I Love the Smell of Wood in the Morning

If you aren't headed to the sold out Kennett Square Brewfest or maybe if you are and just need to make your day of beer drinking a little longer head to Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny. UJ is providing some serious morning wood ***insert chuckle here*** with a Wood Barrel Aged Beer Fest featuring 15 barrel aged beers on tap. A 9am start means you will have to break your rule of no drinks before noon. Who am I kidding? I'm sure most of you reading this won't have a problem sipping on your first cold one at a time when you are more accustom to tossing back bacon, eggs and double caramel lattes. PAYG 9am-???

DRAFT LIST (SO FAR):

STONE RED WINE BARREL AGED OLD GUARDIAN

ALLAGASH INTERLUDE

OMMEGANG ROUGE

PENNICHUCK POZHARNIK

FOUNDERS MAPLE MOUNTAIN BROWN

SAINT SOMEWHERE LECTIO DU CHENE

FOUNDERS BACKWOODS BASTARD 07

TERRAPIN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

TERRAPIN BIG HOPPY MONSTER

NEW HOLLAND DRAGONS MILK 07

LEFT HAND OAKED IMPERIAL STOUT

RUSSIAN RIVER CONSECRATION

FOUNDERS HAND OF DOOM

Le Trou Du Diable La Claymore Cerise

Le Trou Du Diable Brandy Barrel La Buteuse

A firkin of Harviestoun Ola Dubh 12

NYC Beer Trippin' to the Yankees (PT1): Rattle-N-Hum

So what does a die hard football fan from Pittsburgh who places the importance of baseball dead last on the list of the four major sports do when asked to go to a Yankees game? I go, of course. Sure my love of baseball died around the same time Barry Bonds took a jet out of Pittsburgh back in 92 but even I can't deny the excitement of the New York Yankees and their new ballpark. Now if this were a sports blog I'd go on nostalgically about my childhood love of the game, the great ballpark memorabilia or the Yankees walk-off victory but here it's about the beer.

The good beer in this Yankees journey started with a short walk form Penn Station down 33rd to Rattle-N-Hum. There is an Irish flag over the door but a closer look at the beer signs tell you this isn't your average Irish American pub. While taking a seat at the long bar, one quick look at the hand written draft board and immediately you know this place takes its craft beer serious. There are 40 beers on tap and another 4 on cask at a separate cask bar at the back of the room. The place has the classic warm, been-there-forever pub feel. Surprising since it opened only a little over a year ago. The dimly lit room is trimmed in dark wood and has enough craft beer swag on the ceiling and walls to put the fear of God into a Coors Light drinker. Visiting for the first time I kicked myself for not taking time to make it up during their huge cask event for the recent NYC Craft Beer Week. In honor of real ale I decided on a Clipper City Brewing Hang 10 Weizen Dopplebock accompanied by a side of IPA brined fries (double fried perfection).

I am a big fan of Weizenbock and Hang 10 (bottle) is one of my top three American versions of the style. Penn Brewing Weizen Bock and Victory Moonglow Weizen Bock top my list. This was my first experience with H10 on cask and it didn't disappoint.

The pour was deep amber with a thin head that quickly faded. Banana bread came to mind with the first sniff; a good bit of sweet malt, spice and yeast. The fruit effect really comes out in this beer; raisins, apples, banana and a malt sweetness followed by a slight sourness towards the end. This was a very good sipper. The alcohol is well hidden. The fact that it's 10% abv still amazes me. If I didn't have an entire night of activity in front of me I would of loved to explore the rest of the cask list.

Midtown Village Fall Festival

There's a chill is in the air, the leaves are beginning to change and I have an urge to drink beer in the street. It must be time for the Midtown Village Fall Festival. Saturday October 3rd (noon-8pm) is the 4th year for the event that picked up where the former Ludwig's Oktoberfest left off. It's grown to include a multitude of shops, vendors, bars and restaurants all offering a grand afternoon of merriment in the streets of Midtown. The beer will flow from the usual locations; Fergie's, Vintage, Time and McGillin's Olde Ale House. For the Oktoberfest experience McGillin's will shut down Drury Street to create a beer garden with German beer, food and entertainment. Prost!!!

Celebrating with a Loser

Back in the early to mid 9os on any given day you would of found me dressed in a pair of torn jeans, a t-shirt and flannel (the standard grunge for dumbies kit) listening to Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees, Nirvana and Mudhoney. Yes, I fell hard for the whole grunge scene; music, clothes, attitude and scraggly facial hair (that still remains). Recently all those second hand Seattle memories came rushing back when I was lucky enough to score two tickets to the upcoming Pearl Jam concert at the Wachovia Spectrum in October. What makes the concert opportunity even better is that, the tix were free (Joe rules!). A true cause for celebration. A bottle of Elysian Brewing's Loser Pale Ale seemed like the best way to toast an evening of meaningful, hard driven, passionate tunes.

Loser is a tribute to 20 years of Sub Pop music. The Seattle based record company founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman was a big part of developing the "Seattle sound".

The beer is a golden orange with a light hop and fruit aroma. The look suggests a rich hoppy treat, maybe leaning to the IPA side, but the taste is all Pale Ale. There's a nice bitter grapefruit sting, breadiness and a touch of sweetness. This beer isn't going to abuse you, which is a good thing. Not every beer needs to smack you over the head. This is simply a good, easy drinking Pale. So mess up your hair, put on your best flannel, open a bomber and get in touch with your inner loser.

The following Mudhoney (band on the label) video should help with the mood.

Double Bastard Pour

Somehow it didn't seem fair to label this photo Double Bastard Pour without giving a little explanation. On Wed Stone rep Lee Marren brought some of the brewery's best offerings to a jubilant crowd at the Craft Ale House in Limerick. The draft choices were ample and as if that weren't enough the evening notched up when the locked top was sprung on a jeroboam of Double Bastard. Mmmm, caramel, malty, hoppy, bitter, sweet goodness. Thanks again Gary and Lee! We aren't worthy!

Happy Birthday Guinness

What do you do when you turn 250? You party like a rock star, hold a world wide toast and give others the experience of a lifetime. Today marks 250 years since Arthur Guinness signed the 9000 year lease on the St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin and it's also Mr. G's 284th birthday. For the party Guinness is holding a concert featuring the Black Eyed Peas and giving away 3 amazing experiences; Space, Sea, Studio (check the video). If you are celebrating have your pint ready at 5:59 pm est, to toast with the rest of the world.

Tir na nog (Philly)

Guinness 250th Anniversary Party!:09.24.09Come be a part of history on Thursday, September 24 from 5 - 7pm at Tir Na Nog! Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of Guinness with samples of Guinness' Limited Edition 250 brew, bag pipes, prizes, giveaways and a Global Toast at 5:59pm! Hosted by the Guinness Girls!

Stoned or a Resurrection?

Mr. Dan Bengel hit me with a Facebook invite that creates a slight biblical dilemma for Wednesday night. The Craft Ale House is having a Turn to Stone event with Stone Brewing rep extraordinaire Lee Marren supplying a fine mix of southern California goodies; Stone 13, Cali-Belgique, Sublimely Self Righteous, Ruination and Vertical Epic 9-9-9. Sounds perfect. Oops, Brendan and crew are opening the doors to Resurrection Ale House on the same night. Don't all you beer guys convene at a giant round table in a secret location so nights like this don't happen? Now a choice must be made. Do I head to the city for a resurrection or make my way to the country to get stoned? Decisions, decisions, decisions.




Big Dan's musical choice might be more spot on but I am feelin' this Black Crowes cover.

Resurrection Time

Ahhhhh yes, the time of the resurrection has arrived. On Wed Sept 23rd Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida will open the doors of Resurrection Ale House located at the corner of Catharine Street and Grays Ferry Ave (2425 Grays Ferry Ave). You know to expect great beer and the extra treat is the, impossible to get in Philly, Brewers Art Resurrection Ale on draft. The opening day festivities start at 5pm.

Opening Draft List

Brewer’s Art Resurrection Ale

Stoudt’s Pils

Slyfox O’Reilly’s Stout

Cantillon Cuvee des Champions

Schlenkerla Helles

Dogfish Head Punkin’

PBC Rowhouse Red

Brooklyn Sorachi Ace

Ommegang Rare Vos

Lagunitas Lucky 13

Ayinger Octoberfest

On Cask : Yards Cape of Good Hope

Russian River Pliny The Elder

Bottle List & Coming Soon On Draft

Oktoberfest

Today is the start of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. Over the next 16 days approximately 6 million people will celebrate Bavarian style. If your not one of the lucky ones headed to Germany don't get your lederhosen in a bind. Raise your liter at any of the local versions of the famous fall fest.
Prost!!!

Philly Oktoberfest 2009
Sat Sept 19th
Location: 23rd Street Armory
22 S. 23rd Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Between Market and Chestnut Street
Session #1 : 1:00 p.m. - 4:00pm
Session #2 : 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m
VIP Entry an hour Early! Admission: $40 ($50 at the door)VIP : $75 (includes food* and souvenir liter) Designated Driver : $15
Spaten, Franziskaner, plus 25 more Oktoberfestbiers & Pumpkin Ales German Biergarten with food*. Wear your lederhosen & dirndls! Oom-pah Music by Heimat Klaenge & the Mummers All-Stars. Traditional dancing by GTV Almrausch Schuhplattler
*Buffet at additional charge. Close to Public Transportation. Must be 21 to Attend

Elwood Park Zoo's Oktoberfest
Saturday September 19, 2009
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm (last call at 8:30 pm)
Herald the fall season with a sampling of the harvest hops! Stroll the zoo, enjoy live music and sample seasonal craft brews. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for designated drivers. Tickets $40 in advance, $45 at the gate, and only $20 for designated drivers. Pre-sale tickets are sold out, be sure to stop by Elmwood Park Zoo Saturday night to purchase your tickets and attend! Price includes complimentary Oktoberfest Mug and delicious Oktoberfest fare. Official Oktoberfest 2009 t-shirts are also on sale -- buy now or at the gate.
THIS EVENT IS FOR ADULTS ONLY! YOU MUST BE 21 TO ENTER. VALID PROOF OF AGE MUST BE SHOWN AT GATE!

Stoudt's Oktoberfest 09
SEPTEMBER 26 - Gate opens at 1pm.
3 to 10 pm - Music by "Alex Meixner" breaking for events.
2, 4:15, 6:15, and 8:15 pm - Performance by "The Reading Liederkranz Schuhplatters" Dancers
3:15 pm - Parade of the Pig
2:30 - Women's Cleevagheevin finals at 6:45 pm
4 pm - Children's contest
4:45 pm - Men's Cleevagheevin finals at 8:45 pm
Food available from 2 to 9 pm.
SEPTEMBER 27 - Gate opens at 1pm. Music by "Walt Groller" from 2 to 6 pm.
Food available from noon - 5 pm.

Teresa's Next Door
Sept 20th
Radnor Fall Festival to INCLUDE OKTOBERFEST!!!
Just like before at Jazz Fest Earlier this year we will be drinking in the streets of Wayne!!! Along with various forms of shopping, children's entertainment and A BIG SCREEN TV outside so you don't miss the Eagles play @1PM while we pour more draft beer in the street. Here is another great opportunity to loosen Wayne up a little.

Brauhaus Schmitz Oktoberfest
9/21-9/26
All week long we will feature an Authentic Bavarian Menu and Draft specials. If you have any questions regarding specific events, please call us 267-909-8814. Monday, 9/21 - 9PM - German/Beer Quizzo. (Sign up will start on 9/21 at 8PM - it is free to play. Winning team will get Gift Certificate and door prizes.)
Tuesday, 9/22 - 7PM - 4 Course Bavarian Dinner with Beer Pairing. $45/pp (Limited space - reservation only - Please call to reserve your spot)
Oktoberfest Beer Dinner
1st course: Poached Salmon with Celery Root Salad and Pilsner Sabayon served with a 0 .4L Jever pilsner
2nd Course: Duck Liver Pate en croute served with a 0.3L Aecht Schlenkerla Märzen

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh
First 2 weekends in October
Next: Friday, October 2-4
Come join in the celebration of Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh's 1st AnnualOktoberfest! Located in the Sydney Street Parking Lot, next to McCormick and Schmick's. Featuring delicious Hofbrauhaus bier and cuisine, local vendors, and live entertainment! We'll see you there!Friday 5PM to Midnight, Saturday Noon to Midnight, and Sunday Noon to 10:00 PM

Max's 2nd Annual German Beer Fest
September 18-20, 2009
11am-close (2am) each day. NO ENTRANCE FEE. We will be featuring over 80 Authentic German Beers on Draft. Over 70 Authentic German Beers in Bottles and a full German Inspired food menu. We will be offering 12oz Sample mugs, 1 Liter Steins, 1 Liter Boots and 2 Liter Boots. Full Draft list TBA....Soon. For any info Please contact chard@maxs.com 410-675-6297

Details On Beer

When I flipped through my October issue of Details magazine it wasn't the Prada ads, an article on a cocaine wrecked life or tips on how to achieve a killer orgasms that caught my eye, it was a photo of icy beer cans. The trendy, hip and those in the know now know what beer enthusiasts have understood for awhile. Great beer comes in a can. The quick article highlights 7 canned beers that are worthy of popping the tab. Sly Fox's Pikeland Pils is the Philly connection on the list. Details author, Rob Willey, states: "Malt and hops give it a subtle heft that most pale brews lack.". The other canned wonders on the list are; Steamworks Steam Engine Lager, Caldera Ashland Amber, Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout (my favorite), 21st Amendment Brew Free or Die IPA, Butternuts Heinnieweisse Weissebier and New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale.

Wealth of Riches: Blue Dog Family Tavern

When you have a monster lineup of craft beer what's the best course of action to take? If you're the Blue Dog Family Tavern in Chalfont you share the wealth. On Saturday the 19th "The Big Event" is a Wealth of Riches Celebration. The starting draft list may have you jumping in the car now. Arriving early is a good plan especially if you crave a pint of Nugget Nectar. Even with Sculpin, Pliny, KBS and CBS in the house my money is on the "fresh" Nectar firkin kicking first. The pours start at 11:00 am. PAYG.

Starting Line-Up
Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout
Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout
Ballast Point Sculpin India Pale Ale
Ballast Point Dorado Double IPA
Russian River Pliny the Elder
Stone 13th Anniversary Ale
Beer Valley Black Flag Imperial Stout
Ithaca Flower Power
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti
Dogfish Head Sah ‘tea
Voodoo “Got Gas?” Nitro IPA
A fresh firkin of Tröegs Nugget Nectar

On Deck -
Russian River Consecration
Russian River Temptation
Founders Dumbo Head Wheat
Founders Maple Mountain Brown
Dogfish Head Chateau Jiahu
Boulder 30th Anniversary Flashback Ale
Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA
Great Divide Double Wit
Ithaca Ten
Thomas Hooker Liberator Doppelbock - Cellared
Duck-Rabbit Duck-Rabbitor Doppelbock
Allagash Curiex
Port Brewing Hop 15
Lost Abbey 10 Commandments
Dogfish Head Palo Santo
Stone Cali-Belgique
Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous
Allagash Fluxus
Bear Republic Double Aught
Saint Somewhere Lectio du Chene
Saint Somewhere Saison du Chene
Saint Somewhere Pays du Soliel
Lagunitas Vintage 2008 Olde GnarlyWine (En route)
Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Extra! (En route)

And lots more....

Jazz Brew & Lew: Jenkintown Jazz and Brew Fest

This year the Jenkintown Jazz and Brew Fest has the added bonus of breakfast with über author on beer (whiskey too) Lew Bryson. Don't worry getting up Sunday at the crack of dawn for nourishment isn't necessary. Both times will allow you to sleep off some of what did you in last night. Seating #1 is @ 11:00 AM and #2 is @ 12:00 pm at the West Avenue Grille. Afterwards take in the tunes and get a few more pours of the hair of the dog that bit ya. The Brew Fest starts at 1:00.

Tickets for Breakfast and Brew are $25 and will be available at the West Avenue Grille on Sunday morning. BrewFest-only admission is $30 payable at the gate. This low entry fee gets you admittance to the BrewFest, a sporty wristband, a commemorative sampling cup, and all the samples you care to enjoy during the time taps are open. Designated Driver tickets (full access but NO sampling) are only $10. Sorry, no refunds.

Mondo Brewlicious Saturday

Nothing to do today? Then you are not thinking with your beer soaked brain. There are enough great beer events happening in and around Philly that you will wish you could clone yourself and get to them all.

Philadelphia

Drafting Room Spring House

Hopfest

noon start, all day, PAYG

Offerings scheduled to include:
Green Flash West Coast IPA, Brooklyn Blast, Drafting Room 15th Anniversary Ale, Green Flash Imperial IPA, Moylan’s Hopsickle, Southern Tier Hoppe, Rogue Latona, Southern Tier Gemini, Yards Cape of Good Hope, Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel, Otter Creek Imperial IPA, Iron Hill (North Wales) Something Hoppy, Duvel Green, Bear Republic Racer X, Arcadia Hop Rocket, Rogue xs I2PA, Thirty Dog Hoppus Maximus, Great Lakes Burning River, Bavarian Barbarian Weldsplatter, Stoudts Double IPA, Tröegs Nugget Nectar “Firkin”
Sorry, No Growlers

Johnny Brenda's

Pils Picnic
Noon, all day, PAYG
Why celebrate Oktoberfest when SUMMER IS STILL HERE?! Saturday, September 12 from noon on we'll be serving 10 local pils on tap from Victory, Stoudts, Dock Street, Troegs, Sly Fox, Iron Hill, and McKenzie. We will be serving delicious picnic food like deviled eggs, potato salad, cold fried chicken, and more! Come enjoy the crisp, refreshing pilsners!

TJ's Restaurant & Drinkery

Suburban Philly Beer Meetup

3-5pm

Bring your best brews to share and meet other Suburban Pilly BAs. TJ's will be supplying the space and various appetizers to go around. This is a no cost event - so please tip your server generously as they will have to serve the apps and clean up after us. If the event is successful we will host one every quarter throughout the year.

Northern Liberties

A Full Plate's 3rd Annual Rib Cook-Off

1pm

With your $20 admission price you also get a beer from Stoudt's and a cocktail mixed with ROOT liqueur. A bottomless cup can be purchased for an additional $10. Doors open to the event at 1pm. The first 35 people through the door also get a FREE Rib Cook-Off t-shirt from Philly Fresh Prints!A Full Plate's 3rd Annual Rib Cook-Off2nd and N. Hancock Streets (directly behind The Piazza @ Schmidt's)FREE PARKING

Pittsburgh

Steel City Big Pour 2009

Session One: 12pm - 3pm (SOLD OUT), Session Two: 5pm - 8pm (SOLD OUT)
A Craft Brewing Experience Featuring: Beer Samples From 32 Craft Breweries, Food From Over 20 Local Restaurants, Live Art & Music, Deluxe Kegerator Art & Raffle, The Return of the Belgian Cafe, Big Pour's Own Brew, More Pours... Think Glass & Concrete, Many Organic Offerings, And Much Much More! Three hours of beer, live art & music. In two short years, the Big Pour has established itself as the preeminent craft beer festival in the region. Come and experience Craft Brewing like nowhere else in Pittsburgh. No one attending will ever be the same!

More Mondo Brewlicious Saturday

The brewliciousnous continues....

New York

2nd Annual NY Craft Beer Week
Sept 11-20, multiple venues
We are proud to shine a bright spotlight on how craft beer has intersected with two of our city's most renowned attributes: great nightlife and an outstanding restaurant scene. This year's NY Craft Beer Week includes 83 different venues featuring 162 unique beers throughout the five boroughs.

Baltimore (Bel Air)

DuClaw Brewing Company
DuClaw Real Ale Festival
12-4pm
The DuClaw Brewing Company Real Ale Festival, 2009 edition (hopefully this year, with 100% less rain), goes down Saturday, September 12, 2009 at DuClaw Brewing Company Bel Air. Live music, free food buffet, a few surprises, and of course, ALL THE CASK CONDITIONED ALE YOU CAN DRINK from 13 renowned craft breweries make this the place to be from 12 noon to 4pm. Follow the link below for more info and ticket purchasing...

Frederick, Maryland

Flying Dog Brewery
2nd Annual Gonzofest
3-9pm
It's almost time for our 2nd Annual GonzoFest. Come celebrate the extraordinary life of our Idol, Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, on our brewery grounds. We'll be providing things like beer (which is included in the price of your ticket), live music and chili samples from the Hard Times Cafe Chili Cookoff (for the Maryland State Championship). We're even holding a Hunter S. Thompson lookalike contest - you could win tons of Gonzo shit if you show up dressed in your best Dr. Gonzo outfit! One of the prizes is a 750ml bottle of our original Gonzo Imperial Porter signed by none other than Ralph Steadman. To boot, a portion of the proceeds benefit United Way of Frederick County.

Football, Pizza, Wings and Drinking Stoopid

Ahhhh, my favorite time of the year is finally here. It's football season. Last night was the kickoff of the 2009 NFL season featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans. What better way to celebrate the hard hitting night than with a big, bold, powerful hop blast? Lagunitas Hop Stoopid played perfectly with a pepperoni, mozzarella and basil pizza and buffalo wings. This dangerously addictive combination will no doubt play out many more times over the season. I've discussed the brewmance I have with Lagunitas and Hop Stoopid lands around the top of the list of my favorite beers from the Petaluma, CA brewer. A big malt background and citrusy hops (think grapefruit) with a smack of bitterness makes for a great pour. As for the game it ended the way I wanted it to with a Steelers victory. It wasn't pretty but I'll take a Pittsburgh win any way I can get it.

09/09/09: Night of the General, the Fox & the Terrapin

It sounds like the start of haunting biblical days. On 09/09/09 a General, the Fox and the Terrapin shall rise in the evening. If I were an ultra religious man I'd worry. Luckily we're safe for now from any historical wrath. Instead of End of Days, tonight Philly gets three great breweries making their mark on this numerically unique day.

Sly Fox heads to the General Lafayette Inn & Brewery for a Meet the Brewer Night. Brewers Brian O'Reilly and Tim Ohst meet up with the General's Chris Leonard and Russ Czajka for an offering of firkins. Sly Fox British Pale Ale and General Lafayette's Griffin's Mild or Union Jack ESB.

7-9pm. PAYG.

Terrapin Beer Co. invades Philly starting with their Launch Party at Varga Bar. Founder & President John Cochran will be on hand to discuss beer and all things Terrapin. It's worth the drive to the city just to drink a beer named Substance Abuse. Gotta love it.

8-10pm. PAYG

Depth Charge
Big Hoppy Monster
Rye2
Rye Pale Ale
Gamma Ray
Substance Abuse
India Brown Ale
Depth Charge

Stone 09/09/09

Yes, it is time again for those arrogant bastards (I say that with the utmost respect) over at Stone to release the next creation in the Vertical Epic series, 09/09/09. Since 2002, 02/02/02, a VE beer has been released on the date when numerically the month, day and year match up. The "Vertical" part takes place with the release of 12/12/12 when all releases (How many do you still have?) are to be tasted in a grand, actually "Epic", "Vertical" tasting. If you don't already have this year's VE or if you are waiting for the grand date of 12/12/12 not to worry Head Brewer Mitch Steele lays out the details on The Stone Blog.

Mitch Steele (Head Brewer): During the brewing process we added dark candi sugar, vanilla bean, and tangerine peel to complement the flavors of the porter. The vanilla bean addition is fascinating, as it actually enhances the chocolate character from the roasted malts, and the candi sugar adds a nice hint of molasses flavor to the finish. The tangerine actually turned out to be quite subtle on the finish, and combines nicely with the chocolate malt character. We aged this beer on French oak chips, which contributes a smooth and subtle woody undertone and even more vanilla flavors.

Abv: 8.6%
IBUs: 50
Starting Gravity: 20 degrees plato
Hops:-Perle (German)-Magnum (German)
Grain Bill: -Pale Malt-Crystal Malt-Belgian Aromatic Malt-Chocolate Malt-Black Malt-De-Husked Black Malt
Additional Ingredients: -Tangerine Peel-Vanilla Bean-Dark Candi Sugar

Furthermore Knot Stock

I am a spice fanatic. Garlic, curry, saffron, thyme, cilantro, coriander, basil, sage and so on and so on. Out of my kingdom of spices I use peppercorns the most. I've managed to destroy several grinders through the years with everyday use. Along with peppering just about everything, I cook with a variety chilies and even have a dedicate hot sauce cabinet. If my food lacks great flavor I don't want it. I tend to follow the same rule with my beer. I think that's why I fall so hard for beers that are highly hopped, smoked and super sour. That's why when searching the shelves of Capone's for something a little different Knot Stock spoke to my spicy side.

Knot Stock is a black pepper infused APA brewed by Furthermore Brewing in Spring Green Wisconsin. In their own words it's, "Black, cracked, stuffed in a sack, boiled and cold-infused".

Caution, if you fear the peppercorn then this beer most likely won't work for you. If you do embrace pepper goodness then prepare a pint glass. Black pepper pops out quick and soon masks the faint caramel malt aroma. Even though the pepper is also upfront in the taste it's not unpleasant. Some sweet, breadiness along with a hop bite towards the end keep it from becoming a peppery beast. Knot Stock definitely has the biggest black pepper presence I've tasted in a beer.

As I sipped I kept thinking of all the foods that would work well with this beer. The idea of having a rare steak from the grill, blacked fish or spicy jambalaya accompanied by a pint of Knot Stock are what my peppery dreams are made of. I did get the chance to have it with a black pepper encrusted turkey breast and it paired perfectly. Now I am thinking of adding some tomato juice and a few shots of Red Hot for a twist on the classic Bloody Mary. I'll let you know how the experiment goes.

Memphis Taproom Mystery Beer Weekend Take 2

If you are in Philly this weekend, unfortunately I am headed in the opposite direction, stop by Memphis Taproom for Mystery Beer Weekend. Ballots are here

Mystery Beer Weekend

Friday + Saturday + Sunday

September 4-5-6, 2009

33 Beers in 3 Days.(How will your liver stand the suspense?)

Just like last year, we’re tapping 33 beers that we’ve never poured before in just 3 days. It’s up to you to tell us what they are. Sure, there will be clues...every good mystery has clues

Solving the Mystery

Ballots must be turned in by 4pm on Sunday, September 6th. The winning ballot (the one with the most correct answers filled in) will win a beer-filled prize package and bar-wide fame.

A Burger's Best Friend

So, you have fired up the grill and managed to create a true ground meat masterpiece. Fresh lettuce, tomato, specialty cheese, crisp peppered bacon and the perfect roll all merge for the quintessential burger experience. Now what beer are you going to pair with it? Imbibe magazine has a suggestion. Victory Brewing's Prima Pils has made their list of 100 Best Bottled Beers in the World in the Sept/Oct 09 issue. They recommend the crisp, hoppy, dry pilsner to cut through all the big, bold, burger flavor. Sounds like the perfect pairing. The only problem is it's 8:30 am and a burger and Prima Pils aren't on the breakfast menu.

My Bad!!!

After I put this post up I realized I wasn't showing much love for the other hometown brew peeps who made this issue. The Philly area (I'm including DE and the area out to Harrisburg) made a big impression on the liquid culture magazine. Also included in the pages is one serious beer fanatic who I am sure most of us have had the pleasure of bumping into on more than one occasion.

Dogfish Head Punkin Ale (seasonals) and 90 Minute IPA (hop monsters) both made the top 100. Troegs Nugget Nectar also jumped on the list under the seasonals category. If you have picked up a copy of the magazine don't forget to read the article (page 29) on our own PA beer scribe Woody Chandler.