We Want the Funk

When it comes to beer I tend to lean more towards the extreme than the subtile.  A well made pils is ok but give me a tongue lashing DIPA, a Stout aged in bourbon barrels or a rauchbier that is the equivalent of bacon in a glass and I am in heaven.  Within the past few years I have also become a lover of the funk.  Those barnyard smelling, Brett dominated, bacteria (Pediococcus, Lactobacillus, etc) laden sour beers that have the ability to create twisted facial expressions on the recently initiated.  A big part of Belgian brewing for eons sours have been gaining in popularity in the US.  Since the craft beer masses seem to always want an extreme fix it figures that sours would have their big day. Breweries such as Russian River and Jolly Pumpkin are fully invested in the sour styles. Fortunately it looks like it's no gimmicky, flash in the pan trend. 

If you are sour curious or, like me, already love the funky stuff  then journey to Triumph Brewing in Old City on Sunday for Funk Fest 2. Many local breweries are bringing out their sour best. It's a great way to test your tolerance for all things funky. April 25th, 12-8pm, PAYG

Some P Funk for your freaky soul.

To the Ship and Triumph

While many headed to Brewery Ommegang this past weekend for Belgium Comes to Cooperstown , one of the best annual beer events in the country, I had to reach back a couple weekends for my last road trip experience. Kelleigh and a friend were headed to a wedding just north of downtown New Hope and I played the role of their chauffeur. Before I get kudos for being a nice guy I did agree to drive knowing my huge upside. The wedding road trip placed me between two breweries I hadn't visited in years.

Once the ladies were taken care of I headed straight to Milford, New Jersey to the Ship Inn. The ship was the first brew pub established in NJ since prohibition. The setting of the brewery is almost too picturesque. A stylish Victorian building over looking a sleepy creek on a quaint main street. As nice as the setting is I traveled to the idyllic spot for some of the best British style beers in the area. Staying with tradition I started with a cask ale.

Served at room temperature the Best Bitter was a lightly carbonated amber colored ale had a gentle malty aroma. The hops were mild and a fruity, nutty, tea quality came out quick with a few sips. The bitterness came in at the end but the taste remained mild throughout. Ringwood yeast rules in this house and creates a very good cask ale.

Sitting in the Ship it's easy to forget you're in Jersey. Obviously British pubs are the influence but thankfully it's not done in an overblown Disney fashion. It's just a warm, open comfortable space that doesn't give off the typical bar vibe.

Looking at the menu I kept with the British theme and ordered the sampler plate. Sorry that I can't remember the name of everything (that's why there is a wonderful picture) but the Scotch egg, the cheese and onion pie and the pasty were fantastic. A sausage wrapped egg with a side of fried everything. Ohhh yeah! How can you go wrong? I Combined that with two pints of Brown Ale and I was in English heaven.

After cleaning my plate and saying good bye to a few people at the bar I headed south to the heart of New Hope to catch at least one beer at Triumph Brewery. If there is Ying to the Ship Inn's Yang then Triumph is it. Where the Ship is historic, quaint and warm, Triumph is modern, loud and flashy. Not a bad thing just different. It's what you would expect to find in New Hope. The space is huge and stylish with a cool hang out feel. Perfect for the flood of tourist that take over the town on warm summer evenings. By the time I arrived my time was very limited. Remember this chauffeur was still on the clock (that would change) and the reception was winding down. No time to play. Straight to the big beer.

Triumph Double Witbier clocked in at 8.0 abv so saith the chalkboard. The color of the beer was quite shocking. Think a slightly less orange glass of Tang and almost as hazy. A little unnatural looking. The aroma was a shot of alcohol, citrus (lemon, tangerine), banana and clove. Those flavors followed in the taste but the big malty wheat quality was an aggressive smack to the face. This beer doesn't hide the 8%. Its big. As much as I like a bold extreme brew this one seemed a bit artificial. I admit that I had to rush it down but a toned down version of this might work a bit better.

After getting a few calls from Kelleigh I soon showed up at the reception on time. Too smooth. The benefit for being a nice guy was a great day at two good beer stops I hadn't visited in years. The bonus of the evening, Kelleigh took the wheel for the journey back home. Thankfully my driving duties were officially done.

Thursday is Beer Night

I need to make this Thursday beer listing a regular posting. Yet again Thursday night kicks off a weekend of beer around Philly. In the city the Good Dog is tapping a firkin of Dock Street's Rye IPA tonight at 7:30. Stop in and taste real, fresh beer. Across town at Triumph Brewing get your fill of local music and beer. Starting at 5pm $10 gets you 10 acts and one beer. Besides Triumph's house beers look for Flying Fish and Sly Fox. Head to the burbs, specifically Norristown, to Capone's for a night of samples. Yes, a little free beer. Bob from the Brewers Guild will pour Allagash White, Abita Purple Haze, Great Divide Samauri and Rogue Hazelnut Brown. It all happens from 7:30-10pm.

Allagash, Heavy Seas and Triumph

Thursday is yet again the new Friday with three cool events happening tonight in the city. The South Philadelphia Tap Room has Rob Tod and 13 of his Allagash beers. The running time is 7-10pm. Jose Pistola's has Clipper City/Heavy Seas night. Finally Triumph Brewing in Old City is tapping a firkin of Framboise. Why wait until the weekend? Grab cab fare and make it a bar hopping adventure for good beer tonight.