March 8th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
The blogs were buzzing this weekend about the raid on three local beer bars over unregistered beer. I teamed up with Daily News reporter Bob Warner for a full report here.
There’s one fairly esoteric angle to this story that we didn’t tackle - one that was raised in some very thoughtful emails from Resurrection/Local 44/Memphis Taproom co-owner Leigh Maida. Namely, the increasingly popular practice among tavern owners of cellaring beers for later sale.
Among the beers that the State Police confiscated in the raid were a handful of bottles of Heavyweight Lunacy. South Jersey’s Heavyweight Brewing, of course, has been out of business for several years. Presumably the bottles were purchased years ago, when Heavyweight beers were, in fact, registered for sale in Pennsylvania. But that brand is no longer registered, for obvious reasons,which apparently makes them illegal.
(By the way, I don’t think this is an over-zealous interpretation of the law by the at the numbskulls at the Bureau of Liquor Enforcement. The law says the beer you sell must be registered, period.)
That law puts puts EVERY vintage bottle in EVERY bar at risk. As Leigh notes, her husband, Brendan Hartranft, has a thing for Orval, and he’s been aging bottles of the brand for years. What happens if Orval goes out of business or stops exporting its beers to the U.S.? Under the current rules, it appears it would be illegal to sell those beers - even though they were properly registered when they were purchased.
I know of several bars that are holding beers whose breweries are extinct. There are hundreds of “retired” beers out there. It’s a point of pride - like, this is the only place you’ll ever see this particular beer. In some cases, these treasures are worth thousands of dollars. But unless their names are properly registered, they’re presumably illegal.
The same thing goes if the brand name changes - a not uncommon occurrence as importers edit labels over the years.  No aged bottle of Zotten, either, once Weyerbacher re-issues the brand, as announced, as Verboten.)
And how about all of those one-time-only anniversary beers we love? Not to pick on Weyerbacher, again, but I’d imagine that bottles of Decadence - issued for the brewery’s 10th anniversary in 2005 and, at 13% abv, intended to be aged - would be illegal to sell.
Allow me to finish by pointing out one obvious fact here: The same Pennsylvania law does not apply to wine.
So the wine cellar at Le Bec Fin is a treasure. But the beer cellar at Local 44 is a crime scene.
Posted in Regs, Beer etc. | 3 Comments »
March 5th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
- Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12 @ TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery (Paolii, Chesco) All Cask All Day, Saturday (3/6), 1 p.m.
- McGillin’s 1860 IPA @ McGillin’s Old Ale House (Center City) 150 Minutes for 150 Years dinner, Monday (3/8), 6:30 p.m. Tix $45. Info: 215-735-5562
- Yards Brawler (vs. 3a. Troegs Nugget Nectar) @ Varga (WashWest) Pins & Pinups bracket matchup, Monday (3/8).
- Vanilla Tavern Porter @ Parc (Rittenhouse Square) Yards dinner, Tuesday (3/9), Tix $50. Reservations: 215-545-2262.
- Commodore Perry IPA @ Union Jack’s (Manayunk) Great Lakes Quizzo tasting, Wednesday (3/10), 9-11.
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February 26th, 2010 Joe Sixpack
- Founders Centennial IPAÂ @ 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.
Posted in Events, Food | 1 Comment »
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 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.
Posted in Beer etc., Events | 1 Comment »
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.)
Posted in Beer store | No Comments »
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)
Posted in Beer etc., Events | No Comments »
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.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »