Thursday, May 30, 2013

Philly Beer Week 2013, Day 1 Preview: Friday, May 31

Since a solid majority of respondents to the survey said that it was more important to them to receive daily previews throughout Philly Beer Week, I'll continue this year as I have in the past with a daily snapshot of what's to come and what you might find most interesting or that you may have missed on the calendar of events.

It may not be a perfect science, but I've pored over the calendar of events and come up with the following to share with you. Up first is tomorrow, May 31.

Hammer Of Glory
  - This is really deserving of its own category as this epic twelve hour procession of the iconic Hammer of Glory around the City truly signals the kickoff of the ten-day Philly Beer Week.
  - It's really 19 events spread across nearly twelve hours of the first day and the details can be found here.
  - The Hammer will see roller girls, kinetic sculptures, rolling bookcases and staircases, motorcycles, horses, and wheelbarrows just to name a few of the spectacles at stops along the way
  - This year, there appears to be no strippers (or exotic ladies of the evening?) on the itinerary to the delight of many, the sorrow of others.
  - Experience all of it, if you can, or bite off just a few stops. But, if there's a more spectacular gathering of characters, beers, sights, and debauchery during PBW, I'd like to hear about it.

All day
  - Gose and other German sours at Brauhaus Schmitz
  - Loving the Daisy Cutter from Half Acre right now. At Local 44, Perennial will be there too. Both pouring all day; brewers after 4 p.m.

Try a new place
  - The Victoria Freehouse is doing British styles starting at 4 p.m.
  - The Cambridge is doing a whole bunch of tasty stuff from Shangy's beginning at 6 p.m.

Afternoon
  - "Something epic" at Kite & Key means that after the #HOG2013 leaves, with Tröegs in the house, the party begins at 2 p.m. and won't stop for quite some time
  - Beer and gelato at City Tap House. They definitely have the right weather for it.

Evening
  - Opening Tap. The Hammer of Glory tour comes to a close (pause?), Brew-vitational awards will be handed out, and all the local beer you need to know about will be served to properly kick off Philly Beer Week. Plus, TJ Kong & the Atomic Bomb will be laying down the soundtrack for the evening.
  - Perch Pub. If you missed Half Acre earlier at Local 44 (plus billed as "meet the brewer")

Late Night
  - Looking like quite a party at Khyber in Old City after 9 p.m.
  - And a solid night of music and beer with John Train and Sly Fox at Fergie's after 10 p.m.

Suburbs
  - Coming into City from the west by way of the R-5/Downingtown train? Teresa's for 2-2-2 to take the train (2 beers for 2 bucks for 2 hours. This day's is 120 Minute IPA and one World Wide Stout from Dogfish Head Brewery!)
  - North of the City? Isaac Newton's in Newtown for Perennial from St. Louis.

At some point would like to stop by Free Library for its ongoing display (9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, except Sundays with hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) called "Brewed in Philly: A History of Brewing". It's just around the corner from Kite & Key and it's free, so it seems like something that should definitely not be too difficult to add to the itinerary.

What about you? What have I missed?



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