Heading back to Cali. Here's what I/you need to know about two brewing fixtures - Bear Republic and Speakeasy

I'll be in the Bay Area in a few weeks with an intention to focus my beer efforts on some of northern California's oldest craft brewers. So, it was good timing to see these two press releases pop into my mailbox. One for Bear Republic, which is marking its first anniversary at a second brewpub location in addition to its production facility. The second press release below is for the re-energized Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, which has emerged from the financial brink with new owners just in time to celebrate 21 years of brewing. I've been to Speakeasy's location before and while it's not the most convenient for public transit, once there, the people and the beers make it worth the effort.

Bear Republic? Oddly enough, I've never been there. Been to at least a brewer's dozen (how many's that? dunno. but definitely more than 12 if a Beer Week can be called 10 days!) breweries in the North Bay and beyond. Actually, maybe close to two dozen, come to think of it. But, yet, somehow, never Bear Republic. No matter the crazy amounts of praise I heap upon the Racer 5 .

Ok, here you go. Both press releases in one post. Oh, and one more piece of news about what has become an SF establishment over the last 11 years. It looks like City Beer Store will have completed its move two blocks closer to Market Street (albeit missing the mid-block cut through street to Cellarmaker) and reopening by the time I arrive. In its early years, was a destination bottle shop in the city's SOMA neighborhood. Then became a destination to buy said bottles, but only after getting distracted for an hour or more by one of the city's most drool-worthy draft lists.

---

---

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Celebrates 21 Years of Brewing in San Francisco
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Gilded Ale (Golden Stout with Gold Glitter) and Syndicate Series No. 04 (Barrel-Aged Vintage Ale) at 21st Anniversary Event
San Francisco, Calif. — Wednesday, August 1, 2018 — Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been in the craft beer game for more than two decades brewing exceptional small batch beers at their San Francisco Bayview-Hunters Point brewery. On Saturday, August 25, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers celebrates the gilded era of craft beer with a 21st Anniversary event inviting beer aficionados to join the Speakeasy staff inside the taproom with exclusive VIP access (VIP ticket packages range in price), in addition to the General Admission experience for only $5. Whether you book the Godfather's Office or Scarface's Lounge for you and your closest friends or simply join the party for tastings of up to 17 draft beers, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers hosts one of the summer's most anticipated Bay Area craft beer events with an array of their favorite San Francisco businesses.

Achieving 21 years in the beer business is certainly a milestone, and with their upcoming anniversary summer bash Speakeasy & Lagers also hoists a pint in celebration of being open for almost a year under its new ownership. Marking such a momentous occasion is the special draft-only release of Gilded Ale, a Golden Stout with Gold Glitter paying homage to the golden era of Speakeasy. The 21st Anniversary event also serves as the annual 22 oz. bottle release of Syndicate Series No. 04. A unique blend of Speakeasy beers that have been aged for no less than one year in bourbon barrels, Syndicate Series No. 04 includes Scarface Imperial Stout (Aged 22 Months), Fixed Fight Old Ale (Aged 20 Months), Scarface Imperial Stout (Aged 23 Months), Betrayal (Aged 50 Months), and Old Godfather (Aged 48 Months). Syndicate No. 04 pours dark with heavy tobacco, leather, chocolate, and vanilla notes along with hints of dark fruit and coffee. Syndicate No. 04 clocks in at over 10% ABV, but is smoothed over by its extensive aging time.

Many of San Francisco's revered local businesses will join Speakeasy Ales & Lagers' epic anniversary party, including Philz Coffee, Dandelion Chocolate, Humphry Slocombe, Etta+Billie, Glass Coat Photo Booth, Regrained, El Taquero, Samara Southern Creations, and Long Bridge Pizza. Live music by The Helltones, Mad Mama and the Bona Fide Few, and Sweetwater Black.

VIP tickets ($50) include access to the taproom, a Speakeasy 5 oz. glass with unlimited tastings, a Syndicate Series Vertical Flight, and early entry at 1 pm. Speakeasy Taster Glass tickets ($30) include unlimited tastings and early access at 1pm. Pre-sale General Admission tickets ($5) include one beer, and GA tickets ($5) at the door allows entrance only.

Tickets are now on sale at https://speakeasybeer.ticketsauce.com/e/speakeasy-ales-lagers-anniversary-2018/tickets

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been defiantly brewing small batch beers in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood since 1997. The brewery started with a single iconic beer, still made today, Prohibition Ale. The hoppy amber beer embodies the spirit of bootleggers and gangsters who persevered when America's taps ran dry. Speakeasy quickly gained a loyal following with its bold, complex beers, and striking 1920s imagery. Speakeasy's kingpin Big Daddy IPA is the brewery's highest seller among its wide array of celebrated beers, from session ales to bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts. In 2013, the Speakeasy Taproom opened serving thousands of local craft beer lovers with fresh draft beer to be enjoyed onsite or to-go in growlers and crowlers.

Speakeasy's original 15 barrel brewing system was replaced in 2015 during a major expansion, which included a 60 barrel brewhouse, centrifuge, malt handling system, canning line, and an additional 1,200 barrels of fermentation capacity.

Hunters Point Brewery LLC, a company founded by former owner of Horizon Beverage Company, Ces Butner, acquired the Speakeasy beer brands and brewing equipment in 2017. Under new ownership, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will grow by leaps and bounds. The brewery's trademark eyes, ubiquitous and cryptic, beckon you to join our mob, no password required.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers' taproom is located at 1195 Evans Avenue, San Francisco, CA. For more information, please visit: https://www.goodbeer.com

---

---

---

Bear Republic Brewing Company Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Rohnert Park Location
SONOMA COUNTY, CALIF. (August 1, 2018) — Bear Republic Brewing Company (BRBC), a Sonoma County, California based brewer, celebrates the one year anniversary of Bear Republic Brewing Company Lakeside on Tuesday, August 21 with a luau themed party.

Bear Republic Brewing Company Lakeside One Year Anniversary Luau features a roasted pig, aloha welcome cocktail hour, full buffet dinner, fire dancers and authentic Tahitian and Hawaiian dance performances. VIP tickets for the event have sold out, General Admission tickets are still available on brownpapertickets.com or bearrepublic.com. Located at 5000 Roberts Lake Road in Rohnert Park, BRBC Lakeside offers award winning craft beers and delicious pub fare with a twist.

“We’re thrilled the Rohnert Park community has welcomed our Lakeside location with open arms. This luau celebration marks a successful year of crafting nationally recognized ales and serving mouthwatering dishes in a family-friendly environment,” said Tami Norgrove, Bear Republic Brewing Company Co-founder and Owner. “We look forward in continuing to deliver experiences worth celebrating with our latest craft brews, evolving menu and live events.”

BRBC Lakeside opened in August 21, 2017, the location includes a 10-barrel brewing system, a full bar offering house and beer cocktails, a stage, a kids play area, and an adult games area. A large outdoor dining area overlooks Roberts Lake flanked by palm trees. The kitchen serves pizzas along with classic Bear Republic dishes.

Established over twenty years ago, Bear Republic Brewing Company has expanded from a small brewery in downtown Healdsburg, CA into distribution markets all over the country. Bear Republic is the 42nd largest craft brewery in the United States and employs more than 220 people. The company operates two brewpub locations, a production brewery, and shipping warehouse. Bear Republic maintains a sense of loyalty and tradition from eras gone by with a constantly growing portfolio of craft beers.

---

---

© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2018. 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

---

---

Upcoming anniversary weekend at Urban Village

Been one year already since Urban Village Brewing Company opened in Philly's Northern Liberties neighborhood, the day before Philly Beer Week 2017 kicked off. Then, they had a car crash through the front door, unintentionally getting their name all over the news. But, the beers were already making a name for themselves. A few personal favorites included the very distinctive Beets by J Berliner Weisse (3% and full of bright red beets), Rye Bread Rye IPA (7.5% and spicy to match the name), and Oatis Oatmeal Stout (7% nice and solid stout). The Beets by J made a reappearance at Brewer's Plate in March and I couldn't have been more pleased, one of the standouts of the evening.

And here we are a year later. When I first saw notice of the anniversary party, and especially that it runs for the entirety of the weekend, I figured it'd be easy to slide it in between hopscotching between other events. When, will be the question. There's a can and bottle release on Friday, though, with my schedule and little interest in carrying bags with me, I think I'll leave these to the rest of you, maybe stopping in for a quick Birthday Beer draft prior to Opening Tap just a few blocks away. But, the Pig Roast on Saturday (with or without rain, no matter!) sounds like a good bet.

---

---

Urban Village Brewing To Celebrate One Year With Weekend-long Party And Three New Beers

3 Full Days and 3 Special Beers … Plus a Pig Roast!

Philadelphia, PA (May 24, 2018) – Urban Village Brewing Company in Northern Liberties is celebrating their first year of business and brewing with a bang. The brewery and restaurant known for their playful beers and naturally leavened pizza opened its doors on June 1, 2017. Since then, co-owner and head brewer Dave Goldman has brewed over 1,000 barrels of beer while his partner, Tom Revelli, has overseen the service of thousands of meals, family-friendly brunches, monthly beer runs, a freak U-Haul accident that inspired the popular Wrong Way IPA and even a once-in-a-lifetime Super Bowl viewing party.

To celebrate a year of highs, Urban Village is throwing a three-day party from June 1st to June 3rd, which will include all day celebrations complete with a pig roast and special offerings of limited edition beers.

In addition to the festivities, three brand new and ultra-rare beers will be available for the big birthday. Birthday Beer will be available on tap from Friday, June 1 to Sunday, June 3. The Belgian Golden Ale was brewed with orange and juniper and fermented with Belgian Abbey yeast and aged in Spanish sherry barrels that were last used by neighboring New Liberty Distillery to finish their rye whiskey. Birthday Beer packs a punch at 10% ABV and there will be 48 bottles available for purchase at Urban for $20 each. A remainder of beer will be bottled and aged for future landmark celebrations. Similarly, Dime Piece, a 10% ABV barrel-aged Belgian Quad will be available in limited quantities of bottles over the weekend for $20 each. This Belgian Quad was brewed exclusively with PA malts from Deer Creek in Glen Mills and aged in New Liberty’s Dutch Malt bourbon barrels.

Super Villain is a hazy IPA made with lots of oats and milk sugar. It’s double dry-hopped with Motueka, Vic Secret and Mosaic hops and the result is a sweet, juicy beer with citrusy, fruit and floral aromas. Super Villain will be canned and available on June 1 at the brewery for $15/four-pack and distributed to beer stores in the region the following week. Only 250 cases will be canned and distributed.

General manager and co-owner Tom Revelli says, “We were lucky enough to be immediately accepted by the community and our neighbors and want to show our thanks the only way we know how: with killer food, great beers and big block party. We’re thrilled to celebrate year one and toast to many, many more.”

Follow Urban Village on social media to stay informed: @urbanvillagebrewing on Instagram and facebook.com/urbanvillagebrewing.

About Urban Village Brewing Company
Urban Village Brewing Company is a Philadelphia-based brewpub located in the neighborhood of Northern Liberties and founded by Landmark Americana’s Dave Goldman and Tom Revelli. This one-off concept offers tank-to-table craft beers brewed on site and brick-oven fired pizzas and artisan bread specialties prepared with natural, yeast leavened dough.

---

---

© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2018. 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

---

---

20 is the new...thing. Victory and Sly Fox the latest to celebrate the milestone.

Victory Parkesburg

When I promised earlier last month that 2016 would be all about me getting back on the regular posting horse around here, I didn't necessarily say it would all be breaking news. For example, here in the Philly area, we have a couple of newly-minted 20-year-olds. Victory is turning twenty this month and it got me thinking back to November and the media luncheon/tour that I was invited to at the brewery's new, shiny massive brewing facility in Parkesburg, Pa. Then, in December I shared a dinner and few beers with the good folks at Sly Fox in their Phoenixville location as they celebrated twenty years on the Philadelphia region's brewing scene.

For the industry, twenty years has certainly its share of mostly ups, but also some downs, as what was mostly a fledgling niche segment of the industry at the time of Sly Fox's and Victory's openings, went through a "regrouping" set of years, before embarking on the last ten years of prosperity. This boom time for what has been typically referred to as the craft segment of the beer industry has seen dozens of breweries such as these two grow into regional powerhouses and to the point where many (including myself) argue that the term "craft" has outlived its usefulness.

Here's where I should attempt to awkwardly insert into this previously-written material that Victory today embarked on a "joint venture" with Southern Tier to be owned under an umbrella holding company run by a private equity holding company. Instead of mucking up the rest of this piece with the acquisition news, I'll simply link to an article over at Forbes.com instead.

Back to November, after many months of planning, digging, building, and fine-tuning, Victory was finally ready to unveil to the public what is promised to eventually nearly triple their previous brewing output capacity. Founding brewers, Ron Barchet and Bill Covaleski, along with VP of Retail Operations Matt Krueger, hosted a media luncheon and tour that showcased the new facility and food menu along with nearly 30 Victory beers that have become the norm both at the original Downingtown location as well as the newer brewpub location in Kennett Square, Pa. which opened in Spring 2015.

The self-guided tour allows for guests to eat, drink, and meander at their own pace through the brewery with oversized windows looking into the brewing operations. Perhaps one of the most unique and fun aspects of the tour - complete with narration from locally-based beer and whiskey scribe Lew Bryson and story boards along the way - is the hop "exhaust" fan, or HopSniff if you will, which pipes whole leaf hop aroma into the tour hall corridor from inside the cooler.

See the demonstration of how to use the fan from Covaleksi himself in my picture gallery. Plenty of other peeks from inside the brewery in this gallery so grab a beer and check it out. Better yet, get yourself to Parkesburg to see firsthand what these two schoolbus-riding best friends turned homebrewers turned leaders of the brewing industry have put together in western Chester County.

On the northern end of Chester County, Sly Fox celebrated its own 20th anniversary with a weekend-long party back in December. They've been doing their own take on unique annual events for quite some time now.

Think: Robert Burns Night; St. Patrick's Day Boot Camp; and the more recent Can Jam Music Festival. The Bock Fest & Goat Races is the annual event that put them on the map as a special event destination all the way back in 2000. And, since opening the full-scale production brewery in Pottstown (along with well-regarded Manatawny Still Works across the street in the same corporate park), the possibilities for large-scale events have significantly increased. Bike races and road running races are just two examples.

Each year, the brewery hosts an anniversary party back in Phoenixville, across the street from where the original brewpub launched the last 20 years of brewing success. The 20th anniversary party rivaled the 15th with a breakfast, an overflowing list of beers throughout the weekend, live music, and contests/giveaways.

Dogfish Head, Yards, and Stewart's in Delaware hit 20 years in 2015 as well. Next up in 2016: Iron Hill and Flying Fish. The party keeps on....

---

---

Stewart's Big Blowout Festival is tomorrow - so here's a fun look back

Here on the eve of the 20th Anniversary Festival at Stewart's Brewing Company in Bear, Del. my tunneling around the archives of The Brew Lounge uncovered these goodies that will help get you in the proper state of mind for the party.

First up, circa 2008, an interview with Ric Hoffman - brewer of roughly 15 years at Stewart's - one of the self-determined better interviews that I did over the years. Maybe not; but you be the judge.

Then, let's take a short musical interlude courtesy, once again, of Mr. Hoffman. Trust me, this doesn't disappoint.

Lastly, let's check back a mere five years ago to see how Stewart's celebrated the big 1-5.

---

---

TJ's 10th Anniversary Party in Paoli, Pa., December 7, 2013

(pictures follow below)

Ah, TJ's. How it seems like yesterday that we were talking about the big five-year anniversary. The seventh. The eighth and ninth.

Time and few things of ambiance are the only things that seems to have passed. Over ten years, TJ's has lost its old look in an updated and tasteful remodel this year, was many years ago one of the first in the area to kick out cigarettes and experiment with a smoke-free bar before it became law, ditched the chalkboard menus in favor of one of the most advanced digital draft boards around, and replaced the space for to-go coolers with more room for customers.

The model of consistency, however, is evident in the most important things: a solid beer list; an interestingly varied and quality food menu; and friendly service that is expected in a neighborhood restaurant/bar from a staff that has remained much the same.

The staff loyalty is inspiring at TJ's in Paoli and was on full display this past Saturday as co-owners Jeff Miller and Terri Villante thanked not only those that have been there a few years, but the handful that have been there since day one as well. A restaurant succeeding for ten years is amazing enough; having so many staff mates that have stuck around since the beginning (or nearly as long) is also quite a testament to the success.

The 10th Anniversary Party was long touted as a must-stop for well-traveled beer enthusiasts since it came onto the beer events calendar back in the late-summer/early-fall. Miller had been saving up and plotting the draft list for many months in order to present the best possible celebration for the beer enthusiasts who have long flocked to his Chester County destination. But to call it only a beer destination would be underselling the place, since they have been promoting an environment for enjoying creative and great food along with beer since their early days. They might be what you'd call an early adopter in this regard.

As for the beer, stouts (mostly of the "imperial" variety), barleywines, and sours seemed to mostly rule the day. Big flavors and big ABVs for a big party. When it was time to take a break and back off the ABVs, doing so with a Tilquin Gueuze (4.7% ABV) was no sacrifice whatsoever. Slipping a few other comparably ABV-ed beers on the list might have been nice, but I quibble. We're all grown-ups and (hopefully) know how to measure our ABVs and balance accordingly with water and food. For the record, Goose Island Bourbon County Barleywine was the first to kick. Evil Twin Imperial Biscotti Break Natale and Firestone Walker XVI were not far behind.

In addition to the festive nature on the draft board, a bike was raffled off courtesy of Goose Island and Penn Distributors, event shirts were given away, and a bevy of rare and interesting beers were also part of a free raffle for all in attendance. (Full disclosure, not sure that's really necessary but anyway: I won a bottle of Struise Earthmonk.)

From all reports on both sides of the bar, the day went quite smoothly. All staff hands were on deck and ensured optimal service, the crowd was omnipresent in both the bar area and dining room but never crushing, and the customers all appeared happy and content. Just in case you might critique my sweeping and seemingly generalized grandiose statements, I was there plenty long enough to make these observations. I'd feel like I was coming up short with any less an effort!

To cap off a fantastic weekend of beer, food, people, and memories at TJ's in Paoli, the restaurant held a special brunch on Sunday. With the rapidly falling snow outside and the Eagles football game live on the televisions, there was no better place to spend a couple of hours than with the smoked salmon panini, duck eggs benedit, or chicken and waffles, and a couple of "leftover" beers.

For those of you that missed it all, fear not. Check out their live, always up-to-date online draft list and stop by in the next day or two to find several of the special party beers still remaining at the bar. Who knows, you might even find one or two of them on the daily "keg kicker happy hour special list".

Cheers and Kudos to Jeff, Terri, and the entire staff at TJ's for a continued job well done.

Now...enjoy the pictures.

(An empty parking lot at TJ's in Paoli, Pa. awaits the opening for the popular bar/restaurant's 10th Anniversary Party on December 7, 2013.)

(Nearly 50 people lined up to be amongst the first at TJ's 10th Anniversary Party in Paoli, Pa. on December 7, 2013.)

(Tim brought a chair and secured the first spot in line more than an hour and half prior to opening.)

(Scott Blaine, one of many favorites behind the bar at TJ's, had the early shift and manned the taps during TJ's 10th Anniversary Party.)

(Jeff Miller, co-owner of TJ's, prepares the celebratory toast with an eight-year-old Russian River Damnation generously donated by friend and frequent guest, Greg Gaughan.)

(Jeff Miller, co-owner of TJ's, begins the Staff Toast by thanking customers for their years of support.)

(Jeff Miller, co-owner of TJ's, begins the Staff Toast by thanking customers for their years of support.)

(The five-to-ten-year staff watched and, probably, got a bit choked up as Jeff Miller, co-owner of TJ's, delivered a heart-felt thank-you message to the staff.)

(The full-ten-year staff watched and, probably, got a bit choked up as Jeff Miller, co-owner of TJ's, delivered a heart-felt thank-you message to the staff.)

(Staff at TJ's with a well-deserved thank-you toast and sip at the 10th Anniversary Party on December 7, 2013.)

(Another "original", and favorite of many, bartender Staci Klostas delivers a thank-you message from the staff to owners Jeff Miller and Terri Villante.)

(Staci Klostas delivers a thank-you message, toast, and gift basket from the staff to owners Jeff Miller and Terri Villante.)

(The staff at TJ's delivered a gift basket to owners Jeff Miller and Terri Villante to mark ten years of business in Paoli, Pa.)

(Co-owner Jeff Miller announcing the special and rare beer raffle.)

(Duck Eggs Benedict and an Evil Twin Biscotti Break for the big-time Sunday Brunch Win.)

---

---

Beer Dates in History: February & March Anniversaries

Somehow, the February anniversaries got lost between my spreadsheet and the vast wilds of the Internet. Here's the list of February and March milestones.

25 years (mar)
Pizza Port (Solana Beach)

15 years (feb)
Dillon Dam
McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom Brewery
Sweetwater
Thirsty Dog

15 years (mar)
Atwater Block

10 years (mar)
Blue and Gray Brewing Company

Beer Dates in History: January Anniversaries

165 years
Labatt, Ontario

155 years
Stevens Point, Wisconsin

140 years
Straub, Pennsylvania

30 years
Red Hook, Washington

20 years
Unibroue, Quebec

15 years
J.J. Bitting, New Jersey

4 years
One Guy Brewing, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Brewing Co., Pennsylvania

Sly Fox turns 16 with plenty of beer for the celebration

Sly Fox is celebrating 16 years of its incredible brewing business in Phoenixville and they've got quite a lineup in store for you.

They're opening bright-and-early at 10 a.m. for those of you that plan to take off work to help in the celebration. Last year (hit up this link for videos), they hosted a brunch to kick the day off and rolled merrily along from there. This year, they're promising a "day-long party....will feature 20-plus beers on tap (including one very special surprise--think Philly Beer Week) and the annual release of Odyssey Imperial IPA".

The beers below are being sold individually or in pre-set groups of five (5 oz. pours) for a reasonable $7. There's also a $7 brunch and tapas menu to fuel your base throughout the day.

Regrettably, I'll be missing the event this year, but that will leave more beer for the rest of you. Congratulations to Sly Fox for another year of tremendous growth and here's hoping you all enjoy the party.

Here's the list:

~ Up first on tap-- Belgian Blonde; Christmas Ale ['11]; Falconer's Flight; Helles Golden Lager; Odyssey Imperial IPA ['11]; O'Reilly's Stout; Phoenix Pale Ale; Pikeland Pils; Rt. 113 IPA; Southampton Saison Deluxe; Abbey Xtra; Broederlijke Liefde; Chester County Brown Ale; Dunkel Weisse; Grisette; Ichor; Panacea Barley Wine; Promethus; SlyPA 2.0; and Standard Pils

~ Up first on the hand pump-- Odyssey Imperial IPA ['10]; Odyssey Imperial IPA ['11]; and Chester County Bitter

~ Waiting on deck-- Incubus; Saison Vos; Dunkel Lager; Royal Weisse; Whitehorse Wit; Belgian Dubbel; Instigator Doppelbock; Rauch Bier; TW Fearless Pale Ale; and Keller Pils

~ Backups for the hand pump-- Gang Aft Agley; Phoenix Chinook; and London Calling Porter

~ And a bonus for one day only-- Succuberry: A sour, blended raspberry ale, gravity-poured from a firkin atop the bar.

Beer Dates in History: December Anniversaries

25 years
Alaskan Brewing
Geary

20 years
Rock Bottom (1st location: Colorado)
Schlafly/St. Louis Brewery
Spanish Peaks

15 years
Live Oak
Selin's Grove
Titletown

10 years
McKenzie Brew House (1st location: Chadds Ford)

3 years
Old Forge

15 fun firkins for 15 frothy years at Iron Hill in Newark, Del.

I'm still doing the whole mobile (only) thing, so while I'm at Iron Hill's 15th Anniversary Party in Newark, Delaware this afternoon, follow along over on Twitter where I'll be occasionally posting pictures.

Tonight, I'll be doing likewise from the 2nd Annual Stout and Chowder Festival

Link to The Brew Lounge on Twitter

The Twitter Odyssey continues tomorrow at The Brew Lounge

With a dead desktop at home not yet replaced, The Brew Lounge is still a mobile-only venture.

With that spirit, I'll be stopping by two events tomorrow. If you're not there, you should follow along with me via Twitter. You're not following The Brew Lounge on Twitter? C'mon now, if I can get through (sort of) this Twitter odd-yssey, we all can ;-)

These promise to be swell beer events worthy of a perfect fall Saturday afternoon and evening in the Delaware Valley.

~ Iron Hill's 15th Anniversary Party in Newark, Del. (with 15 firkins to boot)

~ 2nd Annual Stout and Chowder Festival in Philadelphia (with big beers, soups, chocolates, and much more)

See/Tweet you tomorrow.

[Link to The Brew Lounge on Twitter]

Iron Hill — 5 years in Phoenixville and 15 years in Newark

File under: my how time flies.

First up, we have Iron Hill's Phoenixville location celebrating its five-year anniversary a few weeks back. Somehow, I showed up for the party and yet dropped the ball on posting this short wrap-up. Anyone who follows me on Twitter knows it full (fool?) well could've been the three glasses of Chardonnay barrel-aged (local bee) honey saison that I could not get enough of. Or maybe the growler that accompanied us home!

The night was full of special beers and some throwback food items on the menu. The room continued to fill from 5 p.m. on 'til the drawing for beer-y giveaways.
Second up, after the following five pictures, is a snapshot from the brewing in Newark of Iron Hill's commemorative anniversary beer, FE15 to be released in another week and a half.

(Phoenixville's original Day 1 front-of-the-house ladies Maggie Bryant, Laura Smart, and Monika King flank assistant brewer Matt Gundrum and head brewer Tim Stumpf. King has been with the company since 1998.)

(a lovely beer box gift set for the first winner of the evening)

(the bar room was packed from happy hour on until the grand prize announcement)

(And we have a grand prize winner, fortunately she stayed for the drawing)

(Grand prize winner with her basket of big beer winnings)

Meanwhile, and upcoming, in Delaware...
Justin Sproul and his team are getting ready to celebrate 15 years in their (recently refreshed and remodeled) brewhouse on the edge of University of Delaware.

The picture comes courtesy of Danya Henninger at ImagicDigital.com, who snapped the picture on the brew day for the special anniversary beer, FE15. You can catch this beer during Iron Hill's 15th anniversary celebration in Newark, Del. on Monday, November 15.

(from bottom to top: Bobby Douglas, assistant brewer, followed by co-owners Mark Edelson, Kevin Davies, head brewer Justin Sproul, and co-owner Kevin Finn)

Beer Dates in History: November Anniversaries

15 years
Iron Hill (first location: Newark, Del.)
The Brewer's Art

Beer Dates in History: October Anniversaries

15 years
Arcadia
Basil T's
Hitachino Nest (Kiuchi)
Manayunk Brewery
Tampa Bay Brewing
Two Brothers

3 years
Earth Bread + Brewery

1 year
Big Beaver

Beer Dates in History: September Anniversaries

25 years
Summit

15 years
3 Floyds
Alameda
Flying Fish
Homer Brewing
Steamworks
The Brewer's Art
Top of the Hill
Upstream Brewing

3 years
Eastern Shore

Beer Dates in History: August Anniversaries

15 years
Bullfrog Brewery
Church Brew Works
DuClaw

10 years
Spanish Peaks

4 years
Dock Street

One fine Sunday from Saison Dupont to Kite & Key

(A draft list befitting a 3rd anniversary party)

A Sunday morning that begins with Saison Dupont for breakfast with the final day of the Tour de France could go one of a few ways. The rest of the day could go to the so-called hell in a handbasket after such a tasty beginning. Naps could ensue. Et cetera.

I instead used it as fuel for one of the most productive six hour stretches in recent weeks. Articles written, e-mails (some rather old) responded to, RSS feeds/articles read and cleaned up, pictures processed and organized, and the upcoming week leading to Ommegang's annual BCTC was planned.

Now, the only question remained: Could I squeeze in a couple of hours to check out and help celebrate Kite & Key's third anniversary? The draft list that owner Jim had sent along to me the Friday prior continued to tap away from deep inside my thick skull.

One final check of Google Maps/Traffic showed the Schuylkill Expressway all green. 25 minutes later, I was at Kite & Key to verify that the beers were as good on tap as they were on paper.

(from left: Bryan Kolesar, The Brew Lounge; Cameron Saunders, Shangy's; Jared Littman, PhillyTapFinder; and Jim Kirk, owner of Kite & Key)

Along my drive, I wondered what type of crowd would turn out on a school work night for a hefty beer list such as this one. The dinner crowd -- reportedly larger than usual -- came early and stayed longer. And, the bar remained comfortably crowded until a little after 9 p.m. when I decided it was time to call it a night as well.

It was a pleasant crowd that seemed more comprised of local/neighborhood beer enthusiasts rather than hardcore beer geeks that traveled from far and wide to hold up pen lights to test the beer's SRM. Yet, some familiar faces to me included Jared and Kristy Littman (PhillyTapFinder.com), Arthur Etchells (Foobooz), Cameron and Jess Saunders (Shangy's), and Rich Isaacs (RichOnBeer.com).

(Rich Isaacs of RichonBeer.com with Jim Kirk of Kite & Key)

Many of Jim's and Jake's regulars also turned out seeking some of the geekiest beers on the list such as Bell's Oracle, Bear Republic Apex, and Ithaca Thirteen. I'm a sucker for Sorachi Ace hop as well as the Citra. Therefore, the Thirteen may have been my favorite of the evening, though it didn't take more than a few sips of the potent Bell's Batch 10000 to want to stay the night. For a recipe that reportedly incorporates over 100 grains and 60 hop varieties, it's a pretty tightly clean beer that goes down so intoxicatingly pleasant.

All in all, a decent and satisfying way to celebrate a 3rd birthday and close out a day of delicious beer-drinking in Philly.

(Anniversary party-goers at Kite & Key filled the room from dinner on through the night)

The Drafting Room turned 17 and Tröegs brought the beer

(Chalkboard delights at The Drafting Room's 17th Anniversary Party on 7/21/11)

I can't begin to guess when The Drafting Room in Exton, Pa. became a regular stop for me. I've been working in Exton for nearly 12 years, so it was surely sometime in the early years when I learned of the good things happening on Route 100, somewhere between the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the north and the Exton Square Mall to the south (for those of you that need some landmarks for your first visit).

In any case, as goes much with regard to the passage of time, it's difficult to grasp another passing year and another anniversary party at The Drafting Room. This anniversary party marked 17 years. The beer landscape has changed quite a bit in those 17 years. Northern Chester County (and bleeding a bit into Montgomery County) is generally accepted as the richest of the beer-rich suburbs around Philadelphia and The Drafting Room sits smack in the middle of it all.

In the middle of a couple of Iron Hills (Phoenixville and West Chester), a couple of McKenzies (Malvern and Glen Mills), a couple of Sly Foxes (Royersford and Phoenixville), Victory (Downingtown), Rock Bottom (King of Prussia), and in the middle of a bevy of high quality beer-centric bars (Teresa's Next Door, TJ's, Flying Pig, Ron's Original, and Station Taproom to name just a few).

(Old buddies, Tracy Mulligan and Nick Johnson)

As has been the practice since the 10th anniversary, Tröegs brews a special anniversary beer for The Drafting Room. Even with all of the busyness of the impending move from Harrisburg to Hershey, for this year's commemorative brew the brewery took its Sunshine Pils as a base and basically upped the malt bill and finished with a significant bit of dry-hopping using Hersbrucker and Tradition hops. Think in the ballpark of Imperial Pilsner.

The beer drinks fairly nice and cleanly, though with a noticeable Noble Hop punch thanks to the multiple hop additions from the five varieties in the boil kettle, to the hopback, to the finishing dry hops. At 6.5% ABV, it may not be an all-night session-style beer, but it'll certainly get you through happy hour both happily and in one piece.

How about we close out this anniversary party note with a beer and food pairing suggestion? This 17th Anniversary Imperial Pilsner? When at The Drafting Room, be sure to order the Portuguese Sliders. Roast pork, fontina cheese, roasted peppers, cucumber relish, and the aioli sauce all go along quite nicely with this Imperial Pilsner.

(Dan "His Bigness" Bengel enjoying a TDR 17th Anniversary)

Information leak at Kite & Key, something about a bunch of sixtels

I have no idea how The Brew Lounge came into possession of this list and subsequently posted it here for your consumption.

Afterall, the K&K website clearly states that the draft list will not be published until the Savage Sixtel Sunday/3rd Anniversary Party gets underway at 7 p.m.

It'll take some true savages to devour this list on Sunday. Are you up to the task? The morning after this soirée promises to be a bit rougher than the typical Monday morning.

~ 21st Amendment Hop Crisis
~ Allagash Blonde Ale
~ Bell's Batch 9000
~ Bell's Batch 10000
~ Bell's Oracle
~ Ithaca Thirteen
~ Ithaca Twelve
~ Russian River Damnation
~ Russian River Pliny The Elder
~ Weyerbacher Sixteen
~ Yards Bourbon Love Stout

Beer Dates in History: July Anniversaries

80 years
Orval

25 years
Abita

15 years
Brewer's Alley
Flossmoor Station
Southampton Publick House
Stone