Saturday, April 30, 2011

Beer Calendar: What To Do in May 2011

As surely as May flowers alive with new life, so too does the Philly Beer Calendar. Think May looks a little light compared to past months? Just get through Memorial Day and see what June and Philly Beer Week has in store for us all.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.


$20 and under, down to and including FREE...Pay As You Go (PAYG) also included here

Philadelphia
Tue. 5/3 - Movie Night (Hamlet 2) @Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA (9:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/6 - Friday Night Tasting (Michigan Beers) @Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free)
Fri. 5/6 - Philadelphia Brewing tasting @Trolley Car Diner, Philadelphia, PA (5:30pm-7:30pm)
Sat. 5/7 - 2nd Annual IPA Block Party @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, PA (4:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG)
Mon. 5/9 - Mad Monday with Flying Fish @Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA (11:30am; PAYG)
Tue. 5/10 - Movie Night (Wall-e) @Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA (7:30pm; PAYG)
Wed. 5/11 - Anchor Brew & Chew @Cavanaugh's Rittenhouse, Philadelphia, PA (6:00pm-8:00pm; $20)
Fri. 5/13 - Friday the Firkinteenth (new start time) @The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA (12:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/13 - Friday Night Tasting (Stoudt's) @Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free)
Sat. 5/14 - Brunch Party & Black IPA Event @The Institute, Philadelphia, PA (10:00am-6:00pm; PAYG)
Mon. 5/16 - Mad Monday with Sly Fox @Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA (11:30am; PAYG)
Tue. 5/17 - Movie Night (Total Recall) @Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA (9:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/20 - Friday Night Tasting (Southern Tier) @Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free)
Sat. 5/21 - Wheat Beer Fest @South Philadelphia Tap Room, Philadelphia, PA (12:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG)
Sat. 5/21 - Don't Block the Bocks @Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA (11:00am; PAYG)
Sun. 5/22 - Dark Humor Release Party @Good Dog, Philadelphia, PA (1:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG)
Tue. 5/24 - Keep the Growler Night (New Holland) @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, PA (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG)
Tue. 5/24 - Movie Night (Jaws) @Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA (9:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/27 - Friday Night Tasting (Summer Beers) @Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Tue. 5/3 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (Dogfish Head) @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA (11:30am; PAYG)
Thu. 5/5 - Ghost Chili Porter Release @Iron Hill Brewery, North Wales, PA (11:00am-12:00am; PAYG)
Thu. 5/5 - First Thursday Beer Sampling (Tröegs) @Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, PA (6:00pm-8:00pm; Free)
Thu. 5/5 - Stone 10-tap Event @Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, PA (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/6 - Cinco de Mayo @Iron Hill Brewery, Maple Shade, NJ (all day; PAYG)
Tue. 5/10 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (New Holland) @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA (11:30am; PAYG)
Wed. 5/18 - Wheat Beer Wednesdays @Iron Hill Brewery, North Wales, PA (11:00am-12:00am; PAYG)
Sat. 5/21 - Dark Humor Release Party @Iron Hill Brewery, Media, PA (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG)
Sat. 5/21 - April Showers Bring May Sours @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA (11:30am; PAYG)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Sun. 5/1 - Bock Festival and Goat Races @Sly Fox, Phoenixville, PA (11:00am; PAYG)
Thu. 5/5-Sat. 5/7 - Cinco De Mayo Weekend Pairing @Iron Hill Brewery, Phoenixville, PA (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG)
Thu. 5/5 - Charity Cask Night (to benefit LLS) @Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, PA (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG)
Thu. 5/5 - Cinco de New Holland @Union Jack's on the Manatawny, Boyertown, PA (4:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/6 - Beers of Summer Release Party @Iron Hill Brewery, Newark, DE (5:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/6 - Friday Night Beer Tasting (Pretty Things) @Washington House, Sellersville, PA (PAYG)Fri. 5/6 - Firkin Friday @Iron Hill Brewery, Phoenixville, PA (5:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/6 - Friday Night Beer Tasting (Pretty Things) @Washington House, Sellersville, PA (PAYG)
Sat. 5/7 - SlyDogGang @TJ's, Paoli, PA (6:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG)
Thu. 5/12 - Brewery Promo Night (21st Amendment) @Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PA (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/13 - Friday Night with Bear Republic @Blue Dog, Lansdale, PA (6:30pm; PAYG)
Fri. 5/13 - Friday Night Sampling (Reading Premium) @Goshen Beverage, West Chester, PA (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free)
Thu. 5/19 - Charity Cask Night (to benefit LLS) @Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, PA (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG)
Sat. 5/21 - Summer Beer and Food Tasting @Wegmans, Collegeville & Downingtown locations, PA (12:00pm; Free)
Sat. 5/21 - Ballast Point Flights @Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, PA (1:00pm; PAYG)
Thu. 5/26 - Business Person's Specials @Sly Fox, Phoenixville and Royersford locations, PA (PAYG)
Thu. 5/26 - Brewery Promo Night (Yards) @Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PA (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG)


Events Over $20

Philadelphia
Sat. 5/7 & Sat. 5/21 - Craft Beer and Artisanal Cheese Tour @Old City, Philadelphia, PA (3:30pm-5:30pm; $49)
Wed. 5/11 - Sly Fox Beer Dinner @White Dog, Philadelphia, PA (6:30pm-9:30pm; $50)
Thu. 5/12 - 5-course Beer and Cheese Tasting (Tired Hands & Birchrun Hills) @Di Bruno Bros., Philadelphia, PA (6:00pm; $45/$50)
Thu. 5/19 - A Philadelphia Ale & Arts Adventure @World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA (5:30pm-8:00pm; $35)
Sat. 5/21 - Northeast Brewfest @Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, Philadelphia, PA (1:00pm-5:00pm; $10/$26/$30)
Tue. 5/24 - Dock Street Bacon and Beer Dinner @Twenty Manning, Philadelphia, PA (5pm, 7pm, 9pm; $40)
Thu. 5/26 - Schneider Beer Dinner @Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, PA (6:30pm; $TBD)
Thu. 5/26 - A Philadelphia Ale & Arts Adventure @World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA (5:30pm-8:00pm; $35)
Thu. 5/26 - Sixpoint Beer Dinner @Chifa, Philadelphia, PA (7:00pm; $65)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Sat. 5/14 - Craft Brewers' Festival @Iron Hill, Media, PA (1:00pm-5:00pm; $45/$50)
Sun. 5/15 - Spring Home Brew Contest @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (1:00pm-5:00pm; $25)
Wed. 5/18 - Unibroue Beer Dinner @Iron Abbey, Horsham, PA (7:00pm-9:00pm; $50)
Tue. 5/24 - Cheese and Beer Tasting @Pinocchio's, Media, PA (7:30pm; $30)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Sat. 5/1 - The Biergarten @Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA (1:00pm-4:00pm; $15/$40)
Wed. 5/4 - Meet the Brewer Series...Stone Brewing Company @Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, PA (7:00pm; $45)
Tue. 5/10 - Stoudt's Beer Dinner @Vudu Lounge (formerly High Street Caffe), West Chester, PA (7:00pm; $50)
Sat. 5/14 - BrewFest at Mount Hope @PA Renaissance Faire, Mount Hope, PA (11:00am-3:00pm, 4:30pm-8:30pm; $15/$20/$40/$45)
Sat. 5/14 - Washington Crossing Brewfest @Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, PA (12:30pm-4:30pm; $10/$40)
Sun. 5/15 - May Day Beer Festival @Clipper Stadium, Lancaster, PA (1:30pm; $45)
Mon. 5/16 - Girls Just Wanna Have Suds @Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA (6:00pm-9:00pm; $35)
Sat. 5/21 - Yardley Beer Fest @A Big Tent, Yardley, PA (1:00pm-5:00pm; $10/$30/$35)

Friday, April 29, 2011

International Beer Fest Contest Winner

I'm pleased to announce that Chris B. correctly answered all 10 questions before anyone else and will be attending the International Beer Fest in Cleveland compliments of the Festival organizers and The Brew Lounge.

I'll be anxious to hear how this ambitious endeavor the The Forest City plays out.

Oh, the answers? Sure thing, here they are:

1) After much debate from Detroit to Philadelphia to Memphis to Seattle to New York, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland in what year?  1995

2) Who sang "...the heart of rock is still beatin'....in Cleveland..."?  Huey Lewis

3) Which Cleveland professional sports team angered a rabid fan base and left the city for Baltimore?  The Cleveland Browns

4) The first microbrewery in the State of Ohio, twenty-three year old and hometown proud Great Lakes Brewing Company is located just a block from what nearly 100-year-old Cleveland landmark?  West Side Market

5) Which Great Lakes beer contains the last name of the co-owners, Patrick and Dan?  Conway's Irish Ale

6) Name a TV comedy show based in Cleveland.  Drew Carey Show or Hot in Cleveland might be the top two answers and would be accepted.

7) What is the nickname of the Cleveland Indians ballpark?  The Jake

8) What is a nickname of the City? Forest City

9) Who was the original explorer/settler/founder of Cleveland?  Moses Cleaveland

10) What are Cleveland Browns end zone fans commonly referred to as?  The Dawg Pound

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Events of note this weekend.

Regrettably, I'll miss them all. However, you all should help pick up my slack.

Making beer is one thing. How it's distributed and presented to the market is another. The people, the places, as well as the beer all contribute greatly to the success of this industry. It's a primary reason I focus so much on events here at The Brew Lounge.

Check out a few of the best this weekend has to offer.

We've got a couple of festivals. Like at Manayunk Brewery, where I swear I'll eventually get to one of their annual festivals that I undertand are worth the trip. It's on Saturday, April 30 from 1pm-5pm and costs $45.

Also Saturday, at 6pm, Stoudt's is again hosting what has become a nice little festival of its own -- the Battle of the Brewery Bands. The event will have at least five bands playing and costs $30.

Then we have a couple of animal-related events. No, not the human-type of 'animals', the real thing. Like a fundraiser called Firkins for our Furry Friends for P.A.W.S. at Khyber Pass Pub on Saturday from 12pm-8pm, where $20 gets you unlimited fills of cask-conditioned beer.

And, by now, who doesn't know about the legendary gathering of thousands and a couple dozen goats in Phoenixville. It's the annual Bock Festival and Goat Races on the first Sunday of May, it's at Sly Fox, and it's Pay As You Go for a day full of bock beers, goat races, live German music, and loads of outdoor fun.

Then, lastly I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the special release of a beer that I'll be sorry to miss, the Saizanne. It was created by Chris LaPierre and his lovely lady (or maybe the other way around, Suzanne Woods, and her lance romance) and brewed at his Maple Shade location of Iron Hill. The gathering and tasting gets underway at 12pm on Saturday.

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 28 - May 4

The May calendar of beer events in and around Philly gets off to a good start with a strong push from the end of April.

Check out the entire May 2011 calendar over here.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.

Tastings, samplings, and brewery promos
@Beer Yard, Wayne, PA--- Fri. 4/29 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples of Yards beers)

@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/29 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of River Horse beers)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 5/3 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (11:30am; PAYG for at least four specially Off-Centered Ales from Dogfish Head)

Two more tastings, one a bit spicy and one a bit funky - you decide which is which
@Iron Hill Brewery, Lancaster, PA--- Fri. 4/29 - Makin' it Funky (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG for a barrel–aged Sour Beer Release Party featuring 5 different sour beers that have been aged from 6 –18 months)

@Iron Hill Brewery, Maple Shade, NJ--- Sat. 4/30 - Saizanne Release (12:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for a Peppercorn Saison, guest-brewed by beer writer, brewery representative, and women's beer club founder Suzanne Woods.)

Charity
@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/30 - Firkins for our Furry Friends II (12:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG to benefit P.A.W.S.-Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. $20 gets you a bottomless cup of delicious beers from cask conditioned bartop kegs graciously donated by our favorite breweries like Yards, Philadelphia Brewing, Sly Fox, Sixpoint, and more)

Food and beer events
@Chifa, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/28 - Bell's Beer Dinner (7:00pm; $65 for a four-course meal paired with Kalamazoo Stout, Special Double Cream Stout, Batch 10,000, and Expedition Stout)

@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, PA--- Wed. 5/4 - Meet the Brewer Series...Stone Brewing Company (7:00pm; $45 for four firkins accompanied by a sumptuous paired menu prepared by our Chef)

The arts and beer in a class by itself
@Stoudt's Brewing Co., Adamstown, PA--- Sat. 4/30 - Battle of the Brewery Bands (6:00pm; $30 which includes food, great beer, and music from our talented breweries)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/28 - A Philadelphia Ale & Arts Adventure (5:30pm; $35 includes both a trolley tour of the world-renowned murals of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and a tour of Philadelphia's own Dock Street Brewery)

Festivals
@Burlington County Prison Museum, Mount Holly, NJ--- Sat. 4/30 - Beer at the Big House (1:00pm-5:00pm; $35/$40/$55 for a prison tour, live music, and beer from 25 breweries. Food and soda available for purchase)

@Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/30 - 2011 Stiftungsfest (6:00pm; $10/$12 for music, performances, and good times at the first festival of the season. Hot and cold food available for purchase)

@Hershey Gardens, Hershey, PA--- Sat. 5/1 - The Biergarten (1:00pm-4:00pm; $15/$40 for beer from regional microbreweries, live musical entertainment, a "cooking with beer" class and tasting, and learn how to brew your own homebrew with Lancaster Homebrew)

@Manayunk Brewery, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/30 - Brew Fest Extravaganza (1:00pm-5:00pm; $45 for 20 breweries and over 50 craft beers all outside on the banks of the Schuylkill River, weather permitting. Live music by Plan B.)

And, a Festival like no other
@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, PA--- Sun. 5/1 - Bock Festival and Goat Races (11:00am; PAYG for a day of goat racing and bock beer drinking...and plenty of both)

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Hop Shoots - prepared properly at Teresa's Next Door

Unlike my feeble attempt three years ago, Andy and his crew at Teresa's Next Door knew exactly what to do when they brought a bundle of both above- and below-ground hop shoots back from Dan Weirback's hop farm in upstate Pennsylvania.

I stopped in at TND a few days ago and found almost the last of their hop shoot inventory prepared two special ways.

One was served like a salad of hop shoots and watercress, with feta cheese and cherry tomatoes as the primary accompaniments.

The other, my personal favorite, was prepared with a perfect piece of halibut topping a bed of ramps and hop shoots.

Unlike my attempt to serve with a mostly butter mixture, I learned here from Andy that it's all about the accompaniments and the presentation. Mine? Looked nearly as digusting as you could imagine. Theirs? A pleasure to look at and a mouthful of other flavors and textures to accompany the otherwise fairly bland hop shoots.

What about you? Have any of you found other restaurants working with hop shoots on their menu in the early- to mid-Spring season each year?

(on watercress)


(halibut on ramps and hop shoots)

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Exton Beverage knows how to throw a party

Last Friday evening, Exton Beverage put on a Spring Beer Sampling complete with live music, food from local restaurants, and beer poured by brewery and distributor reps.

Unfortunately, I showed up late to the party -- please hold all smart-alek comments. When I arrived, there were still 20 or so customers mingling.

The crush, though, apparently came in the first 90 minutes when it was reportedly crowded shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the store. Sandwiches, pizzas, and other snack food was mostly devoured by the time I arrived. Bill Hake, local musician, made great use of what hardly anyone would have thought was a performance stage. But, the platform high at the end of the store turned out to work very well -- and provide a glimpse of the store like I've never seen before!

In my short 45 minutes there, I heard three individuals ask for cases of beer that they had just sampled from. Sometimes you have to give to get and that's what this event seems to have proven. Good times on a Friday night of a holiday weekend.

I'm not sure that Greg and crew have put on an event of this magnitude in the past, but hope they consider making it at least an annual, or semi-annual event.



(High above Exton Beverage's floor of great beer)




(Bill Hake of Hake & Jarema)

Monday, April 25, 2011

Contest: Free tickets for International Beer Fest in Cleveland

I'll be nearby in Pittsburgh running the marathon on the weekend of May 13-15.

If I wasn't, I'd be in Cleveland. I enjoy every chance I get to visit Cleveland; there are always just enough sights, sounds, eats, and drinks to partake in to keep things interesting.

During my last trip there, I discovered La Cave du Vin near Case Western and came home with some great beers at decent prices.

Now, we can add the International Beer Fest to the list.

This looks to be quite the ambitious undertaking and I wish I could be there to experience. Check out their website for all the details. They're talking about something like 200 breweries and 800 beers.

I'm offering a chance for you to go in my place.

Two general admission tickets (value: $45/ticket) can be yours if you reply with the most correct answers to the following Cleveland-based trivia questions. In the case of a tie, the date/time stamp on your e-mail will serve as the tiebreaker.

As an added bonus, for you baseball lovers out there, you can double-dip your passions as the Indians are in town that weekend for a series against the Mariners.

Good luck!

1) After much debate from Detroit to Philadelphia to Memphis to Seattle to New York, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame opened in Cleveland in what year?

2) Who sang "...the heart of rock is still beatin'....in Cleveland..."?

3) Which Cleveland professional sports team angered a rabid fan base and left the city for Baltimore?

4) The first microbrewery in the State of Ohio, twenty-three year old and hometown proud Great Lakes Brewing Company is located just a block from what nearly 100-year-old Cleveland landmark?

5) Which Great Lakes beer contains the last name of the co-owners, Patrick and Dan?

6) Name a TV comedy show based in Cleveland.

7) What is the nickname of the Cleveland Indians ballpark?

8) What is a nickname of the City?

9) Who was the original explorer/settler/founder of Cleveland?

10) What are Cleveland Browns end zone fans commonly referred to as?

Remember, first e-mail to Bryan@BrewLounge.com with the most correct answers wins two tickets. Contest closes on Thursday, April 28 at 11:59 p.m. eastern time.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 21 - April 27

The day before Easter is always a big day around Philadelphia in the world of beer. Witness Split Thy Skull in Center City and Hopfest all the way out in Boyertown as two big examples. This year, we have a Memphis Taproom grand opening, a Station Taproom anniversary party, and Yards sensory analysis session thrown in for good measure. Plus, a handful of others that are sure to mess with your Easter Sunday.

Check out the entire April 2011 calendar over here.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.

Tastings, samplings, and brewery promos
@Beer Yard, Wayne, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples from Lagunitas)

@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of rye beers)

@Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, PA--- Thu. 4/21 - Charity Cask Night (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for Giant Torpedo of Truth, "India Red Ale", to benefit KidsPeace)

@Capone's, Norristown, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - Hill Farmstead Ephraim limited release (11:30am; PAYG for the only keg of Ephraim to make it into Pennsylvania in 2011)

@Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Earth Day with Long Trail (6:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG to be among the first 24 people to purchase a pint of Long Trail and get a free glass with a flower or eco-Bulb.)

@Exton Beverage, Exton, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Spring Tasting (4:00pm-7:00pm; Free for tastings of up to 10 breweries, snacks, and live music from Bill Hake)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 4/26 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (11:30am; PAYG as the final firkin of Tröegs Nugget Nectar will be tapped on the bar)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - St. George's Day (5:00pm-11:00pm; PAYG for a bunch of English specials, bangin' Fish and Chips, and Kane Bitter on tap. Bottles from Samuel Smith and Wells, too)


Gatherings just a bit larger in scope
@Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, PA--- Thu. 4/21 - Stone 10-tap Event (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for one beer on gravity cask and the remaining nine on tap, including this year's highly-rated Stone Imperial Russian Stout)

@Station Taproom, Downingtown, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - 1st Anniversary Party (12:00pm; PAYG for Allagash Vrienden, Bells Hopslam, Brasserie Dieu de Ciel Peche Mortel, Ithaca White Gold, Jolly Pumpkin, Pliny the Elder, Port Older Viscosity, Rodenbach Vintage 2008, Russian River Consecration, and more)

@Sugar Mom's, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - Split Thy Skull (1:00pm-6:00pm; PAYG at the 16th anniversary of this Barleywine and Strong Ale Festival)

@Union Jack's on the Manatawny, Boyertown, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - Easter Hopfest (PAYG for Avery Maharajah, Ballast Point Dorado, Ballast Point Sculpin, Bells Hopslam, Boulder Mojo Risin', Brew Works Hop'solutely, Firestone Walker Double Jack, Founders Double Trouble, Green Flash Imperial, Ithaca Flower Power, Mission Shipwrecked, Moylan's Hopsickle, Ottos Double D, Port Hop 15, Port Mongo, Rogue I2PA, Russian River Blind Pig, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum, and Tröegs Nugget Nectar)


Science does not take Spring Break?
@Triumph Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/27 - All Things Fermented: The Science of Beer and Cheese (6:30pm-8:30pm; $49 for 7 drafts, 4 cheeses, and the tutored tasting and smelling of both)

@Yards Brewing Co., Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - From Hops to Table: The Science of Beer (7:00pm; $20 for a special tutored session with experts from the Monell Center in Philadelphia on sensory analysis)


Only two Beer Dinners (and a "picnic") could be tracked down in the next 7 days
**RESCHEDULED TO 6/10/11** @Iron Hill Brewery, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Spring Beer Dinner (7:00pm; $65 for a five-course dinner paired with Abbey Dubbel, American Brown Ale, Saison, Vienna Lager, Russian Imperial Stout)

@James, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/27 - Stillwater Artisan Ales Beer Dinner (6:00pm; $88 for a five-course meal paired with Saison de James, Of Love & Regret, Jaded, Saison Darkly, and Twenty Five to One)

@N. 3rd, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/27 - Yards Beer Dinner (6:00pm-11:00pm; $30 for three courses paired with IPA, Saison, and George Washington Porter)

@The Institute, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - Brew Works Fried Chicken Picnic (4:00pm-11:00pm; PAYG for buttermilk fried chicken, all the fixins, and Brew Works beers like Amber Lager, Hope Explosion, Hop'Solutly Triple IPA, Monkey Wrench Saison, Space Monkey Raspberry Saison, and Steel Garden Wit)


Don't call these events "miscellaneous"
@Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - 495th Anniversary of the German Beer Purity Law, Reinheitsgebot (11:30am-2:30pm; PAYG for specials related to the celebration of the German Beer Purity Law of 1516)

@Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/23 - Beer Garden Grand Opening (12:00pm; PAYG for a ribbon cutting ceremony, the maiden 'voyage' of the Memphis Taproom Hot Dog Truck and lots of general 3rd Anniversary merriment, including a super special draft list on inside the bar all day long)

@Yards Brewing, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/22 - Earth Day Empty Case Extravaganza (12:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG and save $1/six-pack, $3/case for Mother Earth by bringing your own empty six-pack or case cardboard box)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Real Ale on the loose

I just put up an article about cask-conditioned beer over at the other place I write.

It was mostly inspired by 3 weekends in a row of cask-related festivals in and around Philly — plus, a little by my love for the wonderful flavors and aromas that typically jump out of cask-conditioned beers.

Check out the article. And, for more pictures, see the following links:

~ Yards Philadelphia Real Ale Invitational: March 20, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ Allentown Brew Works Cask Beer Festival: March 26, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ General Sutter Inn's 3rd Lititz Cask Beer Festival: April 1-3, 2011 [link to pictures]

More about Fork and Barrel (not such a secret anymore)

There's a big reason why I'm not in the business of breaking news. Trying to figure out the facts from the rumors is way too much for me to bear. Plus, I primarily care about the end result and not all the hype and bloviating in between.

And on top of that, with all the various ways you have to get your news nowadays (the source, established industry voices, tweeters, forum chest-puffers, bloggers of various ilk, PR machines, etc etc), there's really not much motivation (financial or otherwise) for me to get in on the game of who said what first. (though, I suppose I took an inadvertent stab at that earlier this morning when I rolled out of bed and saw the "news".)

Here's what I've got at this time after a bazillion texts, emails, and whatnot this morning.

My anonymous contributor/tipster is close enough to the source to be solid in my eyes. This person reported Fork and Barrel closed as of last night, that's all.

Other rumors around the area claim that all locations except The Farmers' Cabinet have closed. Another claims the Bookstore is still open.

I'm going to wait until I hear from ownership or management either personally or via their PR channels to comment any further.

More news....

Here's a piece of sad news from the Philadelphia restaurant and bar scene history.

Michel Notredame, particularly of Bridgid's and Cuvee Notredame acclaim, passed away Monday, March 21 in his native Belgium.

I'd recently written of his involvement in one of my fondest memories of living in Fairmount - that of taking our dog Logan to Bastille Day celebration at Cuvee Notredame.

I'm sure others will have more memories to share in the time to come.

Philly.com has a comprehensive obituary.

I'm not usually in the business of breaking news.....

....so I'll be intentionally vague about this one since I don't know the exact protocol for breaking news that is not yet official. It probably involves me doing some additional sleuthing work and I'm not up for that right about now.

But, if it all goes as expected today, it will validate my comments regarding surprise if "this place actually makes it." Choosing the right neighborhood is never easy and, having lived in this neighborhood for some time, I was surprised to see it chosen as part of their business plan.

Sorry to be vague. Keep your beer antennae up today here or wherever you get your beer news for the details. If all is as true as my tipster informs, my feeling is that many around the Philadelphia region will be surprised by this one.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 14 - April 20

Spring has sprung here in the Northeast. The grass has ris', there's no guessing where the beer events is. Here come another couple of dozen beer events at you here in the Philadelphia region.

Check out the entire April 2011 calendar over here.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.

Tastings, samplings, and brewery promos
@Beer Yard, Wayne, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples of Erie)

@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Leinenkugel)

@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Stegmaier)

@Iron Hill Brewery, Newark, DE--- Fri. 4/15 - Elvis' Sideburns IPA Release (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG for the new beer and complimentary Elvis glasses to first 100 guests)

@Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PA--- Thu. 4/14 - Brewery Promo Night (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for a bevy of Allagash beer like: Four; Curieux; Tripel; Vrienden; and White)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 4/19 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (11:30am; PAYG for Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout and friends)

@TJ's, Paoli, PA--- Sat. 4/16 - B. United Takes Over the Taps (12:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for Belgian, English, Scottish, German, and Japanese beers all supplied by B. United importing distributor)

@Tria, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 4/19 - Banned in PA (6:30pm-8:00pm; $65 for rare beers like De Dolle Special Browsel, Smisje Catherine the Great, and Hochland Imker Champagne Mead)


Beer and Food events
@City Tap House, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/16 - Pig Roast Spring Kickoff with Stoudt's (1:00pm-4:00pm; $45)

@Iron Abbey, Horsham, PA--- Wed. 4/20 - Sixpoint Beer Dinner (7:00pm-9:00pm; $50 for a five-course meal paired with Sehr Crisp Pilsner, Harbinger Saison, Bengali Tiger IPA, Righteous Rye Ale, and Otis Oatmeal Stout)

@Iron Hill Brewery, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Beer and Cheese Pairings (5:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG for a taste of world class beer and flavorful cheese)

@Side Bar, West Chester, PA--- Thu. 4/14 - Stone Brewing Beer Dinner (6:30pm-9:30pm; $55 for a five-course meal paired with a firkin of welcome beer and six other beers from Stone)

@Union Barrel Works, Reamstown, PA--- Sun. 4/17 - 7 course Italian-style Beer Dinner (2:00pm; $50 for a seven-course meal paired with Pilsner, Uncle Fester, Pale Ale, Mai-Bock, Lager, Stout, and Porter)

@Wegmans, Malvern, PA--- Thu. 4/14 - Ommegang Beer Dinner (6:00pm-8:00pm; $35 for a four-course meal of seasonal Wegmans selections and beer from New York's Ommegang Brewery)


More from the new guys in town
@Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, PA--- Thu. 4/14 - Firestone Walker Release Party (8:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG to meet the VP & Beer Ambassador from Firestone Walker. Walkers Reserve, Abacus, Double Jack, & 14th Anniversary)

@Jose Pistolas, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Firestone Walker Lunch (12:00pm-3:00pm; PAYG for lunch and tastes of the first FW beers to hit the Philly market)

@The Farmers' Cabinet, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 4/19 - Evil Twin debut in Philly and Meet the Brewer (PAYG for Before During and After Xmas, Disco Beer, Soft DK, Yin, and Yang)


The Science, The 420, The Fundraiser, and The Arts
@Iron Hill Brewery, all 8 locations--- Fri. 4/15 - Drink Beer, Help Japan (12:00pm; PAYG as all proceeds from sale of Rising Sun IPA on 4/15 go to the American Red Cross efforts in Japan)

@Kite and Key, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/15 - Science Festival Beer Tap Party (9:00pm; PAYG for the first batch of the Yards special craft Science Festival Beer)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/20 - 420: Arrogant Bastards and Rainy Day Women (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG bottles and taps of Stone beer ranging from Stone Arrogant Bastard, Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard, Stone Stone Bastard, and Stone Lucky Bastard.)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/14 - A Philadelphia Ale & Arts Adventure (5:30pm; $35 covers both a trolley tour of the world-renowned murals of the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and a tour of Philadelphia's own Dock Street Brewery, along with complimentary Dock Street or Yards Brewery beers)

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Word (and pictures) has it that Firestone Walker has arrived in southeastern PA


And it's generating quite some excitement. The Origlio crew is showing David Walker (he's the tall one in the picture) and the FW crew around town this week. See below for the rest of the week's lineup.

Between the picture from Andy (thanks) and the picture from Brian (ditto), Teresa's Next Door looks to be a fine place to have dinner tonight.

4/11 – Memphis Taproom
4/11 – Monk’s Cafe
4/12 – Teresa’s Next Door
4/12 – Hawthornes
4/13 – Kraftwork
4/13 – Capone’s
4/14 – Hulmeville Inn
4/15 – Jose Pistolas

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Getting through the past two weeks


I'll begin by getting right to the point; our dog Logan died very unexpectedly in her sleep almost two weeks ago. While she was around 13 1/2 years young, it's hard to imagine that it was "her time". She was just too active, too alert, too happy and had just received a clean bill of health from the vet the night before.

I wrote an article loosely about dogs and beer, and more specifically (and therapeutically for me), that I thought you might like to read over at The Washington Times.

It became more clear to me this weekend that our ability to be social and use "social web tools" is ever-more imperfect partly due to the numerous ways in which we can be social without seeing each other face-to-face.

Make sense? Maybe not. Allow me to explain.

I've been writing here at The Brew Lounge (more informally) since 2005 and The Washington Times (more formally) since 2010. During the past 6 years, email has become much less reliable as texting, facebooking, and tweeting have become much more prevalent.

I've actually begun to learn how to best find someone based on their preferences. Some people are still exclusively phone people, eschewing most Internet-based communication tools. There aren't a bunch of them, but yet still some where that is the only way I can find them.

There are others who still cling to email, but a growing many others who look to Facebook first (status changes, messaging, etc). Twitter has its own loyal following, though I confess that I "get" this vehicle much less than any other.

I've seen, and been part of, text messages that turn into text conversations that nearly turn into textbooks.

So when our Logan died two weeks ago, I knew that my writing would take a back seat for a while.

But, how to communicate it? I wasn't going to issue a press release. And I wasn't going to waste a lot of time on it. Yet I know a lot of people who are interested in knowing about such things, particularly those that have been a part of our - and Logan's - life for a long time.

I figured that the most personal approach would be via my personal page on Facebook. In this era, trying to figure how to get to the most people most easily is not all that easy.


Then, at The Drafting Room yesterday, I learned that by not covering off Twitter and The Brew Lounge (here), there were plenty that felt badly that they weren't aware of what had happened. I also learned of Facebook's recent default news feed presentation that likely obscured my status update from many people's views.

Anyway, enough kvetching about all this techie stuff. It's a learning process how best to communicate in these changing times.

This note today was my last effort to bring everyone up-to-speed with what I've been up to and to provide a link to the article at The Washington Times Communities section that I published yesterday.

Also, posted more pictures in my public Picasa gallery if you care to see more.

And...to give your dog (or cat, or whatever) a little extra treat today in honor of Logan's good life.

Friday, April 08, 2011

Great upcoming events at 4 of my favorite Chester County spots over the next 3 weekends that are 2 good to miss.

I'm slowly coming out of my writing funk after our rough last week and a half. I've got a pretty good story about our dog Logan and dogs and beer in general that is almost finished.

But, before I get to any serious writing, here's a quick plug for four of my favorite places in Chester County and worthwhile looking stuff that they're doing over the next three weeks.

The Drafting Room, Sat. 4/9 - This is tomorrow, folks. It's an "all-local" event. But, not just any "all-local" event. The Drafting Room is celebrating their Top 25 ranking (#24 to be exact) on Rate Beer's annual polling for the country's best beer bars. They're celebrating by rolling out some more of the unique local beers that cannot always be readily found. The most usual suspect is Stoudt's Pils and I would suspect that we'd all agree that ain't too shabby. Otherwise, think Brew Works, Earth Bread + Brewery, Nodding Head, Rock Bottom, and most of the other locals that you could guess.

Iron Hill, West Chester, Fri. 4/15 - Check out the Iron Hill fundraiser for disaster relief. All Iron Hill locations are sending 100% of proceeds from a one-day Rising Sun IPA promotion to the American Red Cross. Get dinner while you're there. Show your AHA card and get 20% off everything. Or your Mug Club membership for all of its benefits. Soon, city folks not inclined to venture out of the city will be able to experience the magic of Iron Hill in Chestnut Hill. Until then, if you're in the City, at least take the trolley out to Media and support a great cause. Drink a few beers; it's the least you can do.

TJ's, Sat. 4/16 - A total tap "takeover" by importing distributor B. United. Belgian Beer. German Beer. Italian Beer. Japanese Beer. UK Beer. It's all covered on this day and it might just be the wisest place for a true beer lover (that's you, right?!) to be on this Palm Sunday Eve. Seriously, check out the stellar list.

Exton Beverage, Fri. 4/22 - I don't know if this is a first, but there's a 3-hour event scheduled at Exton Beverage. This ain't your father's beer distributor anymore! There'll be live music on "the stage" (did you know Exton Beverage has a stage?!), food donated by local restaurants, and beer supplied by Exton Beverage. It will truly be a good Friday ;-)

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 7 - April 13

The second week of April not to be outdone by the first. Here come yet another 30 or so beer events scheduled in and around Philadelphia over the course of the next seven days. Enjoy!

Check out the entire April 2011 calendar over here.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.

Tastings, samplings, and brewery promos
@Beer Yard, Wayne, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples from Stoudt's Brewery)

@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Dogfish Head)

@Bella Vista Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Yards Tasting (4:30pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples from one of Philly's finest)

@Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, PA--- Thu. 4/7 - Charity Cask Night (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for Raspberry Stout to benefit KidsPeace)

@Brothers Spano, Rosemont, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Ballast Point Night (7:00pm; PAYG for Calico Amber, Pale Ale, Sculpin, and Wahoo Wheat)

@Exton Beverage, Exton, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Friday Night Sampling (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Yards)

@Iron Hill Brewery, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Naveale release (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG for another special release from West Chester)
@Iron Hill Brewery, Newark, DE--- Sat. 4/9 - Bourbon Porter Release (3:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for Newark's special release)

@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/7 - Michigan Beer Spotlight (4:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for beers from some of Michigan's finest like: Founders, Dark Horse, Bells, New Holland, and more. We will also be serving up our delicious New Orleans inspired cuisine.)

@Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/7 - Tap Take Over by Flying Fish (7:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for the likes of Abbey Dubbel, Bourbon Barrel Abbey Dubbel, Bourbon Barrel Exit 13, ESB, Exit 4, Exit 6, Exit 9, Exit 13, Extra Pale Ale, Farmhouse Summer Ale, HopFish, and a surprise keg or two!)

@Wegmans, Mt. Laurel, NJ--- Wed. 4/13 - Philadelphia Brewing Sampling (4:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples from Philly Brewing Co.)

@Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, PA--- Thu. 4/7 - First Thursday Beer Sampling (6:00pm-8:00pm; Free tasting samples)


Food and Beer events
@Fork and Barrel, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 4/7 - Dock Street and Dog Dinner (7:00pm-10:00; $35 for a four-course hot dog meal paired with Pinot Noir barrel-aged Prince Myshkin Russian Imperial Stout, vatted Man Full of Trouble Porter, Bubbly Wit, and Rye IPA)

@French Quarter Bistro, Royersford, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Soup, Slider & Stone Brewing Throwdown (7:00pm-10:00pm; $20 or PAYG as Stone matches up three beers with food in a three-way battle between Lepan Catering, Eleanor's Kitchen, and the French Quarter Bistro)

@Iron Hill Brewery, Maple Shade, NJ--- Tue. 4/12 & Wed. 4/13 - Spring Beer Dinner (7:00pm-10:00pm; $65 for a four-course meal paired with Belgian White, Belgian Rye, Rising Sun, American Brown Ale, and Abbey Dubbel)

@Manayunk Brewery, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/8 - Beer Pairing Dinner (6:30pm; $50 for a four-course meal paired with Biere De Mars, California Dreamin’, Quaker City Stout, and Yunkers’ Nocturnum)

@The Belgian Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Not Your Grandmother's Passover Beer Dinner (7:00pm-10:00pm; $40 for a fun take on Passover classics including a Sedar Plate that Moses would part the Schuylkill River for. Featuring He'Brew owner and his brews.)

@White Dog, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Flying Fish Beer Dinner (6:30pm; $50 for a four-course meal paired with IPA, Farmhouse Summer Ale, Belgian Abbey Dubbel, Extra Pale Ale, and Exit 9 Hoppy Scarlet Ale)

@Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA--- Mon. 4/11 - Victory Cooks Showdown (6:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG to witness an in-house head-to-head-to-head cooking competition)


Firestone Walker is comin' to town
@Capone's, Norristown, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Meet the guys from Firestone Walker (1:30pm-3:45pm; PAYG for Double Jack, Walker's Reserve, 14th Anniversary, and Abacus)

@Hawthornes, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 4/12 - Firestone Walker Release (PAYG to meet the brewers, reps, and beers from this Central Coast giant)

@Kraftwork, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 4/13 - Firestone Walker Release Night (PAYG for Double Jack, Walker's Reserve, 14th Anniversary, and Abacus)

@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Mon. 4/11 - Firestone Walker Brewing Company (5:00pm; PAYG for Double Jack, Walker's Reserve, 14th Anniversary, and Abacus)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 4/12 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (11:30am; PAYG to hang out with brewery reps and drink this new Firestone Walker liquid from the West)


A little Charity, A little Fun
@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Mon. 4/11 - Japan Fundraiser (11:30am; PAYG)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 4/12 - Philly Beer Geek Qualifiying Round (8:00pm-12:00am; PAYG)

@The Institute, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/9 - Beers Gone A Rye (2:00pm-12:00am; PAYG)


The "I-don't-know-why-these-events-deserve-their-own-category-but-here-they-are" category
@Iron Hill Brewery, Wilmington, DE--- Fri. 4/8 - Dark Side Party (6:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for the 2nd annual celebration of dark beers from all 8 Iron Hill locations. Featuring give-aways and complimentary appetizers)

@Nodding Head, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/9 - A Groggy Afternoon (3:00pm-6:00pm; PAYG for X variations on their Grog: Grog; Grog D'Oer; cask-conditioned Mole Grog; cask-conditioned Cherry Grog; and cask-conditioned Mocha Grog)

@The Drafting Room, Exton, PA--- Sat. 4/9 - Local Brewery Tap Takeover (12:00pm; PAYG as they celebrate their Rate Beer ranking [#24] with 5, 10, or 14 ounce pours of: Bavarian Barbarian 2x4 IPA; Brew Works Monkey Wrench; Earth Bread + Brewery Big G; Iron Hill (West Chester) Rye IPA; cask-conditioned Manayunk California Dreamin'; Nodding Head Grog; Penn Brewing Chocolate Meltdown; Prism Flying Magic Zebra; Rock Bottom (KOP) Amarillo IPA; Sly Fox Incubus; Stoudt's Pils; Tröegs Razz-Ma-Dizzle; Victory Tettnang Pils; Weyerbacher Oscar; and cask-conditioned Yards IPA)

@The Main Hall of the Pennsylvania Farm Show, Harrisburg, PA--- Sat. 4/9 - PA Flavor 2011 (1:00pm-5:00pm; $20/$40/$50 gets you beer and food from approximately 30 Pennsylvania-based breweries and 30 restaurants/vendors)

Friday, April 01, 2011

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: March 31 - April 6

April comes blowing in on the weekly calendar here with a whole bunch of special beer events, some baseball-related, to choose from on 4/1 alone.

Check out the entire April 2011 calendar over here.

If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.

Let's Go Phillies...back to the World Series?
@Dawson Street Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Opening Day Yards Saison Pre-Launch (6:00pm; PAYG for Sunshine [hopefully] and Saison)

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Trubbel on Opening Day (1:00pm-4:00pm; PAYG)

@Kennett, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Opening Day Yards Saison Pre-Launch (6:00pm; PAYG for Sunshine [hopefully] and Saison)

@Sly Fox, Phoenixville and Royersford locations, PA--- beginning Fri. 4/1 - Business Person's Specials (PAYG for beer and food specials during every Business Person's Special games throughout the season)

@Standard Tap, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Opening Day Yards Saison Pre-Launch (6:00pm; PAYG for Sunshine [hopefully] and Saison)


Next, let's gather all the other 4/1 events together here in one spot--there's a lot, no Foolin'
@Beer Yard, Wayne, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tasting samples of Rogue's Dead Guy Ale, American Amber Ale, Mocha Porter, & St. Rogue Red)

@Blue Dog, Lansdale, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Friday Night with Sixpoint Brewing (6:30pm; Free & PAYG for Sixpoint's Diesel Stout, Brownstone Brown Ale, Bengali Tiger IPA, Sweet Action Cream Ale, and Sehr Crisp Pilsner)

@Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Firkin of the Month (5:00pm; PAYG for Curried OMG Pale Ale)

@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Leinenkugel)

@Iron Hill Brewery, Lancaster, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Phightin Phils Pils release (1:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for Phightin Phils Pils, a German Pilsner)
@Iron Hill Brewery, Media, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Firkin Friday (5:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG for Coffee Stout, brewed with 20 pounds of freshly roasted Ethiopian Harrar from Burlap and Bean)
@Iron Hill Brewery, Newark, DE--- Fri. 4/1 - Russian Imperial Stout Release (5:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG for the beer that has won 2003, 2006, and 2010 GABF Gold medals, a 2006 World Beer Cup Bronze medal, and a 2010 World Beer Cup Gold medal)
@Iron Hill Brewery, North Wales, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Firkin Friday (5:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for a dry-hopped Belgian Ale)
@Iron Hill Brewery, Phoenixville, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Firkin Friday (5:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for Hoppopotamus, a double red IPA)
@Iron Hill Brewery, West Chester, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Phils Pils release (5:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG for Phils Pils, a Golden Lager)

@Kraftwork, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - St. "Fool"lien Part Deux (7:00pm-11:00pm; PAYG)

@The Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Funky First Friday After Work Party (6:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for an Allagash Grand Cru special)

@Washington House, Sellersville, PA--- Fri. 4/1 - Friday Night Beer Tasting (PAYG from a flight of beer from the Hampton's Southampton Publick House)


Other tastings, samplings, and brewery promos
@Capone's, Norristown, PA--- Sat. 4/2 - Russian River Promo (10:30am; PAYG for Pliny The Younger, Pliny The Elder, Blind Pig, Redemption, Consecration [batch #1], Damnation and other special beer for the day)

@Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 4/5 - Movie Night (8:30pm; PAYG for Viewers' Choice on the screen and food and beer specials at the bar)

@Iron Abbey, Horsham, PA--- Fri. 4/1 to Sat. 4/2 - 6 Months to Oktoberfest 2011 (PAYG for appropriately-themed food, beer, and music)

@Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PA--- Wed. 4/6 - Specialty Keg Wednesday (11:30am; PAYG for the best part of waking up is Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout in your cup)
@Isaac Newton's, Newtown, PA--- Thu. 3/31 - Brewery Promo Night (7:00pm; PAYG for free samples of Harpoon beer and brewery schwag)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 4/5 - Tuesday Morning Tappings (11:30am; PAYG for some beers from California's Russian River and Ballast Point breweries like Pliny the Elder and Sculpin)


One heck of a cask fest, run by one of the best
@General Sutter Inn/Bulls Head Public House, Lititz, PA--- Fri. 4/1-Sun. 4/3 - Spring Cask Ale Festival (PAYG for a steady stream of interesting and sometimes rare kegs of cask-conditioned beer)


April must be the big month for Beer Education
@Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, PA--- Tue. 4/5 - Introduction to Sour Beers (7:30pm-9:30pm; $38 to explore the tastes of fermentation from the world of wild yeast. Led by Certified Cicerone, Nicole Erny)

@Iron Hill Brewery, Maple Shade, NJ--- Sat. 4/2 - A Study in Hops (12:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for 10 Kegs of Irish Red Ale, each one hopped with a different hop variety)

@Pinocchio's, Media, PA--- Mon. 4/4 - Off-Flavor Tutored Tasting (12:00pm-1:30pm; $45 includes class and tasting materials. Begins with a discussion of proper tasting technique and then moves on to discussion and sampling of common off-flavors in beer and is hosted online by Ray Daniels)


Beer Dinners
@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, PA--- Wed. 4/6 - Meet the Brewer Series...featuring A Gouden Carolous Beer Dinner (7:00pm; $55 for a four-course meal paired with Ambrio Amber Ale, Cuvee Van De Keizer Rood/Red, Easter Ale, and Tripel)

@Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA--- Tue. 4/5 - Brandywine Loca'licious (6:00pm-8:00pm; $35 for local cheesemakers & wineries, Victory beer, and complimentary samples from Iron Hill)


Has it already been 3 years?
@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 4/2 - 3rd Anniversary Party (2:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for a free food buffet from 2pm to 5pm and plenty of beer to include but not be limited to: Russian River Pliny the Elder, Lost Abbey Brandy Barrel Aged Angel's Share, Avery Maharaja, Mikkeller US Alive, Ballast Point Sea Monster, Bear Republic Cask, and more!)