Bear Spotted in the Burbs

Bear Republic is now in PA!!! I read about this last week on the Beer Yard site. As reported Stockertown Beverage Co, a Lehigh Valley wholesaler, is putting the beer on the taps and shelves of bars and restaurants all around Philadelphia. Bear Republic Brewing Co, located in Sonoma County California, is known for well balanced hoppy ales. Expect to see Red Rocket Ale, Hop Rod Rye, Big Bear Stout Ale, XP Pale Ale and Racer 5 IPA. The later I first had while on a weekend trip to Washington D.C.. I was in a Whole Foods market and came across a display of Racer 5. I puchased two bottles and after trying it was hooked. Before heading home I made sure to grab several bottles to enjoy back in Philly. Now you no longer need to take a road trip down I-95 to quench your thirst, it's just a quick local trek to put a pint of Bear Republic's best in your hand. On a journey out to the burbs I found Racer 5 on tap at Capone's in Norristown and Red Rocket Ale at TJ's Everyday in Paoli. In Philly look for XP Pale Ale soon at the Grey Lodge in the Northeast. Having Stone, Moylan's, Port Brewing/ Lost Abbey and now Bear Republic in Pennsylvania makes finding a unique ultra hoppy west coast beer easier than ever. Hopefully we can look forward to more California breweries sending their best to the east coast.

Looking Forward to March 08

Philadelphia Beer Week, March 7-16, is fast approaching. Expect a beer lovers fantasy week. Look forward to festivals, events, dinners and more. Check out the link to stay on top of everything.
www.phillybeerweek.org

Also in March on the 1st

The Philly Craft Beer Festival @ The Philadelphia Cruise Terminal. Tickets are on sale now.
http://www.phillycraftbeerfest.com/

March will be a very, very, very good month!!!

Quick Brewery/ Brewpub Update

I stopped by the Dock Street Brewery and Restaurant at 50th and Baltimore Ave on Thursday after work. I hadn't been in for months and wanted to see what was new on tap. Now that it's winter my taste buds crave anything malty and toasty with a little oak mixed in. I just can't get enough of the winter warmer style. Dock Street did not disappoint. I started with the Barley Wine and WOW this is a good one. It's not too sweet on the tongue like so many barley wines are. The lack of sticky sweetness along with a medium mouth feel makes it very drinkable. The taste is of caramel, dark fruit and mild oak. It all finishes with a warm alcohol kick. Respect this one it comes with an ABV of 10.5%. I also had the Cuckoo's Nest Red which is a nice malty red ale. I wanted to try the Golden Stock Ale which is described as, a blonde ale with soft malts, aromatic hops and oak notes, but time and the fact that I had to drive home didn't allow it. Other offerings on tap are Kolsch, Rye IPA and Imperial Oatmeal Stout.

Openings and closings.

John Harvard's in Wayne is down and out. It seems that the company is doing serious down sizing. Earth Bread and Brewery will rise in the Mt. Airy section of Philly sometime near the end of March 08. The owners are Tom Baker and Peggy Zwerver the former owners of the defunct Heavyweight Brewery. A little further from Philly, actually a lot further from Philly, Elk Creek Cafe and Ale Works has opened in Millheim PA. Finally, One Guy Brewing in Berwick should open in the next few weeks.

Happy New Beer or Hoppy New Year!!!

The clock is ticking towards the New Year, so if you still don't have a date or plans for the big night here are a few ideas that incorporate our favorite beverage. Now all you have to do is find a date. Good luck.

Stoudt's Brewing Company
Toast in the New Year with Carol and Ed.
www.stoudtsbeer.com/events_new-years.html

General Lafayette Inn and Brewery
Choose from either a 3 or 5 course pre fixe meal. Includes champagne toast at midnight.
www.generallafayetteinn.com/default.htm

Manayunk Brewery
The Cocktail Party goes from 8pm-12am. Premium 4 hour open bar with BEER, wine and top shelf liquor. Party favors, hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast are included.
www.manayunkbrewery.com/events.php

Johnny Brenda's
Peek-A-Boo-Revue
"Philadelphia's Premiere Neo-Burlesque"
www.johnnybrendas.com/?p=409

Triumph Brewing Company
The party starts at 10pm. The champagne toast is at midnight.
www.triumphbrewing.com/indexfl6.html

Monk's Cafe
Early dinner, 4 courses with beer 6:30pm
Late dinner, 6 courses with beer 9:30pm
This is a food and beer spectacular.
www.ripsneakers.com/monks/

The Grey Lodge Pub
This party has food, drink, noisemakers, a dj and the champagne toast at midnight. It all starts at 9:30pm and rolls until 1am.
www.greylodge.com/index.html

Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats
Dinner in downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE. Two seating times available 6:00pm and 8:15pm.
www.dogfish.com/news/New_Years_Eve_Beer_Dinner!/1029/index.htm

Make sure to check the links for detailed info and availability.

Happy New Year!!!

Beer Break Before the Holiday

As we head into those days just before Christmas take a break from the madness of last minute shopping and stop by one of these upcoming beer events. Cheers!!!

Tues Dec 18th

Tasty Tuesdays At Teresa's Next Door

Enjoy TND's food paired with sample sizes of various beers and/or wines.

124 N. Wayne Ave., Wayne PA
(610) 293-0119

Wed Dec 19th

In Pursuit of Ale's Holiday Bash @ Johnny Brenda's

Everyone is invited to this holiday gathering that supports a great cause and promotes local beer at a very comfortable price. A $13 cover gets you in the door, plus it benefits the National Parkinsons Foundation. Look for $3 pints of Iron Hill, Sly Fox, Troegs, Dock Street and Flying Fish. Along with beer enjoy snacks, raffles and a little Rock-Paper-Scissors. Check the links below for more info.

1201 N. Frankford Ave Philadelphia, PA 215-739-9684

www.johnnybrendas.com/, www.beerlass.com/2007/12/blog-post.html

Fri Dec 21st

Third Friday Firkin Fest: Sly Fox Red Ale @ Pheonixville

This one promises a one time only release of Unspiced Xmas Ale. Just one firkin of this dry hopped brew. The event starts at 12pm and flows to 10pm.

519 Kimberton Rd, PIKELAND VILLAGE SQUARE PHOENIXVILLE, PA 19460

610-935-4540

www.slyfoxbeer.com/index1.asp

Fri Dec 21st

Ithaca Brewing Firkin and More @ Union Jack's Inn on the Monatawny

Ithaca Brewing reps bring out their beer knowledge and of course their beer. Look for Cascazilla DIPA, Winterizer and a mystery brew. Yummy!!!

546 Manatawny Rd, Boyertown, PA 19512

(610) 689-0189

School is in Session

For those of you who thought school was always stressful and found every reason to skip class Tria Cafe has the perfect solution. Sunday School. No not the religious classes you went to as a kid but rather an excellent chance to taste some great beer, wine and cheese. On Sundays Tria selects a beer, wine and cheese and offers it at 1/2 off the regular price. This gives everyone a fantastic opportunity to try something they have never experienced without having to take a deep dive into the wallet. This week's beer selection was De Dolle Oerbier from Diksmuide, Belgium. The commercial description says that it is," ...brewed from no less than 6 malts, uses Poperinge Golding hops and special yeast and is cellared at a constant temperature of 8 degrees Celsius...". All this creates a highly carbonated beer that pours deep red with a complex wine like sweet, tart fruitiness (apples and dark berries). The alcohol weighs in at 9%. I paired this with the cheese of the evening, the Sprout Creek Toussant from Poughkeepsie, NY which was served with crusty sliced bread and Amontillado apples. The De Dolle Oerbier was a perfect compliment to the robust, slightly peppery cheese. Not to forget our wine friends, Kelleigh had a glass of the Meritage Lyeth, 05 from Sonoma, CA. This was also from the Sunday School syllabus. To end the evening I had a beer I can never pass up when I find it on tap, Stone's Double Bastard. This beat out my second choice Victory's Old Horizontal. Wow, it's nice to have choices. Oh did I mention there was also Dogfish 90 minute. Well, whether you stop in on a weekday or take part in Sunday School, Tria Cafe is the perfect place to test your taste buds.

TRIA Rittenhouse Square • 18th & Sansom Streets • 215.972.8742
TRIA Washington Square West • 12th & Spruce Streets • 215.629.9200
http://www.triacafe.com/