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.

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.

Meet the Brewer: Allagash & Pretty Things

Get the weekend started early and meet the people who put the good stuff in the bottle. Tonight there are a couple opportunities to rub elbows with the brewers and it's possible to hit both events, no problem. First up is Rob Allagash founder of Allagash Brewing (duh!). He'll be talking beer at Tria (Rittenhouse Sq.) before his beer school class (Allagash Gotta Have That Funk/ sold out). Taps open at 4pm and meet Rob 4:30-6:00pm. PAYG

Hang with rock star Rob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing Company in Maine and hear stories from his latest trip to Belgium. Enjoy the awesome Allagash Curieux, Interlude and White on draft plus tasting portions of Allagash Four.

Next up, head down to the Devil's Den for some Pretty Things. Dann Paquette and Martha Holley from Pretty Things Brewing are meeting and greeting. 7pm start. PAYG

Meet the brewers. Food specials paired up & made with Pretty Things beers. On Draft: Jack D'Or, saison & St Botolph's Town, rustic brown ale. Bottles: Baby Tree, quadruple, American Darling, lager & their new seasonal Babayaga, stout