Odell Brewing Company @ Capone's

We are headed into the final weekend and I have been dealing with a cold for the past few days.  Great timing. Unfortunately I've missed many events on my can't miss list. Since physically I feel somewhat better I have my sights set on Capone's for Meet the Brewer with Odell Brewing Company.  Tagged as one of the best breweries in Colorado they are making their east coast debut. The beers are here on a trial basis which is all part of deciding if PA gets the opportunity to pour more in the future.  Looks like we have to make a good impression. Definitely a good reason to drag myself to a bar stool and partake in the afternoon festivities.  Besides we all know the healing benefits of a good pint.  See ya there. Cheers

Capone's
2-4pm, PAYG
Odell Drafts
90 Schilling
IPA
Saboteur Brett Barrel Brown Ale
Woodcut 4 Oak Aged Lager

Prelude to Beer Week

Philly Beer Week is finally here. I have been looking at this week on the calendar for almost a year. Ever since I first heard the announcement last year at the Michael Jackson Tutored Tasting at the U of Penn I’ve been waiting with anticipation. Unfortunately to celebrate this wonderful week I proceeded to get a cold that knocked me off my feet for the weekend. However I did manage to get to the Meet the Brewer event at the South Philadelphia Taproom on Thursday and on Monday I snuck in for a late lunch at Capone’s to sample from a fantastic beer line up. It figures that my first visit to the South Philadelphia Tap room happened once I had moved out of the city. This warm corner bar located at Mifflin and S. Hicks street hosted a Meet the Brewer event with Founders Brewing. Actually the head brewer wasn’t there but cofounder Dave Engbers made the trip from Michigan to support his beers. Dave and a representative from Stockertown Beverage made the rounds meeting patrons and discussing the beers being poured. I was lucky enough to get the chance to talk with Dave for a few minutes. We discussed his trip that took him from Michigan through Pittsburgh on his way to Philly. During the stop in Pittsburgh he went to one of western Pa’s best bars, Fat Heads. The Southside bar has over 30 taps and a mix and match bottle shop making it a must stop for any beer fanatic who makes it to the other end of the state. We then discussed the new facility and distribution in Pennsylvania. From the sound of it the Philadelphia area is a big part of the expanding distribution range for Founders. So look forward to even more from the Michigan brewer. The line up of beers for the event was very impressive. Samples included Dirty Bastard, Centennial IPA, Red’s Rye, Devil Dancer, Rubaeus, Curmudgeon, Blushing Monk and Pale Ale. From the beers that I tasted the three standouts were Devil Dancer, Curmudgeon and Blushing monk. The Blushing Monk especially grabbed my attention. It was the first time I had the fruit beer and it impressed from the first pour. The color was a deep cloudy red and the small head quickly dissipated. The aroma was of fresh raspberry juice. The taste starts off as sweet raspberry then slowly slides to tart with a slight citrusy finish. The 12.3% ABV is very well hidden and although sweet it’s not cloying. This beer is a great sipper.

Having survived the Founders event on Thursday night what better way to celebrate Beer Week and take care of a cold than to spend the late afternoon at Capone’s eating a late lunch and tasting beer from the expanded tap list. How’s this for beers to choose from?

2006 Thomas Hooker Barrel-Aged Porter

2006 Dogfish Head World Wide Stout

Bell's Hop Slam

Old Rasputin (Nitro)

Climax 10th Anniversary

Stoudt's Birthday (rare)

Flying Fish Apple Jack Brandy Beer (aged in Apple Jack brandy barrels)

Rogue Double Dead Guy (Locker Stock)

Lucifer

Stone Double Bastard

Founder's Devil Dancer

Allagash Musette Dry Hopped

Breckenridge 471 Double IPA

Allagash Curieux.

As I always do when confronted with so many beers I have never tried I ordered a sampler. My four choices were Musette, Double Dead Guy, Apple Jack and Thomas Hooker. The World Wide was not available for sample. Unfortunately my cold affected the taste of everything. There is nothing worse than having good food and drink and not being able to appreciate all the flavors. Since Capone’s is doing the list, while it lasts, for beer week I plan on getting back once my head clears. I have only touched on a small part of what Beer Week is about. While I recover from my sickness make sure to get out there and support your favorite bars, brewers and breweries and enjoy all there is to enjoy.

Meet the Brewer Tuesday

Tuesday March 11th is the big day to meet some of the best brewers from around the country and Belgium. Most of the events are pay as you go and start during happy hour. So whether you stop at one then head home or make a night of it the evening is an excellent opportunity to taste some great beer and talk to the people who crafted them.

Meet The Brewer

Victory Brewing/ Bill Covaleski

The Standard Tap, 901 N. 2nd St.

5-7 pm

25 Years of Chimay/ Luc "Bobo" Van Mechelen

Monk's Cafe, 264 S. 16th St.

6-10 pm

Dock Street Brew Pub/ Rosemarie Certo, Scott Morrison, Micheal Fava and Ben Potts

Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant, 701 South 50th St.

6-10 pm

Bell's Brewing/ Larry Bell

Jose Pistola's, 263 S. 15th St.

6-10 pm

Sly Fox/ Brian O' Reilly

Johnny Brenda's, 1201 Frankford Ave.

6-10 pm

Yards Brewing/ Frank Winslow and Tim Roberts

Caribou Cafe, 1126 Walnut St.

6-9 pm

Yards Brewing/ Tom Kehoe

Bishop's Collar, 2349 Fairmount Ave.

Yards Brewing/ Tom Kehoe

Dawson St. Pub 100 Dawson St., Manayunk

6-8 pm

Philadelphia Brewing Company

London Grill, 2301 Fairmount Ave.

6 pm

Philadelphia Brewing Company/ Chris Morris

The P.O.P.E, 1505 E. Passyunk Ave.

6 pm

By the pint or special beer flights.

Schmidt's/ Jack Ehmann (former Brewmaster) & Rich Wagner (beer historian)

Triumph Brewing, 117 Chestnut St.

7 pm

Philadelphian brewing history.

Elysian Brewing & Rogue/ David Buhler (Elysian) & Sebbie Buhler (Rogue)

Nodding Head Brewery, 1516 Sansom St. 2nd Floor

7-10 pm

Blue Point Brewery/ Brian Flynn

Good Dog, 224 S. 15th St.

7 pm

Kasteel's/ Xavier Van Honsebrouck

Tria Cafe, 12th and Spruce St.

8:30 pm

Sierra Nevada/ Terence Sullivan, Assistant Brewmaster

O'Neal's Pub, 611 S. 3rd St.

8-10 pm

Stoudt's Brewing/ Carol Stoudt

McGillin's Old Ale House, 1310 Drury St.

Southampton Brewing/ Phil Markowski

The Belgian Cafe, 21st and Green St.

Southampton Brewing/ Spencer Neilbauer, associate brewer

Grace Tavern

2229 Grays Ferry Ave

Flying Fish

Tavern 17, 220 S. 17th St.

Troegs Brewing/ Chris and John Trogner

South Philadelphia Tap Room, 1509 Mifflin St.

7-10 pm

$35

Beer dinner pairing Troegs brews with fanastic local food.

Importer: Raven Import Co. (Gaffel & Jever breweries), Ed Raven

Race St. Cafe, 208 Race St.

6 pm, Free

Informal tasting of Kolsch, German pilsner and Austria lager. Food and free glasses.

Other Activities

Irish Music Night w/ Eric and the Quarrymen

Cherry Street Tavern, 129 N. 22nd St.

Irish music, Irish stew and drink specials

8 pm

Colorado Beer Night

Bridgid's Bar and Restaurant, 726 N 24th St.

Offerings of Great Divide, Oskar Blues, Boulder and Breckenridge.

6 pm

Abita Beer Tasting

The Sidecar Bar and Grille, 2201 Christian St.

Abita beers and Cajun/ Creole food.

Artisanal Imports Beer Tasting

St. Stephen's Green, 1701 Green St.

Lanny Hoff presents tastings of Koningshoeven, Urthel, St. Bernardus and other greats.

6-9 pm

Spaten Optimator Keep the Pint Night

Fox and the Hound, 1501 Spruce St.

7-9 pm

Tri-State Happy Hour

The Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St.

Drafts from PA, NJ and DE all $2.00

Affordale Weekday: Meet the Brewer Monday

The affordable activities continue with the start of the week. Monday begins a string of Meet the Brewer nights that will introduce you to great brewers and their liquid creations. It's just a matter of picking your favorite spot and enjoying what's on tap.

Monday March 10th

Meet the Brewer

• Harpoon Brewing

Grace Tavern
2229 Grays Ferry Ave.
5-8 pm
Inaugural testing of the 100bbl series. Steve Stewart's Firth of Forth Ale.

• Blue Point Brewing

The Bishops Collar
http://www.thebishopscollar.ypguides.net/
7 pm

• Flying Fish: Casey Hughes

The Standard Tap
http://www.standardtap.com/
5-7 pm

• Victory Brewing Meet and Greet

McGillin's Old Ale House
http://www.mcgillins.com/
No Cover

• Big Boulder Brewing Company

The Black Sheep
http://www.theblacksheeppub.com/
6-9 pm
Discount Brews and keep the glass.

More Beer Fun

Southampton Ales and Lagers Night
Bridgid's
http://www.bridgids.com/
6-9 pm

Brewery Tour and Tasting
Dock Street Brewery
http://www.dockstreetbeer.com/
7 and 8 pm
Free

Summit Brewing Happy Hour
Bridgewater's
30th St Station
5-7 pm

Ultimate Beer Trivia
Hosted by In Pursuit of Ale
Triumph Brewing
http://www.triumphbrewing.com/
8 pm
Big beer quiz to test your knowledge
Entry $5.00, RSVP by March 7th

Beer and Gourmet Meatball Slider Tasting w/ Garrett Oliver
London Grill
http://www.londongrill.com/
5-8 pm
Pay as you go
Chef Michael McNally prepares meatball versions of wild boar, duck, lobster and more.

Beers of Munich
Race St. Cafe
208 Race St.
Spaten Optimator and Franziskaner

Bar Exam
The Khyber
http://www.thekhyber.com/
8 pm
free
Team game play tests beer knowledge for fun and prizes. New beers from Philadelphia Brewing Co.

Flying Dog Brewing Co. in Honor of Hunter S. Thompson
The P.O.P.E.
1501 E Passyunk Ave
7 pm
Readings from Thompson's articles and books. A screening of, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas " and, "Where the Buffalo Roam". Beef and beer or stew will raise funds for the Gozo First Memorial

The Affordable Weekend

Philly Beer Week is so close I can taste it. By now most people who are interested in all the beer related activities have been to the website multiple times. There is something for everyone over the ten day beer lovers dream week. However I noticed a fair amount of the events require a fee. There is nothing wrong with paying for an event, in fact I have my tickets for the Philly Craft Beer Festival on the 1st, but there are a lot activities that are free or simply pay as you go. So if the idea of going to several events with $40, $50, and $60 plus prices was scaring you off fear not there are plenty of Beer Week activities that wont burn a hole in your wallet. Take a look at the first weekend's events.

Friday March 7th

Meet the Brewer: Flying Fish, Casey Hughs
Good Dog
http://www.gooddogbar.com/
7 pm

Meet The Brewer: Sly Fox, Brian O' Reilly
The Standard Tap
http://www.standardtap.com/
5-7 pm

The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous...Again (Sort of)
Grey Lodge Pub
http://www.greylodge.com/
Milwaukee's Sprecher Brewing

Yards Brewing Beef and Beer
The P.O.P.E. (Pub on Passyunk East)
1501 E. Passyunk Ave.
7 pm

Saturday March 8th

Drink Your Wheaties! Wheat Beer Brunch
Grey lodge Pub
http://www.greylodge.com/
11 am-2 pm
a la carte
Join beer writers Lew Byson, Don Russel and Duane Swierczynski for a bunch of wheat beers and pancakes.

In the Pursuit of Hopiness 5 Mile Run
Dock Street Brewery
http://www.dockstreetbeer.com/
11 am
Join Bryan of The Brew Lounge and Suzanne of "In Pursuit of Ale" for a 5 mile city run then beer and food at Dock Street Brewery.

Weyerbacher Tasting
Kunda Beverage
http://www.kundabev.com/
2-5 pm
Free

Meet the Brewer: Yards Brewing
Good Dog
http://www.gooddogbar.com/
7 pm
A firkin of ESA and drinking games. What more do ya need?

Sunday March 9th

Brew You?
Home Sweet Homebrew
http://www.homesweethomebrew.com/
11 am
George Hummel shows you how to become a home brewer. Introductory workshop
R.S.V.P.
Free

Lancaster Brews All Afternoon
Johnny Brenda's
http://www.johnnybrendas.com/
1-4 pm
Specials on Lancaster Brewing's beers

Blue Point Brewing Presents Movie Night
The P.O.P.E.
1501 E. Passyunk Ave.
A double feature, "The Big Lebowski" and "Barfly".
9 pm
Free

Meet the Brewer: Iron Hill, Paul Rutherford
Good Dog
http://www.gooddogbar.com/
A firkin of Iron Hill's best.

Weekday event to follow.

So Many Festivals So Little Time

Philadelphia's biggest beer celebration is almost upon us. Philly Beer Week is just over a week away and anyone who enjoys great craft and import beer has already been searching websites to figure out what activities to attend during the ten day event. Several blogs and websites have already listed the events in calender form to make it easier for everyone to pick and plan so I am not going to rehash that information here. Instead I want to concentrate on one aspect of Beer Week, THE BEER FESTIVAL. You can call it a festival, a tasting or a sampling event. Hold it in a museum, arena, convention center, zoo, brew pub or local bar but it's all the same. Whether it's 300 plus beers being poured or under 20 it's an event dedicated to the diversity of beer and the people who enjoy it.

Over the past 15 years I have attended multiple festivals in several states. Now I am a little more selective about the ones I attend but when go I never fail to have a great time. Philly Beer Week kicks off an amazing list of festivals that continue through March and into April. The following list shows the events during and after Philly Beer Week. Some of the festivals are local while the others are just a quick road trip away.

Pre Beer Week

March 1, 2008

2nd Annual Philly Craft Beer Festival

Phila Naval Shipyard

http://www.phillycraftbeerfest.com/

Philly Beer Week Events

March 7, 2008

Joe Sixpack's Philly Favorites

The Marketplace at East Falls

7pm-10pm $60

Joe Sixpack (Don Russel) kicks off beer week with samplings from 22 local breweries and brewpubs. Gourmet food is provided by the vendors at the Marketplace.

March 8 and 9, 2008

3rd Annual Atlantic City Beer Festival

The Atlantic City Convention Center

http://www.celebrationofthesuds.com/

March 9, 2008

The 4th Annual Brewer's Plate

Independence Visitors Center

www.thebrewersplate.org/

March 15, 2008

Micheal Jackson: The Man and His Legacy

19th Annual Tutored Tasting At Penn

Chinese Rotunda and Upper Egyptian Gallery

Experts lead a tutored tasting followed by a two hour open sampling session.

http://www.pennpresents.org/

March 16, 2008

Real Ale Festival

Triumph Brewing in Old City

Triumph and Yards unite to present 20 different firkins from 20 different breweries. Only room for 300 at this event.

1-4pm, $50

http://www.triumphbrewing.com/

After Beer Week

March 22, 2008

Split Thy Skull 08 Barleywine Fest

Sugar Moms Philly

Pay as you go

Road Trip

March 8-9, 2008

Split Thy Brooklyn Skull

Mugs Ale House, Brooklyn

Pay as you go

http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/17351

March 28-30, 2008

1st Manhattan Cask Ale Festival

Chelsea Brewing Co.

Pay as you go

http://beeradvocate.com/events/info/16831

April 10, 2008

ASN's Ultimate Belgian Tasting 3

Heartland Brewery, Empire State Building

www.alestreetnews.com/07december/16_6_UB.htm

April 26-27, 2008

TAP New York Craft Beer and Fine Food Festival 2008

Hunter Mountain

http://www.tap-ny.com/

A BIG trip

April 26, 2008

3rd Annual World Beer Festival

Raleigh, NC

www.allaboutbeer.com/wbfraleigh/