Six favorite beers from August 7-August 20

Since my track record is getting a bit spotty with being able to keep this on a weekly schedule, I've gone and removed "of the week" from the title of this recurring post. Another week spent in Winston-Salem last week afforded me the opportunity to finally check out Natty Greene's in person. Only previously have enjoyed many of their beers off-premises. They'd just recently opened their third location, Kitchen + Market, so the timing worked out well. Read on below for more about beers in both my travels and at home.

(Allagash White great by itself, even better with dinner.)
~ White (5.1%), by Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)
    I've been very fond of , and as loyal as possible to, the Kimpton family of hotels. They usually feature very good food and beverage as well. On the last night of my trip to Winston-Salem last week, dinner was at The Kimpton Cardinal. It's inside the former RJ Reynolds building, which interesting to note was the building that served as inspiration for NYC's Empire State Building. Inside it is a French-themed restaurant where I had an excellent Rockfish that sat on top of a sweet carrot emulsion and went perfectly with an Allagash White.

(Samichlaus - Still a smooth classic from Austria.)
~ Samichlaus (14%), by Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg (Graz, Austria)
    Virtually no carbonation but it's from 2005, so what did you expect? Still, very tasty with surprisingly minimal notes of oxidation and a pleasant booziness that, on the other hand, is not surprising given it's 14% ABV!

(Fun play on words, the name, and great tasting beer.)
~ Kiwi's Playhouse (8.1%), by Brooklyn Brewery (New York, NY)
    Had this sour ale that was aged on fresh kiwis in red wine barrels during the Beer Mansion event in Philadelphia on August 11. It's a truly remarkable event and this beer in particular, for my palate, stole the show.

(Couple of years on this beer have not hurt it.)
~ Bloody Butcher Appalachian Grisette (5.2%), by Fonta Flora Brewery (Morganton, NC)
    Finally got around to this; why it took so long is a mystery. But I couldn't detect any suffering from the passing of time. They made it with local corn and local malt. It was a refreshing and mildly tart easy-drinker. This brewery, halfway between Charlotte and Asheville, routinely gets high marks.

(Desperate times in hotel room call for plastic beer drinking vessel.)
~ Hitchpost Gueuze (6.5%), by Natty Greene's Brewing Company (Greensboro, NC)
    The brewery says that they make "sessionable ales and sours". I'd say that this one, aged 18 months in French Oak barrels, falls into both categories. If 6.5% can be considered sessionable. Go ahead, give it to me.

(Proper glassware at Natty Greene's impressive and comfortable new Kitchen + Market location.)
~ Center Cut Robust Porter (5.9%), by Natty Greene's Brewing Company (Greensboro, NC)
    Solid roasty and lightly smoky porter. Excellent way to enjoy the comfy environs of the upstairs lounge at Natty Greene's new Kitchen + Market north of downtown Greensboro.


Click back here for an index of all beers that I've covered in the past.

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© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2017. All content is owned and uniquely created by Bryan J. Kolesar. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Kolesar is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, images, and links may be used with advance permission granted and only provided that full and clear credit is given to Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Contact Kolesar at TheBrewLounge@gmail.com

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5 favorite beers of last two weeks (June 5-18)

Had a bit of a post-PBW hangover (plus a day job conference) last week, so I never quite got around to sharing with you the best beers I encountered in the previous week. Three were encountered during Philly Beer Week. The other two were featured samplings that I included at my book signing appearance at the Antietam Farmers Market in Reading, Pa. this past weekend.

(Dark as night, drinks easily during the day.)
~ Baby Bob (6%), by 2SP Brewing Company (Aston, Pa.)
    At my book signing in Reading, of the seven beers I took for sampling (perhaps with the exception of the 17.1% Avery Mephistopheles), none other was as captivating as the Baby Bob. People seemed as curious about the name as they were the liquid itself. As an acknowledgement to brewer Bob Barrar's award-winning ways with his Russian Imperial Stout, this smaller Baby Bob is a roasty, easy-drinking American Stout.

(Delivers a Windfall of flavorful enjoyment.)
~ Windfall (6.1%), by Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)
    Peaches. Tart. Brett. That's perfect enough description. Encountered during a visit to Tria Taproom from Allagash's owner Rob Tod, this is the second beer of theirs that went overboard in impressing Philly Beer Week-goers earlier this month.

(Can they can the IPA at Dock Street? Golden idea.)
~ Golden IPA, by Dock Street Brewing Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    The last day of Philly Beer Week has several usual suspects. Fergie's. Local 44. And Dock Street. In past years at Dock Street, you could count on my Beer Runs. The brewery's Music Festival. This year, they only recently opened the new "Cannery + Lounge" in an adjacent property behind the brewery on 50th Street. They took a quieter route to ending PBW this year. With two canned releases. Summer in Berlin and Golden IPA, both in 16-ounce cans. The IPA hit all the right notes for me. Then again, with the Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe, and Amarillo all-star hops with just a touch of haze (not cloudiness, mind you), I wouldn't have expected anything less out of Mark Russell's brewhouse.

(Solid sour from one of Philly's oldest craft/micro brewers.)
~ Cuvée de Yunk (5%), by Manayunk Brewing Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    In a Facebook post during Philly Beer Week, I'd mentioned something about "...being honest...should be paying more attention...." To Manayunk Brewery, that is. And, it took this spectacular apricot sour at Strangelove's during a cross-town walk on a 94-degree last day of PBW to remind of that.

(One of the region's best and most consistent pilsners.)
~ Trauger Pilsner (4.8%), by Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company (Croydon, Pa.)
    No doubt it's the Hallertau and Tettnanger noble hops in this German-style Pilsner from one of Bucks County's finest that made this another fan favorite at my book signing event....and also after the power-washing project later in the day. In case you wonder how much a favorite this is of my own, as well, look no further than my home kegerator which has seen more than one of these sixtels pushing up beer through the taps.

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© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2017. All content is owned and uniquely created by Bryan J. Kolesar. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Kolesar is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, images, and links may be used with advance permission granted and only provided that full and clear credit is given to Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Contact Kolesar at TheBrewLounge@gmail.com

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4 favorite beers of last week (May 29-June 4)

In my continuing series of the best beers I've had in the prior week, you may not be surprised to learn that in the past week, they were all encountered during Philly Beer Week. A couple of them, you may never (or, at least, not soon) see again.

(Pick Your Own was enjoyed at an excellent event with Allagash and Fat Head's at the P.O.P.E. It's very dark inside. Given that, I'm happy enough with this picture, much happier with the beer itself.)
~ Pick Your Own (6.4%), by Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)
    Fruit rules this sour ale. Raspberries, Cherries, Strawberries, and Blueberries. It was in an "oak foudre with Lactobacillus and Pediococcus for two years". That worked out very well. A beautiful color and so much flavor. Exactly what you'd expect. Hoping to hit up at least one more event with Allagash during remainder of PBW to have another encounter or two with this beer.

(This beer was only recently completed and shipped over to Philly just in time for Philly Beer Week and, here, at a Monk's Cafe lunch with the owner/brewer.)
~ Simplex (4.5%), by Brouwerij De Ranke (Dottignies, Belgium)
    In essence, this beer gets its name from being a "simpler" XX Bitter. If you're familiar with that 20+ year old standard-bearing beer from De Ranke, I'm betting you'll love this Simplex as well. My hunch is that it's the Hallertau Mittelfrüh and the low alcohol that has me hooked. So far, I'm three glasses into this beer and hoping for many more.

(Had this beer at both Opening Tap and at Varga during the last week. Yet still don't actually have a picture of the beer. Well, though, this one is of Kristen Madgitz from the brewery's sales team about to hand one to me. So that counts.)
~ Lot 215 IPA, by Evolution Craft Brewing Company (Salisbury, Md.)
    According to the description, this begins with the base Lot 3 IPA and then incorporates smoked cedar and spruce tips, smoked dried cherries, and a dry hopping menu of Chinook, Citra, and Columbus. And that's exactly what you get. Very interesting.

(This sturdy, bready, yet easy-going delicious lager was presented at one of the highlight events of PBW thus far. From left, Brian O'Reilly, Bill Moeller, William Reed.)
~ Northern Liberties Lager (5.8%), by Sly Fox Brewing Company (Pottstown, Pa.)
    Brian O'Reilly (Brewmaster, Sly Fox) has collaborated the last ten years with William Reed (proprietor, the hyper-local Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda's) and this year they took it to another level. This recipe was sourced from Bill Moeller's (Schmidt's, Ortlieb's, et al) father's beer recipe journal, circa 1910. After making adjustments, based upon modern day measurements (alpha acid, etc.), they crafted the most solid lager I've enjoyed thus far during PBW '17. During the release brunch event at Standard Tap, the 91-year-old Moeller was on hand and captivated the audience with decades of Philadelphia neighborhood and brewing stories. Get this one while you can at the brewery, or at either Standard Tap or Johnny Brenda's.

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© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2017. All content is owned and uniquely created by Bryan J. Kolesar. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Kolesar is strictly prohibited. Excerpts, images, and links may be used with advance permission granted and only provided that full and clear credit is given to Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Contact Kolesar at TheBrewLounge@gmail.com

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A prelude to Philly Beer Week 2016 - t minus 1.5 days

**UPDATE: Now includes Alla Spina, Fat Head's, Sly Fox, New Holland, Sam Adams, Terrapin, and Brü Craft & Wurst. in addition to Allagash, Firestone Walker, River Horse, Standard Tap, Good Dog, and Brauhaus Schmitz.**

And now for some paid advertising. Just kidding. In lieu of a more efficient online planning tool for Philly Beer Week, here are some handy promo cards put together by some of our most passionate and marketing-savvy beer folk in the area.

(Allagash Brewing Company)

(Firestone Walker Brewing Company)

**note: Heritage event on 6/6 begins at 9 p.m., not 7 p.m.**

(Good Dog Bar)

(River Horse Brewing Company)

(Brauhaus Schmitz)

(Standard Tap)

(Alla Spina)

(New Holland)

(Fat Head's)

(Sly Fox)

(Brü Craft & Wurst)

(Sam Adams)

(Terrapin)

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Philly Beer Week 2013, Day 3 Sights and Sounds: Sunday, June 2

(Links to video precede the pictures farther below.)

The opening weekend of Philly Beer Week 2013 came to a slightly cooler, interrupted by brief passing showers, end with festivities of every stripe going down around the city.

Early reports came in of some solid brunches being served up and I got mine in just before 3 p.m. at Kite & Key (great "stuffed" PB&J French Toast) as the Throwdown in Franklintown was warming up. I got roped into a couple of events so you may see some moving or still pictures (moving as in motion, not be confused with emotional) of me participating on the runner-up to the runner-up to the runner-up team.

Each year K&K does this event, a) it gets larger, b) it attracts more folks from the industry who want to participate in a couple hours of fun 'n' games, and c) it remains an event where you know, where you can trust, that K&K will do its job to secure great beer, but that isn't the focal point of the event. That last point, to me, is what differentiates truly special/unique events during beer week from the more run o' the mill types. Getting people involved, entertaining, and providing a fun atmosphere where it's not just beer geekerie sitting around, pontificating a beer's merits, and checking it into an app.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Usually.

So how about those beers, eh mister beer geek?

Yes, the beers were special (as would be expected) during the Throwdown at K&K. The two that stoodout and wound up multiple times in my hand were Allagash's FV-13 and Golden Brett, two beers aged in oak and treating folks to a wild ride of fruit and tart and sweet and rich. The Golden Brett comes across as cleaner and more refreshing, if you will, where the FV-13 has a wider range, and is a bit boozier, of flavors.

Also of note was my second Bell Ringer IPA from Victory. It was on CO2 and was just as enjoyable as the night prior at Johnny Brenda's where it was being served from a gravity cask. And, as their website warns "not to be fooled", I was. No way I'd guess this clocks in at 9% ABV.

The party rolled on with many moving into Center City and Nodding Head where owner Curt Decker and the team were hosting Tomme Arthur and his Red Poppy, Framboise, and several other tasty sours from southern California.

It was a bit of a sign of things to come when next Tuesday, if you haven't heard, Nodding Head will be doing a very special brew day with De La Senne and guest appearances by Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River) and again Tomme Arthur. Breakfast bites will be available as well.

With time for just a quick stop at Standard Tap, we buzzed in and saw owner Willam Reed holding court with three huge GABF 2012 winners. Tröegs (Hershey) won mid-size brewery of the year, Devil's Backbone (Virginia) won small brewpub of the year, and Church Brew Works (Pittsburgh) won large brewpub of the year. They each had multiple beers of theirs pouring, most of which are not typically available in Philly.

They also had a beer that all three collaborated on brewed at Tröegs. It's a black rye IPA and it was being served on the handpump. Interesting beer with an earthy hop profile and definitely worth checking out should you see it around (apparently it's tagged as Scratch #97).

Great exposure at Standard Tap, one of the city's most comfortable pubs, for these two out-of-town excellent breweries and, as always, for our home-region Tröegs.

That might be about it for me for a few days. It may even turn out to be the first year where I essentially take off the full week from PBW events. Must keep the balance in life. Time will tell. In the meantime, check out the fun videos and pictures and let me know where you have been and what you've seen that's worth reporting.

p.s. Special thanks to Megan Moore of Evolution Brewing for passing along the picture of me keg racing at the Kite & Key event.

Link to video of the keg race (they were full, btw).
Link to video of tug o' war (Victory versus Dogfish Head, first match)
Link to video of tug o' war (Victory versus Dogfish Head, second match)
Link to video of jousting (Jim Kirk-Kite & Key versus Tom Kehoe-Yards Brewing, first match)
Link to video of jousting (Jim Kirk-Kite & Key versus Tom Kehoe-Yards Brewing, first match)
Link to video of jousting finals (Greg Lehman-Victory Brewing versus Tom Kehoe-Yards Brewing)



(A slightly cooler day, it's relative of course, brought larger crowd than ever for the annual Throwdown in Franklintown at Kite & Key.)

(The Yards Brewing team from Philly.)

(The Victory Brewing team from Downingtown.)

(Good thing I had sustenance to carry me through the keg race and tug o' war that I was recruited for.)

(Yours truly got recruited for the keg race.)

(Fergie Carey, temporary custodian, and loving/nurturing custodian at that, of the Hammer of Glory.)

(Curt Decker of Nodding Head welcomes Tomme Arthur from Lost Abbey to his Sour Happy Hour event on Sunday, June 2.)

(Standard Tap featuring the reigning Small and Large brewpub and Mid-size brewery GABF 2012 winners. The Black Rye IPA on the handpump was the collaboration between the three.)

(William Reed of Standard Tap and Johnny Brenda's, with the Hammer of Glory natch, played host at Standard Tap to Jason Oliver from Devil's Backbone in Virginia.)

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Suzanne Woods: taking Allagash all the way to Washington DC, woo-hoo!

(sorry, that was the most clever Washington/Politics reference I could come up with today)

Ms. Woods is a downright likable beer personality. You'll hear me saying that about so many in the "craft" beer industry; but, then again, it's true and also what makes covering the industry, the happenings, and the people so darn interesting and fun.

So as Suzy moves on from Sly Fox to Allagash, where she'll be covering the latitudes from Philadelphia down through DC and Northern Virginia as their mid-Atlantic Sales Manager, Resurrection Ale House threw a little "going away" party for her a couple nights back.

As a testament that Woods is not only likable to those such as me on the middle-to-outer rings of the beer circles, some fine representation from her old and new employers showed up in support.

Since it's always better to quote than to have you listen to me. So here are some words from Suzanne:

"Long live the cans. I am so proud that Sly Fox is the MidAtlantic pioneer of the craft can movement. I had too much fun selling it! After five years I moved on to another amazing brewery. I'll be drinking my weight in White from Philly down to DC. I don't think I have a day off 'til Thanksgiving but that's alright. I am honored to be welcomed into such a wonderful company."

In the picture you see here, and it's nearly impossible to say left-to-right, so I'll trust that you either know who's who, or maybe don't care. Brian O'Reilly (head brewer), Tim Ohst (Brewer and Head of Brewing Ops), and Corey Reid (bartender, Sales Guy, and Kan Jam Koordinator) all showed up from Sly Fox. From Allagash, Naomi Moore, National Sales Manager and Woods' new boss, was in attendance. Strangely absent (given his propensity to be found year-round in these parts!) was Rob Tod. Just kidding...sort of.

Brendan Hartranft (owner, Resurrection Ale House), Sean McGinnis (bartender at RAH), and Jim Meiers (craft manager at Origlio) are also in the picture.

Suzanne works as hard, if not harder, than many at bringing the message of great beer to "the people". Sly Fox will miss her and Allagash should surely benefit. You may see a little less of her around Philly, but that'll be a good thing for Baltimore and DC. Plus, it'll mean seeing Corey Reid a little bit more and that's alright too.

Continue following Suzanne wherever her travels take her via BeerLass.com

Teresa's is Sweet on Sours

Around Philadelphia, this weekend began with so many possibilities, beer and otherwise. Some of you attempted to take full advantage of numerous events from the city to the far reaches of the 'burbs.

After much contemplation, we dialed it back both in intensity and in travel time. We stopped in mid-afternoon for some bites and sours at Teresa's Next Door.

As usual, the quality did not disappoint. Add to that the takeout bottle clearance sale (some ridiculous steals) and it made for a fine way to while away a perfectly beautiful day outdoors...indoors.

During special beer events at TND, there is typically a special food menu developed to pair with the special beers of the day.

One of the most memorable food and beer pairings in recent memory made a stop in front of me at the bar. Humboldt Fog grilled cheese sandwich.

If you stop by here often, you know that I've written recently about the joy I find in a block of Humboldt Fog cheese. Melt it, add some sliced strawberries doused in balsamic vinegar, pile on a handful of greens, and stick it all between two slices of a toasted roll and you've got a delicious lunch.

Wash it all down with a sour beer (pick any of them, and you're pretty sure to be delighted) and you've got a little slice of heaven at TND...a good thing particularly if the rapture was not to be.

If you happen to be heading into Wayne, Pa. tonight (Sunday), here's a bit of what you can still find on the (sour) beer menu. And, if you ask real nicely, you might get one of the last 4 or 5 Grilled Humboldts left in the kitchen. You shouldn't be sorry.

Allagash Interlude ['09] (very light, won't last the night)
Allagash Vrienden 'East' (very light, won't last the night)
Allagash Confluence
Boon Kriek
Fantôme hiver
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere
Jolly Pumpkin Maracaibo
Jolly Pumpkin Madrugada
Petrus Aged Pale
Rodenbach ['08]
Russian River Damnation
Russian River Sanctification
Russian River Supplication 5 (very light, won't last the night)
Russian River Supplication 6
't Gaverhopke Extra
Cantillon St. Lamvinus, on the hand pump (oops, sorry just kicked a few minutes ago)

Just a mere handful of suggestions for this Weekend

In a weekend of so much to do here in the Philadelphia region, if under the threat of something really, really super-terrible-bad(!), here's what I'd recommend that you check out...if you asked. No favoritism at play here, just a recognition of some of the most interesting that the region has to offer.

Thursday===Rob Tod and his Allagash beer is loosed on the city and the suburbs --- great reason to start your weekend early as Rob makes no less than 4 stops from city to the 'burbs.

Friday===City=Firkins at Varga (Flying Fish) Rural=Cask Ale Festival in Lititz, near Lancaster --- This brings together Alex Hall (NYC) and Paul Pendyck (General Sutter Inn, et al) for the first of its kind in charming Lititz

Saturday===Craft Beer Express around Philly --- choose the bus and do it all day. or meet up with the revelers along the way at a place of your choosing. How can you go wrong? Just stay out of the way of that "other green bus." In the suburbs, try the Imperial IPA Fest at The Drafting Room

Sunday===Brewers Plate --- one of the regions premier beer and food events. I've written about it several times in the past (in 2006, in 2007, in 2008, in 2009) and it really doesn't get much better than this. As of yesterday, less than 100 total tickets remain. This will almost certainly sell out prior to the event.

Monday===Wanna make a long weekend for yourself? Check this out Brooklyn Beer Dinner at Barclay Prime

Beer Dinner landscape in SF about to change

I've never made it to a Beer Dinner with Bruce Paton in San Francisco. For all of my Bay Area visits, the timing has never lined up just right to make it to one of Paton's storied dinners in the city at The Cathedral Hill Hotel. Now, they are coming to an end as the 50-year-old hotel is going off to the great hospitality suite in the sky. Recently, Jay Brooks has written about the Russian River dinner and you can bet that he'll have more to say during the last two beer dinners at the hotel to come in October. Where Paton will stage his beer dinners in the future has not apparently been decided (or disclosed) as of yet. But, in the meantime, there are two dinners remaining to be enjoyed at the hotel. The next is this coming Friday, 10/2, when a four-and-a-half course meal with Matt Brynildson and his Firestone Walker beers will be served. The last hurrah comes on Friday October 23rd, when Rob Tod will join the farewell party and bring his Allagash beers to dinner. I'll be flying through SFO in October, but do not have any trips that will land me there during either of these dinners. If you will be, consider yourself in the know.

On the Road with The Brew Lounge, Part 2

PARTS 1 & 2 pictures

link back to Part 1

link forward to Part 3

A Solid Maine Dinner I'd discovered Local 188 online while doing my homework before our trip north. From their website, it seemed to be the kind of place that I wanted to make sure that we checked out at least for small nibbles and drinks. We got a second opinion from the Brynldson Party of Two that it was a top recommendation from the crew over at Allagash as well. In this case, no one was wrong. The restaurant is billed as having a Spanish Tapas approach, with a focus on locally-sourced food ingredients and drink. The atmosphere is a smart casual one, but really just about anything goes. Some more Shipyard, a Dogfish, and Unibroue all went well with the Grilled Scallops and the flavor-bursting Paella dish. But, our travels and non-stop activity was taking a toll on us; we were fading. Plus, we knew we had a big day ahead of us with a trip to Allagash and finally to Ebenezer's where more food and drink was awaiting us. We knew we'd better rest up. So, we grabbed our blueberry crisp to go, got a couple of glasses of port from the rooftop lounge to take back to our room and called it a night. Novare Res Bier Café would have to wait until next trip. This was one last place that I wanted to check out in Portland. Partly for the stellar looking beer list, but maybe even more so for its "hidden" location, tucked away behind and underneath the tall downtown buildings of Portland. I suppose that's why they invented "next times". The Rest of Portland Speaking of nexts...The next morning, I took off on a 6 mile run around Portland, hoping to see more of the "real" Portland. I'm sure many of you have heard me say that when I travel I try my best to stay away from the more touristy side of the city. I go for a run, I attend a local baseball game, and I visit the bars and brewpubs. These are all ways that help me to identify the real soul and see what an area is really made of. After my run which took me past Shipyard, Patty and I packed up our things and checked out of the hotel. We made a quick stop at Shipyard (wow, what a gift store), then headed down to the water where we did the touristy thing (well, sometimes you've just gotta play the game!) and grabbed some lunch of seafood and Allagash White. A more perfect lunch I've not had in a while. Plus, there were local union workers and others that just come in off the water to suggest that we had chosen the less-touristy of the waterside restaurants (phew, I feel better about myself now!!) When in Portland... Now the clock was really ticking. We still hadn't stopped at Allagash...and this was an absolute must. I mean, seriously, what beer traveler goes to Portland and doesn't stop at Allagash? Skipping Novare the night before, fine. Missing Allagash, no way. We decided enough was enough and finally settled up on our lunch tab and left the idyllically charming lunch. By the time we got to Allagash, Rob and Jason's chauffeur was waiting. Yes, my friends. Some brewers are living the high life. You've heard the term rock star before, right? You know what that means, right? Ah, but I kid. They were doing the responsible thing. They needed to get back to Portland still that evening. So, when you're heading to this kind of feast that Ebenezer's was hosting, the responsible thing to do was to have a driver. Still, it was fun when we pulled up to Allagash to find the Town Car waiting out front and Patty said "I'll bet it's here for Rob!" We had enough time for Jason to give us the 5-cent tour. Typical brewery? Perhaps...until we were led out back to the spontaneous fermentation building. Check out the pictures on their website (use that little linky thing that I put in the last sentence). You'll see a local Philly guy (Mr. Peters) in there helping with some of the brewing process and, of course, the quality control. To call it a building might be a bit generous. A room? Maybe that's better. In any case, it's home to the Cool Ship (koelschip if you want to sound really kool) that was installed a couple of years ago for a bit of experimentation to find out what might be found in the cool Maine air on the outskirts of Portland and how it might help the character of some of their beers. With that and a few beers from the retail shop, we were off. Ebenezer's, Are We There Yet? Our trip to Ebenezer's from Portland seemed to indicate that life in Maine may proceed at just a bit of a slower pace. With two-lane roads and traffic that generally stayed at, or just below, speed limits, we realized that we weren't going to be getting to Ebenezer's nearly as early as we had hoped. This was not good. Too much was riding on this dinner at Ebenezer's to be strolling in late. The drive from Allagash to Ebenezer's in Lovell took a little over an hour and we pulled up a little less than 45 minutes prior to the dinner's "official" start. I say official because there were some pre-dinner rare beers being passed around. We needed to set up our "campsite" before the evening's debauchery, get changed, and mingle with Sean Paxton, Chris Lively, and the scores of other industry folk, beer geeks, and foodies that had gathered for this monumental event. I put some more juice in the camera's battery while I changed clothes, then was shown the way to our dining table seats as the night was about to officially begin.

PARTS 1 & 2 pictures

link back to Part 1

link forward to Part 3