Kenzinger Clambake this Saturday

This looks like loads of fun, but I'll be in the Cooperstown sun

Dibrunos 9th St. Happy Hour tonight 5 till 8 with DogFish Head

Dogfish gets a second turn at Dibrunos tonight.

Wendy Domurat, Mid Atlantic Regional Manager, will be there pouring Midas Touch and Indian Brown Ale.  They will be paired with cheeses hand selected by the trusty 9th st. mongers.

Catahoula is here- Best Bite of the Week

Although not due to open till September, Catahoula is shaking up watermelon
hurricanes, pouring some Abita Turbodog, and serving up some kick ass Creole.  (Here's a li'l tidbit on Cajun vs Creole).

 here are some snapshots of The Insider's (Michael Klein) first visit yesterday.

Catahoula is at Front and Fitzwater (the old Saute ).
There's a pooch-friendly porch area.                           
The bar from the La creole days is back.                                                                                                                                                          

All high tops fill the floor otherwise.

I stopped in to chat beer with General Manager Dawn Townsel.  Didn't think I was hungry.  But apparently I'm always hungry.  I  ran something like 18 blocks today so that allowed me some fried oysters and fried green tomatoes, right?

I wasn't prepared for the delight that would transpire with one bite of Chef PAul Martin's cornmeal crusted Delaware bay oysters with dreamy creamy pernod spinach, smoked bacon and spicy tomato jam. It's only Tuesday but it was my best bite of the week.
And it had some serious competition from my Percy St. BBQ happy hour last night. (They have these new wings on the menu...)

 There's a bevy of bars opening and closing constantly.  It was refreshing to walk into a new place be greeted with such warmth and have the food so spot on from the get go.

Didn't get to the sweet stuff.  But promised them I would for trip 2.

They're still finding their comfort zone. Weekday lunch might not last. Bar's open till 12 for now.
They'll be doing both Saturday and Sunday brunch- after all everyone's favorite portmanteau actually originated in New Orleans.

The Pours
Allagash White
PBC Fleur de Lehigh
DFH 60 min
Abita TurboDog
(and Yuengling)

A few bottles to mention
Lagunitas IPA (perfect pairing for much of the menu)
Great Lakes Edmund Fitz Port
Walt Wit
Duvel
Ommegang Hennepin
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils (can of course)

Dixie Hummingbirds at Penn Treaty Park this Wednesday

Just got an email alert that the Dixie Hummingbirds are performing a free concert at Penn Treaty Park this Wednesday.

God's Grace Gospel Singers will open at 7:00, followed by the Dixie Hummingbirds at 8:00. 

The hummingbirds formed in South Carolina in 1928. Lead singer Ira Tucker passed away in 2008 but younger members are keeping the harmony alive.


Bring lawn chairs. AND SLY CANS.
Sponsored by the New Kensington Community Development Corporation.
Here's a video made in tribute to Ira.

Trouble Comes Running

For most it's the weekend.  Unfortunately, most weeks I don't have a full one. I either have an event on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Sometimes 2 out of 3 days, and sometimes all 3.  So- you can see selling beer is not all glitter as the weekends may be doomed.  I usually don't mind, but it's nice when my car cooperates. And it didn't today.

I had an event last night in a lobby space by the Piazza. I had mentioned it here a few days ago- it was an exhibit of photos taken with cell phones.  I wrapped up by 9- was at Standard a few minutes later and was home by 11:30.

Plenty of sleep to feel good for the day long Wheat Beer Fest today at South Philly Tap Room.
I arrived there around 11:30.  I borrowed a coil box and gas from the Tap Room.  I had a lil difficulty getting set up.  The damsel card was pulled yet again.  Thought my regulator was shot, thought I had not gas, had to steal a wrench twice from Muller Milo, etc...

Finally everything is as it should be- I even score a draft quality assurance manual from Patrick Mullins of Sierra Nevada.  A little reading for my trip up to Ommegang next week.
I had two volunteers helping me out so I could scoot to Iron Hill Maple Shade and surprise Lance Romance for his 1 year anni party. He thought I had to work all day.I would say hi- spend an hour and head back to the fest to pour the remainder of the day. (To the left is Joey Beddia eating corn)


I grabbed my gal Wendy and we headed there.  I noticed that my break light was on- thought it curious.
She noticed that my car was shaking....but I thought everything was fine. I mean I just got it inspected 48 hours prior.  Don got $523 out of me and I got some new rotors and break pads.

Iron Hill was just dandy. Ran into some friends, tried a 6 year old Flemish Red...and was about face. 

We were at the toll booth when my car died. Kaput.

The toll booth operator alerted the authorities and next thing I know flashing red and blue are behind me.

The cop pushes me with his car off to the side of the road by the port authority.
I call AAA but I don't have my membership number on me so they  make my difficult time more difficult.  Wendy is starving and yelling at me for not letting her eat at Iron Hill because we didn't have enough time.

I go into my email archives on my sometimes trusty google phone and find my initial membership email from AAA with membership number.  And I'm good. They're sending a tow truck in 60- 90 minutes.  We wait inside the Delaware Rive Port Authority.

I call Lance Romance and he comes to our aid in about 30 minutes.  He brings Wendy pork rinds and cheese snacks.  He tries to give me a jump but its not working-=so 18 yr old Dan comes with the tow and gets me back to south philly.


Such a nightmare.


I stayed in that night-as bitter as an overhopped IPA, watched the "Invention of Lying" ate duck curry and tried my first Oktoberfest in a can. 



It's so frustrating having constant car trouble. Pulling the damsel in distress card. I really hate it.
I really need a new car- but am not in the position to do so.  If anyone wants to buy me one- I will make you ice cream for the next year.

Scotland's BrewDog kicks it up another notch for the last time

Last year at 32% BrewDog's Tactical Nuclear Penguin got (and gave) more than a little buzz.
It became the strongest beer in the world.
Then in February- a few weeks after Schorschbrau brewed a bock at 40% ab, the Scottish punks came back with "Sink the Bismark," a
Quadruple IPA.

And now today-I'm alerted that BrewDog has sold out of - only took them 12 bottles to do so- "The End of History," a  55% Blonde Ale.

They went for 500 pounds ($765 US dollars) per bottle and were sold inside dead stoats, squirrels and a hare.

Brew Dog says this "beer is the last high abv beer we are going to brew, the end point of our research into how far the can push the boundaries of extreme brewing, the end of beer."
But-this is not to mean they won't continue to brew beer- just not trying to get to 66%.

They said they wanted to push the boundary and upset conventional wisdom.



Here's the video they uploaded two days ago.

The End of History from BrewDog on Vimeo.

CHIFA dinner in Photos

First Course:
Citrus Marinated Kajiki
Ginger and 5 Spice, Baby Vegetables
paired with Royal Weisse

Second Course:
Prawns, Light Summer Curry
paired with Saison VOS

Third Course:
Braised Short Ribs, Peruvian Succotash
paired with 113 IPA

Dessert:
Malted Pound Cake, Strawberries, Incubus Syrup
paired with Incubus

 

As expected- the food was awesome.  Chifa incorporated beer into every dish -For ex-= with the Kajiki there was a Royal Weisse foam, with the malted poundcake they made a Incubus syrup.

There were a lot of textural contrasts -like the fried rice noodles in the Curry dish.  The curry prawns were amazing. 

The main event- the Short Rib was fork split tender and served with a peruvian succotash that redeemed the dish in my eyes.  It was quite different from the lima bean and corn succotash of my youth.

The poundcake was so impressive they might add it to the menu.

 

I acknowledged in front of the room Chef Garces commitment to craft beer since early days at Amada.

He's always paid attention to it, and supported our industry...and with food this damn good- makes it easy to say right back atchya!

Their next dinner is Brooklyn with Garret Oliver sometimes this fall.

South Philly Tap Room Wheat Beer Fest tomorrow

Tomorrow from 12 pm till ?


All wheats and wits are just $3.
There will be live music and a lot of hotness.
100 degrees? The beers should go back with ease- despite how much you overdo it on your Friday night.

Smart Phone Photo Exhibit with Sly Fox BEER and Dibrunos Cheese

Tomorrow at 6 pm
Masterpieces Made Simple kicks off their
newest exhibit- one with smart phone photos.





The MMS gallery is a showcase of creativity provided by everyday people. Whether they consider themselves actual artists or not. 

Sly Fox beer and Dibruno cheese is complimentary. 1000 Hancock St (at the piazza)

RSVP here

A few CHIFA seats remain for Tomorrow's Sly Fox Dinner

I guess it's the summer swelter- there's a few seats still remaining for
the Sly Fox dinner at Chifa tomorrow night.

I went to the Dogfish Head dinner in April- and was more than impressed.
No Sam, No Jose- but it may have been one of the best beer dinners I've ever attended.

Go time is 7 pm
Cashola is $65 a person ++

Sly Fox Brewers, Brian O'Reilly and Tim Ohst will be there - and we changed the original date so Jose Garces could be there as well. And- of course-I'll be there.

The Eats:
Oh- and Kajiki is Pacific blue marlin in case you're curious.

First Course:
Citrus Marinated Kajiki
Ginger and 5 Spice, Baby Vegetables
paired with Royal Weisse

Second Course:
Prawns, Light Summer Curry
paired with Saison VOS

Third Course:
Braised Short Ribs, Peruvian Succotash
paired with 113 IPA

Dessert:
Malted Pound Cake, Strawberries, Incubus Syrup
paired with Incubus

TommyKnocker @ Dibrunos Happy Hour Tonight

Tonight's craft beer happy hour at Dibirunos 9th St. is with colorado brewery Tommyknocker.
They were awarded best brewpub in Denver 2009.

As you probably know by now- the entire store is 10% off and the cheese and beer pairings are complimentary just don't be a glutton about it.

I highly recommend these artichokes.  They have the stalk left on them.  And they are AMaZING.


Also- the Belgians crowned their first king on this day in 1831.
Come celebrate with copious amounts of Ommegang, Duvel, and Palm at Grace, Devil's Den, Abbaye, Monks, Belgian Cafe, and City Tap House...All featuring snazzy glassware and beer specials.

Random Cute Nephew Picture

This is his cute "tough guy" look

Misconduct Tonight-= Bells FLIGHT NIGHT Tonight

Misconduct Tuesday "Flight Nights" went on hiatus after Philly Beer Week.
Tonight- it's back.
Tom Flannery, bar manager, said he's never been so excited.
 
THE POURS

*Bell's Quinannan Falls Lager (Tom says its the best lager he's ever had- you may have tried it around town during Philly Beer week- but its rather rare)
*Bell's Poolside Ale (American Pale Wheat Ale)
*Bells Consecrator

and a few others in bottle.

You can hit that then walk over to 10th and Spruce for VARGA's one year anni party.

Feestag Day-= Belgians party even more than usual

Tomorrow Belgium celebrates "Feestag" Belgian Independence Day.
It's marks the oath of King Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld as first king of the Belgians on 21 July 1831.
This first appeared on my party radar last year- and I learned that Belgium was once under Dutch rule.


Tomorrow Ommegang/Duvel Moortgat's Megan Maguire will lead a party train around the city to the following bars:

Grace Tavern-(Start 5 pm)

Devil’s Den

Monks

The Abbaye

Belgian Café

It's likely the gang will end up at Monks.

Featured beers include:

Ommegang Zuur,

Belgian Pale Ale,

Maredsous,

Duvel,

La Chouffe, 

Houblon Chouffe.  

There will be some nice give aways…just look at that festive glass.

***ALSO of NOTE
Bridgids will be serving up Belgian beers at a special price all day
Mcgillins will be featuring specials Palm  Belgian Amber and Mussels

CITY TAP HOUSE will be  featuring special pricing on Belgian and Belgian-style ales, rare and unusual beer offerings and a chance to win a pair of tickets to Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown event.  From the "Beer Advisory" 

"All day, guests can enjoy $3 Ommegang Hennepin Belgian-style wheat beer and $6 Duvel Green Belgian ale draughts.  At 6 p.m., the bar will tap kegs of Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale (BPA), a finely made, aromatic Belgian ale and Ommegang Zuur, a collaborative brew with Brouwerij Liefmans of Belgium that is a blend of two aged Liefmans ales, a touch more malt-y and less acidic than a Flemish red.  For $12, guests can enjoy a flight of all four beers.  Any purchase of Ommegang or Duvel throughout the day enters the guest to win a pair of tickets to Ommegang’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown event; the drawing will be held at 9 p.m. "

Farm to Fork week in South Jersey- going on now.

We're in the midst of South Jersey's Farm to Fork Week. (July 18-24)

Participating restaurants are featuring 4 courses for $35.
The focus is on Jersey fresh ingredients....I saw a lot of corn, peaches, and blueberries being used on various menus.

And two restaurants are even throwing some BEER recipes using Flying Fish.

Barnesboro Inn

Happy Clams

Soft shell clams steamed with garlic, onion, hot peppers & butter in Flying Fish Pale Ale

 Read the rest of the Farm to Fork Menu here.

Anthony's Creative Italian Cuisine 
(You can make ressies on line here)

www.Anthonyscuisine.com

512 Station Ave

Haddon Heights, NJ  08035

Exit 6 Drunken Clams!

Delaware Bay Clams, fennel, chopped tomato in a Flying Fish Exit 6 Wallonian Rye

You can check out the rest of the menu here.

Breaking: Head House Closed Till Fall

Head House is closing doors for the rest of the summer.


That's all I know.

Best of luck to proprietor Bruce Nichols as he finds a new chef and works towards reopening.

Because I'm Tired and Leigh Writes it Better

I just checked my email and the ol' inbox included this lil update from Leigh Maida and Ressurection ale house  At the risk of admitting total fatigue and laziness - I am cutting and pasting the whole thing into this post-

Greetings!

Besides the obvious reason (that life is hard and beer is delicious) we've got some great excuses for you to fritter away your week with us here at Resurrection Ale House!

[Reasons to Drink Beer at Noon On a Tuesday]
We've got one of the last kegs standing of the Russian River Registration Ale and we'll be tapping it tomorrow (7/20) when we open at noon. Never ones for highway robbery, we're serving it for just $5 a glass. In addition, we've got a limited amount of Odell Brewing Company's 90 Shilling and the IPA in stock, both yours for a low low price while they last... AND we'll be tapping a keg of Captain Lawrence's Fresh Chester Pale Ale, also at Noon tomorrow. (Need help rehearsing your "I feel sick today" call to work? We're here for you.)


[Delicious, Refreshing, Terrifically Recyclable Cans]
Not only have we been adding furiously to our bottled beer menu lately, but starting tomorrow (7/20) we're adding a whole mess of CANS into the mix. (At very can-like prices.) Sing us the whole ShopRite 'Can-Can' song from the '80s and we'll love you forever. (Sing it while dressed like a French show-girl and we might even buy you a beer.)


[Draft Beer Shake Up]
In the coming weeks, right on into infinity, expect our draft list to rotate even more frequently, as Resurrection Ale House is now paying a little extra attention to the (beer only) thoughts of Mr. Rocco Renzetti. (If Brendan had his way, we would be a tied house in no time flat.) Expect some exciting beer from Bell's, Left Hand Brewing, Stone, a fleet of Firkins from Sixpoint, and more!


[Summer Menu Updates]
There is rarely grass growing under Chef Joey Chmiko's feet. Come check out some of his mid-summer updates to the menu. What? You thought we only served fried chicken? Not true, not true, the whole menu friends... read the whole menu!

Home made Mini Pineapple UpsideDown Cakes with Golden Syrup

TIMBER!

With a last name like Woods- I'd kind of have to go to a place called Timber within the first week of opening.

The fact that they are pouring Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout and Sly Fox Royal Weisse might be further impetus.

As soon as you pull into the parking lot off of YORK rd. in Abington- you smell the wood-fired grill.
I didn't get a chance to eat last night- but I'll be back very soon.

There's 8 craft offerings including Ommegang Witte, Weyerbacher Merry Monks and Dogfish Head 90.
Zip, zilch, zero macros on tap.


The bar area has about 8 seats and 3 high tops.
It's layed out as more of a restaurant with a bar in it-which I think works in this case.

Canals Lawrenceville

The other day I headed up 95 into the great Garden State to meet some of the men behind Canals Lawrenceville. 

The store was enormous. 27 coolers for beer!

I will be doing a sampling with them on
Saturday Aug. 7th from 2 till 4.

We will be pourin our Pils (they have it on now), Pale, Saison and Royal Weisse

They just started their growler program as well.

Dutch!

Last night for  my sister's birthday- I took her to Nabrasa- the Brazilian Steakhouse that shares a kitchen with the Iron Abbey to meet Famed Phillies catcher from the 1990s, Darren "Dutch" Daulton.
He was nice enough. He drank white wine.  Didn't talk about the 5th dimension or out of body experiences.
Didn't leave much of an impression one way or the other.
The rack of lamb off a skewer though- that definitely left an impression.

Lobster, Lobster, Lobster

Tis the season for Crustacean-laden meals.

I love lobster (and it goes great with a nice pils or kolsch).

A few Philly restaurants are going to make us happy to put our bibs on.


London Grill is doing a whole month
From their website:

  Lobster Roll ($13.)
o    Lobster Salad on a Hot Dog Roll

•    Lobster Bake ($18.)
o    Half Lobster, Corn on the Cob, Potato, Mussels and Chorizo Sausage

•    New England Style Lobster Dinner ($30.)
o    Whole Steamed Lobster, Corn on the Cob and Potato, Drawn Butter

•    Lobster Burger ($18.)

•    Lobster Bisque ($7.)

AND

Chef McNally will also be offering some sides like his housemade pickles, slaw, fries w different toppings and more!  
Plus 
SLY FOX canned beer promo all month!   
Pikeland Pils, Phoenix Pale Ale, 113 IPA  & Royal Weiss Ale (while supplies last)




Secondly
Foobooz makes mention of Matyson's "Lobster Love"
 This week it's five courses for $45. Keep in mind its BYO.

“Lobster Love”

Ceviche
Cucumber, melon, mint & basil, yuzu, gazpacho sauce

Consomme
Shell beans, tiny tomatoes, shaved radishes, fresh herbs

Butter Poached
Seared foie gras, jalapeno corn cakes, blueberry-ginger sauce

Smoked
Porcini spaetzle, wild mushrooms, bacon, chicken jus

Berry Tiramisu

$45 Prix Fixe does not include tax, beverage, or gratuity.

Next up-

A crab blog-= featuring Michael Stollenwerk's "Maine Event" menu for a beer dinner in August.

Stumble Till you Crumble

Everytime I participate in a day long drinking activity I say "Thank God that only comes once a year." That's definitely applicable to the Royal Stumble, this year in its 11th year.

Tim Roberts won his 4th title. He says next year he'll let someone else do the honors.

There were a lot of brewery peeps dressed up this year.
I think I probably look better as a brunette. I was retarded Dee from the infamous crack episode- quite simple. just a blonde wig and a backwards helmet.  Much less money than I spent last year on melted frozed treats as a Phillies Concession stand lady.

To my left is my new friend Leanne. She won the Stewarts Sticker contest, taking home a massive bag of artisan coffee beans. It was awesome to have Ric and Eric of Stewarts on board this year.  Also- Ommegang got their first invite.

After the stumble we went to Tequilas for bacon guacamole and mojitos for the 2nd year in a row.
Then there was the TUD (totally unnecessary drink) at Bad Puppy.  Those poor Good Dog bartenders....

Varga's Turning One!

Next Tuesday July 20th- Varga will be celebrating their first birthday first-class with a one hour open bar.
The one hour is a mystery.   So some will time it right serendipitously and some will miss it.

Prizes awarded for those best dressed as a Varga Girl. Panda? Panda? Are you reading this?

Varga has been a wonderful addition to our already nuts beer scene.
Evan Turney's Ice creams actually inspired the purchase of my own ice cream makers.
His modern takes on his childhood classics always impress.
And it's birth gave Casey Huges another "account" to manage.

F.W.O.T. hosts Dock St this Wednesday

This Wednesday FWOT (Fingers, Wings, and other Things) in Conshohocken will be hosting Dock ST.

Beers are $4 and guests get to hold on to their glass.
Renata Certo-Ware will be there.

7:30  till 9:30
THE POURS

Saison DuPotts (ABV 5.75%, 30 IBU’s)  A rustic, traditionally styled Saison, brewed as an homage to the classic Belgian Farmhouse Ale – Saison DuPont. Characterized by its earthy hop presents, fruity yeast notes, soft malty body, and refreshing dryness, this is the perfect beer for quaffing on a hot summer day.

Rye IPA (ABV 7.2%, 64 IBU’s)  An aggressively hopped American Style Pale Ale brewed with Simcoe and Amarillo hops. The use of 20% rye gives this ale a unique dry and spicy character. It is truly a distinctive IPA.

Rob and Craig have worked very hard at educating their guests regarding craft beer over the last year or so and their wings/fingers are AWESOME.

Rob also copied an old Bruce Springsteen Radio Show in Bryn Mawr from February of 1978 for me last year with the original Thunder Road- called Wings for Wheels.

Where in the Beer world #14?

I'm on triple deadline while selling beer, so don't be too harsh that I haven't had many updates this week.

I do have time for a quick "Where in the Beer World?"
 
If you haven't tried the Lambrucha yet- I recommend it. A hybrid Lambic beer with Kombucha in it.

This Weekend
*Bastille Day celebration in Fairmount with Tasty Cakes and Terry McNally getting into her annual Marie Antoinette character at London Grill.
*See you at the Stumble- "It's always sunny in Philadelphia" is the theme.  Any bets on how many Green Men will be there?  Come by my table, have some Helles and say hi.
*The second Sunday of every month David April of Philadelphia Brewing Co does a Gospel Brunch at Johnny Brendas.
*P.O.P.E. is starting karaoke Sundays. 9 pm.

Next Week I will be featured on Grub St.'s Philly Diet.  I'll link to it at the time and you can read about everything that entered my esophagus all weekend long;)

Happy Birthday Curt Decker!

I hope the Phils can win against the Braves tonight.  As much as I'm sure likes his new iPAD- a victory would be second best present he could get. 
Hopefully Ice Cream Batch 13: "The Lappy" will be his 3rd favorite.

Curt was a big player in the beer Philadelphia back in the 90s.  He was the manager of Brownies Pub before he entered into a partnership with Barbara Peters and Fergus Carey and opened Nodding Head 10 1/2 years ago.

He loves sports, SouthWark, the queso fundido at Los Taquitos de Puebla, Villa de Roma, red wine, Pikeland pils, 3C, Elvis the dog, opera, red hook coffee shop, his new orange Dibruno Brothers shirt, and penguins.

I've been Yocco'd

I have to run out the door to go golfing for the first time in 7 years.
I'm going out to FDR with some of fairmount's best bar owners.
Hopefully my lack of skills on the green doesn't hurt Sly Fox sales;)

I have much to catch up on:


*Another dinner at Bistro La Minette
*a "PA cation" with Lance to Macungie, PA
*Tap and Table in Emmaus
*and Lance's relentless pursuit of the Yocco dog in the Lehigh Valley
*Fireworks Lament
*I am the proud owner of a record player
*Happy Belated Birthday to Tom Kehoe

PHOTO CREDiT: Lance Romance
also little known fact- Lance has a minor in Photography from Syracuse Univ.