Just Some Guys Having a Beer

The big Presidential Beer Summit (oops President Obama said it's just guys meeting and having a beer) is done and we've all survived. It was interesting to see so many people get worked up for various reasons concerning the White House gathering. The beer fanatics, bloggers, brewers, and brewery owners, along with the rest of America all had a view point on what the the President (Bud Light), the professor (Sam Adams Light), the police officer (Blue Moon) and the Vice President (Buckler, non alcoholic beer) should have in their mugs. Mad over the choice of Bud (that's me), just happy it was beer, upset that it was beer, didn't think drinking was a good idea, yadda, yadda, yadda, were all part of the massive sea of opinions. It was great to see beer cause such a media stir even if the type of beer was of little importance. Better communication and an understanding of others is what we all need to focus on. I think the President got it right. Having a beer and a little conversation is a good way to work out our differences even if we agree to disagree. Cheers!

Your Beer Mr. President

Today is the big, "I'll have a beer to sooth the tension of the nation event". President Obama, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates and Police Sergeant James Crowley will gather at the White House for a beer. The report is that our President will toss back a Bud light, Professor Gates may have a Red Stripe and Sergeant Crowley will hoist a Blue Moon. Some have already voiced their opinion on the President's beer of choice. Those of us who know craft beer are left wondering why? Is Bud suppose to be a link to the common American man? That idea is crap. InBudbev(ABInBev) or whatever they wish to call themselves is a foreign mega cooperation that sucked up Anheuser-Busch adding to its already immense collection of worldly beers. The more you think about it the idea of a Sam Adams makes much more sense. The other beers on the table aren't as bad but they certainly aren't worthy of a toast on the worldwide stage.

I am glad to see the mysterious Kelleigh is effected by this historic clinking of the glasses. Local non profit Global Citizen has even arranged for a special Happy Hour to recognize the event.

Join MLK365 for a drink Thursday, July 30
5:00 p.m -7:00 p.m. at Mace’s Crossing

Join MLK365 for a drink Thursday, July 30, 5-7 p.m. at Mace's Crossing, 1714 Cherry Street (at Ben Franklin Parkway in Center City, Philadelphia) at the same time Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley join President Obama at the White House for a beer. President Obama called this a teachable moment. Let's all learn from it together by having a drink and conversation with someone you may not know, e.g., of another race or class, to get to know one another. For further info- 215.665.2655.

Mace's Crossing

1714 Cherry Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Happy hour specials will include $3 Rolling Rock & Yuengling Lager bottles $4 Domestics & $5 Imports. All over 21 are welcome.

If you head to Mace's Crossing you can probably catch at least one local craft beer on tap. Don't complain that's one more than the President will be having.

Ooh La La Saison!!!

Originally brewed in the winter for summer time drinking this spicy, earthy, fruity and sometimes slightly sweet beer is more popular than ever. I've only recently come around to appreciate the overall complexities of the style. Now when I see a good one I make sure it ends up in my glass.

Whether you are new to the style or have been drinking them for years Thursday (07/30/) at Capone's is the center of the saison universe. The It's Summer & It's Time for Saison event kicks off with a tap time of 11:30am for your lunch time celebration. Following the pattern of most of Matt's weekday events expect the crowd to build after 5pm.

Southampton Cuvee Lafluer

Bruery Hottenroth Berliner Weisse

Bull Frog Raft of Life Grisette Saison

Great Divide Saison

Saison DuPont

Pretty Things Jack D'Or

Heavy Seas Red Sky At Night

Six Points Northern Lights

Avery Karma

Brasserie De Rulles

New Holland Golden Cap Saison

Paul's Saison "Collaboration w/ General Lafayette & Philadelphia Brewing

Bonus: Growlers are welcome

Just in case you were wondering how I got the title for this post.



Yet another reason to laugh at the Rangers.

$$$ Beer $$$

Last Friday I set a personal record. I spent $25 on one bottle of beer. The big twenty five had me walking out of Capone's bottle shop with a 750ml of The Bruery’s Papier (75% oak aged ale & 25% ale aged in bourbon barrels, 14.5% abv). Sure, the cost is nothing earth shattering. I know some of you have spent far more on other bottles. When I typically drop that kind of cash it’s going towards a bottle of bourbon or scotch. Don't get me wrong I am not complaining about the price. I reserved the bottle and went in expecting to kick out that kind of coin. I'm just amazed that I actually did it. As much as I understand great beer and know what it takes to produce a serious beverage, part of me still has it ingrained in the grey matter that beer shouldn't be overly expensive. That pricey stuff is for wine folk to sip on and brag about. Obviously that’s no longer the case.

I've been lucky enough in the past to have a few close encounters with big money beers. However, in most cases it wasn’t my wallet taking the hit. My first taste of Sam Adam's Utopias came courteous of a friend who works for Boston Brewing. He poured it for a select few at his wedding reception. The same friend also sent me a bottle of Westy 12 that now resides in my cellar. A huge thanks Mike!! You’re the best. During Philly Beer Week I shared a bottle of Brooklyn Black Ops (Garrett Oliver was nice enough to sign the bottle) with a friend at Tria. A monstrous thanks to Ed!! Most recently I was even lucky enough to sip the elusive Lost Abbey Angel's Share. Not a bad experience in the bunch. All carry a pretty hefty price tag here in PA but in each case my pocket felt no pain. Now before I am tagged a big time mooch realize that I do take care of those who take care of me. No friendships were harmed over these big cash brews.

After tossing out the cash for such a nice bottle my next delema was who do I drink this with? Who is worthy? Another thought was to cellar it for a few years. As much as I want to keep it cellared, I have a much stronger desire to see it in a glass. With a planned gathering in a few weeks of some good beer friends and our wives I don't think the bottle will go unappreciated. I just hope I have the strength to wait that long to open it. Either way it's beer money well spent.

Varga Wow

They (whoever they are) say that first impressions mean a lot. If that's the case the owners of Varga Bar will have no problem getting customers to slide into this corner hot spot. My introduction was during the release party for Flying Fish Exit 11.

Kelleigh and Rebecca joined me for the evening's beer and food excursion. As we walked up to the corner of tenth and Spruce Varga’s vibe was hard to ignore. Café seating and an open wall that brought the outside in allowed the excitement of the evening to flow beyond the normal four walls. That night the place was packed with a crowd singing the praises of Flying Fish's Exit 11. The release party seemed to have most in a great mood. However even without an event I’m sure the open air dining is a huge draw during the summer months. Sitting at the bar (don't miss the Varga girls overhead), having a beer, and watching life cruise by isn’t a bad way to spend and evening.


One look at the tap handles tells you the place is serious about the beer. 20 taps and two beer engines offered a good mix of craft beers (Stone, Bear Republic, Bells, Russian River, Rogue, Oskar Blues) with a solid focus on the locals (Sly Fox, Flying Fish, Yards,Victory, Dogfish Head). The selection will satisfy most beer hunters. Since the beers turn over quick jump on Twitter to keep up to date with what's currently on tap. Another beer bonus is your liquid happiness doesn't have to end when your evening does. Get a growler fill and you can easily take home your favorites. An option I wish more good beer places offered.

The food experience was as good as the beer choices. Once seated outside Kelleigh and Rebecca shared the clam bake for two and I had the roast pork with broccoli rabe. The clam bake pot was filled with prawns, roasted corn, sausage, potatoes, muscles and clams all swimming in a delicious broth. It was all flavorful and each piece of seafood was cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that I wish there were more in the pot for $36 dollars. Oops my frugal side is coming out. I scored big with the Roasted Pork Sandwich with a side of oh way too addictive fries. The moist pork was piled high and nicely seasoned with the broccoli rabe adding the perfect bitter touch. An accompanying pint of Stone 13th Anniversary Ale made an already great sandwich even better.

Varga Bar pulls together good beer and food in a cool little setting. It's a great addition to the Washington Square area. With Tria only a couple blocks away, a warm summer evening of jumping from corner bar to corner bar for great beer and food pairings is a must.

Hello Ladies !

Quick Pour: General Support, Beasts, Bands and Beers

Help Support the General Lafayette

Leave it to Bryan Kolesar to come up with a great way to lend a helping hand to the General Lafayette. As most of you know by now Chris Leonard (Brewmaster/Proprietor) has announced that the General Lafayette Inn and Brewery is currently experiencing rough financial times (read about it here). If you have had the opportunity to visit the General you already know what a wonderful place it is. Whether you look at it from the historical side or for the great food and beer no one wants this corner of Germantown Pike to go dark. Bryan has put together a Run/Walk/Bike event (12pm) on Sunday 26th that allows all of us to show our support. If you're not the athletic type, no worries, just head to the inn at 1pm for a little food and brew gathering. Bryan has all the details. Check it out at THE BREW LOUNGE.

Also this Weekend

Summer Ale Festival
Where: Philadelphia Zoo
Sat 7/25, 6:30-10:00pm
$50.00 General Admission, $75.00 VIP
Have some beer, taste the food and wave to the bears. Oh My!!!

Battle of the Bands
Where: Stoudt's Brewery
Sat 7/25, 6:00-10:00pm
$30.00
Local brew bands dish out rock & roll for charity.
Drink, eat, listen and be merry!!!

First Taste of Exit 11

My totally unorganized life has me yet again playing catch up. While most of the timely beer bloggers around Philly have long since covered the release of Exit 11, I sat here watching an unfinished post get older and older. Don't look at this information as ancient, consider it nicely aged.

Last week on Wednesday evening (has it been that long?) I made a rare midweek journey to Center City for one of the two Flying Fish Exit 11 release parties. The celebration at Varga started at 7pm and we rolled in fashionably late at 7:30. I'm not sure what a typical Wednesday for Varga looks like but the place was jumpin'. Cafe seating, inside tables and bar stools were all filled with those enjoying Flying Fish's offerings along with the rest of a great beer line-up. After squeezing into a spot at the bar I soon had my first pint of Exit 11.

Bright and hazy yellow in the glass this beer gave off a nice citrus (lemony), bready, wheat aroma. Sweet Apricot and tangerine flavors mix well with the bitter hops. There is also a good bit of breadiness and big wheat flavor that's very Belgian-like. This beer screams summer. As much as I like Hefeweizens and Witbiers the summer American Wheat Ale explosion has won me over. A wheat beer with more hops and less of the traditional spiciness is my warm weather go to brew. Exit 11 runs a very close second to Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale for my top beer of the summer.

Iron Hill in Maple Shade Opens

Big happenings today in Maple Shade NJ. Chris LaPierre and the gang will open the doors to the newest Iron Hill Brewery today at 5pm. This is the eighth Iron Hill to open and the first in NJ.

Jersey beer people it's now time to support your new watering hole. There is no excuse. Finding a place with good beer and eats in Southern Jersey just got a bit easier.

Iron Hill Brewery

124 East Kings Highway

Maple Shade, NJ 08052

Phone: 856-273-0300

There's a Wolverine in My Beer: Michigan Beers at TJ's

TJ's in Paoli is again stirring the pot when it comes to facing off breweries from the same state. Last month California's Ballast Point and Bear Republic went head to head in a taste off. After the night was over Bear Republic stood victorious and those doing the tasting were all the better for the beer showdown. This Saturday the location goes from West Coast to Upper Midwest. It's Michigan's time to represent and the "Wolverine State" (sorry Spartan fans) is in the spotlight.

What they bring to the taps

Dr. Joel from New Holland

Mad Hatter IPA, Imperial Hatter IPA, Brother Jacob Dubbel, Existential Ale, Night Tripper Imperial Stout

Derek from Bells

Oberon, Two Hearted IPA, Kalamazoo Stout, Best Brown Ale, Double Cream Stout

Stockertown's Bernie representing Founders

Pale Ale, Centennial IPA, Curmudgeon Old Ale, Double Trouble DIPA, Imperial Stout

The Michigan fest runs 6pm-12am. PAYG

Exit 11 is on the Map

Today is the big release of Flying Fish Exit 11. The second in the Exit Series is an American Wheat beer made with Columbus, Palisade and Amarillo hops and English ale yeast. The Swift Half and Varga Bar will tap the first kegs for tonight's Release Parties. The festivities happen 7-9pm.

Can't make the party? Head to Capone's tomorrow (7/16) for a Flying Fish celebration.

Kick Off Draft Promo " 1 Prize every Half Hour Prizes are Growler of Exit 11 Draft, Flying Fish T-Shirt, 25oz 1 Bottle of Exit 4 1st ,1 Bottle of Exit 11 2nd Ed. from N.J. Turnpike Exit Series !
One ticket per Draft Purchase from 7pm to 9

Chuck from Flying Fish will be there from 7-9pm and Exit 11 will go on draft at 11:30am.

A Canadian in Limerick

Today head to the Craft Ale House in Limerick for the tapping of Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout.

Founders Breakfast Stout aged in Kentucky whiskey barrels that were also used by a small maple syrup maker. The beer is then aged underground in the town’s local mine. Maple & whiskey soaked wood, Sumatra and Kona coffee beans breakfast stout. Damn. What else can you say?

The bonus is the traditional Founders Breakfast Stout is also on draft so you can sit back, sip and compare. Expect both to go on for lunch.

General Lafayette Say it Ain't So

Just jumped over to read Jack Curtin's Liquid Diet and received some depressing news. Looks like the General Lafayette Inn & Brewery is in some serious financial woes.

From Liquid Diet

The General Lafayette Inn and its Guest House are in jeopardy of closing Stiff competition, limited resources, and the failing economy have contributed to a steady decline in revenues over the past 16 months. While beer sales have remained relatively stable, our food, wine and liquor sales have decreased to the point that we can longer maintain operations. Past due mortgages, property taxes, payroll taxes, and accounts payable to vendors have pushed the General to the precipice.Unless we raise significant funds in the next two months - to get current with our debtors, improve facilities, increase wholesale beer production, and increase our marketing efforts – closure is imminent.

While we have solicited sale of the General, no offers have come – understandable in this economic climate. Any offer we do receive will likely come from a party uninterested in the history of the General. It could become the next Wawa or CVS. Even more likely is that we will face foreclosure, allowing a developer to more easily acquire the properties and demolish the 5th oldest tavern in the country.

The General Lafayette Inn consists of two properties and three buildings. It’s most recent appraisal (2007) valued it at just under $2.2 million. We are a family owned operation. I, Brewmaster Christopher Leonard, am the majority owner. We desperately seek to avoid losing the General Lafayette Inn and the fate that would befall it if we do. So, we are soliciting equity investors to become silent (or not-so-silent) partners in this unique local treasure. Generally speaking, we are offering stock in the General Lafayette Inn for approximately 1% per $10,000. We will consider partners for as little as $5000. You would gain a small piece of history, pride in preserving the past, and a heck of a lot of delicious beer in return.

We are also starting a special “Friends of the General Lafayette Inn Society”. We are looking for up to 150 passionate local beer and/or history lovers with $1000 to invest in our past and good beer future. In return you will receive an annual $275 house account each of the next 5 years. This can be used for any goods or services. We will host an annual members-only event and dedicate the oldest portion of the building to the Society, displaying each member’s name.

In the meantime, know that operations at the General Lafayette Inn will continue as normal. We continue to produce new, innovative beers (look for a kriek soon). We have a new chef, Oliver Munguia. He has made some interesting changes including hand cut fries, house made pickles and has shown an attention to freshness, quality, and consistency that the General has lacked for some time.

Please contact me a

by email or stop in to speak with me, for more details/information.We understand how untraditional and risky this approach is. However, we are steadfast in our belief that the General Lafayette Inn is worth it and willing to do just about anything to protect its future.

Very Truly Yours,

Christopher W. Leonard, Brewmaster/ProprietorGeneral Lafayette Inn & Brewery

I hope Chris is able to financially pull everything together. The closing of the General would be a terrible loss for the area. If you've had the chance to talk with Chris Leonard you know he is passionate about what he does and I am sure he will do everything in his power not to let the doors close.

Remember they aren't down and out yet so head out Germantown Pike and stop in. Check out the brewing facility, soak in the history, have a beer and enjoy some eats. It's well worth it.

Big Basket of Fruit (Beer)

Fruit beer has never excited me. I don't mean fruit Lambics. When it comes to Lambics I definitely have my favorites: kriek, framboise, peach, apricot and others. I prefer tart or sour over sweet but that's even good occasionally. When I say fruit beer I mean flavored ales. These beers typically spring up when the warm weather hits and it's time for something refreshing and trendy. Blueberry had its day and so did strawberry. This year can you say watermelon? Now before anyone says it's a masculine hang-up or that I think these are girly beers, understand that I enjoy Lindemans Kriek and Peche, have tossed back a few Dirty Hoes (Framboise & Hoegaarden) and sipped on a Southern Tier Creme Brulee. I am very secure with what I drink. My past experiences with fruit beer simply haven't left a good impression. Sugary sweet, no real fruit taste, overly bland or the fizzy soda effect, it's all been bleak. That's why I decided to pick a few fruity brews and give them a fair shot.

Mango
"You can not have'a the Mango". "No...yes..no". Some of you will get that. In this case you can have the mango in your beer. Tropical Mango Pale Ale from St. John Brewers in the Virgin Islands is what you might expect from a tropical based brewer. A light crisp ale.

The sweet smell of mango dominates. It leans more towards a syrupy candy mango than a natural fruit aroma. I expected a candy blast but surprisingly the sweetness is more subtitle in the taste. The brewer says it's a "light pale ale with a mango fruit essence". Essence, I think that mean no actual mangos were harmed in the making of this beer. Everything else here comes up bland. It's only slightly hoppy with very little bitterness and not much malt to speak of. Average at best. To fully appreciate this beer a towel spread out on a sandy beach under the Caribbean sun is needed.

Banana
Sticking with tropical fruit this beer comes from a very nontropical place, England. Wells Banana Bread Beer sounds too good too be true. The taste of fresh banana bread from a glass. It's somewhat true.

The banana bread is in the aroma but it's not overpowering. It's a subtle combination of real banana and the candy flavoring. The label states that fair trade bananas were used in the brewing. The taste isn't too sweet, so no sugary beer here. The fresh banana is there from start to finish. I even wish the flavor were a little stronger. There's only a hint of hops and a little bitterness comes in at the end. Not bad. It's gimmicky and one of those beers you might get because you want something different (or you're doing a post on fruit beers). I prefer a good Hefeweizen with esters providing that great banana effect and delivering overall a better beer.

Watermelon
The first time I had watermelon beer was years ago at Boston Beer Works across from Fenway Park. I think it was served with a slice of watermelon on the rim, seeds and all. I don't remember the taste, but I know I didn't think it would catch on. Jump ahead a few years and look what's brewing for the summer. Roy Pitz Brewing and 21st Admendmaent have both hit the area with their melon best. Since my butt hasn't been on a Capone's bar stool in weeks Roy Pitz was out and a can of Hell or High Watermelon was in.

This is definitely a wheat beer. A slight malty, wheat and spice character with a touch of lemon. The taste follows the aroma. Wheaty, lemon a touch of hops then at the end the watermelon comes through. There is some fruit sweetness but it stays light and crisp. Thankfully this is far from a watermelon explosion. H or HW would pair great with an afternoon of grass cutting or as a way to introduce someone to craft beer.

I thought I was done with the fruit beer tasting when Kelleigh pulled this from her beer stash.

Blueberry
Oh those tricky folks over at InbevAB having fun with the Blue Dawg Brewing name. For shame! Wild Blue Blueberry Lager is macro all the way. We have always been taught "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all". So, my words about this beer are few.

Bluish pink, artificial blueberry aroma, alco-pop influenced, candy sweet, boozy swill. A sugar rush, yes. Beer, no.




A taste of Mango

Quick Pours: Summer Santa's Xmas in July

It happens every July the spirit of Christmas visits bars encouraging everyone to partake in those wonderful winter warmers and malty cold weather beers. The holiday spirit hits the area twice on July 10th.

Bridgid's

Christmas is coming on Friday and every Friday until the end of July. Bridgid's will unwrap at least one holiday beer from their winter stash. If you're good Troegs Mad Elf, St. Bernardus Christmas, Delerium Noel, Corsendonk Christmas and others will fill your glass. If you're naughty you'll still get beer but at least be nice to the bartender.

Grey Lodge Pub

North Pole or Northeast? Who can tell when the Christmas beers flow? Scoats plays the role of Santa by delivering us a fine selection of merry ales and yummy treats.

We have been sitting on barrels of Troegs Mad Elf, Rogue Santa’s Private
Reserve, and Corsendonk Xmas Ale since December for this event. Other Xmas
beers are expected in as well. We also plan to have Xmas treats from Hesh's
Bakery for dessert, free with the purchase of any entree.

Happy Holidays!

Words of the Beer Wise

Brewmaster, award winning brewer, certified beer judge, author and blogger Fal Allen is truly beer wise. He's the former brewer at Seattle's Red Hook and Pikes Place breweries, the former GM of Anderson Valley Brewing and current Brewmaster at Archipelago Brewery. Fal, like most of us who take the time to express our love of beer, want people to understand the complexity and beauty of the beverage. As much as the fizzy yellow macro muck makers often only express beer's ability to achieve a low temperature and refresh on a hot day, those in the know understand that it goes far beyond "drinkability". When trying to express those complexities sometimes it's difficult to put the taste experience into words. There have been many times my brain has slipped into freeze mode while trying to review or describe a beer. Oops, are my mental blue mountains showing? On his blog, Brewing in Singapore, Fal has taken the time to compile a great list of taste descriptors that can help any of us who at times are at a loss for words. Why should wine drinkers be the only ones who sound educated when they describe what's in the glass. Here's a partial list, a bit of the ABC's of Fal's beer tasting terms. It will help all of our beer brains grow and get us well beyond "drinkability".

Accessible- A beer that is easy to drink
Acetaldehyde- A green apple aroma or taste. A yeast (or bacteria) by-product. Often a constituent of young beer
Acetic- Aroma or flavor similar to vinegar formed by aerobic bacteria producing acetic acid
Acidic- A beer with a noticeable sense of acidity. In beer where acid is appropriate the acid should not come from excessive aerobic fermentation (producing acetic acid)
Aftertaste- A term for the taste left on the Palate after beer has been swallowed. "Finish" is a synonym.
Aggressive- A beer with pronounced or over the top flavors. The opposite of a beer described as "smooth" or "soft"
Baked- A brewer with a high blood alcohol content that has remained so for too long. Often the result of over-consuming their own products.
Balanced- A beer that incorporates all its main components in a manner where no one single component stands out. This usually refers to a Hop vs. Malt balance of both flavor and aroma.
Banana- Aromas like banana or notes of Bazooka Joe Bubble gum – from Isoamyl acetate; a fermentation by-product
Barnyard- Used to describe the earthy and sometimes vegetal undertones (often with hints of sweat or urine mixed in). These aromas are most common in spontaneously fermented beers. At low levels some beer drinkers may find this appealing, for others it may offend .At higher levels most people find these notes unpleasing (see Farm Yard)
Big- A beer with intense flavor, or that is high in alcohol.
Biscuity- A beer descriptor often associated with malt flavor. It is sense of dried bread, bicuts or crackers in both aroma and flavors.
Caramel- Aromas or flavors of caramel, browned or burnt sugar, toffee.
Carbonated/Carbonation- The amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the beer (usually between 4.5 and 6 grams per liter). This is what gives beer its effervescence. Some common descriptors are spritzy, sprightly, zesty, prickly, gassy, sharp, smooth, creamy, delicate, piquant, champagne-like
Cardboard or Wet Cardboard- Having an aroma of wet cardboard (see papery)
Catty Having an aroma of cat urine – always a flaw in beer (similar to skunky)
Chalky-having a mouthfeel that is powdery dusty, chalky, or of particulate
Chewy- The sense of malt that is tending toward overwhelming on the palate.

Fal Allen's complete list of beer terms here

July 4th Big on Beer

Yeah!!! Today is the biggest beer selling holiday of the year.

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ --

July 4th continues to be the biggest beer-selling holiday of the year, with sales at
supermarkets across the country in 2008 topping 24 million cases during the
holiday period, according to The Nielsen Company. These sales, when combined
with the activities of distributors, retailers, and related industries
nationwide, help support nearly 1.9 million jobs and generate $190 billion to
the U.S. economy annually.

More here

I'm sure lots of those cases, sixes and singles are BudMillerCoorsFizzyYellowBlah but it's good to know that America turns to beer to celebrate it's Independence. Our Founding Fathers would be proud. Today whatever you fill your pint with enjoy it to the fullest. Have a happy 4th.

Working On A Little Sumpin' Sumpin'

I thought summer afternoons off were filled with kicking back, relaxing, sucking up the sunshine (or rain if you live in Philly) and doin' next to nothing. Not so. This week my afternoons are filled with trips to Home Depot, stripping wallpaper, tearing off tile and painting. Kelleigh and I are redoing the upstairs hall bathroom. That's my reason for not posting until today and I'm sticking to it. However, I haven't been solely focused on paint samples and granite counter tops. As usual beer seeped into my thoughts and in the current demo state of the bathroom I'm glad it also made it into my glass.

Lately I've had a thing for everything Lagunitas. We all have our list of favorite breweries and Lagunitas is quickly moving up mine. Their newest limited release A Little Sumpin' Sumpin' Ale caught my eye at Capone's. After talking with Matt and grabbing a couple bottles I headed home where my purchase didn't spend much time in the beer fridge. I fully intended to drink it as I eased back into the bathroom demo. Instead I ended up putting down the tools and concentrating fully on Sumpin' Sumpin'.

After giving it a few minutes to warm Little Sumpin' Sumpin Ale (love the name) has a big aromatic hop hit. Aromas of juicy grapefruit, tangerine and mango all jump out of the glass. Take the time to really smell this beer. As expected the pungent hops rule the flavor: grapefruit, lemon zest, orange and pine. There's also some good caramel malt sweetness to balance out the slight bitter smack. Don't worry once the glass is empty your tongue will still get a healthy dose of bitterness.

Everything about this beer screams IPA but the Laguitus site tosses out the word "wheaty-esque-ish-ness" Maybe an American Pale Wheat Ale? Another Gumballhead? The bottle's label doesn't give any hints and I didn't get much in the way of wheat. If it's a summer wheat ale you want this is going to throw you for a loop. Don't go looking for creamy, yeasty, banana or spice flavors here. Remember it's an American Wheat Ale so think more big, crisp and hoppy. Just forget the catagory name game and buy a case of this limited release while you still can, I am.

Meat, Music and Xmas Brews

Rons Original Bar & Grille in Exton is having a taste of winter in July. Tonight Blues, BBQ and Christmas in July Brews will feature 8 winter/Christmas beers to go along with food from Jimmy's BBQ and blues supplied by AJ Slick and Soul to Soul. Look for beers from Troegs, Brooklyn, Southern Tier, Bell's and many others.