The Path To Philly Beer Week 2008 - A Profile of Sly Fox Brewing Company

PHILLY BEER WEEK INDEX @ THE BREW LOUNGE

If the size of Victory and Stoudt's seem to steal attention in Philadelphia's brewing scene, they better look out because Sly Fox will be right there with them soon. The past five years or so have been very good for Sly Fox's business model. They've added another location, upped their bottling (canning too) and kegging capacity, and expanded their distribution footprint to new markets.

I've heard certain "XtremeHeads" say that Sly Fox standard beers are not all that interesting. While taste is certainly subjective, what cannot be argued is that the standard lineup of Sly Fox beers are all very well done. But, if that's still not enough for you, then check out the Black Raspberry Reserve, Dunkel Lager, Ichor Quad, Instigator Doppelbock, Odyssey IPA, Renard D'or, or Oatmeal Stout (just to name a few of the "specialties") and then tell me what you think of Sly Fox. Many watering holes around the Delaware Valley, in fact, think so highly of the O'Reilly's Stout that it's not uncommon to hear how Brian's beautiful creation has replaced the mighty Guinness.

Through Brian's reputation and friends in the industry, Sly Fox also has the business of doing specialty bottling for Southampton (NY) and Brewer's Art (MD). The great beer, events, and people of Sly Fox all make for a winning combination that should not be missed when in the Philadelphia area.

As you ready yourself for Philly Beer Week 2008, study up on some background notes on Sly Fox and consider yourself lucky to be part of such a vibrant and rich beer region that PBW 2008 will celebrate.

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Name: Sly Fox Brewing Company
Location 1: 519 Kimberton Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 Phone: 610-935-4540
Location 2: 312 North Lewis Rd, Royersford, PA 19468 Phone: 610-948-8088

People

John & Pete Giannopoulos; founders & owners

Brian O'Reilly; head brewmaster

Tim Ohst; brewing operations manager

Major Brands

Helles Golden Lager, O'Reilly's Stout, Phoenix Pale Ale, Pikeland Pils, Royal Weisse, Route 113 IPA, Saison Vos

Awards

Christmas Ale

Grand Champion, US Beer Tasting Championships Winter 2006

French Creek Helles

Bronze, GABF 2002

Instigator (German-Style Strong Bock)

Bronze, GABF 2007

Pikeland Pils

Gold, GABF 2007

Bronze, GABF 2003

Distribution

PA, NY, NJ

Production

Roughly 4,500 bbls in 2007

History & Tidbits

Phoenixville location (10-bbl) opened in December 1995

Aunts, Uncles, Brothers, Sisters all involved in the planning, designing, financing, and opening of the business

The name gives a nod to the local fox hunting traditions of Chester County, PA

Well-travelled brewer Bill Moore passed through the brewhouse

O'Reilly, winning awards at New Road Brew House and formerly of John Harvard's in Cleveland and Brewers Bier Haus in New Hampshire, has been at the helm since 2002

Royersford location (20-bbl) opened in November 2004

Canning line went operational at Royersford location in 2006

Major Yearly Events

Robbie Burns Birthday Bash (January)

Bock Festival & Goat Race (May)

IPA Project (December)

Golf Tournament for charity

Where to Find Sly Fox During Philly Beer Week

O'Reilly and William Reed (owner of Standard Tap) kickoff Philly Beer Week by pairing up in the brewhouse for a special PBW brew, available at Standard Tap on 3/7 at the 6pm kickoff

Pikeland Pils is one of Joe Sixpack's favorites and will be featured on the 7th at his event

Will be pairing their beer with food at The Brewer's Plate at the Independence Visitor's Center on Sunday the 9th

Sales Lass, Suzanne Woods, will be co-hosting Beer Trivia at Triumph in Old City on Monday the 10th

A keg of Sly Fox (Seamus Red Ale) will pop up during the Brewers Self-Guided Pub Crawl on 3/12 at Devil's Alley

The GABF medal winners, Instigator and Pikeland Pils, will be honored/tasted at the White Dog Dinner on 3/13

Sly Fox will be included in Lew Bryson's Pilsner Gala on 3/13

A Sly Fox cask beauty will show up at the cask event, scheduled to be held at Triumph on 3/16

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PHILLY BEER WEEK INDEX @ THE BREW LOUNGE