Tap List at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 5/9/08

What's on tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA as of 5/9/2008?

Atwater Block Pilsner
Ballast Point Big Eye IPA
Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter
Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat
Ballast Point Yellowtail Pale Ale
Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale
Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale
Brooklyner-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse
Schneider-Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse
North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner
Stoudt's Smooth Hoperator
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Pêche
Amstel Light

Tap List at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 4/25/08

What's on tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA as of 4/25/2008?

Boulder Sweaty Betty
Dock Street Bohemian Pils
Great Divide Titan IPA
Legacy Euphoria
Scaldis/Bush Noël
Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Sly Fox Ichor
Victory Baltic Thunder
Victory Hop Devil
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

It's ironical, ain't?

On my way to check out Ortino's Friday frivolity and I got sidetracked by a little late-Friday curve ball at work and rush hour madness around Phoenixville. Now I'm set back an hour, and there's no way I can justify the drive to Zieglerville to spend, like, only 15 minutes on beers like Tiny Pliny, Perkuno Metata, Stone's Throw, and Dirty Ol'.

I guess my frustration got the better of me, because I drove right on by Sly Fox and Iron Hill in Phoenixville when I decided that I was bagging the Ortino's trip and heading home. I'm counting on some of these fine brews to still be available tomorrow and perhaps I can make me a Sunday afternoon diversion.

But, in the meantime, I'd found those aforementioned ironies in the form of two smaller beers at Exton Beverage and The Drafting Room. Patrick Mullin (fka The Drafting Room's beer guy) paired up with EB's Greg Ramirez on this splendid Friday afternoon and was pouring and spreading the good word of Sierra Nevada. The Pale Ale was flowing, of course, but the Summerfest also made appearance fresh from the bottling line. I liked the Summerfest Lager so much (even better than the Pale Ale...must have been the almost-unseasonably warm weather) that I bought a case of it...$29.99...this message was brought to you by the fine folks at Exton Beverage and Sierra Nevada!

(would you prefer a better lit picture?)

Seriously, though, at 5% ABV, it's just pushing its sessionability but in an oh-so-refreshing way. The advertised 32 IBUs are just enough to get your attention with the soft finesse of the Saaz hops. Such a good drinker that it became my lawnmower/hockey/lawnmower beer today. They've been doing this beer for quite a few years, but this, to the best of my recollection, is my first taste of it. The bar's been set for my favorite new summer beer of 2008.

Speaking of The Drafting Room, it'd been at least a few weeks since I'd stopped in (and thanks to Heather for making special notice of my absence). In the spirit of supplying an updated tap list to all of you fine folks and, uh, rehydrating in the couple of miles that it'd been since I left Exton Beverage, I stopped in to find another close-to-session beer in Lakefront's White. Just a 10-ouncer, though if I had known I was canceling my trip north, I'd have gone for a second or at least a full pint. A real nice crisp and to-the-point Belgian wit-style. Though just a bit thin, it helped to accentuate the tart flavors and make it an easy, refreshing drinker.

So, in the end, no big beers for me. Just a couple of real pleasant finds before we were off to Union Barrel Works' 1st Anniversary Party in Reamstown, PA. More on that later.

Tap List at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 4/18/08

What's on line as of 4/18/2008?

Lakefront White
Legacy Euphoria
Peak Organic Pale Ale
Rogue Black Brutal Bitter (John Locker Stock series)
Sierra Nevada ESB
Sierra Nevada Torpedo
Smuttynose IPA
Victory V-12
Weyerbacher Heresy
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

Tap List at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 3/31/08

Thanks to CaskAleKev for the heads-up on the tap list this week.

What's on line as of 3/31/2008?

Avery Maharaja
Brooklyn Brewery Brewmaster's Reserve Extra Brune
Fuller's ESB
Otter Creek Sea Otter Baltic Porter
Sierra Nevada ESB
Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Victory St. Boisterous
Weyerbacher Heresy
Yards Philly Pale Ale
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Pomme
Amstel Light

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 3/21/08

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 3/21/2008?

Allagash Grand Cru
Avery Maharaja
Harpoon Firth of Fourth Scottish Ale
Philadelphia Brewing Kenzinger
Rogue Double Dead Guy
Speakeasy Big Daddy
St. Bernardus 12
Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Victory Abbey 6
Weihenstephaner Vitus Weizenbock
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 2/28/08

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 2/28/2008?

Allgäuer Büble Bier
Boulder Mojo Risin'
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Dogfish Indian Brown
Left Hand Oak-aged Widdershins
Rogue Charlie 1981
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot [2007]
Victory Scarlet Fire
Wyder's Apple Cider
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 2/7/08

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 2/7/2008?

Boulder Obovoid
General Lafayette Winterfest
Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball
Rogue Brewer
Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale [2006]
Sierra Nevada Schwarz
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot [2006]
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot [2007]
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot [2008]
Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Pomme
Amstel Light

The Thunder Finally Rolls at The Drafting Room : 1/5/08

The Tale of Two Beers. Maybe that's what this past Saturday should have been called at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA. There was the Perkuno's Hammer that some were tasting for the first time and describing as having a pleasant fruit tartness to it. Huh?! Then, there was the originally intended Perkuno's Hammer that many have tasted before which was not available on Saturday. It was, fortunately, available with my dinner at home the prior night from a 12-ounce bottle. It had kept perfectly well and was only slightly diminished in overall flavor and fullness. Luckily for me, I've still got another 5 bottles from that same case.

But it was the Baltic Thunder from Victory Brewing that lured most people to TDR on Saturday. Victory's rebirth (or perhaps better stated...recrafting) of the Perkuno's Hammer from the now-defunct Heavyweight Brewing (formerly of Ocean Township, NJ) was delayed for months for reasons ranging from legal to packaging problems. Patrick Mullin, über Suburban Beer Guy that he is, had been given the courtesy of hosting the event at TDR.

Now, in the final twist to this new beer's quirky legacy, Patrick had his last day of work at TDR on December 31st. But, that didn't stop him from dropping in for a couple of hours before heading off to his new employer's, Sierra Nevada, company meeting. With tap handles in tow, it almost looked as if he'd never left, helping with some of the setup. But, before long he had beer glass securely in hand and looked just like the rest of us. Even laughing with Jack Curtin, what a sight!


Unfortunately, anyone heading to TDR looking for a Baltic Thunder vs. Perkuno's Hammer showdown left disappointed. Unfortunately, the Hammer's kegged beer had turned and only left a sharp, sour taste which I'd mentioned above that some people actually enjoyed. I suppose my expectation for what the beer should taste like (rather, did taste like a year or two ago) was skewing my preference. Across the room, several pints were returned while others grinned and beared it. The same could be said for the Baltus O.V.S. whose time had also passed. Though, in my opinion, if one beer was more suited to the sourness, it was the Baltus.

The Heavyweight beer for whom the light was still shining was the Lunacy. And, oh how happy I was, for this was the first Heavyweight beer to show me Tom Baker's brewing magic back in the early 00's.


Uh, back to the Thunder. I seem to be jumping around quite a bit here, eh? Well, to me the Thunder was just nicely done. It wasn't a big wow beer, but then, my hopes weren't set that high. Considering the time in the tank, the blending that they had done, and the promise that this would not be Perkuno's Hammer #2, I was figuring it would be a quaffable, yet flavorful and interesting, beer. Just not an overly complex or boo-ya beer. Of course, this could change with the next batch, and I do expect it to be a tad bigger and livelier. But, some around the room could be heard poo-pooing the current version. C'mon now, does everything have to have the impact of wasabi paste? Does sushi really have to be drowned in soy and wasabi to make it enjoyable? (Actually, that sorta reminds me of a Pete Brown article from a few days ago.)

So, what else....what else? How about the Scaldis Noel and the Bear Republic Racer 5? In a draft list that included all of the Victory and Heavyweight treats, and more delights in the bottle (Jackeldricka, Biere de Garde, Black Ocean, and Slice of Bread), I guess it wasn't so difficult to overlook the Scaldis and the Racer 5. Normally, either could easily be the first choice off a draft list. (Oh wait, when we arrived and the specials weren't flowing yet, I did have a Racer 5 and it was just right!) So when a glass of Scaldis was presented to me in my last minutes before leaving, it was a fitting and wonderful conclusion to the day.


Tom and Peggy arrived not long before I was heading out so I only had a few brief words with them. And, a picture snapped by everyone's buddy Richard. I guess this calls for a visit to West Mount Airy in the coming weeks to see how things are going at Tom's newest project, Earth Bread & Brewery. How nice it would be to see the construction come along quickly enough to be serving some beer during Philly Beer Week. Seems optimistic, but let's keep our fingers crossed...

Of Liquid Diet Riddles

9-2=7 ... What was Victory involved in that used the number 7? 7 grains, 7 hops, 7 yeasts, 7 fermentations, 7 days and nights? 7 has always been a magic number, but in this case it was none of the above. But, what I do recall after fishing through old issues of Ale Street News and Mid Atlantic Brewing News follows below.

7 Threads Symposium Ale was a blended porter made with Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale, Flying Fish Porter, Independence Brewpub Oatmeal Stout, Iron Hill Pig Iron Porter, Nodding Head Grog, Stoudt's Fat Dog Stout, Victory Storm King Stout & Yards India Pale Ale. At 6.8% ABV & 50 IBUs, it was blended and bottled at Stoudt's Brewery to commemorate the Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia April 13-16, 2005.

Is 7-Threads the answer to Jack's question? We'll see, come this Saturday at The Drafting Room.

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 12/31/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 12/31/2007?

Harpoon Winter Warmer
Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale
Radeberger Pilsner
Scaldis/Bush Noël
Southern Tier Choklat (LIQUID CHOCOLATE!!)
Stegmaier Holiday Warmer
Tröegs Nugget Nectar
Tröegs/The Drafting Room's 13th Anniversary Lager
Victory Braumeister Pils
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Wild Goose Snow Goose
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Pêche
Amstel Light

The Drafting Room & Patrick Mullin

Even when head beer guy, Patrick Mullin, announces that he's leaving The Drafting Room, the story still manages to involve Baltic Thunder. As Jack points out, the Baltic Thunder is the story that keeps on giving. While the unveiling of the Perkuno's Hammer remake was Patrick's baby, he won't be around on the big day.

With all that Patrick has done for better beer in the region, and specifically northern Chester County, he should quickly become a valuable part of the Sierra Nevada team. It will be different, with The Drafting Room being one of the best and closest beer bars to my house, to walk in there and not see Patrick come out from the back or down the stairs with his trademark greeting. But, on the other hand, we will be seeing him during more "typical" waking hours and be sitting on this side of the bar with him.

I'm sure that I speak for most of us when I wish him and Tracy all the best in this next chapter of their life.

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 12/26/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 12/26/2007?

Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter
Brouwerij De Proef Cuvee Angelique
Brouwerij De Ranke XX Bitter
Dock Street Rye IPA
Harpoon Winter Warmer
Oskar Blues Old Chub
Peak Organic Nut Brown Ale
Southern Tier Gemini
Tröegs Mad Elf
Tröegs Nugget Nectar (cask)...oops, we kicked this one!
Victory Hop Devil
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Pêche
Amstel Light

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 12/18/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 12/18/2007?

Anchor Christmas Ale
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Brouwerij De Ranke XX Bitter
Left Hand Snowbound Ale
Oskar Blues Old Chub
Rogue Santa's Private Reserve
Rogue Imperial Porter
Smuttynose Winter Ale
St. Feuillien Cuvée De Noël
Tröegs Mad Elf
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

A Little Birdie Told Me....

...that there's only one place to be on January 5th. The birdie told someone else first (would you expect anything less). Doesn't matter...we've all pleaded, complained, even maybe cried a little to think that maybe the Baltic Thunder (see: the history) was all just a cruel hoax. But, alas, no more. Put Exton, PA in your crosshairs and get the New Year started right.

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 12/8/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 12/8/2007?

Sly Fox Christmas Ale
Victory Hop Wallop
Pyramid Snow Cap
Rogue Hop Heaven
Anderson Valley Winter Solstice
Corsendonk Christmas
Clipper City/Heavy Seas Winter Storm Category 5 Ale
Wild Goose Snow Goose
Scaldis/Bush Noël
Brouwerij De Ranke XX Bitter
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Lindemans Framboise
Amstel Light

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 11/18/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 11/18/2007?

Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Tröegs Dead Reckoning Porter (cask)
Lindemans Pomme (cask)
Amstel Light
Lost Coast Winterbraun
Bell's Best Brown
Left Hand Smoked Jumper Porter
Left Hand Goosinator Doppelbock (editorial: holy "smoke")
Legacy Hoptimus Prime
Fort Collins Big Shot Brown
Weyerbacher R&R
Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux

No Hop Shortage at The Drafting Room

Guess no one told Sierra Nevada that there was due to be a hop supply shortfall over the next few years. Tommy Gannon and crew dropped in on The Drafting Room last night spreading good cheers and plenty of this year's Celebration. They'll be doing it again tonight at TJ's Everyday, in Paoli, PA.

Plan to spend a few hours at The Drafting Room during the next week and get your hop fix on. It's hard to choose between the Harvest, the Celebration, and the Anniversary (especially, the Anniversary), so why not order up some food and a 10 ouncer of each?

What's On Tap at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA - 11/1/07

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA has a decent web presence and quite a huge reputation preceding them. Their beer turns over quite quickly. So, in the spirit of service, whenever I get to The Drafting Room, I'll post the current tap list.

What's on line as of 11/1/2007?

Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale [2006]
Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale [2007]
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale [2006]
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale [2007]
Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale [2007]
Sly Fox Target IPA
Arcadia Jaw Jacker
Legacy Midnight Wit
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Victory Hop Devil (cask)
Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout
Lindemans Pomme
Amstel Light
Breckenridge 471 Double IPA
Brouwerij Strubbe Ichtegem Grand Cru
Lost Coast Double Trouble IPA

Last Call (in a manner of speaking)

I'm joining Jack on the wagon (at least for this week) as I come down the home stretch for next Sunday's Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. Figured my last beers should be of noteworthy quality. Therefore, where better to do this than at the Exton outpost of The Drafting Room?

In lieu of yesterday's originally scheduled Baltic Thunder event, Patrick pulled out a handful of goodies from the cellar to keep the rowdies satiated. I'd say he brought up his end of the deal. When I arrived later in the evening, there was still plenty of Pliny still remaining.

So, it was a Pliny, Gonzo, and R&R to send me off on my dry week. Not a bad way to go, if I do say so. The next decision will be how to reintroduce my palate to the wonderful world of barley, hops, and yeast.