The Powers that B (Bourbon, Beer & Bryson)

Finally back in Philly.  The DC trip although short and rushed was a great time. Bouncing around town I made stops at some amazing beer places and have the pictures to prove it.  During the journey I even managed a few non beer related destination.  Somehow it didn't feel right going to our nation's capital and only focusing on the beer scene. I'll spare all of you the overly historical and political stories and photos. Most of it I'm sure you've experienced on class field trip back in the day. Just know that I'm a proud American who in the shadow of good craft beer still managed to fulfill his patriotic duty as a tourist.

Before I lay out the good, the bad, and the ugly that is DC I need to cover a few things on the home front. Last Saturday (8/21) the slightly mysterious Kelleigh and I made our way up to Allentown Brew Works for Bourbon, Beer and Bryson. Originally when I received the opportunity to attend the event from Michael Fegley I thought I had been to ABW but soon realized that wasn't the case. I've been to Bethlehem Brewing Company multiple times so I guess my brain twisted one of those wonderful memories and moved it over to Allentown. No harm. For a first time physical trip the triple B was a winner. The night showcased the overall beauty of bourbon: as a stand alone spirit, a culinary ingredient and a compliment to beer with barrel aging.

Walking into the brewery the size of the place is impressive. The layout is over four floors: a first floor bar/dining area with an outside beer garten, a basement club/lounge, second floor bar/lounge and a third floor banquet area. Oh and I almost forgot the brewing area. Thankfully there's an elevator. The event was on the second and third floors.  Bourbon tasting, and Mr. Bryson's lectures on the 3rd floor. Beer, food and various vendors on the second. 

As much as I enjoy bourbon and know what I like that's where the knowledge ends.  Having the opportunity to listen to Lew give some history, discuss distilling and cover the who's who of Kentucky took away the mystery. Samples from Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare single barrel, 1792 Ridgemont Reserve and Blanton's single barrel provided the chance to compare styles. The perfect opportunity for anyone who wanted to know more about what goes in the glass. Tables were also set up with approximately 8 bourbons from various distillers (Woodford Reserve, Makers Mark, Jack Daniel's, Four Roses, Knob Creek and Wild Turkey). All were available for tasting.

On the second floor aged beer was the major player.  They included: Weyerbacer (Insanity), Yards (Barrel aged Thomas Jefferson ale), Stoudt's (Bourbon Aged Scarlet Lady), Brew Works (Bourbon Barrel Porter & Apple Lambic). Since all that imbibing requires nourishment southern specialties were provided. Bourbon pulled pork, brisket, collard greens and corn bread were all part of the menu. My favorites were the appetizer of fried plantains topped with smoked mozzarella and bourbon pulled pork.  The perfect blend of sweet, sticky and spicy in one tasty bite.  The other hit was vanilla ice cream topped with Apples Foster drizzled with bourbon raisins and pecan caramel. The bourbons, beers and Bryson were all top notch. I hope we get to see more events like this one soon.

Washington DC Beer Week

I 'm ashamed to admit that I only found out about DC Beer Week as I left Philadelphia yesterday.  It pays to do all your research before you travel.  While it doesn't compare to what happens in Philly there are some interesting activities.  Last night had the chance to explore District Chophouse, RFD Washington, Gordon Biersch and Capitol City Brewing. Photos and details posted soon. Unfortunately as the week picks up steam on Wednesday, I'm back on the road. Hopefully tonight I'll uncover a few early events.  Still on the agenda Brickskeller and ChurchKey

For more on DC Beer Week go here

Mr. Iambeerwise Goes to Washington

Next week I'm headed down to D.C. for a couple days. While I plan on taking in a good dose of all things historical, you can bet a few beer stops are in order. For the most part I'm exploring inside the Beltway, relying on the Metro and my feet to get me around town.  Thankfully the train system is fairly extensive and user friendly.  All perfectly color coded so that my urban transportation for dummies brain has no problem figuring out how to get from point A to point B.

Since my current cell phone is about as far from a smart phone as you can get I've gone old school with route planning.  I have no shame in using Google maps and Metro brochures covered with highlighter and beer notes.  I've targeted seven stops: 3 beer bars and 4 breweries. Each establishment is either A or B listed.  The A listers make up the don't think about missing it group. While those on the B list fall more in the if I have time category. Perfect world time management says I'll get to them all. Somehow I don't see that happening. I won't say what places are on which list but here are the planned beer-centric stops.

RFD Washington

Capitol City Brewing Co.

Old Dominion Brew House

Birch & Barley/ Church Key

Brickskeller

District Chophouse & Brewery
Gordon Biersch Brewery & Restaurant

I've been to Capitol City Brewing Co. when there was a location in Baltimore and a few years ago I went to Gordon Biersch in San Francisco.  Everything else is completely new territory so I am open to comments and suggestions. If you have any insider knowledge let me know the good and the bad.  Also, if there's a great beer spot that you consider a can't miss tell me about it and I may slide it into the agenda.

Bourbon, Beer and Bryson Festival @ Allentown Brew Works

It's all about the three Bs on Saturday (Aug 21st) at Allentown Brew Works. Lew Bryson spreads his knowledge of bourbon and beer for an evening of sampling, seminars and some bourbon inspired comfort food.  If you are looking to increase your knowledge on "America's Native Spirit" this festival is a must. Three round table seminars will feature tastings of Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare Single Barrel and Blanton’s Single Barrel. Lew will cover the distilling process, bourbon variations and the mingling of bourbon and beer. 

• (From the Brew Works site)
• Bourbons and other Spirits
• Buffalo Trace, the Eagle Rare Single Barrel, and Blanton’s Single Barrel featured in tasting seminars with Lew Bryson (see below)!
• Woodford Reserve and Gentleman Jack featured in “The Bourbon Barrel Lounge,” featuring the “Art of the Bourbon Cocktail” with mixologist Donna Scott giving bourbon tips and bourbon sips!
• The NEW Maker’s 46 stave-aged bourbon from Maker’s Mark and the Knob Creek 9-yr-old.
• 4 Roses Single Barrel, their 4 Roses Small Batch Bourbon, and the 4 Roses Yellow Label.
• Three selections from Wild Turkey - Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey Rye, and Wild Turkey American Honey.

Oh yeah the beer.  After all the festival is in a brewery and some fine examples of barrel aged brews are on the menu.  Master Brewer Beau Baden (Allentown Brew Works) created a Bourbon Barrel Porter, has a special cask bourbon-aged beer and a Cassis Lambic. Plus Bethlehem Brew Works, Stoudt's, Weyerbacher and Yards will also have specialty brews on hand. 

Remember man does not live on beer and bourbon alone. Bourbon pulled pork, corn bread, brisket and Pecan Foster are just a few of the tasty items on the menu. Finally, if you still need to kick back, slide onto the Biergarten patio to enjoy a cigar from Tobacco Village of Whitehall, PA.  Wow, sounds like the makings to a perfect day. The festivities start at 5pm. Get tickets and more info HERE. Cheers!

Cost: $45 per person

Designated Drivers: only $25

A Russian River Will Sweep Me Away Yet Again

At some point I may stop shouting every time some place rolls out a few Russian River beers.  That isn't happening anytime soon an especially not when the great beer location is Craft Ale House.  Not to play favorites but anyone who pops in on this site with any regularity knows that CAH is one of the places that manages to keep me sane.  Gary and Melissa offer a refuge from the unimaginative and tasteless sea of suburban chain restaurants. Besides where else am I going for my late night seasoned popcorn fix? Thus Craft Ale House has a special spot in my beer soaked heart. Alright enough gushing more about the beer. 

Wednesday at CAH is Rolling Down the Russian River Night.  The Vinnie creations on draft are Registration Ale, Blind Pig IPA, Consecration and Damnation.  A couple hop hits, a touch of the sour and a Belgian interpretation. A perfect mid week lineup. PAYG

Favorite Beer List of the Week (No List Addition)

As you can tell from the photos the Favorite Beer List of the Week comes without a draft board photo.  The one in the background doesn't count. Blame my poor skills as a photographer for that little goof. However, those of you who attended this year's one and only Friday the Firkinteenth at The Grey Lodge can vouch for the awesome cask line up. Thirty firkins set to pour throughout the day with 7 on at a time.

I managed to arrive around 40 minutes after the 9am start time and after a short time standing slid into a comfortable position at the bar.  Unlike the last Firkenteeth I attended it took longer than 30 minutes for the first cask to kick. Somewhere near the three hour mark the final drops of Dock Street Summer Session were poured as a joyous crowd cheered the changing of the brew. Unfortunately with limited time it was my one and only cask kicking experience of the day.

For those of you who couldn't make it to the great Northeast this year, mark your calenders now. Your next chance is May 13, 2011. 

Friday the Firkinteenth There and Here

Google Friday the Firkinteenth and as expected info for The Grey Lodge springs onto the screen. However if you look close you'll notice a little something going on in Baltimore. T-Bonz Grille & Pub in Ellicott City is doing their own Firkinteenth. Not at the level of what's going on in the great Northeast but still a nice little collection of cask ales.

T-Bonz Casks
Oliver's Bishop Breakfast

Old Habit Brown Ale
Jacobs Summer Celebration
Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter
Tbonz 33rd Street Ale

As for The Grey Lodge's Friday the Firkinteenth 9am is go time for the only time this year.  Seven casks will flow from the bar top, being replaced as they kick.  Expect around 30 over the course of the day. To make sure we all survive the early rise the opening menu will offer several goodies so that breakfast isn't only served in a glass. Cheers!

The Grey Lodge Casks
Arcadia IPA Ale

Arcadia Whitsun Ale
Cricket Hill Colonel Blide (English bitter)
Dock Street Summer Session
Dogfish Head 75 Minute India Pale Ale
Flying Dog Raging Bitch
Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale (Citra hopped)
General Lafayette IPA
Iron Hill Pig Iron Porter
Lancaster Amish 4 Grain
Lancaster Milk Stout
Manayunk Specialty Ale (black IPA)
Manayunk Specialty Ale (gold ale)
Nodding Head Seasonal Ale (hoppy golden ale brewed with Belgian yeast)
Philadelphia Select Ale (farmhouse ale)
Prism Bitto Honey IPA (naturally carbonated with fresh local honey)
Riverhorse Hipp-o-Lantern
Six Point Righteous Ale (rye)
Sly Fox Chester County Bitter
Sly Fox Standard Porter
Stillwater Stateside Saison
Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale
Stoudts Scarlet Lady ESB (oaked)
Stoudts Abbey Triple ( blended with Double IPA)
Troegs Hopback Amber (dry hopped with bravo)
Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter (dry hopped with bravo)
Victory Limited Ale (English bitter)
Victory Limited Ale (single hopped citra pale ale)
Weyerbacher Autumnfest
Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale (dry hopped with citra)

Favorite Beer List of the Week

Resurrection Ale House draft board 8-5-10

After much delay I finally managed to make it over to Resurrection Ale House. On my long list of places to check out this one topped them all.  I'm embarrassed that it took so long to get there, but it was a perfect storm that allowed it all to happen. My rare day off, Shark Week and a celebration of Russian River.  Who could ask for more? 

Their beer board was no joke. Yes, that is the correct price for those RR drafts.  For the most part I stuck with the Vinnie creations only veering off course to finish with the Deschutes Black Butte Porter. 

A quick shout out to Rocco the man behind the bar.  Great on the taps and the beer IQ is impressive. Brendan and Leigh a huge thumbs up.  Guys you never fail to amaze.  At last I can say I've enjoyed all your establishments.

PA Breweries or Bust

I can't think of too many things I'd rather do with a long weekend than get some friends together, pack up the car a head out on a road trip to explore breweries.  Unfortunately for me work, home and life's many other responsibilities quickly put the kibosh on any traveling dreams.  However all is not lost for those of us who are stuck on the home front.  Live the road life through Phillybeerguy.com. 

The guys have packed the car, had a liquid breakfast (2 bottles of Westvleteren 12) and are motoring towards Williamsport. It's all part of their Great Pennsylvania Beer Tour that spans 4 days and over 1000 miles.  From Williamsport to NW PA, down to Pittsburgh and back to Harrisburg and Lancaster. The cool thing is we can all keep tabs on the epic journey from the couch and have a beer while we're doing it.  Good luck guys.