BAR's Can List Reaches 90

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Captain La Chouffe Chris Bauweraerts in town next week- Aug. 2nd and 3rd.

Chris Bauweraerts founder of Brasserie D'Achouffe ---

you know La Chouffe ("the gnome")  will be visiting Philly next week.

I have drank a ton of La Chouffe in my days and in the past few years have become a huge fan of Houblon. 

There have been some nights at that Monks back bar...

He will be here Tuesday and Wednesday. It's like he's coming in just for Lance's birthday.

Here's a "Q and A" article from the "Food GPS" blog. 

Here's the line-up:

Belgian Cafe- Tuesday. Aug. 2nd 7 till 10 PAYG

Jose Pistolas- Wednesday Aug. 3rd Lunch 12- ? PAYG

Eulogy Wednesday Aug. 3rd 7 till 10 PAYG

Best Bites- Vacation Edition

From Guilford to Newburyport, Mass to Portland, Maine then back with a stopby in Worcester, Mass then home sweet home. Just when I thought we couldn't eat any more- we did. 

As soon as we arrived and bag downed at our B and B- the Essex House- Lance wanted to check out the "Thirsty Whale."  This was "his trip" and he took the time to research the bars and bistros that made up the port town.   But we would pass a place The Grog first.  It had a timeless feel to it. I think it would have been the venue for my pop-pop to sip on a gin and tonic if he was visiting.  Prized fish were stuffed and hung on the wall- actually it reminded me a bit of his kitchen growing up. Their beer selection was so-so. It was nice to see Victory's Summer of Love on tap. Lance opted for a Harpoon IPA.
I started off slow with a little water. I wanted a 10 oz pour and couldn't get one...so that was my li'l boycott of sorts.

On to the Thirsty Whale- where we definitely got a feel for the local flavor.  One local give us some tips on where to eat and how to pass the time- and another guy reprimanded him and told him not to share the secrets with the tourists- but it was too late- we were to dine on the deck of the Black Cow and hit Sandy Point (the free beach ) of Plum Island the next day.

The Black Cow was one of two "hot spots" overlooking the bay -with rows of boats and plenty of people watching. We had some crabcakes and escargot (i love escargot in case you didn't know).  They were so-so. Lance was happy that the escargot wasn't done in typical pernod fashion.  The music was straight outta the eighties.  And grew old quite quickly.  We left and headed to Michaels the other hot spot.  We left as soon as we arrived. Music was bad there as well and there was nothing grabbing at us to stay.

We found a place called David's situated in the basement of an old inn, the Garrison Inn.  A musician was performing Irish bar songs.  The owner greeted us at the door and made us feel right at home.  We stayed for a pint- and headed to a place called Mission Oak Grille- which was touted as the sexy steakhouse in town. We got there a wee late.  Actually the town in general closes down pretty early. Only a couple places do last call at 12:30- most by 12.  Lance went liquor with a martini. I stayed with the bubbly and off we were again.
It was though he was on a mission. We were reminded of Ceia ("supper" in Portugese), a place we walked by earlier that serves food till 11:45- which is practically unheard of in town. And said food was incredible.  Actually it ruined us for eats for the rest of our New England journey- because it was that good. We shared a Gnocchi dish featuring lobster with saffron & Cognac ($24) and a Pappardelle Bolognese- with pork jowl and cippolini, ($19).  I could have laid my weary head a happy woman- but no- Lance wasn't done yet- he wanted go to the Newburyport Tavern. It was a nice enough place with a good beer selection just a really bad font for their logo.

Next day it was breakfast at the inn then off to Plum Island. I was a tad nervous because were were warned about a massive greenhead problem on the island. Luckily we escaped their promised vicious wrath.  The warnings were so strong it was almost like a when you get bit- not an if.  Then came one of my favorite parts of our trip. Sly brewmaster, Brian O'Reilly hailing from New Hampshire- knows the skinny on where to get the good stuff.  He told me we have to stop by Brown's lobster house.  In that area- you're either a "Browns" guy or a "Markey's" guy- he's a Browns guy which makes me a Brown's girl.  They are across the highway from each other- so it's got a Pats and Geno's thing going on.

We got some fried clams and each got a lobster. It was awesome- But it's four days and four showers later- and I feel like my digits still smell.  They picked the lobster from the tank right in front of you-weighed it and send it off to the pot. They called your number when the crustacean had gone and got itself some waterburn.

It was of the best lobsters ever.  Sitting by the marsh-sipping on a Pikeland Pils (byob) and knowing we had three days left was an amazing feeling.

That night we had Leo Kottke to attend at the local high school but first we dined at a "new american" restaurant Enzo. We enjoyed our dishes- a free-form lasagna for me and scallops and corn risotto for him.  And Lance really likes the space of the restaurant- but it was no Ceia.

The concert was wonderful. We were three rows back on the right hand side of the auditorium.  He's a gifted storyteller. He will entertain you with a tale, make you chuckle, play four more songs- then weave back around to the story he previously told. The truest of talent. He covered Dylan's "Corrina, Corrina" and the oft-covered "Nothing but the wheel." Here's a video of him in case you aren't familiar with the guitar talent.

After showtime-it was tequila time.  We headed to Agave. Lance went for flights- I had a prickly pear jawn.  Nothing was too remarkable about the place. It was the "token" Mexican spot in town. We ended up back at Ceia- our favorite- and tried to encourage them to have their beer list- get on par with their wine and food.  I hate when I have two margaritas then decide to get on my soapbox about beer lists. It's embarrassing regardless of what state you're in.

The next day- we hit up more recommendations from the people in the know. We went to Abrahams for a bagel sandwich- which we shared so we could squeeze in a piece of pizza at The Upper Crust. Lance thught it flimsy- but I loved the sauce.  Then we were wedding bound- North to Portland, Maine.  It was a beautiful day despite the fact that my shoe (first time worn) fell apart on the way to the Church. I laughed it off and we waited till we boarded the boat to House Island where the reception would be held. My fella got a hold of the captain and procured some duct tape.  So there I was with a bunch of strangers and a duck-taped shoe.

It was one hip wedding right down to a can-only selection for beer. I enjoyed some of Baxter Brewing Co's Stowaway IPA. Baxter is Maine's first craft can brewery and their doing pretty well. The island held an old fort which was pretty cool. After taking a field trip there- I had yet another lobster-then we took the boat back

Back inland we went to Grace for the afterparty.  It was a restored church turned restaurant. We mingled and then I hit the hay a bit earlier than expected.  Not before I would talk to my friend Wendy and get the scoop on what was going on back in Philly.  Not much going on in the hot city- but she informed me that Amy Winehouse was dead.

The next day- we went to brunch at Bibo's Mad Apple Cafe.  We had this heart-stoppin' artery-cloggin' apple pancake.  They must have dipped in sugar and thrown it in a buttered cast-iron skillet.
It was the best pancake I have ever had.
Post brunch we returned to Novare Res (first time in 2008 shortly after they opened) where I tried a dry-hopped cider for the first time. It was hopped with cascades- it was mild- but the character was definitely present.  It's Portland's premier bier cafe- and they have corn-hole. I know a few guys (matt satten) that would think the place paradise.

We had a couple hours to walk around before driving back South so we hit a wacky ice cream place (Salted Carmel and Lavendar were my faves) and a record store- where I scored "Monster Mash" on 45.

We hit Armsby Abbey on the way back to Philly.  If you are ever even close to Worcester, Mass- you must go.  It was also a nice surprise to see the Sly Fox/De Proef Broederlijk Liefde collaboration on tap.

OK- I'm done.
You should really check out Newburyport sometime. You don't even have to rely on the secret tips from locals- you can come straight to us. We know all the spots now...

Stowaway IPA from Baxter Brewing Co

Jay's Oyster House- an Old Port "Must Do"  Lobster Roll $12.95

"Home Runners" great responsible driving program. Drink too much one night?
They'll drive you and your car home for $20 plus mileage.

Brown's Lobster- yum yum yum

Lance on the Chippewa- our transport to "House Island"

My view from inside the old fort

Mission Oak Grill during the day-another  restored  church turned a restaurant.

Port

Cheese Plate at Armsby Abbey- a Bier cafe in Worcester, Mass.

Fort

Free Form Lasagna at Enzo in Newburyport, Mass.

Two Track: Blueberry Hill

We've got 5 days left in "National blueberry month."
I got blueberries on the brain cuz I just got back from Maine- the Blueberry state.  
There was blueberry in everything from sorbet to scrambled eggs.
Now that I am back home I will have to get my fix from Medford blueberry picking (or Hammonton) or perhaps that delicious blueberry honey that Dibruno's stocks.

Here are a few versions of Blueberry Hill- first by Fats- then by many. There are more versions not posted including those by Led Zepplin and Elton John.

Fats Domino 1957



Bruce Cockburn and Margo Timmons (Cowboy Junkies) 1999

Two Track Tuesday on Wednesday: Vacation Edition

I am on vacation. This is exciting because it doesn't happen often. Sometimes a few days here and there down in Baltimore. But I haven't done 6 days in a row since my beer trip to Michigan in 2009. Lance and I flipped a coin and his Subaru won...so he gets to drive all the way up 95 to Guilford, Ct first (momma Lapierre) then to NewburyPort, Mass for a Leo Kottke concert on Friday night...then further north to charming Portland where we'll watch his best girlfriend from high school say "I do."

I'll be riding shot gun next to him for a few hours....so this is a loose interpretation of a "Vacation song"
What? You want the Go Gos? Sorry.  Iggy and Souxsie will have to do.

THE PASSENGER
Souxise and the Banshees


Iggy Pop- 1977 This is the only live version of Iggy performing I could find.

Weekend in Rewind

It was a weekend of eats.  Friday night was "ladies night out" at Jose Garces Trading Co. which has been serving beer for months as well if you didn't know.  Oddly enough I was with ladies I met years ago during Beer Club's humble beginning- but it was bottles of rioja and malbec that covered the table.  It was quite the value with all 8 of us only having to put in $50.  My Orechiette dish was good....but I make the pasta mistake too often. I always want to order it but then its the same bite over and over again.

Smoked Pork Hash at JB's

Johnny Brenda's saison brunch was scheduled on a perfect sunny Saturday.  They had a great line-up including offerings from McKenzies, and the upcoming Tired Hands (a chocolate saison which I didn't get to try).  As great as the beer list was- the highlight was the smoked pork hash. The eggs are scrambled perfectly. Must try.

Tara Nurin and Me at Pourapalooza

Saturday night I stayed in after pouring at the Pourapalooza.  Lance and I redboxed it and admittedly ate white castle burgers (first hamburger chain out there 1921).  Good yet gross. Lance was saying that it was the best burger he ever had....which is quite funny because the onions are a dominant flavor- and I could have sworn he was "allergic" to onions.
Sunday it had to be Kraftwork. I was chatting with Chef Brian at Matyson a few weeks back and he told me he was really proud of their brunch.  So to Fishtown (again).

Biscuits and Gravy a la Kraftwork

The croque madame looked amazing. I felt healthy having a ratatouille omelet even though I really wanted the house-made sausage which smelled like I died and went to sage heaven.
Milkcrate cafe and record store a couple blocks away was the perfect post-brunch activity. I may or may not have bought a YAZ album.

Stay cool and enjoy your week. Lance's bestfriend is getting married this week in Portland, Me...so we are getting there slowly but surely working our way north with a bunch of stops.  I've never been to Newburyport.
We'll see his favorite, Leo Kottke there on Friday night. He's probably anticipating that the most. Me?
My only real goal of the trip is to eat at some place called "Duck Fat" in Portland.

Belgian Independence Day... all week long

Next week- Ommegang and Duvel celebrate Belgian Independence all week long at the locations listed below.

Ommegang will be debuting their "Spiced Saison" made with lemon peel,white pepper, grains of paradise, coriander, and a Wallonian saison yeast strain.

Eulogy - Friday July 15th TONIGHT  7-9pm

Belgian Café- Wed July  20^th 7-9pm

Monks Café Thursday, July 21^st - 11:30 am

Resurrection Tap House- Thursday, July 21^st- 6-9pm

Iron Abbey- Friday, July 22^nd 7-9pm

TJ’s Drinkery- Saturday, July  23^rd 7-9pm

Old Eagle Tavern Sunday, July 24^th 6-8

Broad Axe Tavern will be featuring the holiday July 21-24th

Hello Blind Pig

Stopped in at Blind Pig the other day.  Hopefully you've heard of the new spot situated next door to the 700 Club.  They're still figuring out some opening kinks...footrest is on its way in the next week.
You can look forward to several can offerings. 8 beers on tap including Sly Fox O'Reilly's stout and Lagunitas IPA.  They're serving chilled red wine in miniature mason jars from $3.

They're also serving up lamb sliders and something called Thanksgiving Balls- turkey wrapped in stuffing, breaded and fried served with cran and gravy for your dipping pleasure.

Open after 4 pm every day.

Please settle a debate...

Blue or Green?

Casey Hughes triumphant with Exit 11 at the Royal Stumble

The Champ with new Flying Fish Sales Rep Mary Grace Hodge

Saison Brunch at Johnny Brenda's - Saturday July 16th

The only keg of grisette in PA will be here....

Quickly- Something awesome you can do for someone you love: Kitchen table at Osteria

We had an amazing time at Osteria last night. More details and menu later.

Happiest of Birthdays for Nodding Head's Head Honcho, Curt Decker

I don't mention it often and I am not sure if he even knows- but Nodding Head was an important place in my early years as I was trying to learn as much about beer as I could.  I remember trading in the usual birthday activities for a woman of 25 years so I could steward the Homebrew competition at Nodding Head. I am not even sure what gave me the idea to do so-perhaps George Hummel.  A couple years later- I left the birthday party of one of my best friends so I could go hob nob at the Sansom St. brewpub with brewers visiting for the 2005 Craft Brewers Conference.

A couple years after that I was staying with a gal that lived right by Curt.  We would run into him walking his dog. I don't know if "intimidated" was the right word. But I had oodles of respect for him. I had seen him around for years- never really talked to him although I had many pints and memories in his bar. I knew that he was pretty sharp--always with a story or witty comment. A lot of people I knew were his good friends, but I barely knew him at all.

I ended up getting to know him pretty well over the last couple years.  Most importantly he's soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much nicer than I could have ever imagined.

He's got his things he does. He loves the Masters, Tailgate dogs, Iced Lattes from Red Hook -and pretty much only from Red Hook - he needs a sandwich named after him.  He's at home with a Manhattan prepared by Kip or George during Friday happy hour at Southwark. Maybe a g and t in the summer. Matt Ito of Fugi has rolled him roll after roll in Haddonfield, NJ. He loves his sports, and he adores his Phils.  He was OG on the whole scooter thing. When he's not scooting his walking his dog, Elvis.  I don't know if I have ever seen a better real-life example of "man's best friend" than those two.  He's part of the earliest days of craft beer in Philadelphia- pouring awesome beers at Brownies in the mid-90s while managing. He's been throwing one of the city's best annual "parties" (that's what he likes to call it) in that of the Royal Stumble. (which is actually this Saturday).

Wish him a happy day.

Hope you had a Happy 4th of July-= aka the biggest drinking day of the YEAR

Most people guess Superbowl, St.Patrick's, Night before Thanksgiving, or New Years- but 4th of July is the biggest drinking day of the year.

Hope your hangover dissipates with a quickness.

Here's my holiday "icebox" cake picture with Wendy's holiday Duvel.  (just reppin' the OG 13)  >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>