Stillwater Artisanal Ales Flow into Philly

What's the natural life progression for someone who has spent past years bouncing around Europe as a music producer and techno DJ? Naturally you head back to Baltimore, start homebrewing and then launch your own brewing venture.  Duh! Brian "Stillwater"  Strumke is living that hard working dream.  He is head of Stillwater Artisanal Ales in Baltimore and is debuting Stateside Saison, an "American Farmhouse Ale", in Philladelphia tomorrow night (3/30) at Devil's Den.  The following discription is from the Stillwater site.

"Stateside Saison pays homage to old world tradition while celebrating new world innovation. Naturally brewed with the finest European malts & fresh aromatic hops from the United States & New Zealand. It’s then fermented using a classic farmhouse ale yeast and bottle conditioned to enhance stability. The outcome is a beer of unique design and exquisite taste, showcasing some of the best attributes of modern-day craft brewing."

Product info: Stateside Saison

Style: Saison, refermentation in bottle

Alcohol Content: 6.8%/vol

Format: 75cl bottle, 20L & ½ bbl kegs

Color: hazy gold; creamy white head

Tasting Notes: white wine, citrus, passionfruit, mild funk, dry, delicate bitterness

Brian launched his Saison in Baltimore last month at Max's Taphouse during their 6th Annual Belgian Fest and earlier this month it hit D.C.. Now we get our chance here in Philly. Next up, NYC along with 750ml bottles hitting the market. From the reviews it seems wise to seek out Stateside Saison. 

Hey amazing things have to come from a guy who took the time to focus on beer while making the rounds in Europe, won the Sam Adams Holiday Homebrew Competition and was smart enough to hang out at The Brewer's Art (so ya know he'll be there for Meet the Brewer/Pint Night 4/1/10) in Baltimore. Whether it's here in Philly or elsewhere make sure to take the time to have a beer from this up and coming brewer.

March 30 Tuesday 

Stillwater @ the Devils Den

7pm-9pm

April 3rd Saturday 

Stillwater @ Isaac Newtons

3-5pm

Hulmeville Inn

7pm-9pm

April 9 Friday

Stillwater @ Craft beer outlet

(time tba)

Grey Lodge Pub

9pm

The Oakquinox @ Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens

Being here in Philly, knowing we are blessed with a remarkable beer scene it's not too often that I get jealous of other cities. Even if something great isn't happening here there is easy access to the northeast.  New York, Baltimore and DC are all close enough for a weekend roadtrip.  Even a jump up to Boston isn't out of the question.That puts a lot of great beer in easy reach.  However when I look at what Stone Brewing is doing next month I'm irritated that I can't just drop everything and head to So Cal.

Check out Stone's Oakquinox: a celebration of barrel aged and wood-infused beers. The draft lineup has me frothing at the mouth. Then to make it even better the bottle list knocks it out of the park. This is the type of  wood head's fantasy day I'd love to see more of here. I know Standard Tap just had Big Wood Weekend during Philly Beer Weekend and a short while back Capone's unleashed some serious barrel aged drafts but the Stone event is at another level. 

For now unless someone is willing to send me to Escondido, CA on April 18th (come on Lee hook a brother up) I'll have to be satisfied lounging on the deck, sipping on something bourbon aged and dreaming of the grand Oakquinox. Cheers!

Buffalo Trace's Warehouse C

Bohemians in the Burbs. Dock Street @ Craft Ale House

Tomorrow night (3/25) some city flavor takes over one of the best beer bars in the burbs.  Craft Ale House welcomes Dock Street Brewing.  Head Brewer Ben Potts and owner Rosemarie Certo will be in house with beer and giveaways.  The bohemian life starts at 6pm.

Dock Street Drafts

RyePA

West of Center Pale Ale

Bubbly Wit

Illuminator Dopplebock

Sexy Beast Belgian Chocolate Stout (Firkin)

Home is Where the Two Hearted is

This past weekend Yards Brewing held it's 3rd annual Philadelphia Real Ale Invitational. While I had intended to make my way into the city work life altered my weekend plans. If anything I'm consistent since I've managed to find a way to miss all the previous years. Even though all didn't go as planned I managed to catch some sun on the deck, get the grill ready and rediscover a beer that I've neglected for far too long.

In my seasonal quest of hop monsters (ooohhh Pliny the Younger & Hop Slam) I've managed to overlook a beer that should never be pushed aside. From the back of the Beer Fridge I brought out a couple bottles of Bell's Two Hearted Ale.

One of my favorite beer experiences is aroma. That first big waft of hops when you pop the cap and pour it into the glass. Two Hearted didn't disappoint in this arena with it's big citrusy hops and floral aroma right from the start. I could spend my time just smelling this beer but we all know that's only half the fun. The upfront taste is a good balance of hop bite and sweetness. If I had never had this I may of expected a bitter rush from the start. Instead there is sweet mix of grapefruit, tangerine and pine then the bitter takes over leading to dry finish. The hop bite that does hit is sharp however not over the top. Overall a very good IPA.

I may not of had the chance to sample the unique cask conditioned ales at Yards but an afternoon in the sun with a couple Two Hearted Ales isn't a bad way to spend the day. This one easily makes it onto my list of favorite IPAs.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Thanks Rob for Stopping In & Offering the Bourbon Black

(Craft Ale House, Rob between Gary and Melissa Fry)

Last week as a ramp up to Beer Week(end) Rob Tod took over the city for the day making the rounds at Jose Pistola's, The Beer Yard, Teresa's Next Door and The Craft Ale House. I managed a quick stop at Teresa's for the cask Curieux but waited for the evening gathering at the Craft Ale House to seriously explore the Allagash draft list.

By the time the Rob Tod caravan rolled in I was surrounded by the Thursday night crew (you know who you are) and well into my first glass of the Bourbon Black. Allagash's Belgian Stout, aged for 10 months in bourbon barrels.

The first thing I noticed about this beer was the balance. Typically I love over the top bourbon/oak aged beers. A solid, boozy smack of bourbon to the taste buds is always fine by me. This is exactly what I didn't get with the Black. The aroma had lead me to believe the bourbon would land front and center dominating everything. Instead it came in subtle showcasing the chocolate, vanilla, fig and biscuit qualities. The burn free, smooth as silk finish at over 9% abv made it a comfortable sipper and a good introduction to bourbon aged beers. If you have the chance I highly recommend slipping into the Bourbon Black.

A shameless excuse to drop in some Pearl Jam.

Craft Beer Express & Erin Express. Lets All Get Along

Good morning. Looks like today we will all be dodging rain drops as we make are way around the city for Philly Beer Weekend. Having a ticket for the Craft Beer Express seems like a very smart investment. Just remember connoisseurs of all beer aged, heavy hopped, soured, barrel conditioned, smoked and made in small batches, you are sharing the city streets with those who find amusement in drinking large amounts of green colored macro junk. The Erin Express will also weave its way through the City of Brotherly Love.

Now if you should cross paths with those clad from head to toe in green resist your first urge to laugh and grumble over their choice in beer. Even if you're smacked with the words beer snob or craft beer geek take the high road. For someday they may journey from the dark side. Or is it the thin watery light side? Then they will realize that Bud Select isn't the pinnacle of American brewing. Hopefully that first taste of Guinness, Murphy's, Beamish, Harp or Bass is the launch pad to real beer appreciation.

Today in an act of solidarity I'll dust off my giant leprechaun hat, dawn the green beads and pour my Sculpin IPA into a colorful oversized plastic mug. I may drink good beer but never, never mistake me for a snob. Cheers!!!

Here's to Beer Weekend!

The Rob Tod Invasion is On!

Rob Tod Founder/Brewer of Allagash Brewery has landed in Philly and is spending his day taking over several of the area's best beer establishments.

It All Starts Here

Noon-2pm

The kick-off happens with brunch and Allagash beers at Jose Pistola's in Center City.

Movin' On

3-5pm

The caravan rolls into The Beer Yard in Wayne for an Allagash tasting.

Strolling Up the Road a Piece

5-7pm

Teresa's Next Door becomes Rob Tod/Allagash central. 14 beers from the brewery including firkins.

(From TND website)

Firkin of Black, Firkin of Curieux, same Curieux batch on Co2 also, Allagash White, Confluence, Double, Triple, FOUR, Interlude, Hugh Malone, Odyssey, Bourbon Black, Victor, and Fluxus '07 (Yarrow)

The Final Leg

8-10pm

The long haul straight out 422 to the Craft Ale House in Limerick. An evening gathering of the craft beer minded. Meet Rob and drink his beer. It's pretty simple. Cheers!

(From CAH website)

Join us tonight with one of America's best breweries, when Rob Tod of Allagash stops by for a visit. Rob will be stopping by around 8pm and we will start putting his following beers on tap around 6pm.White, Dubbel, Triple, Curieux, Interlude and Black aged in a bourbon barrel.We got some fine bottles from there just in case you need a few to take home.Hope to see you here tonight!

And you thought your day was long.

Meeting PhillyBeerGirl

With all the negative energy flowing through the Philly beer universe there is no better time than now for some happy faces splashed across the screen. Last week at Memphis Taproom during Lost Abbey/Port Brewing Night I had the chance to chat with the woman in the above picture. Besides having the ability to brighten up a photo op and make me look good, she knows beer. Helene is a freelance writer and if you're unfamiliar with her views on all things hoppy and malty jump over to PhillyBeerGirl. I stumbled across the blog last year and have since made it a point to regularly check out her reviews. The fact that she has a weakness for big IPAs (her recent top 10) is more reason for me to pay attention to what she is tasting. It's fantastic having another local voice championing the cause of great beer. Helene the next time our paths cross the first one is on me. Cheers!

PLCB BS Piles Higher and Deeper

This is getting worse by the day. The anonymous ass who started this brainless ball rolling downhill better hope he can remain nameless for his own good. We can only hope that in the long run this brings a needed change to a severally archaic PLCB system. Unfortunately it looks like the entire Philly/PA beer scene is going to suffer before any good comes from it.

Consider this; if your a brewer who can sell his product anywhere do you distribute in PA where you have to struggle with legal BS or do you search out a market that doesn't make you jump through hoops? Do you think all those great beer one-offs that we've been so lucky to get here in Philly are going to keep on rolling in? Is it worth the time, effort and cost to a brewer to register every tweaked recipe? Not likely. Hang on the ride through bleak beer times is far from over.

Beer Raid Hits the Tube

What the big beer guys are saying:

Lew Bryson Why The PLCB Should Be Abolished

Jack Curtin Liquid Diet

Don Russell Beer Radar

PLCB BS

The beer community and blogging world are still buzzing about the PLCB raid on Memphis Taproom, Local 44 and Resurrection Ale House. Although everyone has a strong stance it's hard to find many that don't side with Brendan and Leigh. The waste of time, manpower and tax dollars all over unregistered beer is ridiculous. The massive headache created by an anonymous tipster for two people who have been nothing but great for beer in Philly is troubling. Hopefully the wall the pathetic cowards are hiding behind crumbles quickly.

If you haven't heard the entire story check out the article done by Don "Joe Sixpack" Russell and reporter Bob Warner that's in today's Philadelphia Daily News. I guarantee it will make you wonder if the PLCB has any clue at all.

Pliny the Younger: The Good, The Bad and the Upcoming

The Good:

I woke up early last Saturday to a cold, grey overcast day, grabbed a quick breakfast, kissed the mysterious Kelleigh good-bye and headed out. My destination, Capone's restaurant for the unveiling of Russian River's Pliny the Younger. Proclaimed by BA the "Best Beer on the Planet". This is a DIPA most BAers and RBers would smack their mamas to get.

I arrived at Capone's 40 minutes before they were scheduled to open and I was greeted by a line of at least 20 people who were smart enough to wake up earlier than me. By the time the doors unlocked the line had grown to nearly 40 chilled beer souls waiting for their hop fix. Once inside it couldn't have been more orderly. One reason for the lack of beer madness was the brilliant idea to sell tickets for the first beer while people were in line outside and also to have beers already poured. This guarantied that everyone arriving early received at least one glass of Younger. No panicked rush to the bar, no pushing and no flailing arms to get the attention of a stressed out bartender. Very nice.

The Bad:

After a bumper to bumper drive to the city I dropped off the mysterious Kelleigh at work and headed over to Monk's Cafe for Russian River Mad Monday. I arrived early enough to find a metered spot 1/2 a block from the bar, grab a coffee and get in line more than an hour before the event. This time there were only 8 people between me and the "Best Beer on the Planet". A good start, however once the doors opened everything went downhill.

Take note I love Monk's. What Tom Peters , Fergus Carey and crew have accomplished with beer and food is amazing. When I do make it in I expect crowds. No problem. The place is small and more popular than ever. However, with the stir that Pliny the Younger creates a game plan better than opening the door and saying, "have at it" is needed. The crowd quickly filled the entire bar 4 deep and in 40 minutes the Younger was down and out. I know for a fact that several people who were seated just after the doors opened and ordered thought the waitress were S.O.L when it came to getting even 1 Pliny. Maybe the staff were caught off guard by the number of devoted Pliny fans willing to drink on a Monday afternoon. Not likely. Whatever the case next time Monk's please put a little thought to creative crowd control. It seems to work for other places. Anything is better than a complete free-for-all.

The Upcoming:

Mar 3rd

Resurrection Ale House

Noon

When the word went out the first 20 people to respond to the email were invited to come in at 11:30 to drink PtY in peace. At the strike of noon the remaining beer fanatics attack the bar. Also look for hop bombs Pliny the Elder and Hop Stoopid.

Mar 4th

The Bishop's Collar

5:00pm

First come first serve. Get it if you can.

Mar 5th

Memphis Taproom

11:30am

Much like the set up for Resurrection. After the devoted emailers get theirs at 11:00 the doors open and the PtY madness ensues.

Mar 12th

Sidecar Bar & Grille

The Younger is just one of many great IPA/DIPAs being offered this weekend during IPAs Greatest Hits.

Thanks Bryan for catching that one.

Mar 13th

Tria (Rittenhouse & Washington Square)

Noon

First come first serve.

Mar 20th

Tj's

4pm tap time

Get there at 2pm to get a ticket and return at 4pm for your beer. 1 PtY per person. Expect an amazing draft list.

April 3rd

Union Jack's on the Manatawny

Noon

It's Easter HopFest time. Hop fanatics rejoice this is your promised land.

Tomme, Lost Abbey, Port Brewing @ Memphis

Ok it's official Philadelphia is a great place for beer. How did I come up with this grand revelation of the obvious? Looking back on last week's beer activity, realizing what's going on this week and focusing on the events for March makes it clearer than ever. I'll say it again; it not Beer Week and the wow factor is in effect.

Time to catch up. Last week started off with a visit to Memphis Taproom. Tomme Arthur, in town for a dinner event at Monks Cafe, took time for a Meet the Brewer Night. The taps had an impressive mix of Lost Abbey and Port Brewing offerings. Mongo DIPA, Shark Attack, Red Poppy, Serpent Stout, and Older Viscosity were just a few of the drafts available. At the bar we were even greeted by Brendan who offer up a complimentary bottle of Carnevale to share. A huge thanks for that one.

Even with so many draft options my mission for the evening was to finally have the Older Viscosity. For whatever reason I've always missed the chance to taste this massive barrel aged beer. In preparation I started my evening with the wonderfully bitter hop rush of Mongo, moved on to the perfectly balanced sour Red Poppy and once settled in moved on to the amazing Older V.

As much as I love a big bitter DIPA and have learned the ways of the sours, right now my beer soaked heart belongs to barrel aged beers. The Older Viscosity had me from first sniff. Wow, a boozy blend of molasses, coffee, bourbon and even hints of chocolate. This easily falls into my category of beers I'd happily smell for hours. However why just smell something this wonderful? The taste matches the aroma for intensity. Think bourbon soaked raisins and toffee. The booze factor is there creating some warmth but it never became overpowering or unpleasant. Smooth all the way. The only thing stopping me from having another was understanding the drive in front of me. This beer is not to be missed.

Just so you know

If this post has tempted you in any way to seek out the beers mentioned you're in luck. Teresa's Next Door is holding a Tomme Arthur Day Saturday March 6th. 11:00-11:00pm, PAYG.

Planned Drafts

Angel's Share

Older Viscosity

Red Barn

Devotion

Ten Commandments

Santa's Helper

Gift of Magi

Hop15,

Wipeout

Serpent Stout

Moonlight Lager