Wheat Beer, Art and a Cigar or Two

Last Saturday the Blue Ox Bistro kick started the summer with the 20 Wheat Beers of Summer Festival. This Saturday South Philadelpia Tap Room follows with their Wheat Beer Fest. About 30 breweries and $3.00 pints of wheaty goodness all day.


Art and beer mix at the GoogleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading, PA. Starting last year the show runs every June and features art work from craft breweries across the country. Think of all the cool, labels, posters, case graphics and web site visuals. Design Drink and Be Merry honors all that creativity. Their beer tasting event will feature some of the breweries featured in the show. Money raised from the beer tasting will go to GoogleWorks After School Arts Program.

Beer Tasting and Fundraiser
Notice: Tickets are selling out, and this event is capped at 150 attendees. Please make sure you call ahead to reserve your tickets! Confirmed Breweries and Distributors presenting beer at this year's tasting:
Atwater Block Brewing Co.
Beer Mart (presenting Lagunitas Brewing Co.)
The Brew Works
Erie Brewing Co.
Legacy Brewing Co.
Raven Beer
River Horse Brewing Co.
Shmaltz
Stoudts Brewing Co.
Troegs Brewing Co.
D.H. Yuengling & Sons
Food sponsors:Jimmy Kramer's World Famous Peanut Bar
Cucina Catering
The "Design, Drink and Be Merry" beer tasting and fundraiser is on
Saturday, June 27th, beginning at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door), and make a great Father's Day present. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $15 each.


I caught Joe Sixpack on WIP radio this afternoon. Between discussions of great outdoor beer spots in Philly and the worthiness of a beer float (a rich dark stout and vanilla ice cream) Mr. Sixpack dropped the word about his Cigar and Microbrew Pairing tomorrow at BnB Cigars in Chestnut Hill. He and BnB's Bernard Scally will guide you through a tasting of great drink and smoke.

A Weekend at BnB Cigars
BnB International Cigars and Accessories
Saturday June 27th from 4PM-8PM don't miss Cigar & Micro Brew Pairings with The Daily News' Joe Six pack, Don Russell and BnB's own Bernard Scally reservation are required for this and there will be a $15 cover.

Quick Pours: Blockley Pourhouse Opens

Friday, 6/26 is the Grand Opening of The Blockley Pourhouse at 38th and Ludlow. They are promising "innovative" pub grub in a "warm relaxed atmosphere". Also expect a great place for live music, "A state of the art sound and lighting system and clear sight lines to the stage will make this one of the areas premiere music venues.", "...there isn't a bad seat in the house". Another positive 24 drafts and the promise of good beer. Very nice!

Back to Back Ballast Point

In my attempt to avoid chasing Sculpin around Philly I've decided to seek out other Ballast Point beers. Hey if Sculpin just happens to make an appearance, so be it.

Teresa's Next Door

Ballast Point Brunch

11am, Sunday, June 28th

This is the big one. Ten Ballast Point beers on tap. I honestly believe there is more B.P. pouring here than anywhere in CA. Only in Philly. For all the barrel heads (wood heads?) like me check out the three limited barrel aged beers on the list. Drink up while you can. You won't see these often.

Abandon Ship Smoked Lager,

Black Marlin Porter,

Yellow Tail (Not the wine!),

Big Eye IPA,

Calico Copper

Dorado Double IPA

Bourbon Barrel Aged Sea Monster Imperial Stout

Bourbon Barrel-aged Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter

Whiskey Barrel Aged Navigator

Sculpin IPA

Craft Ale House

Six Month Celebration

Monday, June 29th

Is it an anniversary if it has only been 6 months? Skip the technicalities and take in the festivities. Live music and great beer are calling.

Big Eye IPA

Dorado Double IPA

Navigator Dopplebock

Wahoo Wheat

Sculpin IPA

and many other great craft beers.

Rare & Obscure Beer in Baltimore

Living in Philly we obviously have an opportunity to attend a multitude of great beer events. It's not often that I am jealous of our neighboring cities in the northeast. However Max's Taphouse in Baltimore has me wishing I could just jump in the car and head south on 95. After reading a post about Max's on Philly Beer Enthusiast (I agree Chuck, it's the best beer bar in Charm City) I wandered over to their site to view the current draft list. The Rare and Obscure Beers Part 2 event caught my eye and I soon felt that jealous tinge. Over the next 3 days, 6/24, 6/25, 6/26, Max's will tap some very intriguing beers. This is a long scroll down.

Allagash Black
Allagash Confluence
Allagash Four
Allagash Hugh Malone
Allagash Interlude
Allash Mussette
Allagash Victor
Allagash Victoria
Avery 13
BFM Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien 2008
BFM Abbaye De Saint Bon Chien 2009
BFM La Cuvree
BFM La Mandragore
BFM La Meule (Cask)
BFM La Torpille
Birra Del Borgo Duchessic
Birra Del Borgo My Antonia
Birra Del Borgo 25 dodici
Birra Del Borgo Rubus /Lamboni
Brouwerij Contreras Valeir Extra
Brouwerij Contreras Valeir Blonde
Brouwerij Contreras Valeir Divers
Brouwerij De Dochter Van de Korenaar Embrasse
Brouwerij De Dochter Van de Korenaar Noblesse
Cantillon Gueuze
Cantillon Iris
Cantillon Rose De Grambrinus
Cassissona
Christoffel Nobel
Christoffel Bier
Christoffel Bok
De Proef Les Duex Brasseurs
De Ranke Noir Dottingnies
De Ranke XX Bitter
Ellezelloise Hercule Stout
Ellezelloise Quintine Blonde
Geants Gouyasse
Geants Urchon
Geants Goliath
Geants Saison Voisin
Grado Palto Kukumerla
Hitachino Classic
Hitachino Espresso Stout
Hitachino Ginger
Hitachino Red Rice
Hitachino XH
Hopfenstark Blanche de l'Emitage
Hopfenstark Ostalgia Blonde
Hopfenstark Postcolonial IPA
Hofsteffen Kuebelbier
Hofsteffen Honigs Bock
Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus Potteloereke
Huisbrouwerij Sint Canarus Triple
JW Lees Harvest Ale 2008
Leifmans Oud Bruin
Nogne O Imperial Stout
Nogne O IPA
Harveistoun Ola Duhba 30 Year (Cask)
Harviestoun Old Duhba 40 Year (Cask)
Mahrs Der Weisse Bock
Piccolo Chiostro
Piccolo Nau Amore
Slaapmustke Triple Night Cap
Slaapmustke Dry Hopped Lager
Stone Russian Imperial Stout 2007
Weissenhoe Bonator
Wintercoat Oatmeal Stout
Please note that available beers may be subject to change, due to shipping issues or events that are uncontrollable by Max's.

If you have business in Baltimore over the next few days consider yourself lucky. If you needed an excuse for a mid week road trip now you have it. The event is 5pm until close each day, it's a cash bar and sample pours are available.

Attack of the Wood @ The Institute's 1st Anniversary

As much as I am a hop head, lately my weakness is for beers from the barrel. Give me oak, whiskey, rum, bourbon, wine I have fallen for the wood aged brews. Last weekend at The Institute's 1 year anniversary gathering tucked into a good list of top beers were some very interesting beers from the wood.

Oh Canada
This was my first opportunity to taste the coveted Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout. This Imperial was aged in Kentucky whiskey barrels that were also used by a maple syrup maker. The deep dark stout has a lot going on. The aroma is full of oak and whiskey with a touch of coffee and molasses. Flavors of toasted malt, whiskey, vanilla, coffee and chocolate make it very complex. Surprisingly the maple was harder to catch and the beer wasn't overly sweet. I feel the Canadian wins over the Breakfast Stout and just edges out Kentucky Breakfast Stout. Here's wishing for the opportunity to taste all three at one sitting. If you see CBS on draft stop everything and get some while you have the chance.

A Pennichuck for Your Thoughts
Until Saturday I was a Pennichuck Brewing virgin. Now I am experienced. That experience came from the Pompier (English Style Barleywine Ale Aged in Jack Daniel's Whiskey Barrels). This beer poured a deep brown with a thin white ring of bubbles. Fruit, malt sweetness and a bit of wood came out in the aroma. The smell suggests the typical sticky sweetness associated with barleywine. Combine that sweetness with whiskey aging and you would expect an overly sweet alcohol bomb. The alcohol is there at 12%, however the super sweet bomb never drops. There is a slight malt sweetness accompanied by an oaky even herbal taste. The wood aging imparts some interesting flavor twists and a mild whiskey character. Pompier means "fireman" in French and Pennichuck is committed to honoring firefighting men and women. I figures that we are all protected from an expected alcohol burn. This big beer delivers a nice warmth and always remains smooth. If you prefer a classic barleywine Pompier isn't it. It is a smooth barleywine sipper that doesn't require a cold day and a warm fire.

Lenny is No Joke

The regular Shmaltz Brewing He'Brew Bittersweet Lenny's R.I.P.A. is a big spicy, malty, citrusy DIPA. Age that on Rye Whiskey barrels and you have a monster of a beer. The aroma is full of big whiskey, malt, oak and vanilla notes. The alcohol is there. Ooooh weeee whiskey! There is no sleeping through this 10% abv sipper. The malt sweetness is balanced well with the bitterness of the hops. I didn't pick up much rye in the flavor. Since I am not a huge rye whiskey drinker I'm not sure how much of that quality comes through. There is no real stickiness but the drinkability does take a hit from the alcohol burn. Even with the burn I really liked this beer. A good dose of DIPA and whiskey aging. Two loves wrapped up in one glass.

Unfortunately time didn't permit me to get to Founders Old Curmudgeon and I only had a small taste of the Southern Tier Cuvee 2. So no reviews for either. I did make sure to dive into the free buffet. The pulled pork and the salad with (I think) blue cheese and pineapple was delicious. If this is an indication of food options to come, the Institute will soon have more than great beer to serve.

Quick Pours: Anniversaries Abound

This past weekend The Institute celebrated their 1 year anniversary. More on that later.


Boulder Brewing is celebrating their 30th Anniversary and Suzanne Woods, here, lets us all know about their special evening at The P.O.P.E tonight.



Tomorrow The Drafting Room debuts their 15 Anniversary Ale.
The Drafting Room 15th Anniversary Ale
Brewed to our specifications by Tröegs Brewing Company
Also featuring on tap: TDR 14th, Nugget Nectar (cask) and A Very Special "Firkin" of TDR 15th
Wednesday, June 24th
6:00pm "Tap Time"

Monk @ Monk's

Where does a Monk go when in Philly? Monk's Cafe of course. Tonight Monk's Cafe is hosting Father Issac of De Koningshoeven Brewery for a meet and greet.

From Monk's Cafe site
Meet Father Isaac, the Prior of Abbey De Koningshoeven in the Netherlands. The Prior is the second in charge of the abbey & is director of the brewery. Father Isaac will be making his first-ever stop in America right here at Monk's Café. Gisj Swinkels, the layman in charge of brewing operations will also be on hand. Don't miss this rare opportunity to meet a Trappiste monk. This is a meet & greet featuring their entire lineup of beers:
Three on draft: 1) Double; 2) Quadrupple; & 3) Witte
Four in bottles: 1) Bock; 2) Double; 3) Triple; & 4) Quad

Don't Forget Dad. Happy Father's Day

Dad's big day may not get all the fanfare that Mom's day does but that's no reason to forget the guy who kicked you in the butt when you needed it, covered your ass more than once, taught you the important aspects of life and tossed you a buck or two every now and then. How about this Sunday when you kick back and have a few with dear old dad, you make it extra special and remember to pick up the tab. Cheers!

Happy Father's Day

The Institute Celebrates a Year

The beauty of a good beer establishment celebrating an anniversary is that we get the gift of great beer. This is the case on Saturday at The Institute. It's their One Year Anniversary Bash & Sort of Hops & Barrel Aged Brews Fest. Charlie and Heather Collazo have brought a great bar experience and craft beer to the corner of 12th and Green. An area of Philadelphia that is often overlooked. If you've never venture off of Spring Garden or Broad on your travels north of Center City you're missing out. Head over Sat afternoon, enjoy some free food, experience the beer and wish Heather and Charlie a happy 1st.

Event Details:Saturday, June 20th starting at 1 pm we're celebrating surviving our first year. Like everything else this year its been quite an adventure. The beers have changed. More of a sloshed fest. Lots of great local brews included in this line up. We have 12 taps so not everything will be on at once.

1. Avery Ale to the Chief

2. Weyerbacher Zotten

3. Rogue Latona

4. Sly Fox Pheonix Pale Ale Firkin

5. Duck Rabbit Brown Ale

6. Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere

7. He'brew Lenny R.I.P.A. Aged in Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey Barrels

8. Pennichuck Pompier Jack Daniels Barrel Aged Barleywine

9. Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout

10. Founders Old Crumudgeon

11. Dogfish Head Midas Touch

12. Avery/RR Collaboration Not Litigation

13. Southern Tier Cuvee 2

14. Victory Mad King

15. Troegs Mad Elf

16. Magic Hat Belgian Chocolate Stout

17. Firkin Yards Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale

Free Buffet from 1pm until 3pm. We'll open the doors at 12:30 but won't be pouring beer until 1pm. The kitchen isn't open yet.

Other Saturday activities

Popped Music Festival

After you have celebrated with Heather and Charlie head over to Northern Liberties to enjoy food, music, fun, beer and more.

20 Wheat Beers of Summer Festival

The Blue Ox Bistro

Whites, Hefeweizens, Wittes, Weisses, Wits take your wheat the way you like it.

$4.00 drafts all day

$4.00 eats all day

1:00pm-12:00am

In the Biergarten

13th Annual Garden State Craft Brewers Festival

Admission: $40.00 (Must be over 21 years old)

Location: Delaware River Waterfront, Camden, NJ

Phone Number: 856-966-1652 x 107 (for tickets)

Harrisburg Brewersfest 09

VIP Session 4-5pm plus entrance to 2nd session, $95.00

Session One 12:00-3:30, SOLD OUT

Session Two 5:00-8:30, SOLD OUT

Faces at the Face Off

After going crazy for the past few days trying to find my camera and an SD card all is in order. As it is with most things it's just better to ask the wife before tearing the house apart. Time to get up to speed.


Last Saturday Ballast Point and Bear Republic squared off at TJ's in Paoli for a little CA beer smackdown. Four beers from each brewery were in the competition. Each beer was listed on the ballot and those who sampled were asked to rate them 1-10. Once the the ballots were collected and the votes tallied the overall winner in a close battle was Bear Republic with 809 points (B.P. 793). Detailed scores here .

The Sculpin was a big winner. No surprise there. Thanks Mr. Kolesar for reminding me I wasn't going to chase this beer around Philly. It's tough to resist this tasty fish. As good as the Sculpin was the Racer 5 on cask is the beer that really left an impression on me.

The 5 (cask) started with big aromatic hops, hops, hops and some caramel sweetness . The fruitiness showed on the first sip. Grapefruit and a bit of lemon with an herbal quality. The smooth and creamy mouth feel was a pleasant surprise. I should of expected that with the lower carbonation. The bitterness was there but it never smacked the mouth. Much more subdued than the bottle or regular draft version. This reminded me why I need to search out cask beers more often.

A bar full of joyous participants were on hand to pass judgement on all the liquid best from California. I'm sure some of the following faces are familiar. My guess is many will return next month when the focus shifts from CA to Michigan.

Beer Bad. Twinkie Good.

I was just over at the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania website catching up on their war against beer in supermarkets and gas stations in PA. Since Wegmans has wiggled through a hole in PA's liquor laws the MBDA of PA is more up in arms than ever. I won't dive too far into all the politics of the matter or try to contemplate what the over all effect of beer sales in supermarkets has on the current beverage landscape. I just love the convenience. What I found interesting was the visual propaganda they are using to support their point of view.

The image of a baby pushing a cart and pulling a six pack lets you know where they stand. Honestly, if the kid didn't have a pacifier I might of thought the MBDA of PA had something against little people buying over sized cans of beer. Not the case. They want to make sure that children aren't subjected to the repugnant act of purchasing beer. EEEEEEEK!!! The horror...the horror! The following points accompanied the image.

• Kids learn from watching their parents and other adults. So what kind of example will it set for children if we allow beer to be sold off the same shelves in supermarkets as cereal, vegetables and fruit? All in the name of convenience?


• Truth be told, Pennsylvania has more restaurants, bars and distributors licensed to sell take-out beer than it has gas stations, drug stores and supermarkets combined. That sounds like convenient access already.


• Take a moment to tell your legislator that you believe that more than 12,000 places to buy take-out beer in Pennsylvania is enough and tell them to say “no” to beer sales in supermarkets where we’ll send a message to kids that beer is just another beverage.

Hmmm, knowing all that how could Wegmans have even considered having a Kick Off the Summer Food and Beer Pairing last Saturday? Read about it here and here. Don't they love the children? Come on MBDA of PA get real. This angle is almost too silly to argue against. It's worse for little Johnny and Mary to watch their parents fill up a cart with overly processed, artificial, unhealthy, high caloric prepackaged junk. Maybe if kids were confronted with the responsibilities of beer earlier they wouldn't treat it like a quest for the ultimate forbidden prize. A mystery only revealed once you're 21 and can legally get wasted and act like an ass. Besides it's not the responsibility of supermarkets to set examples and send proper messages. That one falls on the parents. Somehow I don't think the little ones are destine for alcoholism simply because they watched mom and dad pick up a bomber of Troegs Nugget Nectar after shopping for a liter of Diet Coke. MBDA of PA, it's not the sanctity of the children you're worried about, it's the profit of those you support. Yes you should protect the interests of those you represent but at least create an intelligent argument. If this is the best you can come up with then expect to see more markets trying to follow in Wegmans footsteps.

PENGUINS WIN THE CUP!

I spilled a bit of beer jumping off the edge of my seat and screaming like a lunatic as the clock hit 00:00:00 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. The Pittsburgh Penguins are 2009 Stanley Cup Champions. Well worth a little liquid sacrifice to the hockey gods.

The sacrificial beer was Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly. This big DIPA is sweet from go. Grapefruit and tangerine mixed with caramel and vanilla. The hops weren't as pronounced I'd expect. The oak works great with the style and I'm guessing it helps smooths out the hop sharpness. The noticeable hops are green/grassy and the bitterness is more noticeable towards the finish. The sticky factor is high so you wont forget this beer any time soon. I really enjoyed the effect of the wood and that's what notches it over regular Unearthly.

Now that the hockey season is over I can clear my mind of sports and devote my brain to the beer. Mr. Anonymous I am sure you are ecstatic. Just remember that football season isn't that far off. Go Steelers!!!

Saturday the Beer Choice is Yours

So beer fanatic who are you gettin' with on Saturday? The choice is yours.

Get with Joe?
Edible World Joe Sixpack's Northern Liberties
Don Russell, a/k/a Daily News Beer Reporter Joe Sixpack, will lead a fun tour of the beer scene in Northern Liberties this Saturday. It's part of the "Edible World" series at First Person Arts, whose mission is to promote memoir and documentary arts.
Learn about the neighborhood's long history of beer and brewing while exploring one of the city’s most vibrant tavern scenes. We’ll enjoy great beer and food during an afternoon of tracing the steps of Philadelphia’s original craft brewers.
The tour is this Saturday, June 13, from 2-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 ($140 per couple), which includes ample beer and food samples. Info and tix 267-402-2055 or visit First Person Arts’ website at http://www.firstpersonarts.org/program/edible-world-food-tour

Get with TJ's
Bear Republic/Ballast Point Face Off
Two of the best west coast breweries face off with a head-to-head challenge. Who will be the victor?
6pm-??
On Tap:
Ballast Point Sculpin IPA (No Growlers)
Ballast Point Dorado DIPA (No Growlers-Bombers are available)
Ballast Point Big Eye IPA
Ballast Point Navigator Doppelbock
Ballast Point Wahoo Wheat
Ballast Point Calico Amber
Bear Republic Racer 5 (CASK)
Bear Republic Racer X
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
Bear Republic Heritage
Bear Republic Nor'Cal Pale Ale

Get with Wegmans
Kick off Summer--Beer and Food Pairing
What a great way to start summer! Stop by any of our Wegmans stores in Pennsylvania to taste great beers and easy entertaining foods that complement them. You’ll also be able to talk to regional brewery reps and our own culinary experts!
Date: Saturday, June 13
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Address: All Wegmans Pennsylvania Stores:
Allentown, Bethlehem, Downingtown, Erie, Erie West, Harrisburg, Nazareth, Scranton, State College, Warrington, Wilkes-Barre, and Williamsport.
Located in the Market Café Restaurant.
Cost: Free



Do Da Dippity

Iron City On the Move

The Pittsburgh Channel.com reported that after 148 years Iron City Brewing (formerly Pittsburgh Brewing Company) located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh is relocating. The production facilities are moving 40 miles away to the City Brewing plant in Latrobe, PA. The company's corporate and administrative offices will remain in Pittsburgh. Tim Hickman, company president, cited infrastructure repairs needed at the brewery as a major reason for the move. It's estimated that the necessary repair costs would have totaled over 12 million dollars. Expect the final batch of beer to brew the week of June 22nd.

I have a feeling that the move will do nothing to improve the taste of Iron City. Bad from Pittsburgh or bad from Latrobe. Does it really matter?

More I.C. news here (video)

TribLive Business: Iron City Brewing Moving Operations to Latrobe

Go to Ron's: Blues, Brews & BBQs

Do as I say, not as I do! As much as I heard this growing up it especially applies to tonight's Blues, Brews & BBQs at Ron's Original Bar & Grille in Exton. I'm ashamed to say that I have not been to Ron's and unfortunately it doesn't look like I can make it to tonight's festivities. Don't follow my lame lead. I highly recommend making it there tonight.

Ron's has put together a glorious combination of 10 big beers, food from Jimmy's BBQ and the blues music of John Grecia and Donny Syracuse. I don't know much about the BBQ or the blues band but the beer list is certainly worth the trip.

Pliny the Elder

120 Minute

Avery Samael's

Weyerbacher Heresy

Southern Tier Cuvee #2

Pennichuck Russian Imperial Stout

Allagash Curieux

and more

From the Devil to the Dog: Good Dog

The first half of my Birthday evening was spent deep in hoppy happiness at the Devil's Den. For the later part of the night Kelleigh and I made our way to the Good Dog.

The Good Dog is one of my favorite city bars. From the looks of it, it's easy to believe the place has been part of 15th street forever. The building has been there for years. However, the Good Dog was born only 5 1/2 years ago from the ashes of Frank Clement's Tavern. No fire just a change in owners. You could call GD a gastro-pub (hate that term) I consider it a comfort bar with a bit of an edge. It's the perfect balance of good food, good beer, old school vibe, low light, unique tunes and minimum attitude. A bar dedicated to mans best friend has gotta make you feel good. Of all the things that make the Good Dog great, my evening was most enhanced by the food and beer.

Can you complain about $2 beers?
No and especially not if it's Sly Fox Royal Weisse and Phoenix Pale Ale. The Royal Weisse screams summer. Bananas, cloves, spiciness, touch of lemon and even a slight hop bite. The Phoenix is malty and biscuity with the hops quickly taking over leading to a dry and bitter end. Bonus, with Weisse at 5.4% and Phoenix at 5.25% abv both will allow you to take part in a meaningful conversation or maintain control over that beast of a lawn mower. Since it was Wednesday the half priced can rule applied. That's how you get a $2 can in your hand.

Is a burger this good legal?
I have a few places I head to for a solid burger. Not a fast food burger. A real burger. The Good Dog burger is high on my list. The 3-way flavor combination is heaven. Ground sirloin stuffed with Roquefort cheese and covered with caramelized onions. Add in the mixed sweet potato fries and aioli dipping sauce and it's damn amazing. Nothing better than celebrating a birthday with fingers covered in warm juicy burger goo. Perfect!

Catchin' Some Sculpin and Feelin' Stoopid

Last week I grew a year older and with some debate a bit wiser. When Kelleigh asked where I wanted to spend the evening celebrating the decision was easy. Knowing both of us were in the city after 6pm I figured we should head to Ballast Point Night at Devil's Den for a celebratory taste of Sculpin IPA.

The Devil's Den is one of those great places that I love but never find the time to enjoy. It's the same story with me and most places south of Washington Avenue. When I do get around to exploring South Philly and manage to make it in I always wonder why it took me so long to get back. The place never disappoints. The draft and bottle lists are both exceptional and the only problem is deciding what to order. No problem this time. I came for the Sculpin IPA and the Hop Stoopid was an added bonus.

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid DIPA
I seem to have a weakness for Lagunitas beers. I think my heart resides in Petaluma, CA. Lucky 13, Brown Shugga', Imperial Red, Cappuccino Stout and the series dedicated to Frank Zappa have all won me over. The Hop Stoopid is no different. Poured in a 10oz glass the aroma was sweet fragment hops. Citrus is king here. Grapefruit stands out with touches of orange. The aroma strongly suggests what's in order as far as taste. With one sip a big wall-o-hops came crashing down with smacks of grapefruit and pine. The malt offers decent balance but there is still some lasting bitter stabs to the tongue. The finish is slightly slick and sticky but hop heads rejoice there was no problem moving on to a second one. Highly recommended!

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
Oh the hop fish cometh! This is a beer I have already read (and written) much about. With all the praise swirling around the beer universe was it possible for it to live up to the hype? Is it truly worthy of all the beer geek admiration? Ohhh yeahhh! Now, I don't believe it's the end-all-be-all of beer, but it is a damn fine IPA. From the first sniff it's big floral citrusy hops: grapefruit, tangerine, a little apricot even some pineapple. The aroma makes you think DIPA but the taste is definitely IPA range. The tropical fruit bowl that wows the nose continues in the flavor. However, it's not nearly as pronounced. Don't expect much sweetness. There is only a mild malt presence. The piney hops take over in the end and it finishes on a bitter note. Sculpin has no problem surviving the hype. If you dig the hops and love a big beer do yourself a favor and search it out ASAP!

To the Moon and Back for Beer

On my last trip to Pittsburgh instead of heading to Sharp Edge, Bocktown Beer and Grill or D's Six Pax and Dogz for a quality craft bottle selection I went to the Moon. Specifically Moon Township to the perfectly named Beer Store located above the Trivia Pub on University Blvd. From the outside the place doesn't look promising. The Pabst Blue Ribbon and Bud advertising is almost enough to send a craft beer drinker running in the opposite direction. If it weren't for the main sign promoting over 400 beers you would never expect to find anything beyond the usual thin, yellow fizzy stuff.

Inside the front doors just past the coolers of BudMillerCoors, malt liquor quarts and alcopops is an area devoted to craft beer. Five glass door coolers, step shelves and a three tier center display offer a fairly good selection of bottles. Most were what you would expect including some Belgians and other imports. Nothing overly unique or hard to find. The Beer Store promotes the mix & match six pack but what really separates this bottle shop from most is the option to fill growlers.

The Growler Station has 8 tap handles with only one pouring a macro. On my original stop I had the chance to chat with Frank who was working in the store. He said the growlers were fairly popular with the college crowd although they mostly filled the 64 oz plastic jugs with PBR @ $2.99. Craft fills are $10-$14 and as with the PBR plastic jugs are provided or you can bring your own growler. The Growler Station selection was impressive: Hercules DIPA, Atwater Block Vanilla Java Porter, Blue Point Blueberry Ale, Dogfish 90 Min, Great Lakes Blackout Stout, Hofbrau Hefe Weizen, PBR and what I think was Southern Tier Old Man Winter Ale on the Penn Brewery tap. If plans had me in Pittsburgh longer I would of easily picked something from that lineup. Instead I stopped back to pick up a mix six to take back to Philly.

The Beer Store offers a nice selection in an area west of Pittsburgh that is coming around to craft beer. I'd recommend stopping in not only for beer but for a bit of friendly conversation with the guys. If time allows take a quick walk downstairs to the Triva Pub for a bite and more beer options. The Beer Store along with Sharp Edge (Sewickley) and Bocktown (North Fayette) makes finding good beer in Pittsburgh's western suburbs an easy task.

Just When You Thought It Was Save to Head to the Bar: Sculpin IPA

I tell myself that I wont chase another beer around the city. No more searching out places that are pouring Pliny the Elder or arriving ten minutes before a bar opens only to stand in line waiting for the chance to go elbow to elbow for Pliny the Younger. Nope you wont catch me doin' it again. Please who am I kidding? It's inevitable. If you live around Philly and love great beer you know it's just a matter of time until the next big thing swims up stream.

The big fish has arrived. Sculpin IPA from Ballast Point Brewing is scheduled for a big release this month. It will be interesting to see if this rare IPA can cause the hysteria that Russian River's Elder and Younger do. If hop heads snatching up bottles during it's PA arrival in early May is an indicator expect crowds when it hits the taps. A few places have already reeled it in on draft. How many fish references can I get out of this? Capone's did theirs over Memorial Day weekend (damn, missed it). No worries. Plenty more to catch.

Wed June 3rd

Ballast Point Night @ Devil's Den

7-9pm

Sculpin IPA, Wahoo Wheat, Abandon Ship Smoked Lager, Calico Amber & Black Marlin Porter.

Sat June 13th

Ballast Point/Bear Republic Face Off @ TJ's

6pm-?

Ballast Point: Sculpin IPA (No Growlers), Dorado DIPA (No Growlers), Big Eye IPA, Navigator Doppelbock, Wahoo Wheat, Calico Amber

Bear Republic: Racer 5 (CASK), Racer X DIPA, Hop Rod Rye, Heritage Scotch Ale

Tues June 16th

Sculpin in Your Mouth @ 1601 Cafe

5pm-?

Sculpin IPA, Big Eye IPA, Navigator Dopplebock and Dorado Double IPA.

Sat June 20th

One Year Anniversary Bash and Hop Fest @ The Institute

1pm-?

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
BeerVally Black Flag Imperial Stout
He'Brew R.I.P.A. aged in freaking Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey Barrels.
Yards ESA Firkin Dry Hopped with something good
12% Imports Tournay Blonde
Voodoo whatever Matt gives us. Do you really care? Its Voodoo!
Victory Mad King
Doc's Framboise
Boulder 30th annivesary Flashback Brown Ale( hoppy brown ale)
Rogue Latona Strong Ale
Wyerbacher Zotten Hopped Up Belgian Pale Ale
Something from Founders

more to come.....