For the Love of Dogs and Beer: The Beer Yard/Troegs/Teresa's

The Murph

This one is for Murphy (any reason to get my dog's photo up) and all those who love dogs and beer. Troegs, the Beer Yard and Teresa's are combining forces for the Delco SPCA on Sat (9/3).  Since Mr Curtin's words over at the Beer Yard site say it best I'll just copy and paste them below.

Labor Day Weekend Tröegs/Teresa's/Beer Yard Event for Delco SPCA September 03, 2011 - September 05, 2011 - The Beer Yard


Saturday, Sept. 3: 1-4 pm, in front of the Beer Yard. Award-winning beers from Tröegs Brewing Company will be available for sampling and accompanied by a variety of tasty food treats from Teresa's Next Door. Every case of Tröegs beer sold during the event will benefit the Delco SPCA to the tune of $5.00 and all profits from the food menu, which will feature $2 hot dogs as a specialty, will also go to that worthy cause. Sales Rep Nick Johnson will be selling Tröegs do collars with proceeds going to SPCA. Additionally, every customer buying a case of Tröegs will receive a free logo-ed pint glass.

All Weekend & Labor Day: $5 goes to Delco SPCA for any case of Tröegs beer purchased; write SPCA on your bill at Teresa's and 10% will also go the Delco SPCA.

Favorite Beer Board of the Week (4/12)

Haven't done this in awhile but the beauty of what Teresa's Next Door is offering certainly deserves praise. Take a close look at what's going on here. First the day is a special one because of the debut of Firestone Walker in the Philly area. Abacus, Walker's Reserve and Double Jack are all welcome with open arms. Second, the area's love for Russian River continues with Pliny the Elder and Damnation. Next toss in Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, Petrus Oak Aged Pale, Blaugies Saison D'Epautre and Allagash Odyssey. Finally, finish with two solid locals Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout and Yard's IPA (hand pump). Damn impressive.  No disrespect to the beers I didn't mention they're all part of what makes this diverse board so good. I'll have to make sure my journeys take me to Wayne more often.

Another Big Beer Saturday in Philly

Stating that it's a big beer weekend in Philly is akin to reporting that the Schuylkill River is wet and flowing.  It's a given.  Just how big a beer weekend is the better question.  Today is full of enough choices to have any beer centric individual frothing at the mouth.

Hopheads among us rejoice with Hopfest @ The Drafting Room noon tap time and Bitter Rivalry @ Iron Hill North Wales,1-5pm.  Looking for variety get on the bus for Craft Beer Express 11-9pm or trek to Phoenixville for some strolling and sipping at the Phoenixville Pub Crawl 12-6pm. Want beer with your breakfast go here, Teresa's Next Door 4th Annual Stone Brunch or Johnny Brenda's Third Annual Stout Brunch. Now the choice is yours. Cheers!

Favorite Beer Menu of the Week

Teresa's Next Door 7-17-10

Wow what can I say?  This was a great one.  For those of you who have never been to TND shame, shame, shame.  No doubt one of the best beer stops in the burbs.  The 4 batches of Russian River Consecration (along with Supplication & Registration), Founders KBS , a couple options from Jolly Pumpkin and one from Cantillon are proof of that.                                                                                         

Since I was on my way to register for the mud run on Sunday, an afternoon of good beer wasn't on the schedule.  After one KBS I left the serious tasting to those who could handle it.  Dan from the smile on your face my guess is your day was a good one.

PBW Recap @ Teresa's Next Door

We can never have too much Philly Beer Week.  With places doing recaps of the best beer week that was there is no chance that we will be deprived of events that showcase an awesome collection of great craft beer.  Never a problem in Philly. This Saturday Teresa's Next Door breaks out the big beer guns and has us thinking back to the magical week in June. I can only speculate that if these gatherings continue throughout the year at some point Beer Week Recaps will bump up against Beer Week Preludes.  Oh, what wonderful collision that would be. Cheers.

TND RECAP

Sat July 17th

KBS, Registration Ale, a Consecration Vertical (yes, a vertical on tap), Interlude, Cantillon Cuvee Saint-Gilloise, Pozharnik, Bam Biere, Calabaza Blanca, New Holland's El Mole Ocho, the beer officially known as "Sierra Nevada ExPorter", Charlie & Ken's Imperial Bock, Supplication, Devil Dancer and more

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.

Back to Back Ballast Point

In my attempt to avoid chasing Sculpin around Philly I've decided to seek out other Ballast Point beers. Hey if Sculpin just happens to make an appearance, so be it.

Teresa's Next Door

Ballast Point Brunch

11am, Sunday, June 28th

This is the big one. Ten Ballast Point beers on tap. I honestly believe there is more B.P. pouring here than anywhere in CA. Only in Philly. For all the barrel heads (wood heads?) like me check out the three limited barrel aged beers on the list. Drink up while you can. You won't see these often.

Abandon Ship Smoked Lager,

Black Marlin Porter,

Yellow Tail (Not the wine!),

Big Eye IPA,

Calico Copper

Dorado Double IPA

Bourbon Barrel Aged Sea Monster Imperial Stout

Bourbon Barrel-aged Victory at Sea Coffee Vanilla Imperial Porter

Whiskey Barrel Aged Navigator

Sculpin IPA

Craft Ale House

Six Month Celebration

Monday, June 29th

Is it an anniversary if it has only been 6 months? Skip the technicalities and take in the festivities. Live music and great beer are calling.

Big Eye IPA

Dorado Double IPA

Navigator Dopplebock

Wahoo Wheat

Sculpin IPA

and many other great craft beers.

BIG, BIG, BIG BEERS: Capone's &TND

This is the week of our big move so unfortunately I don't have much time for posting or beer activity. I had to take a quick break from packing to point out two impressive events. On the heals of an amazing Friday the Firkinteenth at the Grey Lodge Pub come two more can't miss beer gatherings. Damn it's not even Beer Week!!!

Capones
Matt has officially named this February 19th Beer Connoisseur Thursday. This promo will give every one the chance to taste some rare and highly sought after beers. Maybe we can even end the BA debate over which is better Pliny or Nectar. Just go and enjoy both. As usual the drafts go on early and continue through the day. Start time 11:30am, PAYG

Connoisseur Draft List

Troegs Nugget Nectar

Bells Hop Slam

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Bear Republic Apex Imperial IPA

Founders Imperial Stout

Oskar Blues Ten FIDY

Philly Brewing Philabuster Wheatwine

East End Smoke Stack Porter

East End Cherry Stout

Great Lakes Blackout Stout

Rogue J.L.S. Imperial Porter

Fantôme Spéciale De Noel

Gouden Carolus Carolus D'Or - Cuvée Van De Keizer

Terrapin Rye Pale Ale

Terrapin India Brown Ale

Voodoo Brewing Pilzilla

Teresa's Next Door

Feb 22 is Double IPA Day. TND brings together some rare and powerful DIPA offerings on a Sunday afternoon. What better way to spend a winter day? 11:00am start time. PAYG

DIPA Draft List

(from The Beer Yard website)
Bell's Hop Slam

Founder's Double Trouble

Boulder Mojo Risin'

Russian River Pliny the Elder

Anderson Valley 20th Anniversary

River Horse Hopsalotamus

Nugget Nectar (cask)
Oskar Blues Gordon
Left Hand Twin Sisters

And, who knows, maybe more as well.

Quest for the Nectar

It has begun; the madness that goes with the release of Troeg's Nugget Nectar. Just like Russian River's Pliny the Elder, Nectar is a hop lovers dream and people have been anticipating this beer for months. Now that it's out it is flying off the shelves around Philly. Two days ago stops at three six pack shops yielded nothing but the words, "I am sorry we are all out". Since then I have found a nice stash and a fresh six sits in the beer fridge. Now local taps are about to begin flowing with the dream draft.

Tonight Standard Tap is the place to be if you want it first and on cask. 6:00PM

The Drafting Room in Exton, PA. Jan 29th a firkin pours at 5:30PM

Teresa's Next Door. More Nectar flows Feb 5th @ 6PM.

Give Me A Theme for My Beer Night

When I was in a frat back in my college days the most interesting parties were the ones wrapped around a theme. Heaven and Hell Night was one of the best (sorry the details will remain withheld). Now a days bars have embarrassed the theme idea to pull in valuable patrons. With so many great places to grab a good beer around Philly a creative twist to draw attention isn't a bad idea. Now I have never needed a reason to head into a bar and have a beer. "Hey, the work day is done, time for a beer". "Hmmmm, that place looks interesting, lets stop and have a beer". "I am still breathing and my legs function lets go in and have a beer". All have been reason enough to indulge in a pint or two. However I do like it when an establishment puts a little extra thought into it to create an interesting event. This can be as simple as a creative Happy Hour special or a detailed weekend extravaganza. Many times brewery reps or distributors work with bars to create cool beer promos. Something more stimulating than the mundane $2.00 Bud Light Pint Night. Many bars around Philadelphia have fun with specials maybe none better than the creative wizards over at Memphis Taproom. Brendan's Mystery Beer Weekend in August was one of the most unique. Over three days a total of 30 beers covering 11 styles were tapped. A few small clues were given and the goal was to list the beers on a ballot. The winner, Jim Keaveney, named an incredible 28 and second went to The Beer Lass, Sly Fox's Suzanne Woods. Other beer adventures at Memphis Taproom are the Me and Mom Happy Hour, the Pittsburgh Transplant Happy Hour (love the idea of that one) and the upcoming Boxing Day Beer Festival. The creativity is great, it creates atmosphere, it's a cool twist to grabbing a beer and it draws attention to the bar. There is nothing wrong with bringing in the business. I am sure more places will stir the creative fluids and develop unique ideas for great beer gatherings. It just so happens that there are two beer events tonight. One on the soulful side the other more seasonal.

Thursday is Beer Night

In the City
I've already mentioned this one but it deserves another shout out. Join Dr. Joel from New Holland Brewing at the Sidecar Bar and Grille for Soul Power, an evening of beer, soul music and soul food. Joel will pour The Poet, Mad Hatter, Dragons Milk and Cabin Fever and the DJ will spin the soulful sounds. The groove starts at 5pm and goes until whenever.

In the Burbs
For an evening filled with holiday cheer join Brian O' Reilly, Tim Ohst and Suzanne Woods at Teresa's Next Door for the Sly Fox Christmas Party. Enjoy Sly Fox's Christmas Ale and other specialty beers during the evening. The party starts at 6:00. Bonus from 6-8pm Don "Joe Sixpack" Russell will have copies of his Christmas Beer book for sale. Buy it, get it signed and chat about this season's best Xmas beers with the author.

Big Ole Beer Week

I usually don't post an events list for the week but I looked at the calender for October 5TH-11TH and realized that it's a big beer week. Events of all sizes are happening and this list doesn't include everything around Philly just some of the interesting happenings that caught my eye.

Sun 10/5
Bella Vista Beer Distributors Grand Re-opening Party
12-5PM
This party celebrates the move across the street to the new location. An interesting mix of beers are pouring all afternoon. The list from BA: Ballast Point Sculpin IPA, Russian River Pliny the Elder, Voodoo Black Magick, Beer Valley Liefer Madness (Oregon), Boulder, Sprecher, Coronado...also Gritty McDuff's, Schewlmer Imports (German beers), Rogue, Victory, Sly Fox, Stoudt's, Erie, Widmer, Dock St., etc.

Tue 10/7
Pittsburgh Happy Hour @ Memphis Taproom
5-7PM
This one is close to the heart since I am a Pittsburgh native. Memphis does this one every 1st Tuesday of the month. Look for the 'Ode to the Primanti Bros., Sandwich' and Pittsburgh beer, including Iron City (yikes) specials.

Wed 10/8
Chimay 25TH Anniversary Party @ Teresa's Next Door
It's Chimay's Anniversary but you get the gifts. The first 100 Chimay drinkers get a glass. The rep will be there from 7-10PM to answer all your red, white and blue questions.

Thur 10/9
Great American Beer Festival
5:30-10PM
I am jealous of everyone who is able to go this year. I thought that I would make the trip, unfortunately it's not happening for me. Although tix are sold out all is not lost. If you want to go head over to Ebay for the tickets, then find a flight to Denver. Not cheap, but doable.

Opening of The General Lafayette Tiedhouse
Foobooz put this info out earlier in the week. Hopefully everything is still on track. The Tiedhouse will have 19 taps, 14 with beer from the General Lafayette Inn and Brewery.

Fri 10/10
GABF
5:30-10PM

Italian Beer @ Di Bruno Bros.,
6:00-8:00PM
If you think Italy is just about the wine think again. Head to 1700 Chestnut St and discover the pairing of Italian beer with specialty cheese.

Sat 10/11
GABF
12:30-4:30PM & 5:30-10:00PM

GABF Live Party @ Iron Hill Brewery North Wales
2:00PM
If you can't make it to Denver (like me) do the next best thing, check out a simulcast and drink some of Iron Hill's nominated beers. The simulcast starts at 3:30PM.

Blue Ox Bistro Oktoberfest
You know the drill, expect music, lots of German food and beer. The festivities continue on Sunday.

Oktoberfest @ Issac Newton's
12:00-4:00PM
Yes, Oktoberfest continues around Philly. Besides German food and beer a ticket to this event gets you an Oktoberfest glass mug, a shirt and two draft beer tickets. Event tickets are limited and only available at Issac Newton's.

Waffles & Puppets @ Ommegang Brewery
12:00-5:00PM
I love the name of this event. If you don't know the background the name will make you say, "Huh" with an odd facial expression. This is Ommegang's big Birthday Party celebrating their 11TH year. There will be 12 beers served. Besides Ommegang brew expect Duvel import brands, 400 cases of cave-aged beers and the introduction of a new fall seasonal.

Now that is a serious week.

Russian River Rules

If Pliny the Elder continues to appear on any more draft lists it will soon be like reporting who is carrying Yuengling Lager. OK that's a bit dramatic but anyone around Philadelphia who is seeking this Russian River favorite has had many chances to get a taste. The Russian River event at Monk's on Monday was great. The beer started pouring early in the day so by the time I arrived at 4:30 it wasn't long before some of the line up started to kick. It's not a mystery why; every beer order around me was for Russian River. The Pliny invasion moved back to the burbs to Teresa's Next Door and they also have Damnation on tap.

Also:

The Memphis Taproom has been pouring R.R's Blind Pig and are reporting they will have Pliny. Keep an eye on their draft list.