Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Beer Calendar: What To Do in September 2012

Back to school, back to beer. Well, that should probably read, back to school for the kids, back to beer for the adults. After a busy summer, this beer calendar should help you settle back in to your "regular" habits with everything ranging from beer festivals (quite a few of them) to fundraisers to free tastings.

As always, 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
Mon 9/3 - Labor Day All-IPA Brunch @Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/3 - Dogfish Head Brunch @Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/3 - Victory Brunch @Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 9/4 - Movie Night (Endless Summer) @Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/5 - Monthly Beer School (Vintage Beers from the cellar) @Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Pa. (12:00 p.m.; $Free)
Wed. 9/5 - Beer Tastings (Beer Drinkers Choice tasting party with Marcus Wilkerson) @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - Friday Night Sampling (Sly Fox) @Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - Beer Tasting (Weyerbacher) @Trolley Car Diner, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - First Friday @Drink Philly HQ, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - Re-Opening Night @Field House, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Sat. 9/8 - Beers & Steers Featuring Neshaminy Creek Brewing @The Institute, Philadelphia, Pa. (2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/8 - Pils Picnic @Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, Pa. (12:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/10 - 5th Anniversary Party @The Belgian Café, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Mon. 9/10 - Monk's Mad Monday (Dogfish Head) @Monk's Café, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 9/11 - Movie Night (Joe Strummer, The Future Is Unwritten) @Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/12 - Monthly Beer School @Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa. (4:00 p.m.; $Free)
Wed. 9/12 - Beer Tastings (River Horse Brewing with Kevin Romer) @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free)
Thu. 9/13 - Keep The Pint Night (Old Forge) @Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (4:30 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Allagash "Drink For Research" @Revolution House, Philadelphia, Pa. (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $15 cover + $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Cowabunga Porter Release @Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Meet The Brewers (Twin Lakes) @Bridgid's, Philadelphia, Pa. (4:30 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Yards Tap Takeover @For Pete's Sake Pub, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Penn Brewing Night @Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa. (4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/14 - Friday Night Sampling (Yuengling) @Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 9/15 - US-French Collaboration @Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (12:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/15 - Outdoor End Of Summer BBQ @Opa, Philadelphia, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/15-Sun. 9/16 - Oktoberfest @Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Tue. 9/18 - Movie Night (Cabin In The Woods) @Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 9/18 - Weyerbacher Tap Takeover @Lucky's Last Chance, Philadelphia, Pa. (8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/19 - Monthly Beer School @Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.; $Free)
Wed. 9/19 - Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Night @Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/19 - Dock Street Firkin Night (dry-hopped Rye IPA) @Standard Tap, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/19 - Ales From Afar @The Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Wed. 9/19 - Ommegang Night @Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa. (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/21 - Oktoberfest Celebration @Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00pm-8:00pm; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/22-Sun. 9/23 - Craft Brewing: It's A Revolution @The New Philadelphia History Museum (formerly Atwater Kent), Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 9/22 - Oktoberfest Street Festival @Frankford Avenue/Frankford Hall, Philadelphia, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/22 - Pumpkin Festival @Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, Pa. (3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 9/23 - Pumpkin Festival Brunch @Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/24-Sat. 9/29 - Oktoberfest @Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG or VIP $100)
Mon. 9/24 - Mother Firkin Monday (Yards IPA) @Time, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 9/25 - Movie Night (Avengers) @Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/26 - A Beer For All Seasons Fall Release (Spanish Fly) @Four Seasons Hotel "With Love Beer Garden", Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/26 - Third Anniversary Party @Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/26 - Beer Tastings (Origlio Oktoberfests with Marcus Wilkerson) @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/28 - Yuengling's City-wide Lager Toast @bars around Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:30 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 9/29 - Oktoberfest @Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, Pa. (3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; $PAYG)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
each Friday in September - German gravity keg night @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 8/31-Sat. 9/1 - Double IPA, Saison, etc. Draft Specials @Capone's, Norristown, Pa. (all day; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/1 - Delaware County SPCA Fund Raising Party @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/5 - Weyerbacher Wednesday @Uno Chicago Grill, Maple Shade, NJ (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/6 - Unibroue Tap Takeover @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/6 - Neshaminy Creek Floods the Hulmeville @Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, Pa. ($PAYG)
Thu. 9/6 - Thursday Night Sampling (5 Rabbit and Finch's) @Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - Friday Night Tasting (Summit) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Tue. 9/11 - Tasty Tuesday with Dogfish Head @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa. ($PAYG)
Wed. 9/12 - Victory Tap Takeover @Fingers, Wings, and Other Things, Conshohocken, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Finch's Beer Tasting @Pinocchio's, Media, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free)
Thu. 9/13 - Brooklyn Brewing Beer Geek Trivia Night @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Founders Study Event @Capone's, Norristown, Pa. (4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/14 - Friday Night Tasting (Belgian Night) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/14 - Free Sampling (Finch's & 5 Rabbit) @Capone's, Norristown, Pa. (4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 9/15 - IPA Fest @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $15-$20)
Sat. 9/15 - The Grand Inquisitor Bottle Release Party @Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa. (2:00pm-5:00pm; $PAYG)
Sun. 9/16 - Octoberfest Sunday Brunch @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (10:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.; $30)
Mon. 9/17 - Fall Beer Tasting @Pinocchio's, Media, Pa. (8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; $Free)
Thu. 9/20 - Hair of the Dog (fish Head) @Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, Pa. ($PAYG)
Thu. 9/20 - Beer Sampling (Sly Fox's Wegmans Pub Pale Ale) @Wegmans, King of Prussia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/21 - Friday Night Tasting (Widmer Bros.) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/21 - England vs. Germany @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa. ($PAYG)
Sat. 9/22 - Sour Saturday @Whole Foods, Devon, Pa. (12:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/24 - Fall Beer Tasting @Pinocchio's, Media, Pa. (8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; $Free)
Tue. 9/25 - Tasty Tuesday with Victory Brewing @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa. ($PAYG)
Fri. 9/28 - Friday Night Tasting (Goose Island vintage beers) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/28 - Thomas Creek Draft Event @Capone's, Norristown, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $PAYG)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania / Other (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
every Thursday from 9/20 through 11/1 - Headwaters Happiness @Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa. (1:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/5 - Charity Cask Night (to benefit Allentown Public Theatre) @Fegley's Brew Works, Allentown, Pa. (5:00pm; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/6 - Victory Night @Brother Paul's, Eagleville, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/6 - Charity Cask Night ("Belgian Cocoa Wit" to benefit the Pennsylvania Perimeter Ride Against Cancer) @Fegley's Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa. (5:00pm-9:00pm; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/7 - Friday Night Tasting (Tröegs) @Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa. (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/7 - Beer Tasting (Free Will) @Washington House, Sellersville, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $Free+$PAYG)
Sat. 9/8 - Hop Slam Multi-tap Event @Iron Hill, West Chester, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/8 - Big Beer, Small State @Iron Hill, Wilmington, Del. (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Fort Collins Brewery Tapping @The Drafting Room, Exton, Pa. (4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/13 - Fort Collins Brewery Night @Ram's Head Inn, West Chester, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/14 - Operation Homefront Check Presentation @Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 9/19 - Complimentary beer tasting (Sly Fox) @Judy's on Cherry, Reading, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $Free)
Thu. 9/20 & Fri. 9/21 - Smokin' Summer Sendoff @Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/20 - Sierra Nevada Tap Takeover @The Drafting Room, Exton, Pa. ($PAYG)
Thu. 9/20 - Opening Week - Stone Tap Takeover @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 9/20 - Ballast Point Brewery Night @Pickering Creek Inn, Phoenixville, Pa. ($PAYG)
Fri. 9/21 - Oktoberfest Release @Iron Hill, Newark, Del. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/21 - Friday Night Tasting (Sierra Nevada) @Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa. (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 9/21 - Third Friday Firkin Fest (Chester County Bitter and Route 113 IPA) @Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa. (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/21 - An Evening with Evolution @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/21 - Evolution Craft Brewing Sampling @Austin Beverage, Collegeville, Pa. (4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 9/22 - Schuylkill Brewfest @Joulwan Park, Pottsville, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $10/$25)
Sat. 9/22 - Kan Jam Festival @Sly Fox, Pottstown, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/22 - Oktoberfest Celebration @Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 9/22 - Ommegang & Duvel @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (11:00 a.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 9/23 - Allagash @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (10:00 a.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/24 - Stone Brewery Night @General Sutter Inn, Lititz, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 9/24 - PA's Finest @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (11:00 a.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 9/25 - Dogfish Head @Two Stones Pub, Wilmington, Del. (11:00 a.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 9/28 - Kennett Brewfest's Meet The Maker @downtown Kennett Square, Pa. (4:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $5/$10)
Sat. 9/29 - Wealth Of Riches @Blue Dog, Chalfont, Pa. (11:00 a.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 9/30 - Downingtown Fall Fest presented by Victory Brewing @downtown Downingtown, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $PAYG)


Events Over $20

Philadelphia
Sat. 9/8 - Phestiv-ale @Penn's Landing Caterers at the Sheet Metal Worker's Hall, Philadelphia, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.; 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $45/$55)
Tue. 9/11 - Grilled Cheese & Craft Beer Tasting @World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa. (7:30 p.m.; $45)
Sun. 9/16 - B. United Tasting @Fiume, Philadelphia, Pa. (2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $40)
Sun. 9/16 - Brewers Lounge featuring Chris Wilson The Philly Beer School, Philadelphia, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.; $49.99)
Fri. 9/21 - Green Mountain Glory @Tria Fermentation School, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $68)
Sun. 9/23 - Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em @Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa. (11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; $25/$50/$60)
Thu. 9/27 - Philly Philms Presents the Premiere of: Beeradelphia @World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.; $20/$40)
Sat. 9/29 - X-toberfest @Xfinity Live!, Philadelphia, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $25/$35/$60)
Sun. 9/30 - Wisconsin Beer Dinner @Hawthornes, Philadelphia, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $TBD)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Thu. 9/6 - Crab-N-Craft Beer Fest @Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center, Blue Bell, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $41.95-$43.95)
Sat. 9/15 - Oktoberfest @Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $25/$50/$65)
Sun. 9/16 - Pig Roast with Yards Brewing Company @Paramour, Wayne, Pa. (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $39)
Tue. 9/18 - Late Summer Brewmaster's Dinner @Iron Hill, Media, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $75)
Tue. 9/18 - Beer & Sausage Pairing @Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa. (6:00pm-9:00pm; $35)
Wed. 9/19 - Firestone Walker Beer Dinner @Iron Abbey, Horsham, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $65)
Thu. 9/20 - Craft Beer Tasting Dinner (Victory) @Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Horsham, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $30)
Sat. 9/22 - MGK Brew Blast @Battleship New Jersey, Camden, NJ (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $45)
Tue. 9/25 - Farm To Table Brewmaster's Dinner @Iron Hill, Maple Shade, NJ (7:00 p.m.; $75)
Wed. 9/26 - Artisan Pizza & Beer Pairing @Pinocchio's, Media, Pa. (7:30 p.m.; $45)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania / Other (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Wed. 9/12 - Meet the Brewery Dinner with Oskar Blues @Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $45)
Fri. 9/14 - Belgian Beer Dinner @Fegley's Brew Works, Allentown, Pa. (7:00pm; $50/$95)
Sat. 9/15 - Pints Between The Pages @Coatesville Public Library, Coatesville, Pa. ($40)
Sat. 9/15 - Beerfest @Brother Paul's, Eagleville, Pa. (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $35/$40)
Sat. 9/15 - Beer Festival @McCoole's, Quakertown, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $10/$15/$30/$35/$40)
Sat. 9/15 - Capital City Invitational Beer Fest @Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, Pa. (2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $15/$35/$40)
Mon. 9/17 - Girls Just Wanna Have Horace @Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa. (6:00 p.m.; $35)
Sat. 9/22 - Newtown Beer Fest @The Stocking Works, Newtown, Pa. (12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.; $10/$40/$75)
Sat. 9/22 - Sips For Scholars @Canal Street Pub, Reading, Pa. (6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $45)
Sat. 9/22 - Brew Fest Fundraiser @Perkiomen Township, Pa. (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $25)
Sun. 9/23 - Bike Fresh, Bike Local @Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa. (7:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; $40/$45)
Wed. 9/26 - Southern Tier Beer Dinner @Uno Chicago Grill, Exton, Pa. (7:00 p.m.; $55)
Sat. 9/29 - Kennett Brewfest @downtown Kennett Square, Pa. (12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; $10/$45/$70)

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

A beer festival at Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle in Doylestown

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle Beerfest
(link to the full gallery of pictures)

It was called Eat & Drink Local and the beer festival at the Mercer Museum/Fonthill Castle on 8/17 certainly lived up to the name. It was a celebration of local food and beer (a wine and a rye whiskey thrown in for good measure as well) for 200 ticketed attendees under a large event tent on the grounds of Henry Mercer's former home and current museum that houses items from daily life in pre-Industrial Revolution America.

In fact, it was a great venue at which not only to drink locally-produced beers, but beers that most had never heard of before that night. Even I was stumped on a couple of the new guys that were set up to pour their beers.

There were the big guys (relatively speaking, of course). Weyerbacher, McKenzie Brew House, and Victory were pouring recognizable names like Imperial Pumpkin, La Fling, and Summer Love, respectively. Keystone Homebrew was also in attendance pouring a handful of beers and a wine from members of their club.

Then there were the recently new or about to be new Bucks County breweries. Round Guys (Lansdale), Free Will (Perkasie), and Vault (Yardley) are all names that are beginning to become a bit more recognized around the area at festivals and watering holes alike.

Then there the really new guys, some of whom are still looking for that special location to call home. Outta Hand Brewing and Great Swamp Brewing were two that frankly had me stumped. Prior to heading out for the festival I'd done a bit of sleuthing around to find that Outta Hand doesn't have much info at all about them floating around online. They're a couple of home brewers (Matt Kennedy and Joe Moran) with big dreams and over at Carolyn Smagalski's site there's a reference to them and a Steve Bischoff. I cleared up that he has absolutely no relationship with the brewery. They were quite frank in saying that they actually have no clue who he is. So if anyone knows Bischoff, you might like to tell him that if anything that ever goes bump in the night at Outta Hand, it will be blamed on him. It's just easier that way!

Great Swamp, though, is a little farther along with their plans. David Johnson is in the process of securing capital and a location somewhere along Broad Street in Quakertown to open his place to serve his beers to the public.

This was a unique festival in a few ways. The representation of mostly all very local breweries was one. The demographic was another that made the festival quite unique. With rough estimates at over half of the attendees coming from the museum's membership base, the average age skewed slightly older and certainly did not resemble the typical beer geek festival. Yet, in what really should not be all too shocking, this diminished in no way the thirst for new and interestingly tasty beers.

Here is one area that many folks in the business of selling beer should learn well from in formulating marketing plans. As craft beer continues to take a greater foothold in the consciousness of beer drinkers, we may be surprised by just who the future demographic might be comprised of. For example, while chatting with the McKenzie Brew House guys (Ryan and Nate), a couple likely pushing into their late 70s approached and asked about the beers and got their samples. They were conversant enough to ask questions about the beer and brewery that they previously knew nothing about and appeared happy with what they tasted. Not exactly the young hipster demographic that often comes to mind at beer festivals, right?

Goes to prove that you never know where you'll find your next beer enthusiast — and to never judge a book by its cover. But, that lesson goes back decades doesn't it? And, applies to much more than just beer.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Monday Morning Second-Hand Brews News Update: 8/27/12

Been a rough week both personally and on the job, so I haven't been scraping up the news bits quite as thoroughly as is the norm around here. But, here are a few of the ones that screamed out the loudest to me for sharing. Maybe someone can suggest a Philadelphia story worth filling in the empty slot below.

PHILADELPHIA
~

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Funny how I was just thinking about getting a status update together on the progress that I wasn't aware of at Victory. Here's the scoop as they are chugging right along at Victory

~ Ardmore Patch has a short video with Jean Broillet talking about the weird beers at his Tired Hands.


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Oh, praise be. I was tired of this "outcry" from the homebrewing community two minutes after it began.

~ Oops, hold that thought. The White House still might spend some more crazy end-of-summer government energy on entertaining this matter of incredible importance.

~ Oh boy, the crybabies are at it again. (Not The Full Pint, the self-entitled geekerie.)

~ Nice venue for telling story about the Cicerone program with Ray Daniels.



Friday, August 24, 2012

What is the etiquette for Russian River beers not consumed?

Jason Harris said something helpful to me the other day. "Why don't you just put up a link to your columns at The Washington Times? I'd read them if there was a link on The Brew Lounge."

Hm, let's see, how difficult could this be?

Here goes. There was a dinner at The Yardley Inn last month featuring Russian River Beers. You know, the really geeky stuff that most beer enthusiasts can't get enough of.

There's a picture I didn't share in that review article. It's a picture of the table behind us where they left almost every Russian River beer on the table, barely any of them even touched. Yes, there is no trickery here. This was a picture after almost everyone else had left the room and the dinner was over by at least 20 minutes. The party-poopers were seen later in the bar with wine. Go figure.

So, remember, the deal here is that you help me out with some clicks over at TWT. Share the link too; spread it around. Show them that we love to read about beer and not just politics, pop culture/entertainment, and religion.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: August 23 - August 31

For some reason, it took me a few glances at the calendar to realize that the end of August also marks Labor Day Weekend, which comes a few days earlier than usual in this year's September calendar. So we'll expand the weekly calendar to the last nine days of August to close out the month of solid-looking beer events across the Philadelphia region.

Check out the entire August 2012 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.

Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 8/24 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Founders beers)

@Bella Vista Beverage, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/31 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Flying Fish)

@Craft Ale House, Limerick, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Meet The Brewers from Manayunk ($PAYG as Doug and Evan bring a few of their brews to us, including a firkin of Evans first batch of Lenape Indian Brown ale, dry hopped with Chinook and Centennial hops)

@Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/24 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Neshaminy Creek)
@Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/31 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Elysian & Uinta)

@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa.--- Fri. 8/31 - Friday Night Tasting (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Evil Genius beers)

@Hawthornes Café, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/29 - Wednesday Night Tasting (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Twisted Pine's beer with Paul Havelin)

@Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/30 - Germany Comes from Jeremy: Neshaminy Creek Brewing (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for a night of beers from Neshaminy Creek's Jeremy Myers, Steve Capelli, and Rob Jahn)

@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Bitter Rivalry (5:00pm-10:00pm; $PAYG as Iron Hill family members from Wilmington, Media, Newark, North Wales, and Chestnut Hill face off against the likes of The Alchemist, Pizza Port Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Co., Firestone Walker Brewing Co., and Great Divide Brewing Co.)
@Iron Hill, Maple Shade, NJ--- Wed. 8/29 - 2 Logan TJ Release Party (5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for an Iron Hill/Yards collaboration called 2 Logan TJ, a recreation of a beer Jefferson would have had brewed at Monticello two hundred years ago. 9.5% ABV and a deep reddish-brown, very full-bodied, with a hint of toffee and a complex, malty finish. Tim Roberts of Yards and our own Chris LaPierre will chat about their collaboration. Also on tap will be Yards Brawler, Yards Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale, and Yards of Iron.)
@Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa.--- Fri. 8/24 - Beat The Heat With Wheat (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for their seasonally-inspired Wheat Beers like Grisette, Hefeweizen, Belgian Witbier, Mahalo, Apollo!, Rauch Weisse, Berliner Weisse, Blueberry Wheat, and Peach Wheat. Enter a raffle for a chance to win great prizes, including one of our Bottled Reserves.)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Duvel Moortgat Night (4:00 p.m.; $Free + $PAYG for free samples of select Ommegang, Duvel, Maredsous bottles and PAYG drafts of Ommegang Belgian Independence Day Saison, Biere D'Hougoumont, Hennepin, Rare Vos, Witte, and Chouffe Biere Du Soleil.)

@Perch Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Rare brews from The Bruery (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Oud Tart and Tart of Darkness)

@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Heffes and Horseshoes (1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $PAYG for some friendly horseshoe competition and our featured Hefes: Franziskaner Hefe-weissbier & Harpoon Hefeweizen)
@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Fri. 8/31 - Dogfish Head Burton Baton (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for the Burton Baton through Randall the Enamel Animal)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Tröegs Tap "Takeover" (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $15 as four taps will be switched to Tröegs kegs. For $15, attendees will receive unlimited refills during the event and will also get to "keep the pint.")


"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/30 - Ballast Point Brewing Night (4:00 p.m.; $PAYG for a list of Ballast Point beers still T.B.A.)

@Chameleon Club, Lancaster, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - 2nd Annual Summer Brewfest (2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $35/$50 for food, music, and beers from Duclaw Brewing Company, Founders, Stoudt's, Lancaster, St. Boniface, Six Point, Lavery, Sly Fox, Jack's, Southern Tier, Kind, Sam Adams, Dogfish Head, Stone, Roy Pitz, Victory, Evil Genius, Butternuts, Raven, Bruvado.)

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18-Fri. 8/24 - Pucker Up Sour Festival ($PAYG for sour, tart, funky and anything that makes your lips pucker. 38 sour kegs and 40 bottles are lined up, so far)

@Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Bell's Tap Takeover (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Black Note, Oracle, Oarsman, Oberon, Two Hearted, Double Cream Stout, and more to follow)

@Isaac Newton's, Newtown, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Evil Twin Tap Takeover (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Evil Twin selections including Christmas Eve at a New York City Hotel Room, Freudian Slip, Mad Dog Pale Ale, P.H.A.T Porter, Soft Dookie, and Yin & Yang.)

@Lemon Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 8/26 - Brasserie Des Franches-Mantagnes Tasting (4:30 p.m.; $52 for a vertical tasting of Abbaye De Saint Bon-Chien (2006, 2007, 2011 plus Le Meule) paired with awesome snacks)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 8/26 - Kick the Kegs Night (9:00 p.m.; $PAYG to help us drain every last drop of beer)

@Railroad Street Bar & Grill, Limerick, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Hops Fest ($PAYG for Ballast Point Sculpin & Dorado, Sierra Nevada Hoptimum, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Hopfenstark Belgian IPA, Oskar Blues Deviant Dales IPA, and a few more)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 8/26 - Kick the Kegs Night (9:00 p.m.; $PAYG to help us drain every last drop of beer)

@Stoudt's, Adamstown, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Microfest (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $35/$40 for the annual festival fun and featuring the Daisy Jug Band)


Food and Beer events
@For Pete's Sake Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/29 - Suds 'n' Sliders with Victory Tap Takeover (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Headwaters Pale Ale, Prima Pils, Hop Wallop, Golden Monkey, and Festbier. $1 Beef, Chicken & Pork Sliders)

@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Hawaiian Pig Roast-Welcome Back Party (12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.; Stop by for a pig roast, to sample new beers, and play games)

@High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ--- Fri. 8/24 - Firestone Walker Beer Dinner (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $75 for a four-course meal paired with Union Jack, Walkers Reserve Porter, Double IPA, and Parabola)

@Iron Hill, Media, Pa.--- Thu. 8/23 - Beer and Cheese Pairing (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for four-course of cheese paired with Hefeweizen, Johnny Appleseed, Ironbound Ale, and Dark Humor)

@JG Domestic, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Bell's Beer Dinner (6:30 p.m.; $55 for Fish Fry with Bell's beer pairings to include Oberon, Two Hearted Ale, Amber, Porter, and Oracle)

@The Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/25 - Founders Ice Cream Experiment 2.0 (2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for six amazing & rare flavors using beers from Founders: Cerise, Devil Dancer, Nemesis, Porter, Centennial IPA, and Backwoods Bastard.)

Monday, August 20, 2012

Monday Morning Second-Hand Brews News Update: 8/20/12

Last week's Monday Morning Brews News Update had a decidedly negative tone to it, what with major industry players calling out a variety of people and things that apparently tick them off. This week, a return to a more civil tone. Take it away Philly.

PHILADELPHIA
~ Dock Street is rolling out what has been labeled the first French-American collaboration. It was done with Brasserie Thiriez and it's a American (table) Saison and it will be debuted on September 15.

~ I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but I so liked the way Joe Sixpack has framed up the great pumpkin debate. Brew it, drink it, enjoy, and relax. Or not. Let's just please agree to stop the silly debate (my opinion, I understand) whether it's too early for "seasonal" beers or not.

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ If I was one of "those kind of people", I'd be reminding you how I told you first that they would be opening and would be well-received in Ambler. But, I'm not and I won't...though, I may have done just that. Nonetheless, Craig Laban has officially reviewed Forest & Main and gone on the record saying they're two-bells-worth of goodness. Congrats guys; save a seat for me on that beam.

~ Here's some happy news from Mr. Bryson.

~ Still out there trying to "break" news, Jack Curtin shared an e-mail that he received (let the recored show that it was just shortly after 9 p.m.-- he was clear to point out) of Eddie Stoudt's intention to leaving the family brewing business to pursue a lifelong dream. Read more here.

~ Came across a video link of construction progress at Weyerbacher. You'll find the link within the blog post update at Weyerbacher's site.


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Anderson Valley and Wild Turkey have entered an interesting partnership

~ New Belgium was named a best place to work. If you know anyone who works there, or ever visited its home in Fort Collins this should come as no surprise to you. Outside Magazine has the complete list of 100.

~ President Obama was in Iowa where I'm not sure which they wanted more: 4 more years of Obama or 4 more beers. Maybe both.

~ Back home in D.C., there's apparently a new "brewery" going into the White House? I suppose this is a continuation of the brewing that began a couple of years back at 1600? I'm still working to get my behind-the-scenes pass. Seriously. Until then, go and read what little the USA Today has to say about it.

~ Continuing the fact-checking, I like how Obama Foodorama puts it: "...lack of fact checking or pure amnesia..." since I was fairly certain that this definitely did not seem like new news. And, then for good measure, one more link to Obama Foodorama regarding the White House "homebrew".

Saturday, August 18, 2012

DiNic's for the win.

Couldn't have said it better. While I wouldn't go as far as to call the cheesesteak "nasty-ass", the Grub Street folks otherwise hit the nail on the head:
"Known all along"
"Country's greatest sandwich"
"Town's signature sandwich"

I was first turned on to this beautiful marriage of meat, dairy, and greens nearly 20 years ago at Tony Luke's, who still makes one of the city's finest.

But, DiNic's takes it to its own indescribable level. The breadth and depth of flavor surpasses anything the cheesesteak can do for my appetite and leaves me feeling less lethargic after devouring one. While living and working in Philly through the 90s, I'd made countless lunches out of stopping at DiNic's stand at the Reading Terminal Market, which was basically my grocery store for anything edible.

In recent years, it's more of a pitstop for me after getting off a train at Market East or also for showing clients a (somewhat less-so now) hidden/insider's gem in the City.

But now, alas, we must share this gem with the world. Nah, I'm not bitter. Actually, I find Adam Richman's show one of the most palatable (pun sort of intended) pieces of food programming on television.

I wouldn't go as far as to proclaim the death of the cheesesteak, but hopefully we might see a bit of a turn in the talking points that national broadcasters rely upon when doing their telecasts/sporting events in Philly.

Here's a bonus "vintage" article written for the Philadelphia Inquirer back in 1995.

Oh, and let's add a beer reference so that I can write off this research as being beer-related. Pair this sandwich with an moderately-aggressive IPA. How about keeping it local and saying Victory HopDevil or Sly Fox Route 113 IPA?

Friday, August 17, 2012

Random videos of music and beer

For some reason, videos taken recently did not upload cleanly to YouTube, therefore I had to do a bit of techie magic which I don't even pretend to understand. But, here they are finally. Doing the file conversion process was a slow process, but it seems to have worked. I've got some more that I'll work on in the coming week or so. Think Belgium.

Enjoy this interlude, a work-killer if you happen to be trapped at your desk on this fine Friday.

Belgium Comes To Cooperstown, 2012
~ During the tasting session of the annual BCTC festival, Sly Fox's Patrick Mullin and Corey Reid coordinated a special, timed opening of the brewery's Ichor Quadrupel. It went over quite well. [Link to Sly Fox/BCTC video]

~ Much later in the evening, art lit up the night in the form of fire dancing and Brothers Past on the concert stage. Not hard to jam with these guys at all; I want to see more of them in the future. See if you agree. [Link to Late Night at BCTC]

Breastfest
~ Going back over a month, I'd referenced the 80s hard rock/metal band, Metal Shop, that played at the awesome Breastfest charity beer festival in San Francisco. Here's a clip of their version of a Whitesnake classic. [Link to Metal Shop at Breastfest]

Philly Beer Week
~ Going way back, all the way to Philly Beer Week in June, the video quality may be so-so (that may even be generous), but the audio will illustrate what a solid band and local treasure Hoots & Hellmouth is. They played after the Philly Beer Run at Dock Street's Music Fest. [Link to one video of Hoots & Hellmouth and then a link to a second video]

Enjoy, then get back to work!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: August 16 - August 22

This week's Philly Beer Event Calendar fails to disappoint even here in the third week of August. Go figure; it's Philadelphia.

Check out the entire August 2012 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.

Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Capone's, Norristown, Pa.--- Thu. 8/16 - Long Trail Draft Promo Event (4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Imperial Pumpkin, Double IPA, Coffee Stout, and Belgian White Ale.)

@Chestnut 7, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18 - Evil Genius Tap Takeover (5:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Good n' Evil, Evil Eye-PA, Hunchback Hefe, and a firkin of Trick or Treat)

@Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/17 - Friday Night Sampling (Lancaster Brewing Company) (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of their Kölsch in cans)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/22 - Smuttynose Brewing Company Night (5:00 p.m.; $PAYG for a list that is still growing, but currently includes: IPA, Pumpkin Ale, Homunculus and Old Brown Dog.)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/22 - Smuttynose Brewing Company Night (5:00 p.m.; $PAYG for a list that is still growing, but currently includes: IPA, Pumpkin Ale, Homunculus and Old Brown Dog.)

@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/17 - Third Friday Firkin Fest (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG for Chester County Bitter and Route 113 IPA from the hand pump)


"Takeovers", Debuts, and other noteworthy events
@Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/16 - Prism Brewing Night (4:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Prism's Bitto Honey, ChemoSabe, Felony, Insana Stout, Love is Evol, Par Tea Pale, Shady Blonde, and Summer of ’69)

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18-Fri. 8/24 - Pucker Up Sour Festival ($PAYG for sour, tart, funky and anything that makes your lips pucker. 38 sour kegs and 40 bottles are lined up, so far)

@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Fri. 8/17-Sat. 8/18 - Victory Total Tap Takeover ($PAYG for Ranch DIPA Citra Simcoe, Ranch DIPA Chinook, V-12, HopWallop, Baltic Thunder, Sasion du BUFF, Prima Pils, Headwaters Pale Ale, Golden Monkey, Sunrise Weis, Storm King, and HopDevil.)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/22 - Around The World in 80 Beers (7:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $55 for beers from Lithuania, Italy, (Austria, Scotland, Japan, Austria, Namibia, Norway, Italy, and Denmark)


Food and Beer events + Festivals
@Capone's, Norristown, Pa.--- Sun. 8/19 - Lost Abbey Beer Dinner with Tomme Arthur (5:00 p.m.; $80 for a six-course meal paired with Framboise de Amorosa, Mo Betta Bretta, Deliverance, Bourbon barrel-aged Santa's Little Helper, Judgment Day, and one last beer TBD)

@City Tap House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18 - Crabfest 2012 (1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $30 for all-you-can-eat Maryland Blue Crabs and live music by TJ Kong & The Atomic Bomb. $3 Brooklyn and Narragansett Cans and $5 White Peach Sangria all day.)

@Germantown Avenue (Mt. Airy), Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/16 - Night Market (6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; $PAYG for for Yards brews, Penns Woods wines, cocktails made with Philadelphia Distilling spirits and offerings from more than 50 of your favorite food trucks and Mt. Airy restaurants.)

@Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/17 - The Big Chill (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG to pick from frozen concoctions like Pig Iron Porter Float, Russian Imperial Stout Float, Vienna Red Lager Slushy, Lime-Belgian Wit Slushy, Orange-Belgian Tripel Slushy, German Pilsner and Lemonade Slushy, Berliner Weisse Snow Cone, Chocolate Stout Ice Cream, Honey IPA Ice Cream, and Hop Sorbet)

@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18 - Beer & BBQ (2:00pm-6:00pm; $PAYG for classic summer BBQ favorites paired with German Pilsner, Smokin’ Blonde, Abbey Dubbel, Ironbound Ale, and Pig Iron Porter)

@Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa.--- Tue. 8/21 - Hot Off The Grill Brewmaster's Dinner (6:00 p.m.; $65 for a five-course meal paired with Berliner Weisse, Kölsch, Rauch Weisse, Smokin’ Brunette, and Tripel)

@Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 8/21 - Brewmaster’s Summer Dinner Menu (7:00pm; $65 for a five-course meal paired with Berliner Weisse, Kölsch, Pineapple Saison, Sweet Leaf IPA, and Tripel)

@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/16 - Vegan Cocktails, Food, and Beer (6:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Southern-inspired vegan cocktails and vegan beers along side vegan and vegetarian specials crafted by Executive Chef Mark McKinney.)

@Lancaster Liederkranz, Lancaster, Pa.--- Sat. 8/18 - Smokin' Blues and Brews Fest (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m; 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $15/$35 for smoked meats, rhythm and blues music and great brews from 20 brewers)

@Lemon Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 8/21 - Oskar Blues BBQ, Blues, and Firkins ($65 for a three-course price fix BBQ Menu with all you can drink Oskar Blues. Johnny Quartet rocking out on some jazzy blues along with two Firkins made just for us! Oskar Blues draft specials all night long)

@Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, Pa.--- Fri. 8/17 - Eat and Drink Local: A World of Beer (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $28/$35 for this celebration of local food, beer, and spirits. Breweries and other food/beverage providers include: Free Will Brewing Company, McKenzie’s Brew House, Keystone Homebrew, Round Guys Brewery, Outta Hand Homebrew, Great Swamp Brewing, The Vault Brewing Company, Ringing Rocks Brewery, Weyerbacker Brewery, Mountain Laurel Distillery, Doylestown Food Co-op, Cherry Grove Farm Cheese, Blue Moon Acres, and Barefoot Gardens.)

Monday, August 13, 2012

Some days look alike, others could not look any different

Take this past Friday, for example. Front porch sitting and waiting for my arrival home was this courtesy case (yes, 24...well, actually 8 "regular", 8 light, and 8 light/lime) of Moosehead beer. Lots of history here. I may explain in an upcoming column.



Then, tonight I arrive home to a cute little box which I could smell from the across the room. Yes, it's that time again. Hop Crisis from 21st Amendment. Cared for all nice and neatly (and appropriately) sitting upon a bed of hops...cascade, I believe.



Ya never know what life is going to throw at you. Drink it up.

Monday Morning Brews News Update: 8/13/12

Quite the mixed bag of good, bad, ugly, and some downright confusing.

PHILADELPHIA
~ Good news in the Local 44 kitchen.

~ I'm guessing most of you homebrewers out there already knew this, but here's what you missed if you didn't know as posted by The Beer Yard.

~ Stateside Philly's George Sabatino took home top Hop Chef last weekend at Ommegang. If you didn't catch that already in my BCTC wrap-up, here's a link to another take on it over at the Philadelphia City Paper.

~ Had this new beer the other day at Victory HQ in Downingtown and can vouch for its goodness


EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Next month, Evolution from Salisbury, Maryland is coming to southeastern Pennsylvania and they've hired Megan Moore to do the bringing. If you don't already know her as "megsbeerslave" on Twitter, my hunch is you're about to get to know her even better in coming months. She's got 10 years in food and beverage behind her and recent experience around Philly Beer Scene.

~ When the Brewing Network talked cask systems a couple of weeks ago, they wisely lined up an interview with UK Brewing's (and General Sutter/Bulls Head in Lititz) Paul Pendyck. I know a lot of you don't dig long anything...writing, video, audio. So give the interview a listen beginning at the 38 minute mark.

~ It's gonna take me a bit of time, and likely some personal research to determine what is going on here. I was having difficulty getting by all of the misspelled words on the website and the beer naming reference to the drunken (or is it "drunkin") Irish.

~ Ok, now...wow. I've done a bit more pluggin' around the netz and have found the following in threads at BeerAdvocate. Interesting indeed. I don't typically spend a lot time in those forums, but this odyssey intrigued me for some reason.

~ The West Chester Beer Ladies are celebrating the (anything but) terrible twos. They'll be brewing with Boxcar Brewing to commemorate.


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Lots of wonderful goodness on the horizon with the chaps at Almanac Beer in the Bay Area.

~ Unlimited beer sales at the Olympics, eh? Not much of a story here, but presuming it was mostly or all macro-ish in nature.

~ Been a long time in coming that I could say something nice about the Los Angeles beer scene. This is a nice piece along with a quote that is worth repeating here.

~ Fightin' words (or at least strong opinions) from Tony Magee at Lagunitas (yikes, really Tony? not surprising, I suppose) and Hugh Sisson at Clipper City (valid points if not a bit misworded in the first attempt)...reminds me of a conversation at BCTC that I may share with you someday.

~ and then Sixpoint does its own calling out....this of the early release of Oktoberfest and pumpkin beers. Gotta say I'm getting a kick out of (and losing some hairs from all the head-scratching) from the fervor kicked up by some of the folks that think this is a fight worth picking. Move on, brew the beer, relax, enjoy.

~ Positive stuff (or at least the Greg Koch version of positive) from SoCal.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Beer and Bocce and Iron Hill

Beer and Bocce at Iron Hill-Wilmington

Not much to add other than it was a near perfect day to be lounging around with a long list of great beer from local breweries at the Wilmington site of Iron Hill. Summer Love (Victory), Black Raspberry (Sly Fox), Pilsner (Fordham), Ich Bin Ein Berliner Weisse (Nodding Head), and even a Chai Tea Porter (from Brian Finn, host brewer at IH-Wilmington) were some of the memorables of the day.

With their outdoor patio and lawn, it made for great sitting, socializing, and drinking for people and (our) dogs alike.

Nice to see Ric Hoffman (Natalie and Sage too) from Stewart's. Even nicer to see him win. Strange though how I didn't capture him in any pictures. But, then again it was strange that I forgot the camera battery on the charger. No worries, that what the "simple cameras" are for :)

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: August 9 - August 15

Dog days of summer? Ha, nothing stops the Philly beer train.

Check out the entire August 2012 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.

Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/10 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Philadelphia Brewing Company)

@Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/9 - Pineapple Express Beer Release (5:00pm-8:00pm; $PAYG for the Pineapple Express, a Belgian Saison fermented with 50 pounds of fresh pineapple)
@Iron Hill, Media, Pa.--- Tue. 8/14 - National Creamsicle Day (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for the Creamsicle Wit and cool off with an orange creamsicle pop.)

@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/15 - Monthly Beer School (5:00 p.m.; $Free to taste and learn along with the staff of the West Philly bottle shop)


"Takeovers", Debuts, and other noteworthy events
@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/11 - Grey Lodge's Sweet (and Sour) Sixteen (5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; $PAYG for this anniversary, where they are breaking out some super rare sour beer, which is probably the most extreme beer style. In addition to really amazing sour beers, we will have cake, prizes, and other party type fun. We also will have a greatest hits of canned beers, if you need a break from sours.)

@Iron Hill, Wilmington, Del.--- Sat. 8/11 - Beer and Bocce (12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $PAYG to see Iron Hill compete against area breweries including Yards, Fordham, Stewart’s, Sly Fox, Nodding Head, Twin Lakes, Victory, and Dogfish Head. Beers from all participating breweries will be on tap. An open Bocce court will be available for all attendees to compete. If you’re a member you could win Mug Club points.)

@Nodding Head, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/11 - Pot Luck (3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; $PAYG for one-year-aged Phreddie, Phunky Spritzer, and one-year-aged George's Fault)


Food and Beer events + Festivals
@Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, NJ--- Sat. 8/11 - Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Festival (11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; $Free admission, then PAYG for food, beverages, and activities. Commemorative tee shirts will be available. Beers from Cape May Brewing, Tuckahoe Brewing, and Victory Brewing courtesy of Harrison Beverage. Crab boil, pulled pork, hot dogs, corn on the cob, summer salads and more. All-day music on outdoor stage, including Reed's Blues, The JL3 Band, New Pony, Dave Landry, the Kelly Carvin Band, The Kruno Spisic Band. An old-fashioned Victorian carnival arcade with jugglers and acrobats from the The Give & Take Jugglers Little Circus. Games of chance and face painting. Plus crafts vendors, farmers' market, and more.)

@Iron Abbey, Horsham, Pa.--- Wed. 8/15 - Bell's Beer Dinner (7:00 p.m.; $60 for a five-course meal paired with Oberon Ale, Amber Ale, Two Hearted Ale, Java Stout, Cherry Stout, and a special brew coming from the brewery)

@Kennett, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 8/9 - Mid-Summer Night's Cheese (5:00pm-10:00pm; $PAYG for cheese from Di Bruno Bros. Beer will be presented by Allagash's local rep, Suzy Woods who will be serving up Black, White, Dubbel, and Yakuza (dry-hopped tripel) which will also serve as the basis for beer-inspired cocktails. Phoebe Esmon and Christian Gaal, formerly of The Farmers' Cabinet, will be guest bartending.)

@Lucky's Last Chance, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 8/13 - Social Pass Beer & Burger Dinner (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $20)

@St. James Gate at PA Sands Casino, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Wed. 8/15 - Dogfish Head Beer Dinner (6:00 p.m.; $50 for a four-course meal paired with Midas Touch, Palo Santo Marron, My Antonia, and Festina Peche)


Homebrewing, Charity, and Education
@Ballroom on High, Pottstown, Pa.--- Sat. 8/11 - Books and Brushes Beef and Beer II (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $20 for this joint fundraiser with the Pottstown Regional Public Library. DJ music, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle. A menu will include hot roast beef sandwiches and salads by local favorite Grumpy's. (Vegetarian wraps will also be available.) Our beer is courtesy of Sly Fox and Matt Guyer of the Beer Yard. There will also be water, soda and coffee as well as a great selection of homemade desserts.)

@Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ--- Sat. 8/11 - Rock Hops: American Music and Craft Beer Tasting (1:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; $35/$65 for a celebration grass roots Americana, music, and craft beer)

@Ron's Original, Exton, Pa.--- Thu. 8/9 - Weyerbacher Fundraiser (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $Free + donations and PAYG for Weyerbacher's Last Chance IPA, Merry Monks, and Imperial Pumpkin Ale. Plus, giveaways and big bottle raffles)

@Tröegs Brewery, Hershey, Pa.--- Sat. 8/11 - American Homebrewers Association Rally (2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.; $Free for Members Only to meet special guests Chris & John Trogner (owners) and Kathryn Porter Drapeau (American Homebrewers Association). Meet other Tröegs brewery staff, take a VIP brewery tour, check out a special release, and mingle with local homebrewers. Plus chances to win great prizes from the AHA and Tröegs)

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

Belgium Comes To Cooperstown, 2012

Belgium Comes To Cooperstown 2012
(click above to view full gallery of BCTC '12 pictures)

(First, please check out my filing over at The Washington Times and then come on back for more details.)

The more things change, the more things change...and stay the same. The best thing about this annual event at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY is that it is still as much fun and a celebration of the craft brewing industry as it ever was. And yet, most long-time returning attendees will agree that the festival looks almost nothing like it did in the early years.

As Ommegang has continued its phenomenal growth through the years, evident in the brewery's building growth on the property, so too has the popularity of the festival. The festival continues to sell out each year at increasingly faster paces. This year when tickets were made available on April 2, Ommegang tweeted that the VIP tickets had all been purchased within 46 seconds. The remaining non-VIP tickets were sold out later that day.

Compared to the early years, the festival looks like a tightly-run ship. Mind you that not any of us ever complained in those early years about parking our car next to our campsite, bringing a camper/RV, seeing rare/out-of-state beers being poured at the festival, having random bonfires break out across the property, or welcoming dogs that came with their beer-loving companions.

But, as a festival grows up, so too do some of the rules that need to change. Though, I am fairly certain that not one VIP who paid over $200 for their ticket is pleased with not being able to drive their car to their campsite to do a simple dropoff before parking their car potentially as far as 1/2 mile walk away in the field. This is still one rule that I cannot wrap my head around and wish a VIP-pleasing compromise could be reached.

Humorously, I heard one VIP claim, "I'd give up the whole VIP dinner to be able to drop all my camping supplies off from my car at my campsite rather than lugging it all from the field. I made six trips and must have walked nearly two miles doing it."

But, I am digressing from the theme here.

Each year seems to bring a "most" of something related to the weather. There's been the most wet, the most cold night, the most windy, the most perfect (last year). This year's will likely go down for quite some time as the most hot. With temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity levels feeling like they weren't far behind, setting up camp was a slow and exhausting but necessary task before the night's events began.

But the exhausting heat was no match for that bit of refreshing beer consumption, meeting new friends, and catching up with old ones at our respective campsites. The hours were quickly whiled away and it was time for a fresh change of clothing for the evening. Another sign of change at the festival is the presence of two shower trailers that give attendees a chance for a somewhat more dignified freshening-up during the course of the weekend.

Friday night's VIP dinner was once again executed to near perfection and shone as an example of what can happen when you have plenty of highly-motivated volunteers. As in years past, the six-course dinner overflowed with beers from the Duvel-Moortgat family and foods to satisfy both red meat-lovers and otherwise alike. The beers flowed, the food was more than enough to create a solid base for the weekend (or at least the evening), and once again the Horseshoe Lounge Playboys rocked the dinner tent with the sounds of their hillbilly dance music. To call the dinner anything short of a decadent Belgian beer dinner would not be doing it justice.

The "dinner party", even at roughly four hours long, quickly segues into a roving campsite party that lasts into the wee hours of the night and the following morning. Scheduled group meetups, homebrew tastings, rare beer sharing, fun 'n' games, and other related debauchery ensues as the brewery does its part to contribute with live music, a raging bonfire, and movies/videos played on the side of a brewery building.

Based upon how late and how wee of an hour the previous night was defined as, any number of activities filled each person's Saturday morning. Slumbering around the campsite and brewery property was perhaps the simplest and least taxing option. Swimming at Otsego Lake which extends north from the heart of Cooperstown would have been the more refreshing option. Checking out the village of Cooperstown, complete with its farmers market, charming shops and residential neighborhood, and the Baseball Hall of Fame is always a fun diversion. Going for a bike ride or a run shows the most fortitude from the person with the Friday night most under control.

Having a few more beers was not out of the question either and became the most obvious way for most to prepare for the mid-afternoon kickoff of the tasting portion of the weekend festival. VIPs gained early access to the tasting tent, for a modest 30 minutes, and first tasted some of the event's most eagerly anticipated beers. Ones coming from domestic craft breweries with names like Allagash, Captain Lawrence, Lawson's, Peekskill, Stillwater, and White Birch and nearly a dozen Belgian importers.

Some notable buzz from around the tasting tent included:
~ Sly Fox going through four sixtels with a non-stop enthusiastic line of fans probably faster than any other table. Grisette was a big hit.
~ Terence Sullivan flew all the way in from Sierra Nevada to pour a special magnum of vintage Bigfoot Barleywine.
~ Spider Bite Beer Company from Long Island had people buzzing with its saison, lambic, and berliner weiss.
~ Speaking of berliner weiss, Jeff O'Neil has his new shop setup at Peekskill Brewery and brought a berliner weiss that was also perfect for the heat and humidity of the day.
~ Allagash and Lawson's may have had the longest lines throughout the event. Allagash's Peeterman was perhaps one of the most talked about beers of the festival and when it and the Coolship Resurgam were kicked, bottles of Mattina Rossa kept the crowd satisfied.
~ Consensus seemed to hold that the White Birch Tripel IPA struck a nice balance of Belgian Tripel and American-hopped ale.
~ Captain Lawrence created quite a buzz with its Hops 'n' Roses, one that I was too late to the party to try.
~ Pretty cool to see 21st Amendment make an appearance with its Monk's Blood.
~ The Lambrucha and the Posca Rustica from Vanberg & Dewulf were both excellent, funky choices for a hot summer afternoon.

While the four-hour tasting session was underway, numerous vendors were plying their own products from Belgian waffles to burgers to tie-dyed tshirts to homebrewing equipment. There was likely no greater anticipation, though, than for the conclusion of the multi-city build-up to the Hop Chef competition. After similar competitions were held in Washington, DC, Albany, and Philadelphia, the final four were brought to Cooperstown. Jeff Eng represented Washington, Jaime Ortiz represented Albany, and George Sabatino represented Philadelphia after each winning their respective competitions. Tommy Harder was invited back as a result of winning last year's competition at BCTC. Harder heads up the kitchen at NYC's well-regarded Blind Tiger Ale House.

Sabatino from the rather new Stateside on Passyunk Aveune in Philly took home the title of Hop Chef. More pictures can be found via link to Foobooz and video from Philadelphia's City Paper.

For as long as a four-hour tasting session might initially sound, it feels like it ends in the blink of an eye. Then it was back to campsites for continuing tastings and eats. The stories could go on for pages and some just simply are not meant for sharing unless you were there.

As I have pointed out in the past, BCTC is truly an event that should be experienced by lovers of great beer. I realize that some have a strict aversion to camping. More than any other year, I heard of attendees taking advantage of local bed & breakfasts and other lodging in nearby Cooperstown and the surrounding area. Taxi service to the brewery is available until 4 a.m. so staying off property is certainly an option.

Each year I've attended save for one, I've stayed for the full weekend of festivities and recommend this as the best way to experience this top-10 festival. BCTC has developed into a festival with so many options for attendees that staying for any less takes away from the full experience.

And, if you still haven't registered your visit over at my column in Communities section of The Washington Times, please do so before you leave here. Every click counts!

Link here to a full picture gallery.


Monday, August 06, 2012

Weekly Brew Bits Update: 8/6/12

Plenty to come this week from this past weekend's annual BCTC event at Ommegang. Until then, here are some newsy items that you may have missed in recent days/weeks.

PHILADELPHIA
~ Craft Claw coming to Old City? Put me down as potentially interested.


EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Two of the damn finest products around come together.
~ After hearing the impact of the all-powerful Pennsylvania government's opinion of Iron Hill's mug club, it appears that the Lehigh Valley's Fegley Brew Works is next "under investigation", with rules changes to come.


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Jay Brooks gives us a peek at something to look forward to, by looking back, at this year's GABF.

~ And GABF has now entered the realm of frustrating ticket sales process, like for a concert or football game in high demand. "Chipper Dave" out in Colorado had his first reaction, then another. GABF published some follow-up. Quite interesting as this thing we call the craft brewing industry continues to grow in popularity.

~ Speaking of growth, Steve Beaumont gets into the numbers.

~ And, Business Week brings some investor perspective on Boston Beer Company and its past and future trajectory.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: August 2 - August 8

After 2+ months, the return of the weekly calendar updates! Without further delay...

Check out the entire August 2012 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.

Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Craft Beer Outlet, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Friday Night Sampling (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Yards beer)
@Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 8/5 - Good Old War, Good Old Beer (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for two one-off firkins of Rye IPA and Summer Session, pizza, and live music from David Cope, Vacationer, and Toy Soldiers)
@Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Movie Night (8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for food and beer specials on the menu and The Sandlot on the movie projector)
@Double Eagle Saloon, Vineland, NJ--- Sat. 8/4 - Turtle Stone Brewing Company Beer and Food Night Out (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG for food specials based on pairings or just come out and enjoy some beer and live music by Frank Comparri)
@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Friday Night Tasting (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Sixpoint beer)
@Pinocchio's, Media, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Staropramen Sampling (6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for beer from Czech brewer Staropramen)
@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Incubus Friday (11:30am; $PAYG for a keg of the Belgian-style tripel 'til it kicks)
@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Dogfish Head Festina Lente (6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Festina Lente through the Randall)
@Triumph Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Social Pass Beer Tasting (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; $25 gets you a flight of nine craft beers from Triumph Brewing Company, while munching on Pretzel Bites, Pizza, and a Mediterranean Platter.)
@Trolley Car Diner, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - First Friday Free Beer Tasting (5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of the "Manager's Choice")


"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - First Friday After Party w/ Victory Brewing (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Altbier, Donnybrook Stout (nitro), Bavarian Polaris IPA, Bavarian Spalt Select IPA, Headwaters Pale Ale, Hop Devil, Kölsch, Mild Rye’d, Prima Pils, Summer Love Ale, and Ranch R DIPA on cask)
@Side Bar, West Chester, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Big Ass Ballast Point Night (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Calico Amber, Big Eye, Dorado DIPA, Even Keel, Longfin Lager, Bourbon Navigator, Navigator, Piper Down, Bourbon Piper Down, Sculpin IPA, Habenero Sculpin (8pm Tapping), Yellowtail, and Sea Monster)
@Washington House, Sellersville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Family Owned Craft Beers From Europe (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG as Latis Imports will take us on a tour of some small European breweries that have been making great beer for much longer than we have)


Food and Beer events
@Big Fish Grill, Conshohocken, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Gretz Beer Dinner (7:00 p.m.; $55 for a five-course meal paired with Victory Headwater Pale Ale, Boxcar Mango Ginger Ale, Tröegs Dreamweaver Wheat, Evolution ESB, and Tröegs Java Head Stout)
@City Tap House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - National Watermelon Day Celebration (4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for $5 Watermelon Cocktails, $4 Watermelon Lager & Watermelon Wheat on Draught. Live Music by MJ Trio! Watermelon eating contest. Gift certificates, beer prizes, & Phillies tickets. Dunk tank....If you want to nominate someone, please call ahead. Proceeds benefit Variety the Children’s Charity. All watermelons are purchased locally from Fair Foods Farmstand in support of local farmers.)
@Pinocchio's, Media, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Battle of the Beverages Dinner (7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; $PAYG for a dinner pairing a beer and wine with each small course expertly prepared by chefs Paul Pulver and Tony Sortino of Hophound Productions)
@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Wed. 8/8 - Brewery Dinner (7:00 p.m.; $TBD for a meet-n-greet dinner with Deschutes)
@The Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 8/4 - Charlie & The Sausage Factory (2:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for six different sausagess & traditional German side dishes to go along with it. We will also be pairing up 6 various German-style beers with them for a total taste indulgence. Rauchbier, Doppelbock, Dunkel Lager, Wheat, Schwartbier, Pilsner.)
@Union Barrel Works, Reamstown, Pa.--- Tue. 8/7 - Spanish Theme Beer Dinner (6:30 p.m.; $40 for a six-course meal paired with Hefeweizen, Lager, HopKnocker IPA, Uncle Fester, Mai Bock, and Round Boy Stout)


Homebrewing, Charity, and Education
@Fegley's Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Thu. 8/2 - Charity Cask Night (5:00pm-9:00pm; $PAYG to benefit Godfrey Daniels – the Lehigh Valley’s premier live music listening room)
@Hulmeville Inn, Hulmeville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - Boozin' For Boobies (7:00 p.m.; $PAYG to raise funds for the Tour de Pink Breast Cancer Fundraiser through 50/50, Wheel Barrow of Cheer, and Prize Baskets)
@Paradise Farm Camps, Downingtown, Pa.--- Sat. 8/4 - SPCA Victory BrewBQ (12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; $TBD for a two-category BBQ cook-off competition. Each team will compete to see who can make the best chicken and ribs according to our judges. This year you will also be able to taste and vote on the People’s Pork award for our restaurant vendors. Additional activities include: Victory Beer Garden; varbeque classes and cooking demos; a variety of restaurant and vendors; live music; and a kids play area)
@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 8/8 - Monthly Beer School (4:00 p.m.; $Free to learn and taste beers from Russian River along side the Resurrection staff)


Iron Hill gets its own category this week
@Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa.--- Thu. 8/2 - Rising Sun Release (5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.; $PAYG for this 7.8% ABV single-hopped American Style IPA brewed with 100% Sorachi Ace hops)
@Iron Hill, Media, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - First Friday's Cask (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for the beer mentioned in the last entry)
@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - First Friday's Cask (5:00pm-9:00pm; $PAYG for Aka-Oni, aka The Red Devil, a medium-bodied pale ale with a significant amount of Japanese Sorachi-Ace hops that impart coconut and lemon flavors and aromas. The Red Devil was Charlie Manuel's nickname in Japan.)
@Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 8/3 - First Friday's Cask (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for Hoppopotamus, a full-bodied red ale and Full Nelson, a single-hopped American IPA)
@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Sat. 8/4 - Assistant Brewers Royal Rumble (5:00pm-10:00pm; $PAYG as assistant brewers from our Maple Shade, North Wales, Phoenixville, and Wilmington locations will bring a cask and battle it out. The first Cask to kick is the champion. Craig’s American Brown Ale frmo North Wales. Matt’s Sugar Shack Brown Ale frmo Phoenixville. Andrew’s Honey Basil Wheat from Wilmington. Ruby’s Paison from Maple Shade.)
@Iron Hill, Media, Pa.--- Wed. 8/8 - Christmas in August (5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; $PAYG for the release of our Holiday Ale.)