HopSlam and Friends @ Capone's

Yes it's that time of year again when hop heads around the the land get all warm and fuzzy inside.  The release of the big hop bombs is on. While there are many beers that are big on hops there are a select few that have a cult following. Today at Capone's the highly sought after Bell's HopSlam leads an impressive draft list of top hop offerings.  However fear not non hop lovers as always Matt has not forgotten you.  With 30 plus taps, selection is never a problem.

Whats Pouring
(from Compone's email)
BELLS HOP SLAM DOUBLE IPA
ITHACA FLOWER POWER IPA "KEGGED ON 1/11/12"
FIRESTONE UNION JACK IPA "KEGGED ON 1/5/12"
FIRESTONE DOUBLE JACK DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/16/12"
PORT BREWING MONGO DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/15/12"
FOUNDERS DOUBLE TROUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/31/12"
GREAT DIVIDE HERCULES DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/16/12"
BOOGOOP COLLABORATION W/MIKKELLER AND THREE FLOYDS
MIKKELLER 19 DOUBLE IPA "VERY FRESH"
FREE WILL CITRA PALE ALE "NEW UP IN COMING LOCAL BREWERY"
DEPROEF FLEMISH PRIMITIVE "SOUR"
GAVERHOPKE EXTRA "A HOPPED UP QUAD"
BROOKYLN BREWMASTERS MARYS MAPLE PORTER
KONA KOKO BROWN "COCONUT"
SOUTHERN TIER CHOKLAT
FULL PINT RYE REBELLION RYE WHISKEY BARREL AGED STOUT
Fish Brewing Ten Squared Fish Tale Barleywine HAS 100 IBU's
NOGNE HOLY SMOKE "RAUCH BEER"
SOUTHERN TIER OAK AGED PUMKING
PHILLY BREWING SHACKAMAXIUM IMPERIAL STOUT 
2010 DIEU du CIEL PECHE MORTEL STOUT
NORTH COAST OLD RASPUTIN "ON NITROGEN"
LEFT HAND SAW TOOTH ALE "ON NITROGEN POUR" 
LEFFE BROWN BRUNE "ITS BEEN SOMETIME THIS HAS BEEN ON DRAFT"
ROGUE MAIERFEST OKTOBERFEST

Get Your Saison On @ Capone's

Need a lesson on Saisons/Farmhouse ale?  Then Capone's is the place to go and get schooled.  Matt has gathered 14 Saisons and is making this a three day event 7/14-7/16. For those who need more styles no worries the other taps are always flowing.

The Saisons are on
Voodoo Bitchin' Camaro Saison

Bullfrog Saison Nouveau
Bullfrog Somnus Viduata Saison
Southampton Cuvee Des Fleurs "Brewed at The Publick House"
De Proef Sly Fox Collaboration Broederlijke Liefde ( Brotherly Love) "Sour"
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren Saison D'Erpe-Mere
Stillwater Stateside Saison
Cigar City Table Saison
Victory CBC Saison
Lost Abbey Carnevale Saison
Dock Street Erbe Saison
Dock Street Brun Saison
New Holland Golden Cap Saison
McKenzie's Saison Vatour-Gold Medal Winner at The Great American Beer Fest

The other stuff
Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga w/Brett

Firestone Walker Double Jack Double IPA
East End Firkin of Obsticle Delusion FIRKIN
Port Brewing Mongo DIPA
Great Lakes Erie Monster DIPA
Ithaca Flower Power IPA
Weyerbacher Steel IPA Project #4 A West Coast Style IPA
Bear Republic APEX DOUBLE IPA
Ithaca Dark Humor Sour Porter
Lagunitas LUCKY 13
Fruli Strawberry
North Coast Old Rasputin on Nitrogen
Geants Goliath Tripel
Urban Chestnut Winged Nut
Koning Ludwig Weissbier

David Walker Rolling Through Philly. @ Capone's

This week David Walker and crew along with team Origlio have been making their way to better beer establishments around Philly.  Yesterday the Firestone Walker beer express stopped at Capone's to spread some afternoon delight.  As it's been for most of the stops Abacus, Walker's Reserve and Double Jack were on tap and the 14th Anniversary was served from from bottles.

Looks like the hardest marketing man in beer Sam Calagione isn't the only one who knows how to work a room.  David Walker definitely understands the importance of talking shop and shaking hands when it involves launching a new market.  The rock star analogy was hard to avoid with cameras clicking, the frequent requests to sign bottles and admirers eager for a few minutes of conversation.  It's proof that if you bring great beer to Philly the town will love you.  With the introduction of Firestone Walker it appears that David Walker is quickly achieving star status.

*Firestone Walker express rolls into Resurrection Ale House Friday (4/15) from 5-7pm.*

I'm Just Waiting on Some Pliny.

This was the line about 15 minutes before the doors opened at Capone's for the Russian River/ Pliny the Younger event on April 2nd. I have to wonder what those who are driving by are thinking about a 9:30am bar line. Philly beer people continue to vigilantly chase this beer with exuberance once it starts reaching local bars. Is it worth the extra effort it takes to taste the often proclaimed, "best beer in the world"?  It's hard for any beer to live up to the uber hype. I can't call it the best, but no question it's a damn good pour. Obviously I thought it was worth the time and effort since I arrived an hour early for a beer I've had on several occasions.  

The excitement for Pliny shows no sign of fading.  Back in 2008 (?) the wonderful Kelleigh trekked her way from our apartment in Center City to Capone's, with no fear of a line, to purchase me a growler of both Pliny the Younger and Elder .  Now if you get one 6oz glass of PtY consider yourself lucky.  If there isn't a change in the way it's released or distributed don't expect the pours to get bigger or the lines to get shorter anytime soon.

Wood'ja @ Nodding Head and Prism @ Capone's

Head to the city: 

This time Nodding Head's second Saturday event takes on big wood. It's all about the barrel aging with 3 beers provided by the house and one from a special guest. Sat Feb 12, 3pm-6pm, PAYG.

(Cask Two-Year-Old) Wee Heavier, (9.5%ABV) which is a strong, Scottish-style ale that has been aged in a wooden cask that once held Calvados brandy, and more recently JW Lees Harvest Ale. This ale is very dark in color, and full-bodied with a 'roasty' character and sweet malt flavors. It'll make your belly happy. (Disclaimer: the two-year-old barrel aged beer could possibly be volatile or magnificent. Either way, we have plenty of great back up beers - it's all part of the fun).

Pho-Tay, (7%ABV) which is our O-Tay aged in the Phunk Barrel. This beer started off as a golden ale brewed with eighty-four pounds of organic buckwheat and Belgian yeast, giving it a unique spicy character. It then, of course, picked up oak and brett characteristics.

Saison De La Tete, (6%ABV) which is a blend of a young saison, and a sour barrel aged, low alcohol, hoppy pale ale. Then, we added flavors of brett and oak to the slightly funky saison character.

ALSO: SPECIAL GUEST BEER FROM FRIENDS AT RUSSIAN RIVER

Consecration, (10%ABV) which was aged in American oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. They not only use Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus, but also add currants to the beer while it is aging in the barrels.

Journey to the burbs:

Join Rob DeMaria of  Prism Brewing at Capone's for something on the unique side.  So ya like bacon and ya like beer? How about fruit and peppers? Prepare for a taste assault with the tapping of Prism's Insana Bacon Chocolate Stout and  LOVE is EVOL Strawberry Jalapeno Brown Ale.

Insana Stout (7% abv, 50 IBU)  Pours chocolaty and goes down smoky. Using an enormous amount of cocoa and vegetarian friendly bacon, this beer makes you want breakfast for dinner, or as we like to say "BFD". Enjoy it with steak or portabella if you are animal friendly - or with pancakes and scrapple if you want the true BFD experience.

LOVE is EVOL (5.5% abv, 34 IBU). Some say that Love is evil. We say if you spell love backwards its evol. Our Strawberry Jalapeno brown represents that notion with the love of strawberries and the evil nature of Jalapenos. Leaving some seeds in and some seeds out we balance the spiciness and flavor of the Jalapenos to meld well with the strawberries and brown ale. Using earthy English hops combined with some traditional American ones weve created something special for your tongue. So dont be shy and tell us did you find love or evol?

Sat Feb 12. Rob is in house @ 12:30.

Bonus: Arrive early for Bell's HopSlam.  It's on at 11:30

It's Harvest Time

Mmmmmm, there is nothing like the smell of hops in the afternoon. 

11:30 is officially harvest time at Capone's with a bounty of hop forward harvest ales on draft.  As always the lineup includes offerings for those who don't live and die by the hop alone. 

Bonus, at 6:30 Brewer/Owner Rob DeMaria of Prism Brewing will be in house to chat on the full spectrum of happenings at Prisim. Cheers! 

Drafts Pouring

Founders Harvest Ale "Firkin"

Terrapin So Fresh & So Green, Green "Amarillo Hop Goodness !"
Terrapin Moo-Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout "Brand New Seasonal"
Ballast Point Even Keel "A Hoppy Session Ale"
Prism Brewing Death March Hopeless Porter "A non Hoppy Porter"

Philly Brewing Harvest from the Hood

Sierra Estate Harvest

Victory Harvest Pils

Victory Harvest Ale

Rogue Wet Hop IPA

Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop

Two Brothers Heavy Handed Fresh Hop IPA

Founders Harvest Ale
Brooklyn Cuvee Noire
Spring House Planet Bean Coffee Stout
Corsendonk Christmas Ale
Duck Rabbit Rabid Duck Russian Imperial Stout "2009"
Thomas Hooker Oktoberfest
Stoudts Smooth Hoperator
Erdinger Dunkel Weizen
Weyerbacher Mike "Abbey Dubbel"
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale
Southampton Pumpkin
Brasserie De La Senne Taras Boulba "Belgian Pale Ale"
Rouge Double Chocolate Stout
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Ramstein Double Platinum Blonde
Southampton Double White
Fruli Strawberry

Hill Farmstead Brewery in Philly

  

Good afternoon Philadelphia. Today yet another new brewery is debuting beer in the area. Hill Farmstead Brewery out of Northern Vermont launches at Capone's with Edward Pale Ale and Harlan IPA.  The rest of taps will of course flow with a fine selection of hoppy and malty goodness.  11:30am start, PAYG and the brewery rep will be talking beer 7-9pm.

(A few words from the brewery site)

Edward goes to Philadelphia…

I’m not sure if my grandfather ever made it to Philadelphia (I have a lurking suspicion that he probably didn’t make it much further south than Connecticut…) but the beer that is now his namesake, our American Pale Ale, is en route to Philadelphia. This is our first shipment of beer outside of the Vermont marketplace (our next shipment to Denmark will leave at the end of July) and the entire shipment of 38 kegs is sold out before it even hits the city. Look for our beer at some of the following (but look quickly, because each place only received 5 gallons of beer…) :

For example: Monk’s Cafe, Memphis Taproom, Capone’s, Craft Ale House, Devil’s Den, Earth Bread + Brewery, Grey Lodge, Eulogy, Local 44, Teresa’s… and so forth.

Capone's Drafts 7-21-10

Cigar City Guava Grove Saison - sorry, no growler fills.

Jolly Pumpkin Luciernaga - sorry, no growler fills.
Lost Coast Hop Juice Double IPA

Bear Republic Apex Double IPA

Petrus Aged Pale

Great Divide 16th Anniversary

Young's Double Chocolate Stout

Port Brewing Summer Pale Ale

Weyerbacher 15th Anniversary

Ithaca Flower Power - Very Fresh!

Avery 17th Anniversary

Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA
Voodoo Gran Met
Dock Street Rye Pale Ale
Rogue Captain Sig's Deadliest Catch
Dark Horse Plead the 5th Imperial Stout
Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel
Stone 14th Anniversary Ale
Ramstein Double Platinum Blonde
Roy Pitz Watermelon lager 16ozs
Früli Strawberry
East End Kvass
Brasserie des Géants Goliath Belgian Triple
Manayunk California Dreamin' IPA
 

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.

Younger, Elder & More @ Capone's

Capone's

Saturday February 27th, 11:00am

Nuff Said!

Big Snowy Beer Weekend

If you love snow and beer then this is the weekend for you. Philly is getting slammed by both. On the beer side it starts today with several events and promos and continues with more all day tomorrow. The snowy forecast is for 12-18+ inches starting Friday afternoon and on into Saturday. It will be interesting see what effects the white stuff has on the weekend plans.

The Strong Ale Fest @ Union Jack's on the Manatawny has been rescheduled for Sat Feb 13th at noon.

Friday February 5th

Capone's

11:30 Taps open

Happy Anniversary Boaks Brewing

(Capone's website)

Next Promo Meet the Brewer : Come out and Celebrate Brian Boaks 3 Year Anniversary and Try his Top 2 Drafts: Three Blind Monks & Monster Mash R.I.S.Imperial Stout ! He will be glad to speak to you Personally from 6:30 to 9:30Due to the weather Please call to see if the Brew makes it ? In either case the beer will be flowing ! 610-279-4748 On Saturday we may open the bar later also call ! No matter what the Weather is like the Beer Store will be open open normal hours both days !

The Drafting Room (Exton)

West Coast Brewery Night

(Drafting Room website)
Friday, February 5th“Tap Time” @ 6pm
Featuring: Stone Double Bastard (2006), Russian River Blind Pig, Ballast Point Sculpin, IPA Coronado Idiot IPA, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Sierra Nevada Life & Limb, BrewDog/ Stone Collaboration “Basha”, Moylan’s IPA, Sierra Nevada “Edge of Darkness”, Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary, Eel Brewing Salient du Scotia Brune, Green Flash West Coast IPA (Firkin).

Saturday February 6th

The Institute

All Things Coffee, Chocolate and Barrel Aged

(Institute website)

February 6th 2pm until?
The name says it all.
Draft /firkin list with more being added
Dock Street Sexual Chocolate
Wyerbacher Hotel Imperial Orange-Chocolate Porter
Wyerbacher Barrel Aged Heresy
Founders Backwoods Bastard(Bourbon Barrel Aged Scotch Ale)
Allagash Curieux (Bourbon Barrel Aged Tripel)
Bells Java Stout
1 or the other, not sure which: Southern Tier Oak Aged Unearthly Double IPA or He'Brew Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Lenny

Iron Hill Brewery (West Chester)

BELGIUM COMES TO WEST CHESTER

FEBRUARY 6, 2010 2 – 9 PM. PAYG

(Iron Hill site)

Join us as we team up with regional breweries to showcase the best locally craft-brewed Belgian-style beers ~ Meet the brewers behind the beers ~Cambridge Brewing Co • Devil’s Backbone • Dogfish Head Earth, Bread + Brewery • Flying Fish • Harpoon Iron Hill West Chester, Phoenixville, Wilmington, North Wales, Media, Lancaster & Maple Shade Ithaca • Manayunk • Mckenzie’s • Nodding Head Rock Bottom • Sly Fox • Stewart’s • Stoudt’s • Troegs Victory • Weyerbacher • Yards

Warm Up @ Capone's with the Big Beer Event

The temperature may of warmed slightly but the real heat is on at Capone's. Matt Capone has unleashed the big beers for a three day event (1/21-1/23). Expect Barleywines, Scotch Ales, Barrel Aged brews, monster IPAs, vintage kegs and more. Each day will feature a tapping of a special keg. Kick-off is today at 11:30. PAYG.

Draft Lineup

Rodenbach Grand Cru
Fruli Strawberry
Dark Horse Scottie Karatie
Cigar City Jai Lai IPA
Left Hand Milk Stout
Hopfenstark Ostalgia Blonde
South Hampton Double White
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout
Boulder Killer Penguin 2007
Duck Rabbit Amber
Flying Dog Whiskey Barrel Aged Gonzo 2008
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Stoudts Old Abominable Whiskey Barrel Aged 2008
Moylans Hopsickle IPA
Founders Backwoods Bastard
Allagash Interlude 2008
Tommyknocker Imperial Oak Aged Nut Brown
Bells Two Heated Ale
Dogfish Head 120 minute IPA 2008
Terrapin/Left Hand Depth Charge
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
Port Brewing Wipe Out IPA
Victory Old Horizontal 2008
Yards Old Batholomew
Weyerbacher Insanity 2007
Lost Abbey Angel's Share Brandy Barrel 2008
North Coast Old Stock 08

Special Kegs
Thursday: Founders Rye Whiskey Aged Porter
Friday: Founder Black Biscuit
Saturday: Ballast Point Victory at Sea and Dieu du Ciel Aphrodite

UPDATE

I had a chance to stop in at Capone's and experience a sampler of four amazing beers currently on tap. If you are a fan of barrel aged, whiskey or bourbon beer make your way to Norristown NOW!!! The only problem is you will need a designated driver if you plan on enjoying all the wonderful offerings. During my stop I had Founders Rye Whiskey Aged Porter (right), Flying Dog Whiskey Barrel Aged Gonzo 2008 (empty glass), Dark Horse Scotty Karate (left) and Lost Abbey Angel's Share Brandy Barrel 08 (front and center) Easily one of the best samplers I have ever had. Out of them all the Angel's Share was the true standout.

Angel's Share is one of those beers that is so hyped that you wonder if it can possibly stand up to all the good words. Are all those BAers right? Yes, yes they are. I've had Angel's Share, however not this version, so I was already familiar with the quality. As soon as I caught a whiff of this beer I knew to expect something amazing. The aroma was full of raisins, vanilla, a little butterscotch and even some nuttiness. There was a fruit cake quality in a very, very good way. This is the second time in the past two weeks that I've had a beer that I would happily spend the entire evening smelling. Most of what came out in the aroma showed in the taste. It's a big chewy raisin/plum smack to the mouth. Wow, amazing! The alcohol is pleasantly warm and not at all harsh which makes this dangerously easy to drink. As good as it is at a bar it deseves to be enjoyed at home while in a comfortable chair in front of a fire. It's worthy of sipping all night. Barrel aged beer fans do not pass on this opportunity to have one of the best.

Sweet and Sour @ Capone's

So are you feeling sweet or sour? Today at Capone's it doesn't matter it's the best of both worlds. Starting at 11:30 6 sweet and 12 sours will pour. Fast math tells you that's 18 taps for the event but remember Matt now has 30 lines at his disposal so expect some other great offerings. More reason to sneak off to Capone's for a liquid lunch. Like you weren't already considering it

Sweet:

Southern Tier Cuvee Series #2

Southern Tier Mokah

Founders Cerise

DFH Midas Touch

Fruli Strawberry

08 Mad Elf

Sour:

Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi 07

Allagash Victor 07

Allagash Interlude 08

DFH Red and White 08

Cantillon Fou Foune 06

Cantillon St. Lamvinus!

Ithaca Brute

Russian River Temptation

Russian River Consecration

Ommegang Rouge

Bockor Cuvee des Jacobins Rouge

Rodenbach Grand Cru

How 'Bout Them 7 Stones @ Capone's

Lee Marren is a mad man! This guy may be the rockingest rep in the beer biz. Take no offense Dr. Joel (New Holland), Ms.Woods (Sly Fox) and Ms. Mulligan (Victory) we love you and all those who make a living with the worlds greatest beverage. It just seems like it wasn't that long ago that I shared in a jeroboam of Double Bastard during Stone Night at Craft Ale House. Yes, there is a soft spot in my beer swollen liver for Stone Brewing and more specific Arrogant Bastard. I've been hooked since my first sip eons ago.

For today's event at Capone's Matt and Lee have pulled together 7 Stone treats. The highlight (oh yeah) is a 2006 keg of Brandy Barrel Aged Double Bastard Ale. The taps open at 11:30am just in time for your liquid lunch. To chat with Lee shoot to Capone's after 6pm.

"Your not worthy". PAYG

Stone Drafts

Indian Pale Ale

Ruination IPA

Arrogant Bastard Ale

Russian Imperial Stout 2008

Double Bastard Ale 2009

Vertical Epic 09.09.09

Stone Double Bastard Ale aged In Brandy Barrels

Walking with Stone CEO Greg Koch

Have a Cigar @ Capone's

No better day than the 5th of November for a draft promo and that's exactly what is happening at Capone's. Matt has put together a good mix of drafts with a focus on beers from Cigar City Brewing out of Tampa Florida. Oh yeah and there is also some beer called Sculpin.

(From Cigar City Brewing website)

Cigar City Brewing is comprised of a 15 barrel (one barrel is 31 gallons) brewhouse occupying 6,600 sq. ft. of warehouse space in the Carver City-Lincoln Gardens neighborhood of Tampa. Six fermenters, also 15 bbl, are used to ferment the beer for packaging and kegging. We package using a 6 head PPM filler which allows us to adjust to many bottle formats and we keg in 50 liter and 5 gallon kegs. We use the highest quality ingredients we can lay our hands on and that is not just marketing jargon. If it makes better beer, we use it. We also strive to use local ingredients when and where we can. Not only do fresh local ingredients help us to make better beer, it helps us to make beer that reflects the culture and heritage of Tampa Bay.

Head over and have a Cigar!

The taps open at 11:30am. PAYG

Draft List

Cigar City Marshal Zhukov's Russian Imperial Stout

Cigar City Bolita Brown

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Brooklyn Manhattan Project

Dark Horse Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock

Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout

Otto's Spruce Creek Ale

Prism Brewing Red October

Founders Double Trouble IPA

Stoudts Peppercorn Pumpkin Ale

Port High Tide Fresh Hop IPA

Victory Harvest Pils

Victory Harvest Ale

Sierra Nevada Wet Hop Harvest IPA

Southampton Double White

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

Catchin' Some Dark Horse

Aaron Morse is in the middle of an invasion of Philladelphia. Aaron is the Owner and Head Brewer of Dark Horse Brewing out of Marshall Michigan and since distribution has started in PA, DH events are full speed ahead at good beer spots in the area. The P.O.P.E and Capone's have had theirs and today TJ's has a serious selection of Dark Horse brews all day.

Crooked Tree IPA

Boffo Brown

Sapient Triple

One Oatmeal Stout

Raspberry Ale

Rod

Special Reserve Black

Scotty Karate

Need more opportunities to taste what Dark Horse is Brewing?

DH @ The Kyber

9/1

5-7pm

Enjoy discounts on one of Michigan's finest breweries!!

DH @ Devil's Den

9/2

7-9pm

Draft specials & Flight Specials available. On Draft: Scotty Karate, Raspberry Ale, One Oatmeal Stout & Crooked Tree IPA.

Dark Horse @ Capone's

Dark Horse Brewing Company first caught my eye during Philly Beer Week 09. Scoates tapped a cask of Double Crooked Tree IPA for a Dark Horse and Voodoo meet the brewer event at Grey Lodge. Even with a huge wow factor I only managed one small pour before having to rush off to meet friends for another event in the city. Since then I've had visions of crooked trees dancing in my hop soaked mind. A craving is an ugly thing. Relief comes today at Capone's. Dark Horse Brewing arrives in a big, big way with six of their best. Sorry, no Double Crooked Tree, the single version will have to satisfy those cravings. Taps open at 11am.

Dark Horse Beer List

Crooked Tree IPA

Amber

Raspberry Ale

Sapient Tripel

Boffo Brown

Reserve Special Black Bier Ale

Big Weekend on the Way

This is a quick heads up for Saturday (8/15). Here in Philly with so much good beer flowing there is always potential for a big beer day. This Saturday call it the perfect beer storm. Four events around the city will have you wishing you could be in more than one place at one time. Take the week and figure out a good game plan. Cheers!

Capones
Canadian Breakfast Stout and Others
11:00am, PAYG
Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout
Founders Maple Mountain Brown
Ballast Point Sea Monster
Stone Double Dry Hopped IPA
Russian River IPA TBD (Blind Pig or Pliny the Elder)
Voodoo Got Gas? Nitro IPA
Brew Dog Paradox Isle of Arran

The Grey Lodge Pub
13th Anniversary! 13 Events in 13 Hours!!
11:00am-11:00pm
11am: Dock Street Triskaidekaphilia Premier and Wurst Breakfast
12pm: Levity (Comic) & Levitation (Stone Brewing) with Cali-Belgique, Levitation, & 13th Anniversary
1pm: 101 at 1pm with Philly Brewing
2pm: Brooklyn Brewery Hour featuring Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout (2008 and 2009) on tap and a sixtel of Brooklyn Intensified Coffee Stout.
3pm: Weyerbacher Beer Barrel Bingo
4pm: Victory Pils and Phils and Really Old Old Horizontal!
5pm: Grey Lodge's Bar Mitzvah with Stoudt's
6pm: Six Sixpoint Sixtels at Six
7pm: Flashback with Boulder Flashback
8pm: Yards Crazy 8's at 8!
9pm: Sly Fox Chicken and Egg Party
10pm: It's Always Sunshine-y at the Grey Lodge featuring Keller Troegs Sunshine Pils
11pm: Flying Fish Exit 11 at 11

Devil's Den
Pucker Up! Sour Fest
12:00pm-12:00 am
Come out to the Devil's Den where we will be pouring all things sour, tart & funky.
All week long there will be a draft tower of sour. Try Flemish Reds.
Flemish Bruins, Guezes, Lambics, Wild Ales & Beliner Weisses.
Draft List : Dogfish Head Festina Peche, Beersel Framboise, Rodenbach Grand Cru, Petrus Oud Bruin, Ommegang Rouge, Ballast Point Sour Wench, Bacchus,
Dock Street Dunkel Berliner Weisse, Itchegems, St Loius Gueze, Cantillion Gueze,
Russian River Consecration, Monk's Cafe Sour, Cuvee des Jacobins,
Duchess de Bourgonge & Doc's Sour Cherry Cider.
Bottles : Rodenbach Grand Cru, Petrus Aged Pale Ale, Duchess de Bourgonge,
Etch Kreikenbier, Giradin Guze Black Label, Russian River Consecration,
Russian River Tempation, Camtillion Old Lambic, Cantillion Rose,
Jolly Pumpkin Oro de Calabazza, Ommegang Biere de Mars, Lipziger Gose,
1809 Berliner Wiesse, Lost Abbey Carnevale, Pretty Things Mr Sysiphus

International Great Beer Expo
Where: The Philly Naval Yard
Tickets: Online $45, the Door (if available) $60, Designated Driver: $10
Session I: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (doors open at 11:30 am)
Session II: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm (doors open at 5:00 pm)

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.

Full Sized Weekend

As the air warms beer events start springing up much like dandelions sprouting in my front lawn. There are too many to handle. This weekend is the perfect example. There are three gatherings on Saturday and a classic one on Sunday that manages to get farm animals involved. The choice is yours.

Saturday May 2

3rd Annual Barleywine Expo

Stewarts Brewing Company

Bear, DE

Barrel Aged Beer Event @ Capone's

11am-11:45pm, PAYG

Founders Backwood Bastard

Founders Kentucky BreakfastStout

Arcadia Old Dicks Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Ale

Sprecher Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout

Allagash Curieux

Also Ramstein Eisbock and several other beers to be named later will be on draft.

McCoole's Beer Festival

Quakertown, PA

40 plus beers and two sessions

12-4pm and 5-9pm

$27 in advance & $30 @ the door.

Sunday May 3

Sly Fox Bock Fest and Goat Race

Phoenixville

11am-6pm

From the Sly Fox website

The annual Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race (which determines the name of the year's Maibock) draws thousands to Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Phoenixville's Pikeland Village Square to enjoy German food and music and what may be the most extensive lineup of Bock beers poured at any brewpub in the nation on a single day: Slacker Bock, Helles Bock, Instigator Doppelbock, two Eisbocks (Slacker and Instigator) and the To-Be-Named-Later Maibock.

The race itself has evolved into a multi-heat event leading to a final run matching the day's best performers Register your goat now by calling Sly Fox Phoenixville at the number below. Not only is the winning goat honored by having the Maibock named after it, the winning owner gets a $75 gift card good at both Sly Fox locations.

We'll also be featuring some fantastic Bavarian pretzels and Brats along with a full lineup of German style beers. In addition to the four Bock beers and two Eis Bocks mentioned earlier we'll also be serving up our Gold Medal Winning Pikeland Pils, Helles Golden Lager, Royal Weisse, Vienna Lager, Charles Bridge Pilsner, & Dunkel Lager.

NOTE: There will be extremely limited parking onsite for the Bock Fest. Space will be available in the adjacent STS Tire & Auto Center lot until it fills up, but that will happen early. The primary parking area will be at the Kimberton Fairgrounds roughly a mile and half south on Rt. 113. There will be a free shuttle to site. Cars parked in the shopping centers across the road from Pikeland Village Square will be subject to towing by the township; police will be on hand to enforce parking regulations.For more information regarding this event contact: Sly Fox Phoenixville 610.935.4540

Im Feelin' Younger

I haven't been one of the lucky ones who has had the chance to taste the latest batch of liquid gold sent from Russian River. Just like Pliny the Elder, the rare Pliny the Younger has taken Philadelphia by storm and hop fanatics, BAers and craft beer lusters have gone to tracking down and consuming the Imperial Ale as soon as it pours. Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Consecration and other Russian River favorites are so sought after that most places putting them on draft make sure to spread the word, turning their tappings into events. Events, of late, that I've unfortunately missed

During the final Sunday of Philly Beer Week a brunch at Local 44 was a Russian River love fest. Pliny the Elder and Younger, Blind Pig IPA, Consecration, Damnation, and Salvation were all scheduled to pour. I was in Pittsburgh. Somehow I also managed let Younger sneak by at Memphis Taproom. It happened again last Saturday when TJ's got it's R.R. groove on along with some KBS from Founders. I spent the afternoon working. However at least I was able to catch some details about the day here. I am sure there are a couple more places I am forgetting but it's obvious I've dropped the ball more than once. Now with the weekend fast approaching I have my eyes set on Capone's for a bit of Younger on a Sunday morning. I won't miss it this time. I do have to admit that I am probably more interested in the Consecration (very appropriate for a Sunday) than the Younger. My sour urge is still dominating my hop side and I can't seem to get off the barrel aged beer high. Truly I'm just glad to have another chance at both.

So is it worth all the searching, running around and hop hype. Sure, Younger is a great beer. Is it the end all, be all of hops, water, malt and yeast? Probably not, there are just too many great beers of various styles for me to say one is the best (that also goes for Westy 12). Is Vinnie Cilurzo a brewing rock star? Yeah, who in the Brett Pack isn't? Will I get out of bed early Sunday, jump in the car, drive to Capone's and wait for Matt to open the doors? You know it. Don't laugh I know some of you will be right there with me in the parking lot, frothing at the mouth and staring at your watch until it's go time. Just embrace the hype and enjoy it along with the beer.

Capone's

Next Draft Beer promo: Will be Sunday March 29th. Open at 10am. Beers will be Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger, Consecration & more !

Devil's Den

1 Year Late Grand Opening. April 1st, 7:00pm. Pliny the Younger plus beers from Dogfish, Founders, Boulder and others.

Teresa's Next Door

Russian River Brunch. 6 R.R. on draft Blind Pig, Pliny Younger and Elder, Consecration, Damnation and Salvation. 11am April 5th.

Union Jacks on the Manatawny

Easter Hopfest April 11th, 1:00pm Younger and Elder plus about 13 other hop heavy beers.

Drafting Room

Hop Fest 5, April 25th, 12pm, Exton. Russian River is on the list. Younger, Elder or other ???