Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Beer Calendar: What To Do in May 2014

The only way May looks gentle is by looking at the last couple days of it and then comparing the 29 previous days to the debauchery that ensues beginning May 30 with the next annual installment of Philly Beer Week. Leading up to those last two days of the month (the first two of PBW '14), it's just another month, chock full of beer events of every stripe.

As for PBW '14, for the sake of brevity and my sanity, no individual Philly Beer Week events are being listed. Rather, just head on over to PhillyBeerWeek.org. Until then, rest up. On second thought, don't. You must be strong and ready to take on Philly Beer Week.

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
Thu. 5/1 - ExtravaCANza @Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa. (4:30 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/2 - Beer Tasting (Fegley's) @The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/2 - FoUnders & "U"s & Youse: FoUnders CUrmUdgeon and RUbaeUs @Grey Lodge, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/2 - Meet & Greet & Drink La Trappe @The Belgian Café, Philadelphia, Pa. (8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 5/4 - Beer Week Pep Rally @Brü Craft & Wurst, Philadelphia, Pa. (12 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 5/4 - 11th Anniversary and Big Brew Day @Old Eagle Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Mon. 5/5 - Beer School @Strangelove's, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 5/5 - Cinco de Mayo with Crabbie's @Sancho Pistola's, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Mon. 5/5 - Happy Hour (Ommegang) @Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/7 - Beer School @Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Pa. (12 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/8 - Crabbie's Spiced Orange Ginger Beer Launch Party @Growlers, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/9 - Crabbie's Tasting @The Foodery (10th Street), Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/9 - Crabbie's Tasting @The Foodery (Roxborough), Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/9 - Beer Tasting (Long Trail) @The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/9 and Sat. 5/10 - Dad Vail Regatta Pale Ale with Sly Fox @Dad Vail Regatta, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Sat. 5/10 - Crabbie's Tasting @The Foodery (2nd Street), Philadelphia, Pa. (12 p.m.-2 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/10 and Sun. 5/11 - Bocks & Brats @Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Mon. 5/12 - Happy Hour (Lancaster) @Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/15 - Brooklyn Brewmaster's Reserve Launch Party of Ridgy-Didge @Growlers, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/16 - SIPA = Sam India Pale Adams @Grey Lodge, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/17 - The Grey Lodge Beer Garden at the Mayfair May Fair @Cottman and Frankford, Philadelphia, Pa. (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/17 - Heavy Seas White Oak Firkin Tapping @Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa. (12 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/17 - Beer Tasting (Duck-Rabbit) @The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 5/17 - Wheat Beer Fest @South Philadelphia Tap Room, Philadelphia, Pa. ($PAYG)
Mon. 5/19 - Happy Hour (Sly Fox) @Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/21 - Beer School @Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/21 - Bella Vista Beer Night @The Trestle Inn, Philadelphia, Pa. (8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/28 - Lex Luthor IPA Beer Release @Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. (5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/29 - Liquor Before Beer (Week) with Art in the Age & Dock Street @Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, Pa. (7 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/30 through Sun. 6/8 - Philly Beer Week @hundreds of locations around Philadelphia, Pa. (See website for full list of events and details)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Wednesdays in May - Barrel-aged Wednesdays @Flying Fish, Somerdale, NJ (4 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/1 - Maibock Beer Release @Iron Hill, Media, Pa. (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/2 - Friday Night Sampling (Flying Fish) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free)
Mon. 5/5 - Chili Maibock @Iron Hill, Media, Pa. (11 a.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG)
Tue. 5/6 - Battle Of The Barrels @Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa. (6:30 p.m.; $33)
Fri. 5/9 - Friday Night Sampling (Fegley's) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/16 - Friday Night Sampling (Susquehanna) @Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 5/17 - Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers’ Festival @Iron Hill, Media, Pa. (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $5-$50)
Sat. 5/17 - All-American Beer Garden @High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ (2 p.m.-7 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/21 - Southern Tier IPA Night @Pinocchio's, Media, Pa. (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $PAYG)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania / Other (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Thu. 5/1 - Sampling Night (Yuengling) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Thu. 5/1 - Belgian Witbier Beer Release @Iron Hill, Newark, Del. (5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/1 - Charity Cask Night (Family Connection of Easton) @Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/1 - Pour It Forward with La Trappe @Spninerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa. (7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $10 + $PAYG)
Thu. 5/1 - Victory Brewing Quizzo @The Whip Tavern, Coatesville, Pa. (8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/2 - Incubus Friday @Sly Fox, Phoenixville and Pottstown, Pa. (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/2 - Sampling Night (Tröegs) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/2 - Spring House Beer Tasting @Washington House, Sellersville, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sun. 5/4 - Bock Fest and Goat Races @Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa. (11 a.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/7 - Victory Tap Takeover @Fingers Wings and Other Things, Conshohocken, Pa. (12 p.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/7 - Charity Cask Night (West End Youth Center of Allentown) @Allentown Brew Works, Allentown, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/9 - The Other Farm & Frecon's Cidery Beer and Cider release party @Union Jack's on the Manatawny, Boyertown, Pa. (7 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/9 - Sampling Night (Amstel Burger Truck) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (3 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/9 - Friday Night Samples (Sierra Nevada) @Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/9 - Suds & Sliders @Iron Hill, Wilmington, Del. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/10 - Diplomat Dunkel Beer Release @Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa. (12 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/10 - Kôkô Niu Stout Beer Release @Iron Hill, Voorhees, NJ (1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/10 - Sampling Night (Hop City Brewing/Spitfire/Primus) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $Free)
Mon. 5/12 through Sat. 5/17 - Suburban Beer Week @five beer-centric locations around the far western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa. (See website for events, locations, and details.)
Wed. 5/14 - Full Moon Firkin @Tröegs, Hershey, Pa. (11 a.m.; $PAYG)
Wed. 5/14 - B.W. Beer Works Tap Take Over @Ulysses Gastropub, Wilmington, Del. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Thu. 5/15 - Beer and Oysters @Hunger 'n' Thirst, Lancaster, Pa. (5 p.m.-10 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/16 - Third Friday Firkin Fest @Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa. (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/16 - Friday Night Samples (Kona) @Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/16 - Deschutes Tap Takeover @Isaac's Pickle Bar, Lancaster, Pa. (5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/16 - Sampling Night (Fegley's) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Sat. 5/17 - Taps, Tunes, and Trucks @Sly Fox, Pottstown, Pa. (11 a.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG)
Sat. 5/17 - Sampling Night (Straub) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (1 p.m.-3 p.m.; $Free)
Sun. 5/18 - Chill The Firk Out @The Gables at Chadds Ford, Chadds Ford, Pa. (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $70)
Thu. 5/22 - Tröegs Tap Takeover @Holy Hound Taproom, York, Pa. (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/23 - Sampling Night (Amstel) @Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free)
Fri. 5/23 through Sun. 5/25 - Memorial Day Weekend with Liquid Hero Brewery @Federal Taphouse, Lancaster, Pa. ($PAYG)
Sat. 5/24 - Heroes and Villains @Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa. (12 p.m.-5 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/30 - One Year Anniversary Party @Hunger 'n' Thirst, Lancaster, Pa. (5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG)
Fri. 5/30 through Sat. 6/7 - Spinny Beer Days @Spninerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa. (See website for all events and details of our Lehigh Valley version of Philly Beer Week.)


Events Over $20

Philadelphia
Fri. 5/2 - Beer Chemistry @Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa. (7 p.m.; $40)
Sat. 5/3 - VIP access to Maifest @Brauhaus Schmitz, Philadelphia, Pa. (11 a.m.-8 p.m.; $100)
Sun. 5/4 - Craft Beer and Oysterfest @Doc Magrogan's, Philadelphia, Pa. (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $35-$40)
Thu. 5/8 - Cerveza! Celebrating the South American Tradition @Penn Museum, Philadelphia, Pa. (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $25-$30)
Sat. 5/17 - Manayunk Craft Beer and Irish Whiskey Festival @Kildare's, Philadelphia, Pa. (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $15-$40)
Tue. 5/20 - Philly Beer Scene Awards @World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, Pa. (6 p.m.-10 p.m.; $50)
Sat. 5/24 - Beer and Cheese Pairing @Philly Beer School, Philadelphia, Pa. (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $56.98)
Fri. 5/30 - Belgian Beer Experience @Philly Beer School, Philadelphia, Pa. (7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $48.98)


Philadelphia's close suburbs (within 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Sat. 5/3 - Brews at the Ballpark @Ballpark at Campbell's Field, Camden, NJ (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $35)
Mon. 5/12 - Beer School @Keg & Kitchen, Westmont, NJ (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $30)
Thu. 5/15 - Beer School with Professor Joe Sixpack @Iron Abbey, Horsham, Pa. (7 p.m.; $30)
Sun. 5/25 - Sunday Dinner @Forest & Main, Ambler, Pa. (6 p.m.; $67)


Greater Philadelphia Metro / Eastern Pennsylvania / Other (beyond 20 mile radius of Philadelphia)
Saturdays in May (ex. 5/3) - Parkesburg Brewery Tour @Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa. (2 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $58)
Thu. 5/1 - Beer School: Evil Genius @Rino's, Exton, Pa. (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $34.95)
Sat. 5/3 - Washington Crossing Brewfest @Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, Pa. (12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; $10-$40)
Sat. 5/3 - McCoole's Whiskey, Wine, and Homebrew Festival @McCoole's Arts & Events, Quakertown, Pa. (3 p.m.-7 p.m.; $10-$75)
Sat. 5/3 - Black Tie Blue Jean Fundraiser @Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa. (7 p.m.-11 p.m.; $75)
Sun. 5/4 through Fri. 5/9 - Chef & Brewmaster Pairing Menu @Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa. (5 p.m.-10 p.m.; $60)
Wed. 5/7 - Meet The Brewery (Ithaca) @Spninerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa. (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $39-57)
Fri. 5/9 - Dogfish Head Beer Pairings Dinner @The Continental, Atlantic City, NJ (7 p.m.; $65)
Sat. 5/10 - BrewFest @Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Mount Hope, Pa. (11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $20-$45)
Sat. 5/10 - Yardley Beer Fest @along the Delaware River, Yardley, Pa. (12 p.m.-5 p.m.; $10-$65)
Sat. 5/10 - Pints For Pets @Blair County Ballpark, Altoona, Pa. (1 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10-$65)
Sat. 5/10 - Saturday Brew Review (Deschutes) @Isaac's Pickle Bar, Lancaster, Pa. (3 p.m.-5 p.m.; $25)
Sat. 5/17 - Craft Beer & Seafood Bash @Federal Taphouse, Harrisburg, Pa. (3:30 p.m.; $35)
Sat. 5/17 - Taste of Pennsylvania @York Fairgrounds, York, Pa. (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10-$40)
Mon. 5/19 - Beer School with Sixpoint @Bulls Head Public House, Lititz, Pa. (5:30 p.m.; $27.95)
Mon. 5/19 - Beer Dinner @Two Stones Pub, Kennett Square, Pa. (6:30 p.m.; $TBA)
Tue. 5/20 - BBQ Beer Dinner @Iron Hill, Voorhees, NJ (7 p.m.; $65)
Sat. 5/31 - Craft Beer & Rock Festival @63rd and Landis, Sea Isle City, NJ (3 p.m.-7 p.m.; $35-$50)
Sat. 5/31 - Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting @World Café Live, Wilmington, Del. (3 p.m.; $35-$40)





Thursday, April 24, 2014

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 24 - April 30

How better to close out the first third of the year than with a full seven days of beer events around the Philly region? Eat, drink, and fest 'til your heart's (and liver's) content.

Check out the entire April 2014 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Tastings/Samplings/Freebies and Special One-offs or Debuts
@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/28 - Happy Hour (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for Deschutes brewery representative led complimentary tastings and specials on bottle selections.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/24 - Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Clown Shoes.)


Brewery Promos and "Takeovers"
@Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/24 - Spring House Brewery Promo (4:30 p.m.; $PAYG for featured beers from Lancaster County's Spring House Brewing Company.)

@Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/25 - Local Farmhouse Ales (5 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for some local flavor, Belgian-style, with six farmhouse ales and lagers and Belgian-inspired dinner features.)

@Perch Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/25 - Meet The Brew Crew from Stone Brewing Co. (8 p.m.-10 p.m.; $PAYG to mingle with Stone Quality Assurance Supervisor and Production Warehouse Lead. Rick and Robbie are in town to celebrate the national release of Spröcketbier, a black rye Kölsch. Also available will be 2014 Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine, Stone Go To IPA, Matt's Burning Rosids Imperial Cherrywood-Smoked Saison, 2012 Double Bastard Ale aged in Red Wine Barrels, and additional TBD.)

@Side Bar, West Chester, Pa.--- Wed. 4/30 - KBS Midnight Tapping (11 a.m.; $PAYG for a midnight tapping of Kentucky Breakfast Stout plus a few other special beers found at PhillyTapFinder.com.)

@The Belgian Café, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/24 - Earth Day (7 p.m.; $PAYG to sample some new favorites including Limbo IPA, as well as some rare gems, from the Long Trail family of ales.)

@The Cambridge, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/30 - Dark Horse Tap Takeover (4 p.m.; $PAYG for a tap list from Dark Horse’s Awesome Stout Series listed over at PhillyTapFinder.com.)


Anniversaries/Parties, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Cannstatter, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - Stiftugsfest (6 p.m.-11 p.m.; $10-$12 for lederhosen, dirndls, laughter, and libations.)

@Geraghty's Pub, Burlington City, NJ--- Sat. 4/26 - Spring Beer Fest (2 p.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG for a beer wonderland with 30+ craft classics and warm weather seasonals pouring both inside and out.)

@Manayunk Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - 16th Annual Brew Fest (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $20-$45 for Simply Saison's, a collection of delicious Saisons and Farmhouse style beers from local and regional craft breweries as well as world-renowned breweries including Brasserie Dupont, Allagash, Ommegang, Lost Abbey, and others. Entertainment by the The Fermentors.)

@McCoole's Arts & Events, Quakertown, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - McCoole's Beer Festival (12 p.m.-4 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10-$75 for over 75 unique beers, live music, great food, craft vendors, beer trivia, homebrew competition, and more.)

@Stoudt's Brewing Company, Adamstown, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - Microfest: IPA Fest (6 p.m.-10 p.m.; $TBA and details to come.)

@The Fuge, Warminster, Pa.--- Sun. 4/27 - Fare Festival (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $70 for a unique festival that brings together craft beer, small batch spirits, local wines, and some of the best restaurants in the Philadelphia area at a unique and historical venue. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Doylestown Fire Company No. 1, a 100% volunteer firehouse.)

@Valley Forge Casino & Resort, Valley Forge, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - Big Brew PA Beer Festival (4 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $15-$80 with more details to come.)


Food and Beer events
@Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Newark, Del.--- Tue. 4/29 - Springtime in Belgium Beer Dinner (6:30 p.m.; $65 for a five-course dinner served with Belgian Witbier, Saison, The Cannibal, Abbey Dubbel, and Saison Speciale.)

@Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - PA Flavor (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $20-$75 to sample from all vendors and be able to purchase take home items from all food producers, as well as sample the numerous beers brewed from around the state and partake in restaurant samples.)

@Stewart's Brewing Company, Bear, Del.--- Wed. 4/30 - Brewer's Dinner (6 p.m.; $40 for a four-course dinner paired with beer from Stewart's.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/29 - Teresa's Travels ($PAYG for beers and foods from Canada.)

@Two Stones Pub, Newark, Del.--- Mon. 4/28 - Newark Beer Dinner (6:30 p.m.; $TBA with more details to come.)

@World Café Live, Wilmington, Del.--- Sat. 4/26 - Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting (3 p.m.; $40 for two of the best things on earth paired them together, Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer. Bring your vegetarian friends, too – we can accommodate them on all pairings.)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/28 - Where's The Beef, A Vegan Beer Dinner (7 p.m.; $45 for our first ever Vegan Beer Dinner where all food items will be 100% vegan and all beers will be styles made without animal product coming from breweries who do not use any animal products in their fining process.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Dock Street Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/27 - West Philly Homebrew Competition (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $10 to experience the wonderful homebrews and voting privileges for the "Peoples Choice Award".)

@Philly Beer School, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/26 - Beer and Brewing 101 (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $39.98 for an introduction to how beer is made, major beer styles, and brewing history.)

@Rybrew, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/25 - Beer Quizzo supporting Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (7:30 p.m.; $20 donation per team for Beer Quizzo hosted by BeerLady215, Liz Einhorn, where 100% of donations will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa.--- Saturdays in April - Parkesburg Brewery Tour (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; $58 for a chartered bus trip to the new Parkesburg brewery, including a behind the scenes look at the brewery, as well as a food and beer component.)



Monday, April 21, 2014

I'm writing a book

It will be entitled Beer Lover's Mid-Atlantic. And it will go part of the way to describe why I've been seemingly more quiet than usual thus far in 2014.

I think I was supposed to have told you about this quite some time ago. Or, maybe not. There was no way I wanted to jinx things by talking about a deal that was not officially done at that point.

While all of the fun legalese was being hammered out, I was putting together the plans for how I would cover all the good stuff happening across the 4-state "mid-Atlantic" region of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Good stuff meaning beer, of course. And, by beer, it means it will cover not just the breweries and brewpubs making the stuff, but the bars and restaurants that are serving it well, too. Plus, a section for some homebrew shops and recipes from them as well. It'll be close to 400 pages by the time all is said and done.

No small undertaking for sure. Not to mention, on a very short timeline. However, it's a job that must be done. It's been a while since a regional "guide book" has been published to tell of the tasty happenings in the beer world around these parts. Though, don't envy me. How many times have you heard about "all the new places opening nearly every day"? Yup, that'll be me trying to figure out who's in and who's out of the book, amidst the constant change in the landscape. Fortunately, I'll be able to add a small chapter/appendix right before publishing that basically will serve as a simple listing of all close-to-completion or should-be-open establishments by the time the book hits the retail shelves.

So I've been at it for around 8 weeks or so now and have covered off much of Delaware, a good half or so of New Jersey, and pieces of western and northeastern Pennsylvania. Maryland is upcoming up this weekend and then plenty of remaining gaps to be filled in over the next couple of months.

The requisite Facebook and Twitter pages dedicated to the book should be up any day so that I can do a better job of publicizing and whatnots along the way. It's definitely been an exercise in organization as much as anything so far.

That's probably enough to say for now. I figure it's probably a bit of a shock just to see words here that aren't event calendar listing-related.

Here's a link to Amazon if you should care to pre-order. You'll see it's due to publish in January. I'll do what I can - which might mean, not much :( - to see this on bookshelves prior to the holidays, but there's a lot I can't control in the project timeline once the manuscript leaves my hands.

Nonetheless, it'll be a tasty yet crazy ride along the way. Have a place that you think I might not be familiar with that is an absolute, must-do somewhere in the great wide world of PA/NJ/MD/DE? Drop a note to me and let me know.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 17 - April 23

You didn't think because it's Easter weekend that the beer events calendar would take a break, now did you? And, miss the annual Split Thy Skull and take the chance of missing Easter dinner the following day?

Check out the entire April 2014 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Tastings/Samplings/Freebies and Special One-offs or Debuts
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Thu. 4/17 - Liquid Hero Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Liquid Hero, one of York's newest breweries.)
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 4/18 - Friday Night Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Ithaca's popular "Box of Belgians," which includes Hopbloem, Fleur de Belgique, Obscurite, and Laissez Faire.)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/23 - Local 44 Collaboration Beer ($PAYG for the launch of our newest collaboration beer, Unity, a Kölsch-style brewed with Hersbrucker Hops for us by Victory Brewing Company.)
@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/21 - Happy Hour (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for Tröegs brewery representative led complimentary tastings and specials on bottle selections.)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/23 - Resurrection Ale House Collaboration Beer ($PAYG for the launch of our newest collaboration beer, Unity, a Kölsch-style brewed with Hersbrucker Hops for us by Victory Brewing Company.)

@The Greeks Next Door, Narberth, Pa.--- Fri. 4/18 - Friday Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Ithaca.)


Brewery Promos and "Takeovers"
@Grey Lodge, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/18 - Quacky Easter/Hoppy Easter from Duck-Rabbit (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for Duck Rabbit's Milk Stout, Hoppy Bunny, and Doppelbock on tap and prizes for the best dressed man and best dressed woman.)
@Grey Lodge, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/20 - Everyone Must Drink Stone (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for a bunch of extra interesting Stone beers on tap, and Stone's rep, Lee, has Stone gear for sale at discount prices.)

@High Street Grill, Mount Holly, NJ--- Thu. 4/17 - Nugget Nectar Release Party (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for a Nugget Nectar release party with Cherry Grove cheeses and other beer & bite combos.)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/19 - Great Lakes Earth Day Clean Up in Clark Park ($PAYG to help clean up Clark Park and then reap some cool Great Lakes rewards on tap throughout the day.)

@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 4/18 - Third Friday Firkin Fest (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG to see which delicious brews will be on the hand pumps next to our year-round Chester County Bitter.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Thu. 4/17 - Liquid Hero (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG as one of York's newest breweries makes its Main Line debut.)

@The Trestle Inn, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/23 - Bella Vista Beer Night (7 p.m.-10 p.m.; $PAYG for new drafts coming from Bella Vista and j the audiophile spinning cool mixes.)


Anniversaries/Parties, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/19 - 6th Anniversary Beer Bash (12 p.m.; $PAYG for a day full of frivolity, inside and out.)

@Strangelove's, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/23 - Strangelove's Is Turning One ($PAYG for an extra special draft line up plus the debut of Strangelove's t-shirts for sale to the shirtless masses.)

@Tattooed Mom's, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/19 - Split Thy Skull XIX (1 p.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG for a dozen regional and national barelywines to delight the senses in big, bold, and beautiful ways.)

@Two Stones Pub, Newark, Del.--- Thu. 4/17 - Wild'n Out in Newark (12 p.m.; $PAYG for all the sour and puckering beers we can get into your mouth.)
@Two Stones Pub, Newark, Del.--- Fri. 4/18 - Happy Bday Brookside (12 p.m.; $PAYG for a great party with awesome beers.)


Food and Beer events
@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/22 - Teresa's Travels ($PAYG for beers and foods from Spain.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa.--- Saturdays in April - Parkesburg Brewery Tour (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; $58 for a chartered bus trip to the new Parkesburg brewery, including a behind the scenes look at the brewery, as well as a food and beer component.)



Thursday, April 10, 2014

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 10 - April 16

The tax man cometh. Best to have your malted barley remedies at the ready. Unless you're getting a refund. Then, by all means, celebrate by buying even more beer!

Check out the entire April 2014 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Tastings/Samplings/Freebies and Special One-offs or Debuts
@Iron Hill, Maple Shade, NJ--- Tue. 4/15 - Full Nelson Beer Release (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for the release of this single-hopped American IPA.)
@Iron Hill, Newark, Del.--- Thu. 4/10 - Elvis’s Sideburns Beer Release (5 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for an American-style double IPA and a special live performance from The King himself.)

@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/14 - Happy Hour (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for Summit brewery representative led complimentary tastings and specials on bottle selections.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/11 - Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Ithaca.)

@The Greeks Next Door, Narberth, Pa.--- Fri. 4/11 - Friday Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Heavy Seas.)

@Tröegs, Hershey, Pa.--- Tue. 4/15 - Full Moon Firkin (11 a.m.; $PAYG for a bartop firkin of fun.)


Brewery Promos and "Takeovers"
@Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 - Saucony Creek Night (4 p.m.; $PAYG for a draft list coming soon.)

@Hops Fogelsville Hotel, Fogelsville, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 - Tröegs Tap Takeover (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for a variety of Tröegs beers.)

@Isaac Newton's, Newtown, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 - Tap Take-over with Ithaca Brewing Company (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for all of the beers in the Box of Belgians series on draft including Hopbloem, Fleur de Belgique, Obscurite, and Laissez Faire along with the crowd-pleasing Flower Power IPA, brand new Green Trail Easy-Drinking IPA, and the Ground Break American-Style Saison.)

@Pinocchio's, Media, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 - Duck Rabbit Night (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $PAYG for a lineup of beers from Duck Rabbit.)

@TJ's, Paoli, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 - Allagash Happy Hour (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG for Allagash's Interlude, Curieux, Red Howes, Saison, Odyssey, White Ale, and more TBA.)

@Ulysses Gastropub, Wilmington, Del.--- Wed. 4/16 - Brooklyn Tap Takeover (5 p.m.; $PAYG for vintage and rarities from Brooklyn Brewery.)


Anniversaries/Parties, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Cottman Beverages, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/12 - Craft Beer Expo (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $Free tasting samples, giveaways, and discounts on many craft beers.)

@Forest & Main, Ambler, Pa.--- Sun. 4/13 - 2nd Anniversary Party ($PAYG for bottled beers & heavy hitters on tap for one day only, live bands, festivities, and as always- a few surprises will be in store.)

@Montage Mountain, Scranton, Pa.--- Sat. 4/12 - Beer Geek Festival (3 p.m.-7 p.m.; $40 for over 100 specialty craft brews for your tasting pleasure and cuisine from the best restaurants in our region. Portions of festival proceeds will benefit Marley’s Mission.)


Food and Beer events
@Brü Craft & Wurst, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/11 - Saison Launch (4 p.m.; $PAYG to try our newly-released Saison along with some other Yards favorites.)

@Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Thu. 4/10 and Fri. 4/11 - Chef & Brewmaster Pairing Menu (5 p.m.-10 p.m.; $50 for three courses of food served with ESB, Nut Brown Ale, and Pig Iron Porter.)

@Isaac's Pickle Bar, Lancaster, Pa.--- Sat. 4/12 - Saturday Brew Review (3 p.m.-5 p.m.; $25 for a four-course meal featuring Isaac's favorites paired with four brewmaster picks from Ithaca Beer Company.)

@Pickering Creek Inn, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Tue. 4/15 - Minnesotan Comfort Food with Summit Brewery (7 p.m.; $TBA with more details to come.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/15 - Teresa's Travels ($PAYG for beers and foods from Switzerland.)

@Tex Mex Connection, North Wales, Pa.--- Sun. 4/13 - Prism Beer Tasting Event (1 p.m.-4 p.m.; $TBA for four awesome beers from Prism Brewery and four unique tapas style plates from Tex Mex.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Tue. 4/15 - Girls Just Wanna Have Suds (6:30 p.m.; $35 for some of our seasonal favorites like Summer Love, Swing Session Saison, White Monkey, and more, all delightfully paired with some exceptional cheeses.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg, Pa.--- Sat. 4/12 - The Taming Of The Brew (7 p.m.-11 p.m.; $75 for an annual fundraising event that helps BTE continue to offer excellent live theatre and educational programs at affordable prices.)

@Keg & Kitchen, Westmont, NJ--- Mon. 4/14 - Beer School (6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $25-$30 for a class led by Carol Stoudt and her family talking about their fermenting of beer, cheese, and bread.)

@Local 44, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/16 - Beer School (5 p.m.; $PAYG to learn a little something about the beer we love to serve and where 100% of your Beer School donation goes directly to Share Our Strength.)

@Philly Beer School, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/11 - Beer School UK (7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $47.97 to taste and learn about the essential beer styles of the UK.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa.--- Saturdays in April - Parkesburg Brewery Tour (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; $58 for a chartered bus trip to the new Parkesburg brewery, including a behind the scenes look at the brewery, as well as a food and beer component.)



Thursday, April 03, 2014

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 3 - April 9

April's off to a blazing start here with the following sampling of beer events for your pleasure. Baseball's back and depending upon your rooting interests, that could be a very good thing. For the Phillies fans (sorry, I won't do "Phans". Oops, just did.), there are a few scattered events around the region that'll give you perfect opportunities to see what the Phillies have in store for you this year while putting back a few great local beers.

Check out the entire April 2014 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Tastings/Samplings/Freebies and Special One-offs or Debuts
@all ten Iron Hill locations in Del., NJ, and Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Phightin’ Phils Pils Release (11 a.m.; $PAYG for a pint of our newly released Phightin’ Phils Pils with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs.)

@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/7 - Happy Hour (6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for Samuel Smith's brewery representative led complimentary tastings and specials on bottle selections.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Beer Tasting (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Otter Creek.)

@The Greeks Next Door, Narberth, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Friday Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Yards.)

@Washington House, Sellersville, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Erie Beer Tasting (5 p.m.; $PAYG for each of their distinctive brews which is named after a real-life, historical figure from Erie's past.)


Brewery Promos and "Takeovers"
@Brü Craft & Wurst, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/3 - Tröegin It Up (12 p.m.; $PAYG)

@Sly Fox, Phoenixville and Pottstown, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Incubus Friday (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG for the Belgian-style Tripel pours until the keg kicks, usually by 7 p.m.)

@TJ's, Paoli, Pa.--- Thu. 4/3 - Otter Creek Happy Hour (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $PAYG for Otter Creek's Fresh Slice White IPA, Kind Ryed IPA, and Citra Mantra IPL.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - First Friday Firkin (5 p.m.; $PAYG for a firkin of double dry-hopped DirtWolf Double IPA.)


Anniversaries/Parties, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Daniel Boone Homestead, Birdsboro, Pa.--- Sat. 4/5 - Boone's Beerfest (2 p.m.-6 p.m.; $10-$40 for this fundraiser featuring beer, food, live music, and history.)

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/5 and Sun. 4/6 - 6th Anniversary Party ($PAYG for some of our staff's favorite beers along with some special kegs we have been saving to toast the day.)

@Grey Lodge, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/4 - Quad Day ($PAYG to work your quads with Sam Adams Tetravis, Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Quad, Sly Fox Ichor, and Weyerbacher Quad.)

@Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/6 - Real Ale Invitational (12 p.m.-5 p.m.; $20-$65 for a variety of unique flavors from our nation's finest cask ale producers (with a wee bit of help from our friends across the pond) and complementary food and music aplenty.)


Food and Beer events
@Spninerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, Pa.--- Wed. 4/9 - Meet The Brewery (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG to celebrate the new release of Summer Wheat with Jennifer Yuengling, along with Yuengling Light vs Premium, Lord Chesterfield, Traditional Black & Tan, and Porter paired with five courses of food.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/8 - Teresa's Travels ($PAYG for beers and foods from Germany.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Bethlehem Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Thu. 4/3 - Charity Cask Night (5 p.m.; $PAYG as 100% of cask proceeds will be given to Northampton Community College Alumni.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Parkesburg, Pa.--- Saturdays in April - Parkesburg Brewery Tour (11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; $58 for a chartered bus trip to the new Parkesburg brewery, including a behind the scenes look at the brewery, as well as a food and beer component.)