Two Track: The Federal Donuts Edition

I've been so darn busy I haven't even made it to 2nd and Federal for some of the donut delight that's got the internets all a tizz.  I just know -when I go- it's gonna be awesome. And if they're out- they're out and I can support someone else in the hood.
Sweet tooth Lance Romance couldn't be happier about the new spot.  Like many-he went opening day for a dozen. He's yet to do the chicken though-so this focuses on their sweeter offering.

Here's their  two-track Tuesday shout out.

One of Bubblegum's Pop's best-
Sugar Sugar


The Archies -1969 (The only Live video was not able to be embedded but the frog dancing gots to make you happy)



Wilson Pickett 1969 (this cover went to #4 on R and B charts)




The Archies

Serenity in Beer: from Smuttynose's face book page

Someone linked to this photo on Smuttynose's Facebook page- and I thought to repost it.
Remember to take a break from the madness of the day and enjoy a pint (or goblet).

Still a few seats left for Founders dinner at CHIFA

They must like four square meals in Grand Rapids, MI.
CHIFA is hosting FOUNDERS for a dinner on Thursday night.
$75 plus tax and gratuity.
The menu celebrates all meals of the day from dawn to dusk.


Check it out here.

Halloween NIGHT @ FERGIES

When Halloween falls on a Monday the costuming and carousing generally takes place the weekend prior.

Being in the industry of adult beverages- I celebrate it for four days straight.
On Halloween night- It's FERGIES upstairs. Four different Allagash beers on tap and one of the longest-running open mics in the city.

Bring your voice, your instruments and the beer will be there waiting for you.
So you have no talent? Come drink some great beer with me. 8-?

PORKtoberfest DAY 4: Taco edition

It's borderline impossible for me to go to Kraftwork and not get the Beer Can Chicken.
But I have the feeling I am missing out on so many other great menu options.
So it was my lucky day last month when I had Allagash's National Sales manager in town that we were both famished when we arrived and were able to order multiple courses so I finally got to meet the Korean tacos.  They arrive garnished with napa cabbage, pickled jalepenos, and a black bean salad.
So flavorful, just a bit of heat and 2 are quite filling for $8.

But share them so you can get the beer can chicken afterward.

TODAY in beer- a couple things to do

All day TODAY Devil's Den will be doing a Krispy Kreme and Beer Pairing to the benefit of PAWS a charity that owners Scott and Erin Wallace contribute to often.\

Try an original glazed donut with PBC Joe Porter, a Cinnamon Bun Donut with YARDS Thomas Jefferson, or a Pumpkin Spice cake donut with Weyerbacher's Verboten. You can do a "flight" for $10 or try them individually for $4 a pop.  The pairings will be featured all day.


 Tonight as you take a break from that Cardinals/Rangers series- head to Farmers Cabinet where they will be showcasing various Liefmans.  There will even be an 06 kriek.

I'm in love with the oud bruin And the cuvee brut.

They will be doing flights so you can sample a bunch. AND Megan Maguire will be there.

6 pm.
Glasses for the first ten.

Allagash Brunch BASH at the POPE this Sunday with live music from the famous GLO TONES

This is very exciting- as you have probably noticed I have scheduled enough events in these two months to put any beer rep six feet under. I am drinking a ton of water and always stock beets and artichokes in my fridge. Heck- yesterday I even bought Watercress- another wonderfood known for its detoxifying powers.

This Sunday- 11-3 I'll be at the P.O.P.E. for my first Allagash centric brunch event.
Not only will there be five Allagash beers on tap including Hugh Malone (Hoppiest beer we make- our Belgian IPA), Big Little (Beer Advocate Collaboration), Four (This Belgian strong is more for the lunch part not so much the breakfast;) Black (My beer of the moment) and White (great brunch beer) there will be the GLO TONES.  They do a lot of fun covers.

I know we all wake up on Sunday thinking "Where to brunch today? And--who to brunch with?"
This Sunday--grab your gang and go see the Glotones at the POPE.

Here's a video of them doing "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" this past January

Porktoberfest Day 3: Nodding Head presents The Happy Pig

I am the recipient of many interesting texts and pictures about pork throughout the year.
This picture came from Mike Fava, the asst. brewer at Nodding Head last week.
It's a mutant pork cutlet topped with pepperjack cheese, and a fried egg on a brioche bun.

The cutlet is so giant it hangs over the plate. It's a special item so get it while the gettin's good.

If the pig is indeed happy in his current state- eaters will be ecstatic!

Porktoberfest DAY 2: Pork, Pork, and more Pork at McCrossens Tavern

My photo of the Alsatian wonder, Choucroute garnie (French- dressed sauerkraut) is  better than that of the White Bean Cassoulet topped with Berkshire Pork Belly so I will include that in this post. (You can sort of see the cassoulet in the background)

But as delicious and soulful as the Choucroute garnie was- this post is about the Pork Belly appetizer.  The medium-sized cast iron oval that was placed in front of us contained the best bite of my week.

My friend Maggie pointed out that the cassoulet was round--just a great blend of flavors (topped with Thyme breadcrumbs). It was perfect. It's what you want on the first chilly day of the year. And it's probably want I want every day thereafter.  It demanded a German Dunkel to wash it down.  It was a mere $8.

We had an Allagash event there last night. Gen Mgr. Lauren Harris had stockpiled some goodies likeVictor, Victoria and Fluxus. There was also black on tap which would have suited their burger perfectly.

The Fairmount tavern- just got a beyond glowing review from Craig Laban. Take a few minutes and read it here.  Then take a couple hours and head to 529 N. 20th St. It's a nice time of year to be there.

Varga hosts Pumpking Carving with Carving Expert Eric Wagner Monday Oct 24th

Two Track: Simple Man

I spent the Sun through Tuesday working the market with another Allagasher- Matt Welch. He was visiting from Portland.  I asked him about "his" music and told him to give me three songs that he would want to listen to. He didn't list Age of Consent because he didn't event know who New Order was.  He does now. Because I wouldn't shut up about the fact that he didn't.  


He came up with one at the time and it was "Simple Man" the 2004 version from a band that I never heard of called Shine Down.

So here it is your Tuesday Two Track-
With these Shindown guys and the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd




Shinedown (An acoustic version from 2010)





Take your time don't live too fast
troubles will come and they will pass

Porktoberfest DAY 1: Pork Loin at KENNETT's brunch

Welcome to the 3rd annual PORKTOBERFEST.

KENNETT- The Swede

For those of you new to my hokey li'l beer blog- I essentially blog about a variety of Pork dishes in addition to beer for a about two weeks in October. I usually start it on the first- but I've been busy with that whole major job change thing and haven't been able to blog much.  Each day is a different type of Pork. So I can't do
Carnitas more than once.

I have probably gained ten pounds in the last two weeks- so this should really shoot my cholesterol into the stratosphere of unacceptable levels. 


We're gonna get things going with the simple pork loin.  But a pork loin perfectly cooked sitting on top of grilled brioche joined by collard greens, a poached egg, and old bay hollandaise.  There are a few potatoes are served on the side- but the piece of brioche is rather giant- and will provide enough starch for one sitting. It's called "The Swede" and it's awesome.

While waiting for the Swede- you might want to go with an Irish Coffee.  Victoria- our Sunday bartender was making them for the crew the Buena Vista way.  She whips up the cream first.  They were slightly time consuming but she was happy to do it- and I don't know if I can ever have another Irish Coffee besides this one. 

Other beverage recommendations include- Founders Breakfast Stout and Allagash White --I know, shocker ;)

OmmeDogAGASH!!!!

This Friday.
City Tap House
We're at over 30 taps. 
I'll be bringing my turntables. Megs will be picking out records. (She favors the 70s)
And Wendy is sure to play the Beasties Boys.
I'm almost afraid.

Sunday Night- Varga welcomes Allagash. Curieux, Hugh Malone and other greats

This is Matt Welch- He is the New England Sales for Allagash.
He's never been to Philly.
For a month now he's been asking me about Cheesesteaks (as expected for never been tourists).

He'll arrive on Sunday at 2 pm.  His first request was to find a Packers game. Sorry buddy.

What I can make happen- is the cheesesteak- 

Square 1682 is hosting the 2nd annual cheese steak challenge featuring a slew of notable chefs. For $20 you can sample them all. And the dollars go to benefit the Phiadelphia Academies. 17th and Moravian.

THEN at 9 pm 

Varga Bar has invited Matt and I to occupy 10th and Spruce.

Evil Twin -Twin Peaks Quizzo this Sunday at the POPE

When: Sunday 8 pm
Where: the P.O.P.E.
What (from the Pope):

Evil Twin Brewing Co. presents a Twin Peaks themed Quizzo hosted by the Alex Trebek of Philly, Johnny Goodtimes. Questions will revolve around director David Lynch and the cult TV show with amazing beers for thought from Evil Twin on draft and bottles.

THE PouRS!!!!!!

--Molotov Cocktail 13% Imperial IPA
--Ron and the beast Ryan 7% saison w/ jolly pumpkin brett yeast
--Before During and After Christmas 9% IPA
--Monks suffers sugar rush on Barbados -Belgian dubbel with Muscovado Sugar
--9th Symphony - 9% Belgian Golden that's been aged in Austrian White wine barrels
--Disco Beer- IPA blended with Chardonnay

Southwark Sly Fox Beer Dinner- Awesome deal $45

I got a text message from buddy Kip Wade the other day-

"Sly Fox beer dinner next Tuesday. Hope you can join us."

I will be on the other side of the city at McCrossens- but I would DEFINITELY be at Southwark if I could.

Four course- $45. 
RSVP: 215-238-1888

Pikeland pils • hop sausage
Birchrun hills alpine fondue 

Incubus • apple salad with bitter greens

Chester county bitter • braised duck leg, pumpkin gnocci 

Black Raspberry Reserve • maple cornmeal cake

Mid-Atlantic gathers 8 local ladies o' beer for Breast Cancer Awareness

Tuesday, October 25th 6 pm

Mid-Atlantic gathers 8 of us local beer ladies together for a 7 course dinner to benefit the Philadelphia affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the cure. They will be donating $50 of the $150 ticket to breast cancer awareness.

The menu looks amazing. I'm not eating a day prior or past.

More details when the time allows.

3711 Market St.
215-386-3711 for reservations

Two Track: Harvest Moon

I probably don't have to tell you why I chose this today.
Hope to see you for a pint at Resurrection Ale House tonight after 5.
We'll toast the full moon and the great beers of Sly Fox and Allagash.

Harvest Moon- Pearl Jam Philadelphia 2005



Harvest Moon- Official Video 1993 Neil Young

NODTOBERFEST this Saturday

This weekend- Nodding Head continues their second saturdays with "Nodtoberfest"

Food Specials as well.
3-6 pm
Celebrate Oktoberfest in Nodding Head Style.

THE POURS

 

FESTBIER

MEDIUM BODIED LAGER (6%ABV)… DEEP GOLD/LIGHT

AMBER IN COLOR… CLEAN MALTY FLAVOR WITH JUST A HINT

OF HOPS

KELLER PILS

UNFILTERED PILSNER (4.75%ABV)… LIGHT IN COLOR AND

BODY BUT NOT IN FLAVOR… BISCUIT-LIKE MALT WITH A

NOTABLE SPICY, HERBAL HOP PRESENCE

ALTERCATION

EXTRA STRONG (7.5%ABV) ALTBIER BREWED WITH RYE…

HERBAL HOP AND SPICY RYE FLAVORS MELD WITH JUST A BIT

OF MALT SWEETNESS BEFORE GIVING WAY TO A LINGERING

FINISH

LEAD PIPE LAGER

VERY DARK AND FAIRLY STRONG (7%ABV)… WITH PLENTY OF

SUBTLE MALT COMPLEXITY AND A LIGHT TOUCH OF HOPS

and of course

ICH BIN EIN BERLINER WEISSE

RARE AND UNUSUAL GERMAN-STYLE WHEAT BEER...

NOT A HEFFE WEIZEN... A TART FLAVOR, LIGHT BODY AND

LOW ALCOHOL (3.5%) ADD UP TO ONE VERY REFRESHING

BEER...TRADITIONAL WOODRUFF SYRUP AVAILABLE UPON

REQUEST

Save the Date: Tues, Oct. 11th Out with the Old and in with the New- Changing of the Sly Fox Guards

When I announced that  I was making a transition last month- the first folks to say "Hey- Let's Party'" were Resurrection Ale House's Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida.  They are huge supporters of Sly Fox and have been great to work with over the last few years. They wanted to wish me well AND welcome Corey Reid to the Philly Scene. Corey has been with Sly Fox for 14 years- and managing the rest of PA outside the Philly five county area and the whole monstrous Empire state.

We'll be drinking a  bevy of beers and enjoying the great chow that Resurrection has to offer.

There will be Sly Fox folks in the house as well as Allagash's National Sales Manager- Naomi Neville.  I'm thrilled to report to her and have already learned so much in the last few weeks.

It's also a full moon.  So couple that with a few beers and you have a pretty interesting party;)

Fun starts at FIVE.

THE POURS

Allagash Blonde  (Gold Medal GABF 2010)
Sly Fox Route 113 IPA
Allagash Dubbel
Sly Fox O'Reilly Stout
Allagash Hugh Malone
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils
Allagash Tripel
Sly Fox Abbey Extra
Allagash Big Little
and something special on the Engine from Sly FOX