Forest & Main - Grand Opening 4/13/12

(Apropos sign, though has been there longer than the new arrival, Forest and Main, has been)

Ambler, are you ready?! You've heard about it coming now for over a year. Owner-brewers Daniel Endicott and Gerard Olson have got all of the pre-opening grunt work out of the way and they're now ready to serve you at the intersection of Forest and Main Streets in downtown Ambler, Pa.

I'm pleased to share with you that Forest & Main Brewing Company will be open for business beginning April 13, 2012. Their brewpub creation should evoke the feeling of going to a friend's house for dinner and beers. With two dining/gathering rooms downstairs and two upstairs — not to mention a front porch with trained hop bines and a picnic table in the nicer weather — residents within walking distance should find F&M to be one of the most comfortable pub experiences in the region. Of course, this isn't to say others won't drive to the brewpub, but many will quickly find that this is the kind of neighborhood pub that many wish for in their own community.

Now, I say this without having seen the operation in effect, but with the location, the solid beers, and the ambiance, the guys certainly have a head start at meeting high expectations.

I'll leave the words at that for now. Following below are pictures from my last visit almost two months ago and reviews of three beers that you should find on tap at the pub in the first weeks of operation. Dan and Gerard expect to have eight new brews available when they open the doors on April 13, with the hopes of always keeping the three hand pumps for cask-conditioned beer in use.

THE BEER

(from left: Underground Brown; Kinch The Knifeblade; Poor Yorick)

Underground Brown: A 4% ABV brown ale that busts all dark beer myths. A nice roasted maltiness and a touch of sweetness that is light on the palate helps this beer go down quite easily. Did some say session? Of course they did; that's what the environment at F&M screams for.

Kinch The Knifeblade: The bottle I had was noted estimated at 9% ABV, though the version I had during my last visit was reportedly more like 7% — though somewhere between those two markers is just where you'd expect a double IPA like this one to be. If you like a pleasant citrus bitterness and nice hop aromas, without the weighty feel of a "big" IPA, this might be the one for you.

Poor Yorick: Another 4% ABV beer and much like the Underground Brown in its darkness. Similar in flavor and mouthfeel but with an additional undercurrent of chocolate.

(Exterior of Forest and Main - like you're visiting a friend's house)

(A view from the front porch of Forest and Main)

(From the front door of Forest and Main, you can go left, right, or upstairs)

(The main bar at Forest and Main)

(Gerard Olson, left, and Daniel Endicott are co-owners and brewers)

(One of four dining/gathering rooms)

(Warm colors and decor exudes throughout Forest and Main)

(A view from behind the bar and the three hand pumps that should also be in use)

(Five of the eight anticipated opening day taps)

(A brewhouse where every inch is accounted for)

(A back room of Forest and Main can double as a servers' station as well as spillover for guests who may be waiting for a table)

(Looking toward the front of the house)

(A dining room upstairs will occasionally serve as a room for private parties and beer dinner/special events)

(This barn beam bench looks awfully familiar to me. If you read these pages closely enough, you'll know why)

(More upstairs gathering space at Forest and Main)

Weekly Brew Bits Update: 12/19/11

Going into the new year, I need to do something about both getting more organized in the spirit of getting more information to all of you. Honestly, I'm not sure exactly where the future of "blogging" is, but with the likes of Facebook and Twitter looming larger than ever, it stands to reason that it's more difficult than ever for me to "keep up" with the rapid flow of information regarding breweries, beers, and events.

So as I attempt to take a step in the right direction, I'm planning to put up a weekly update each Monday morning of things that I (and you, perhaps) may have missed, or at least not drawn attention to, in the prior week. There'll be information, but not enough to warrant their own postings. I'll rely upon links to others that have more significantly reported on these things.

Is it the easy way out? Perhaps. But, the number of times I talk with many of you in "real life" and you express no idea about things that I'm aware of but just haven't written about tells me that I'm not doing a good enough job sharing these interesting tidbits of information with you.

Without further ado or agita, here's a handful of interesting things from the past week that you may find interesting as well. The focus will be, first, on the Philadelphia region and, then, beyond.

If you have suggestions for how I can make this the most effective delivery possible, by all means, feel free to let me know. Here goes.

~ Tired Hands Brewing Company owner, Jean Broillet, announced the details of his "Believer's Club". Membership details at the THBC website.

~ Forest & Main continues to gain steam towards its grand opening. Between its website and its Facebook page, you'll find (and see) all you need to know about one of Ambler's most exciting business projects.

~ Philly Food and Beer announced the First Annual "Grand Cru" Homebrew Competition in conjunction with Keystone Homebrew. It will be held on 1/5/12; deadline for entering beers is 12/28/11; all the important details at Philly Food and Beer.

~ Victory Brewing from Downingtown continues its phenomenal growth. It infiltrates South Philly with a reported spot inside the coming Xfinity Live! (planned opening: Spring 2012) with a German Beer Hall. Crossing Broad has a picture and some details from the press release.

~ Wheels of change in Pennsylvania vary their pace as promising signs went, once again, a bit dimmer. Check over at Lew Bryson's blog to learn more.

~ Apparently McKenzie Brew House is opening the doors on its third location in Devon, Pa. today. It's located along the northbound side of route 202 and has been the site of several restaurants, most recently Charlie Brown's, over the years. The Brew Lounge learned of this late last night via Twitter (thank heaven for Twitter, I mean how would I learn of these things otherwise?...it boggles) and has no further details at this point. UPDATE: The McKenzie Brew House homepage has a small blurb drawing attention to the 12/19 opening.

~ Jeff Bagby, head of brewery operations at Pizza Port, has announced his intentions to leave the 4-location southern California brewery after 6 years and strike out on his own. Bagby came up through the ranks with stops at Oggi's, White Labs, and various positions within Pizza Port and has won scores of awards along the way. San Diego Beer Blog has some details.

That's it for now. Anything else significant that I may have missed?

Forest & Main, Construction Update #2

Forest & Main Brewing Company, 61 N. Main Street, Ambler, Pa. 19002

Quick notes. Should be opening in November, let's say by Thanksgiving so we don't get too anxious? We all know how these things can bog down in the final (often bureaucratic stages). They seem, though, to have all the right people in Ambler pulling for them and working with them, so that's a good sign. They're nearing the end and things are looking good, particularly as the brewhouse has come in-house and is ready to be assembled.

I've got three of their beers here at home with me that I'll be reviewing for you soon. Underground Brown, Kinch the Knifeblade Double IPA, and Poor Yorick Dark Ale will be playing a somewhat regular role in the operations at F&M and I think you're gonna like what you see.

Forest & Main, Construction Update #1

(Gerard Olson, left, and Daniel Endicott, co-owners of the future Forest & Main in Ambler, Pa.)
I know of a few people still who are not plugged into The Facebook yet. While I have some understanding for some of the reasons why, I'd encourage everyone to check it out at least for what your favorite businesses are doing. I'm not sure if it's a long-term trend, but I see some businesses moving away from traditional websites for timely information.

Take, Devil's Den in Philadelphia as an example. Their calendar of events is maintained almost exclusively on The Facebook (and, of course, The Twitter).

But, this isn't about Devil's Den and I didn't mean to single them out either positively or negatively with regard to their usage of social media.

This is about Forest & Main. And how if you are riding the Facebook Superhighway (and I know that many of you are), you likely saw pictures of me working with Gerard and Dan (Olson and Endicott, co-owners, that is) to split a 12-foot-long barn beam that will serve as a bar top in their much-anticipated new brewery and restaurant.

The opening is currently guestimated in the October timeframe. Judging from my visit last week (finally, my first visit), the guys are gonna do their part to get to an October opening. It sounds like the borough has been, and will continue to hopefully be, cooperative. So, it will all come down to their friendly helpers in Harrisburg to grease the skids and get them the rest of the way to opening.

To say that the property has all the makings of one of the more comfortable brewpubs around might be an understatement. From the front yard, past the front porch (complete with hop bines), through the attractive front door, and in to the individual rooms on either side of a center staircase leading to a second floor for dining and gathering, the at-home feel that exudes from the unfinished building is already evident.

The guys have been doing a real fine job of keeping thirsty followers updated on the construction progress with a website and Facebook page replete with pictures and other useful information.

I've put up a gallery of pictures over at Picasa -- and stole the best Facebook image of me as well...hey, if I'm "tagged" in a picture, does that make the picture equally mine? -- to share with you all. I think you'll all be equally impressed in a few months when you're comfortably lounging with some well-crafted beer at the corner of Forest & Main.

More to come...

Coming soon to Ambler...great beer at Forest & Main

The news is trickling around the webs, here's a link to their Facebook page where you can learn all about Gerard Olson's and Daniel Endicott's new endeavor, Forest & Main Brewing Company. See pictures, too. It's at the intersection, conveniently, by the same name and a couple of short blocks from the Ambler train station. You know what that means, right? Another stop on the R5 pub crawl from Doylestown to Downingtown.

New Brew Pub Watch

Tröegs Brewing Company in Hershey, Pa.
10/13/11 - Nearing completion
July 2011 - Summer 2011 update


Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore, Pa.
10/1/11 - Update #2
7/2/11 - First full day of property ownership
7/1/11 - Announcement


McKenzie Brew House in Devon, Pa.
10/1/11 - Update #2


Forest & Main Brewing Company in Ambler, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/9/12 - Grand Opening Notice
10/1/11 - Update #2
8/11/11 - Pix at Facebook
8/11/11 - Update #1


Victory Brewing in Downingtown, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
5/7/08 - Opening Day
3/31/08 - Last Day for the Old Bar
3/22/08 - Nearing shutdown
2/24/08 - Continued Progress
2/8/08 - More Pictures
1/21/08 - Early Progress Update
1/3/08 - Ramp-Down Notice
11/27/07 - Initial Announcement


Ron's Original in Exton, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/28/08 - Soft Opening Underway
4/3/08 - Projected Tap List at Re-Opening
3/22/08 - Construction Update & Reminder that they're still open for business
1/21/08 - Construction Update


Yards Brewing in Philadelphia, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/24/08 - Construction Update & Pictures
3/29/08 - Construction Updates and a Brewer's Blog
12/21/07 - Ybor Brewing System
8/5/07 - Initial Words from Tom Kehoe


Earth Bread + Brewery in Philadelphia, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/2/08 - Construction Moving Along
3/28/08 - Pictures from Tom Baker
12/17/07 - Connection to Collins Bar/Blind Tiger?
12/7/07 - Words from Tom Baker
12/6/07 - Initial Announcement


(General Lafayette) Tied House in Philadelphia, Pa. - Late Summer/Early Fall 2008 Grand Opening [Since Closed]


Union Barrel Works in Reamstown, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/6/07 - Now Open!
12/29/06 - Construction Update
11/29/06 - Opening Update
8/30/06 - Construction Update


Triumph Brewery in Philadelphia, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/1/07 - Opening Update is 4/6/07


Blind Tiger Ale House in New York City, NY - NOW OPEN!
3/29/07 - Tap List for Grand Re-Opening Party on 4/2/07
3/11/07 - Opening Date Announced (3/15/07)
3/7/07 - License Approved!
11/19/06 - Closure Notice (until liquor license is obtained)
9/30/06 - A 'pre-Ale House' review
8/14/06 - Neighborhood Issues
4/27/06 - Construction Update


Iron Hill Brewery in Phoenixville, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
10/2/06 - Grand Opening Date, 10/3/06
9/29/06 - Soft Opening Dinner review
9/27/06 - Grand Opening & Soft Opening Update
9/1/06 - Construction Update
8/11/06 - Construction Update
7/17/06 - Construction Update
4/9/06 - Construction Update
1/22/06 - Construction Update


McKenzie Brew House in Malvern, Pa. - NOW OPEN!
4/6/06 - 1st Night Review
4/5/06 - They're open for business
4/3/06 - Meet us there
4/3/06 - Opening announcement
3/19/06 - Construction Update
2/11/06 - Construction Update
1/9/06 - Construction Update
12/10/05 - Construction Update
11/25/05 - Construction Update
11/10/05 - Construction Update
11/7/05 - Construction Update