"FYI: If your 5 yr old son and his playdate friends sneak upstairs and call 911 during a game of "Cops", even if they call back and you explain there is no emergency, the police will come to your door and it will be embarrassing."
The culprit in question:
For the longest time if you asked me what my favorite beer was I said "Rochefort 10." That's no longer the case because the answer is much more situational. But it saddened me today to hear that the Trappist monastery had a fire so brazen it took 70 firefighters to extinguish it. All the monks made it out okay and the vessels are in tact. They will resume brewing in a few days. Read more.
I know I told the story before- but I was working at a Beer bar years ago that enabled me to frequently purchase and try some of the best beers in the world. I had many of them in my first few months, but not all. One November night two gentleman were in from Florida for one night only. They flew in to see a guitar virtuoso at the Tin Angel. They took a liking to me and offered to buy me any beer on the menu. I went downstairs and consulted my friend Nick. He said, "Any beer on the menu?" And I said, "Yes-any beer on the menu. And he said, "Well then it must be the Rochefort 10." I thought I can't do that- it's $11.99 a bottle.
But I told them that would be it- and don't worry about the tip. I poured the glass so I could cheers them and take a sip, but was still "on duty" so I couldn't drink it. Things were wrapped up in about an hour and I went back to take another sip. Wow. What a change. It was then that I discovered the evolution of a beer with change in temperature. I was blown away. And would cherish that moment, and that beer for some time.
Stan Hieronymus quotes Tim Webb in "Brew Like a Monk" (On Rocherfot 10):
"A deep, dark, potent, warming cosmic meltdown of a forcefully contemplative brew, begging to be the last of the evening."
If you're out and about today and Rochefort is on the menu-=buy a bottle and support one of the best breweries in the world.
There are more than a few days of gluttony in my year- but one in recent memory is a November Brunch with Sly Fox and Dogfish Head at the Wishing Well. I ate and drank and ate and drank some more.
$30 bought me some great food and beverage with some of my favorite people. I haven't noticed a value that great since Crazy Eddie was pimping car deals in the NorthEast.
Now it's Megan Maguire's turn. She came to our event. We'll be coming to hers. I bet there will be more of the same as far as that gluttony thing goes, but the sinfully delicious dishes will change.
Just saw on twitter that it's public knowledge- Swift Half is closing its doors after New Years Eve.
I keep hearing people say they have no plans for New Years.
So....How"s about a fond farewell, no cover, and good beer?
My holiday was just fine. I had some nice holiday friend gatherings throughout the week- so when Christmas Eve/Christmas arrived it was all Woods for 48 hours.
I celebrated the season once again with friends on the 22nd at Zahav's "A Very Jewish Christmas"/Steve Mashington's birthday. It was a lot of food (awesome food), a lot of fun, and to everyone's delight a lot of Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark. As I tweeted at the table, "Michael Solomonov has revolutionized won-ton soup for me."
between Casey "freakin" Parker and bartendress Olivia. A Miller Light cold activated glass made it into the mix filled with some random beverage that smelled like licorice but wasn't one of the usual "licorice booze" options like Sambuca. And whiskey. Lots of whiskey. 
so hard I cried. There were old Batmans sheets, BOD (some cheesy men's smell good stuff (or smell awful stuff)), a purse, a used red shirt with stains and holes, a pushdrill, AND one lucky person got the rather random balsamic nuts she made stovetop two minutes before we had to leave for Harleysville. 
In addition to that she gave everyone a box of Prunes that said "Prize inside." Everyone received a "coupon" of some sort. Some were for babysitting- mine was for "Dinner in the Dark." She wants me to come over and eat in the pitch black of her kitchen with no forks or something. They also said "Out with the old, and in with the new." So that was her New Year's gag gift. There was actually a recipe on the back for "Prune Carrot Muffins." I thought I would shock her and put the dehydrated plums to use.
And so I did. The muffins are awesome.
| Odyssey, Sly Fox's Imperial IPA has hit taps around the area. We brew it with a variety of hops that we've used throughout the year. This year's version includes Bravo, Citra, Sorachi Ace, German Northern Brewer, Cascade and Centennial. 8.3% abv and 90 IBUS. Enjoy a glass at one of the following fine establishments: | |||
| JOHNNY BRENDAS | |||
| TEN STONE | |||
| STANDARD TAP | |||
| DEVIL'S DEN | |||
| GREY LODGE | |||
| THE BAGGATAWAY (conshohocken) | |||
| PROHIBITION TAP ROOM | |||
| JOSE PISTOLA'S | |||
| DRAFTING ROOM | |||
| BROTHER PAUL'S | |||
| RESURRECTION | |||
| GRACE TAVERN | |||
| KHYBER PASS PUB | |||
| HULMEVILLE INN | |||
| MISCONDUCT TAVERN | |||
| MAD MEX | |||
| MCMENAMIN'S TAVERN | |||
| IRON ABBEY | |||
| RON'S ORIGINAL BAR & GRIL | |||
| TRIA | |||
| TRIA SPRUCE STREET | |||
| EARTH, BREAD & BREWERY | |||
| BOATHOUSE * | |||
| BRIDGID'S | |||
| VARGA | |||
| SWIFT HALF | |||
| THE ABBAYE | |||
| THE POPE |
I have quizzes that I like to do at Sly Fox promo nights. I vary the quiz depending on what audience I think I will have. It's hard to assess how beer savvy the crowd might be. Sometimes I overshoot and they think it's too hard, and sometimes- quite the opposite I make it fairly easy and it's still too hard.
Here's my most recent quiz...then I will share some of the answers below the questions for that question that I received two weeks ago from bar guests....
So Sly Fox is involved with this charitable event for Philabundance tonight at Francos on Kelly Drive in association with Fork and Barrel and Philadelphia Distilling (Bluecoat!)
There's going to be an icebar, ice furniture, and all sorts of warm fuzzy things to keep drinkers warm.
4116 Ridge Ave
KICK THE KEG night starting at 7pm on December 23!
Come in and help us clear the lines for our Boxing Day Beer Festival on 12/26. Everything has to go...you can do it! Remember we are closed on Christmas Day.
THEN
THIS SUNDAY! All day, starting at 11am, December 26th Memphis Taproom will be serving some of the best Holiday & Seasonal Ales from around the world. As in years past, in addition to celebrating great beer, Memphis Taproom will be celebrating the true spirit of Boxing Day by collecting canned food and gently used winter coats and warm blankets for donation to local organizations that distribute to families in need. Earn $1 OFF EACH BEER you have by bringing in a coat, a blanket, or 3 cans of food!
I am not going to Connecticut so I will most likely be there at some point on Sunday.
The other day I ran into CVS to get milk and other basics. "Basics" included those Pillsbury Crescent Rolls- a commercial guilty pleasure. I purchased some eggs, bacon, spinach, and colby cheese. This was quite a departure from my summertime trips to Green Aisle grocery.
This THURSDAY- Brian O'Reilly and the Sly Fox Gang will be visiting EARTH this Thursday for a keep the PINT night. 6 pm
Jack Curtin and Bryan Kolesar have recaps of the Brewmasters Brunch to celebrate Sly Fox's 15th year in the beer biz.
Check them out when you get a chance. And sorry you didn't get the chance to get in on this original batch of Ichor that Tom Foley so generously shared.
Or have any of that cinnamon ice cream.
The owners of Urban Saloon love themselves some Sly Fox Christmas -so much in fact-they kept a keg of 2009's so we could do a vertical tasting.
I'll be there from 8 pm on to enjoy some of the season with you.
Sly Fox prizes for some, delicious beer for all.
Director of Brewing Operations, Tim Ohst's, famed recipe - Oatmeal stout.
We put 8 liters in a firkin and shipped it to Standard Tap.
Will be tapping it at 6 pm tonight.
Please join us if you can.
Although you might locate this blog at beerlass.com, and I've heard people say "I read beerlass" the original name for it was "I'll Have Another Stout" referencing a young Tom Waits' "I hope that I don't fall in love with you."
I worked for World Cafe Live for almost a year to the date 2004-2005. During that time I met two of the most wonderful people I will ever have the honor of knowing, Grace Park and Darren Nowicki. Darren lives in Seattle and recently bequeathed me his deluxe Scrabble board. Sometimes he reads beer articles in the Pacific Northwest and snail mails them to me with kind sentiments attached. Grace has a year and 8 month old, Polly Jean and lives in Woodstock with Polly's dad- doing mom stuff when she's not working at a local theatre or consulting people on fitness/health type stuff.
They both enjoyed Tom Waits. Thus began my love of the soul-stirring raspy music man. I take delight in turning people on to my playlists the way they once did with me. I believe that you are the whole of all the parts (people) you have ever met. So of course I'm a little Michael C., and a little Michelle, a little Grace, a little Darren and thousands of others.
Beer is close to my heart, but music is a millimeter behind. His first was my first- Closing Time. I don't recall where I bought it, but I remember playing it nonstop. "Martha" would channel the instant wannabe screen writer in me, "Old Shoes" would make me cry. Now "Ol' 55 makes me smile" as I think of Beer Week karaoke with my new friend Wendy in 2009. My alarm clock actually trades in the siren for "You can never hold back spring."
He's there when I'm wasted and wounded at the bottom of the world or when I'm shining like a new dime. He reminds me that I'm innocent when I dream.And that the world keeps turning. Filled with brawlers, bawlers and bastards, but turning nonetheless.
Happy Birthday dear dear Tom
"Time" from an 86 Letterman Show
"Take me Home"
Love him yet?
Tom Traubert's Blues (Waltzing Matilda)
How about now?
Tomorrow night- Chocolate Stout for everyone at the Pub on Passyunk East.
But right now- here's some LL cool J from his last album (Exit 13) with Def Jam records.
Every month AMIS hosts a Monday night industry night with a guest restaurant.
Last month it was Paesano's...and tonight it's Pub and Kitchen.
Look for a special seasonal beer from Sixpoint made just for Pub and Kitchen as well as cans of SLY FOX Rt 113 IPA.
Don't forget your paycheck stub/business card.
From their facebook page:
Chef Johnny Mac is bringing it! He will be preparing his signature Churchill sliders with bone marrow butter and fried onions, a pistachio and cherry terrine with violet mustard, and smoked haddies with apple, potato, dill, and creme fraiche on baguettes. On top of all that awesome food he will be bringing Sixpoint P & K Brown Ale (Hoppy Holiday), Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout, and cask aged Sazerac Manhattans.
This came at the perfect time since we just announced the addition of a fourth restaurant to the Vetri group that will be opening some time next year. It is going be an Italian gastrobub located up near Osteria (name is still in the works). Chefs Brad Spence and Jeff Michaud wanted to take this opportunity to try out some ideas they had in mind. They will be preparing house made mortadella hotdogs, fried pigs tails with a fennel citrus agrodolce, baked rigatoni with taleggio and truffle, and for dessert spotted dick with stout semifreddo.
Johnny Mac and the Pub & Kitchen team are very excited to do the event with us and it will definitely be a party you wont want to miss.
Every year- the IPA beer club hops on the R5 train and heads west.
Gentleman welcome.
We're meeting up at Nodding Head by 1 pm. The brewpub is hosting "Triple 3 ways."
Just the jump start we need for the day.
It should be about $18 to ride the train all day. Pay as you go.
Same place. Same time.
Different year.
Actually many different years.
This year's In Pursuit of Ale Holiday Mixer is
Last night I went to the soft opening of Kennett- new restaurant/bar just north of 2nd and Christian (848 S. 2nd).
I don't have time to go into all the deets= but I was very impressed. It's a borderline miracle that the spot used to house Lyons Den.
You'll see the wildcats "paw" covered ledge by the front window is now painted over black and clean. They've recycled some of the furniture, and blended it with some new. Including a few tables that partner, Ashley Bohan's father made. Walls are brushed with burnt sienna and decorated with black and white photos of the Kennett family that had a cafe there for 60 some years back in the day. All good stuff.
And very good stuff coming out of the kitchen from the hands of Brian Ricci, formerly of Pub and Kitchen. I met Brian during his days there and he's not just a good guy, but a beer guy. Totally excited to have him make me roasted chicken with vanilla toasted barley.
Guests will be delighted at some familiar faces. I will leave that a surprise. I'll just say the brewing community might want to plant themselves at the bar on Sunday night.
Also Christian Gaal and lady friend Phoebe Esmon have crafted quite a cocktail list. I can already picture Lance Romance sippin on the Pynchon- concocted of rye, dry vermouth, sweet potato shrub and honey.
16 taps with great local brewery representation. YARDS EsA on the handpump. Stoudts Scarlett Lady, Sly Fox Royal Weisse, Yards Root Beer, Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, YARDS Brawler, and more.
Also of note- Johnny Della Polla has a wine background from his days in NYC, so there's no skimpin' on quality in that department either.
Only open at night throughout the week right now. Brunch to come. Look for a grand opening in about a month or so. But you'll wanna get there before that.
Johhny Carwash presents Kennett this weekend just north of 2nd and christian.
Not too far from For Pete's Sake-if you're thinking Sunday afternoon crawl.
I am off to the soft opening right now.
So tired but really excited to see what they've done with the Lyons Den space.
The flash on my camera is broken...so I might not be able to snap any shots.
One of my favorite parts of living in Bella Vista is knowing that Devil's Den is only a few blocks from my house in the Winter.
You almost smell the fire before you open the door.
Tonight is the annual fireplace lighting at 7 pm.
The Den will be pouring a bunch of smoked and wood-aged beers.
The POURS
· Aecht Schlenkerla Rauch Helles - Smoked Helles Lager
· Yard's Grodziski - Smoked Wheat
· Weyerbacher 15 - Anniversary Ale - Smoked Imperial Stout
· New Holland Charkoota Rye - smoked doppelbock
· Lost Abbey Angel's Share - Bourbon Barrel Aged Strong dark ale
· Dogfish Head Red & White - Imperial Wit aged in Pinot Noir barrels
· Rodenbach Vintage 2008 - Barrel Aged
· Weyerbacher Heresy - Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout
It's raining in my house again, but my mood can't be spoiled. I'm still ear-to-ear following my change in Monday night's schedule from that of Bridgids to the Four Seasons for a private charity concert for AIDS by the Jersey Boys cast. I was the "plus one" of Ommegang's Megan Maguire and Great Lakes Mark Weinmann. I met Jerry Blavat. He mouthed "I love you" to me three times through a glass pane. He comes in the room with all the charisma one would expect. One guy goes, "I'm Johnny," to which Blavat responds, "I'm the Geater!"
