Real Ale on the loose

I just put up an article about cask-conditioned beer over at the other place I write.

It was mostly inspired by 3 weekends in a row of cask-related festivals in and around Philly — plus, a little by my love for the wonderful flavors and aromas that typically jump out of cask-conditioned beers.

Check out the article. And, for more pictures, see the following links:

~ Yards Philadelphia Real Ale Invitational: March 20, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ Allentown Brew Works Cask Beer Festival: March 26, 2011 [link to pictures]
~ General Sutter Inn's 3rd Lititz Cask Beer Festival: April 1-3, 2011 [link to pictures]

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

Three Great-looking Upcoming Beer Dinner Menus

Here are a few upcoming beer dinners and their anticipated menus/pairings. Starting with tonight, we've got a Tröegs Dinner at the General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA...a Stone Dinner at The Drafting Room in Exton, PA next month...and, in March, a Stoudt's Dinner at High Street Caffe in West Chester, PA. Tröegs Beer Dinner at General Sutter Inn Wednesday, January 28th @ 6:30pm 5 courses, 6 beers for $55 - does not include tax & gratuity Call 717-626-2115 Reservations required Social Time Tröegs Pale Ale First Course Tröegs Rugged Trail Ale paired with Thai Halibut with Coconut Curry Broth Second Course Tröegs Hop Back Amber Ale paired with Endive Spears, Stilton Cheese, Toasted Pecans and Sautéed Pears Third Course Tröegs Tröegenator Double Bock paired with Aged Filet of Beef Carpaccio Charred Tomato Oil Fourth Course Tröegs Nugget Nectar paired with Grilled Hanger Steak, Maytag Bleu Demi Glace Fifth Course Tröegs DreamWeaver Wheat Ale paired with Grilled Banana with Mexican Chocolate and Cherries

---

Stone Beer Dinner at The Drafting Room/Exton Tuesday, February 10th @ 6:45pm $59.00 per Person (Tax & Gratuity Not Included) Call 610-363-0521 Reservations Required The Food Tasso Wrapped Shrimp, Blackberry Cider Drizzle, Corn Shoots Double Smoked Duck Breast, Pine Nut & Tillamook Ravioli, Mushroom Confit & Cherry Balsamic Syrup House made Buffalo Pastrami, Dijon Chive Reduction, Bacon, Onion & Brussel Sprouts, Shingled Potatoes & Herbs, Micro-Greens Steeped Mocha Torte, Salted Macadamia Crust, Winter Orange Crème, Raspberry Drizzle The Beer (all on Tap) Stone Pale Ale Double Bastard Ale (2006) Double Bastard (2008) Stone IPA Stone Imperial Russian Stout (2007) Stone Old Guardian Barley Wine (2007)

---

Stoudt's Beer Dinner at High Street Caffe Wednesday, March 18th Call 610-696-7435 Reservations required Cost is $45 per person - does not include tax & gratuity Reception - Stoudt's Pils First Course - Stoudt's American Pale Ale paired with Crawfish & Andouille Bread Pudding Second Course - Stoudt's Mai Bock paired with Crab Nachos with Avocado Coulis Third Course - Stoudt's Belgian Triple paired with Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato & Tasso Hash Fourth Course - Stoudt's Fat Dog Stout paired with Duo of Chocolate (Chocolate Flourless Torte & Chocolate Mousse)

July's casks at The General Sutter announced

Not like Paul and the crew at General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA need any promotion from me; these last Friday's have become wildly popular. But, you should go and see for yourself. This month, like others, you won't be disappointed. Check out this month's offerings for next Friday, July 25th.

---

Another Three Great Cask Ales. For your pleasure and education. This month we are pleased to be offering three superb cask ales 1. Victory Hop Devil AWARDS Details Magazine - One of Ten Best Summer Beers (June/July 2006) Champion American Beer: Great British Beer Festival 2002 Domestic Beer of The Year: Malt Advocate Magazine 1999 Menacingly delicious, with the powerful, aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by rich, German malts. HopDevil Ale offers a roller coaster ride of flavor, coasting to a smooth finish that satisfies fully. German 2 row malt American whole flower hops Alcohol by volume: 6.7% 2. Victory Uncle Teddy's Bitter Full and creamy on the tongue, this classic British ale is golden in colour and mild in character, it's a session beer that satisfies. Only available on handpump at the Victory brewery. Now you can have it without driving to Downingtown. German 2 row malt Styrian and Kent Goldings hops. Alcohol by volume: 4.3% 3. Oliver's Mad Monk Mild Classic Black Country mild originally brewed for the coal miners and steel workers in the Midlands of England. Tempting aromas of malt and gentle hop resin, chocolate and coffee notes developing. Once very popular in the UK, nowadays can be difficult to find. One of my favourite beers. Halcyon pale ale, crystal and chocolate malts plus a little malted wheat. Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops. Alcohol by volume: 4.0% Join us on Friday July 25 from 4:30 pm.

General Sutter Inn for cask-conditioned beer in February

Do not go to the General Sutter Inn on February 29th. They'll be serving cloudy, room temperature, undercarbonated beer. I believe they call it cask-conditioned. Apparently, last month's cask-conditioned event (always scheduled for the last Friday of the month) drew so many people that they'll be moving this once-intimate affair over to the ballroom, spacing out the casks, and having at least one more pourer. Last month, the Ridgeway Oxfordshire Blue and Tröegs Nugget Nectar were both empty in barely more than 90 minutes, leaving a couple of dozen people still waiting in line. Fortunately for them, host Paul Pendyck had some normal beer that he could share with those folks. I'll bet they were relieved. So, you be the judge. Paul was so pleased with the turnout and reception of the beers in January, that he's doing an encore performance in February. If you like to hang out with a bunch of like-minded fun, beer-loving folks drinking cloudy, warm, undercarbonated beer, then head on over to the General Sutter on 2/29. It's the night before the Philly Craft Beer Festival...but, they're not serving any cask beers to my knowledge. p.s. I don't do smarmy too often, but a certain someone suggested I should try. What do you think?