Thursday, November 12, 2009

"I love fresh burgers and fresh beer."

I can't wait to go to this bar.
I was doing a bunch of research on draft lifts in the midatlantic area last night.
I came across a nice website of a bar I never had heard of before. I was intrigued.
I was on the "about us" page where the owner (who is well-respected and apparently as nice as they get by descript) says

"I wanted a bar for the love of hamburgers and steak. I love fresh burgers and fresh beer."

So-=-I am in some serious anticipation...where's the link to the beer list???
I am thinking I am going to find a nice bottle/draft list that Sly may or may not be on.

This is what I found

Domestic

Bud Light
Miller Light
Coors Light
Michelob Ultra
Magic Hat
Bluepoint Blueberry Ale
Bluepoint Summer Ale
Woodpecker
Bud

Imports

Amstel Light
Blue Moon
Corona
Corona Light
Heineken
Heineken Light
Peroni
Red Stripe
Weiss

Draft

Blue Moon
Coors Light
Guiness
Sam Adams
Sierra
Smithwicks
Stella
Yuengling

Of note: It labels Blue Point is "domestic," but Blue Moon as an "import"...curious.

=The End=

So I wrote this article....

For PW online...I'm mostly going to stay with a "mix a six"kind of thing...but I wanted to write to start a discussion on local beer in Philly. I, myself, drink everything out there.

I think its a good- no great- thing that mainstream bars are now rotating locals. Now you can get a craft beer at almost any bar in Philly now... way north or deep south.

I definitely think Locals are still respected and wanted on Philly towers...I must emphasize that I wrote the article to get people talking...not talking at me...or say I am skewed because I work for a local brewery. I am very fortunate to be able to do some freelance while working for one of pa's best breweries. Without further ado-= here it is.

Whether its Port Brewing's High Tide Fresh Hop or Yards Spruce Ale-= hope you enjoy a craft beer on this icky day.

Quick thoughts on International Cuisine Restaurants and their Faulty Beer Choices


Why must all sushi joints with a liquor license pour the usual suspects of kirin, and tsingtao-= when a Hitachino white or a nice saison (Victory, South Hampton, Sly Fox) would be so much better? Raw is one of the only sushi joints out there that has better beers.

And Italian Restaurants feel they have to have Peroni. Even Stephen Starr opens up Stella his new pizza place with Peroni... Stella actually has only 8 beers on the list but 15 wines...
Stephen, haven't you ever heard Dave Barry's famous quote about beer and pizza?

I actually went there for the first time yesterday to introduce myself and thank them for carrying our 113 bottles. Unfortunately they took it off the list and there was no on I could talk to. I left my information behind. I did have one DELICIOUS pizza. I hear the truffle one is very popular but I went for Spinach. Oodles of spinach. I almost felt healthy.

The place is laid back...service was great. Pizza came out quickly. Hopefully I'll be able to enjoy a pie with some Sly again someday-=-=

Last thought:
Of course if the beer of the native land is well-crafted then so be it.

Hey Northeasters-= I 'll be pouring at the Craft Beer Outlet tonight


Located at 9910 Frankford Ave, the Craft Beer Outlet is appeasing NE Philly beer lovers and also hopes to have some Center City residents make the trek out there. Its not that far at all. And the prices are just right.

I will be joining the Big Beer guy, Kevin Romer tonight in a sampling of our Christmas Ale, Dunkel and others-=

If you're around swing on through and check it out.

6 pm

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Naked Pint dinner with the "Beer Chicks" @FORK next Monday


I only take off Monday nights from Bridgids for big stuff...like Bruce Springsteen or things such as sheer exhaustion and article deadlines.

This Monday I hand my shift over because I will be at FORK restaurant for the "NAKED PINT" Book tour with Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune. Read all about these lovely ladies and their new readable here...
I've been following Christina for a couple of years now...she is vital to the LA beer scene.

It will be a night (at only $55) celebrating women and beer. Connecting our coasts.
Wendy Domurat(DFH), Carol Stout, Megan Maguire (Ommegang) Tracy Mulligan (Victory) Seebie Buehler (Rogue) and myself will all be in attendance.

I can't wait. Please RSVP 215.625.9425 they also do OpenTable.

Here's the lineup-=-=-

reception
spicy tuna confit with capers on focaccia toasts · grilled flatbread with artichokes and saffron aioli
Victory, Prima Pils, Downingtown, PA
Stoudt’s American Pale Ale, Adamstown, PA

chef’s selection of tapas
grilled house made chorizo with spicy white beans · salmon rillettes · grilled shrimp with grits and smoked tomato jam · vegetables à la grecque · marinated olives
Sly Fox, Saison Vos, Royersford, PA

seared sea scallops
coriander, caramelized brussels sprouts, meyer lemon jam
Ommegang, Rare Vos, Cooperstown, NY

lightly smoked duck breast
spiced croutons, caramelized onion, bacon, parsnips
Dogfish Head, Raison d’Etre, Rehoboth, DE

chocolate caramel tart
lemon-thyme chantilly cream
Rogue, Chocolate Stout, Newport, OR

No go on Safar Foer

I was due to get to the Jonathan Safar Foer lecture at 7:31. It was scheduled to start at 7:30.
I got notification from my better half that the lecture hall was filled and the remaining 40 to 50 people were sardined in between velvet ropes watching a tv on a wheelable rack from 1985.
I said, "no thank you."

I was a bit sad because I wanted to give him my love letter that's been stamped for four years.

We went to the Belgian Cafe instead for their Great Lakes night. We didn't have dinner ressies so we sat at the bar... I am drying out for a spell- but Lance got a Sierra Nevada Tripel and a Great Lakes Dortmunder. I got a club soda and an herbal tea with lemongrass...
We ran into many friendly faces-= Ferg, Eddie Friedland, Jimbo Wiggy, Don Russel, Rich Wagner, and more. I found out Eddie Friedland is extra excited about his Thanksgiving turkey this year. And I found out that Joe 6 pack is celebrating a birthday this Friday.

It was probably for the best that I didn't get to see J. Safar Foer... I mean the lecture was titled "Eating Animals" The Veg would've sniffed my pork -loving self out of the audience in a second and might not have even wanted to read my love letter...

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Canele = Olive Branch.


I was checking my gmail when I saw my friend Arthur had a link to his gmail status. I was curious and clicked on it....lo and behold it was the canele man.

The canale man is not happy with my foobooz buddy Art right now...but that doesn't take away from the fact that he is the only other place (person) I know of in our city that makes my favorite french pastry canele. Think custardy moist on the inside and caramelized to perfection on the out. They are baked in molds that give them an interesting ridged bell-like shape.

I've written on here before that they are one of my favorite things on the planet.

You can now get a cup of organic Honduran coffee and a Canale for $4 at Pumpkin Market at 1610 South St.


Hopefully the two foodies can work it out.
Maybe Philly Market Cafe and Foobooz will make up over a canele.

WinterBeer Fest This Weekend.


Tickets are still available for the Winter Beer Fest at the Navy Yard
50 + breweries with seasonal offerings.

Get the whole scoop here.

VIP begins at noon both Sat and Sun. Regular admission 1 till 5

PM session 6 till 10 on Saturday night.

Blue Point night @ POPE tonight

Almost every Tuesday the POPE hosts a craft brewery tonight it's

A Firkin of Rastafarye
and three other Blue Point beers.
and crazy Gary Rosen from the Long Island brewery

Tanner James is this many today...


4!
Today is my 2nd oldest nephews birthday.
when he was born he looked like a tomato and now he's one of the most handsome nuggets on the planet.
He likes wolverine,(what 4 year old doesn't) dinosaurs, chocolate milk, his lil bro Kellen and his cousins. He does NOT like Lance!

And what does a good aunt get her nephew for his 4th birthday
Hot Wheels battle force 5 it is!

Photo credit: Noelle Roberts Studios