles and the teats of what I learned to be a cruel and uncaring metal mother. This was a painful day. At one point, I think my left shoulder went numb. It was the lucky one. I haven’t hurt this bad physically since… I don’t remember when I’ve hurt this bad from a job… ever. Running the bottling line is more physically demanding than anything else.
…The enthusiasm I displayed at the beginning of my shift quickly gave way to loathing. What started of as, “Fuck yeah! I’m working at Russian River!” transitioned to “Fuck me! I’m working at Russian River.”
…Experiencing a day in the life as a Russian River employee has pretty much wiped any romantic notions I may have had with the brewing industry. Those big, shiny, steel fermentors still shine brightly but I now notice their scratches and dents. The aroma of hops in the air? Still intoxicating but their constant presence in the air renders them almost mundane. The fantasy has become a reality; the dream job is now just a job.
Enjoy the whole report - it’s a fun read with great photos.
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February 5th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
I was one of more than 40 writers who contributed to Adrian Tierney-Jones’ just-released “1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die.” This door-stop tome of 960 pages is utterly impressive for its range of beers. And, yet, what you can’t help but think about as you page through it is: The list only skims the surface of great beer.
Consider that the book includes just four styles from Dogfish Head, two from Allagash and one from Weyerbacher. I mean, where do you draw the line?
I ponied up 49 reviews (it was supposed to be 50, but I lost count). Most were from the Northeast because, frankly, I was tired of seeing books like this completely omit fine breweries like Troegs, Yards and Flying Fish. Here’s my list (in alphabetical order); who’s on yours?
- Allagash Curieux
- Allagash Tripel Reserve
- Brewers Art Green Peppercorn Tripel
- Brooklyn Chocolate Stout
- Brooklyn Local 1
- Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse
- Clipper City Small Craft Warning
- Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
- Dogfish Head Midas Touch
- Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre
- Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
- Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter
- Flying Fish Farmhouse Exit 11
- Geary’s Hampshire Special Ale
- Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
- Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter
- Harpoon Munich Dark
- Lancaster Milk Stout
- Magic Hat Feast Of Fools
- Mamma Mia Pizza Beer
- Middle Ages Wailing Wrench
- Ommegang Abbey Dubbel
- Ommegang Three Philosophers
- Pabst Blue Ribbon
- Penn St Nikolaus Bock
- Rock Art Magnumus Ete Tomahawkus
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
- Sam Adams Irish Red
- Sam Adams Utopia
- Saranac Black Forest
- Shipyard Longfellow Winter Ale
- Sly Fox Pikeland Pils
- Smuttynose S’muttonator
- Smuttynose Wheat Wine
- Southampton Double White Ale
- Southern Tier Krampus Imperial Helles Lager
- Southern Tier Pumking
- St.
Sylvester Somewhere Saison Athene
- Stoudt’s Fat Dog Stout
- Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster
- Three Floyds Dark Lord Imperial Stout
- Three Floyds Gumballhead
- Troegs Mad Elf
- Troegs Troegenator
- Victory HopDevil
- Victory Prima Pils
- Weyerbacher Simcoe Double IPA
- Yards George Washington Tavern Porter
- Yuengling Porter
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