More Beer Week? Nope Just Another Day @ Capone's

The biggest week of beer ended almost 2 weeks ago and life in Philly is back to normal.  Lucky for us normal means plenty of opportunities to have more amazing craft beer.  Today Capone's unleashes the taps with a monster draft line up.  Since it is only here on a trial basis Deschutes Hop Henge has gotta be the hot beer of the day. However with Sculpin, Stone IPA (Dry Hopped), Brooklyn Buzz Bomb and Petrus Aged Pale it won't be the only highly sought after draft.  Hopefully Deschutes is taking notice of the stir it's caused in the market and the trial period quickly turns to more beers headed to Philly on a regular basis. Start 11:30am, PAYG

What's Pouring @ Capone's

Ballast Point Sculpin "Nice And Fresh!"
Deschutes Hop Henge "Experimental Imperial IPA"
Stone IPA "Dry Hopped"
Lancaster Kolsch
Green Flash Le' Freak
North Coast Old Rasputin "On Nitrogen"
Petrus Aged Pale "Great Sour Beer"
Spring House Diabolical Dr. Wit
Spring House Goofy Foot "Summer Wheat Beer"
Brooklyn Brew Master Reserve Buzz Bomb Ale "Braggot Mead"
Great Lakes Erie Monster IPA
Southern Tier 2X IPA
Roy Pitz Watermelon Lager
Port Brewing Shark Attack
Victory Summer of Love
Anderson Valley Summer Solstice
Brassiere Saison Dupont
Weyerbacher Kilo "Limited Draft Release"
Weyerbacher Verboten
Weyerbacher Merry Monks
Stillwater and Oliver Ales Channel Crossing Volume 1
Stillwater Stateside Saison
Stillwater Cellar Door"Belgian Bitter"
Steenbrugee Tripel
Dogfish Head Sah'tea 2009
Rodenbach Grand Cru
Ayinger Brau-Weisse
Founders Porter

Philly Beer Week Takes Off

Philly Beer Week is off and running. I am trying not to go too crazy about getting to places and have somewhat come to grips with the fact that I can't go to every event I want.  I'm not a iphone person so I've been tracking the grand festivities through the site and the old school way on paper.  At this point everything has been circled, asterisked and highlighted to death.  So far the plan is to hit favorites, see old friends and check out the new guys, both bars and breweries. 

My week kicked off at Capone's with Old Dominion.  Thanks Scott and Dave for the beer selection you guys were great.  On Sunday it was off to Smoke 'Em if Yous Got 'Em.   Loved it last year and this year's gathering didn't disappoint. It was also my first visit to Yards since the arrival of the new bar and I understand why the place is so damn popular.  It's the best place on Del Ave to grab a pint. Yards just doesn't stop improving.  On the new side, the Philly debut of Deschutes at City Tap House. The beer and the bar were equally amazing.  60 taps is impressive. With The Abyss and Hop Henge on, it's draft paradise.  If you haven't had any of their beers just trust me, you want Deschutes to keep pouring in Philly.  My only regret so far is missing Lew and Scoats at the Grey Lodge for Upstate Brewery Haul. In past years I've missed it and I knew after Smoke 'Em and Deschutes there was no way I was getting to the Grey Lodge.  Ya gotta know when to say when.

I'll toss some pics up soon.  Until then keep enjoying the week.  Cheers!

Heading into Philly Beer Week with Deschutes

Sad to say I'm still catching up on past activity on the eve of Philly Beer Week. It's a little difficult looking into the past when you know there's a hop behemoth lurking around the corner. However I'm also moving ahead and focusing on an event during the best week ever that is sure to get some attention. 

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine passed me a few great beers and I've been slowly working my way through them.  Thanks again Brandon, you rock! Two of the better choices that have filled a glass over the past few days are from Deschutes Brewery in Portland.  Inversion IPA and Green Lakes Organic Ale are my first experiences with Deschutes and if they are a good indicator of their other offerings I need to get my hands on more bottles.  The Inversion IPA starts off on the malty side with an orange and carmel sweetness.   Most of the bitterness holds off until the end.  Typically I lean toward an IPA with a good amount of hop bite but the malt forward side was a good change. The Green Lakes Organic follows a similar taste profile, sweet moving to bitter but was slightly more toasty and bready. Both had me wanting more when the last few drops were poured.

As luck would have none of us have to wait very long to get a taste of Deschutes.  The brewery is making its big premiere in the Philly market during Beer Week.  City Tap House is pouring 5 drafts (Mirror Pond Pale Ale, Black Butte Porter, Hop Henge IPA, Hop in the Dark Black IPA, and The Abyss Imperial Stout) on Sunday afternoon, 6/6 from 3-6pm, PAYG. Hopefully this is the beginning of a good flow of Deschutes into Philly.

Finally all caught up.  Time to let the week begin.