Craft Beer Express 2015 in Philadelphia -- next stop America's Best Beer-Drinking City

Okay, my apologies. That headline sounds like quite the marketing pitch and for the record I've got absolutely nothing to do with any aspect of the Craft Beer Express except for giving it a bit of publicity here. Yet, even though I've never partaken in a full-day of the twice-annual Craft Beer Express (and only rode the bus once for a short hop across town), there's something about this day that comes every March and November that I really appreciate and feel compelled to share with you.

As during Philly Beer Week, these twelve establishments, which represent some of the best of the local beer scene, put on a display of unique beers and themed events for the day and early evening. Throw in an all-day unlimited $10 bus pass and you've got the making of a fun beer day-drinking Saturday in the city with friends. It's quite the showcase for the local bar scene.

Given the rain forecast for this coming Saturday, March 14, what else would you rather be doing?

As I mentioned, I typically pick 1-3 stops and swoop in, typically by way of train and walking, for a few hours. One time, I swear, I'm going to walk the entire route and hit every stop. Of course this means sticking to a schedule and limiting each stop to a beer, but I think this would be a fun (and healthy) approach all the same.

For what it's worth, you can expect to see me at some point at Johnny Brenda's (because it's a stout brunch at JB's and I'm a fan of both the food, the beer, and the people), Kraftwork (because they've got one of the last kegs of Captain Lawrence's Think Drink that I "helped brew"), Jose Pistola's (because Pi is fun and nutritious and I love me some Other Farm), and Brauhaus Schmitz (because I will never pass up a chance to get into a fine German Alt bier, kudos to the crew there for securing its arrival on US terra firma).

Here's the rest of the schedule for the day.

Kraftwork  541 East Girard Avenue -- 215-739-1700
"I Heart NY" -- Lovable, huggable, kissable beers from New York state! Featuring Southern Tier, Ithaca, Captain Lawrence, Ommegang, Sixpoint, Bluepoint and Doc's Cider.

Johnny Brenda's  1201 Frankford Avenue -- 215-739-9684
"7th Annual Stout Brunch" -- Back for the 7th year! We will be pouring a wide array of local stouts on draft from Dry Irish Stouts to Oyster Stouts to Russian Imperial Stouts. We will have an awesome Full Irish Breakfast on the menu in addition to our regular brunch menu, plus an array of delicious oysters!

Standard Tap  901 North 2nd Street -- 215-238-0630
"Big Wood Weekend featuring Bone-In Brunch!" -- Big Wood Weekend is coming! Over the weekend we'll be pouring a heady array of barrel-aged and wood-smoked beer as we welcome Craft Beer Express. There's even a Big Wood mystery firkin from Victory Brewing. Big Wood also means the return of Bone-In Brunch! From 11-3 on Saturday and Sunday our brunch menu will feature all manner of meat on the bone from marrow to chops and ribs. So come hungry because BIG WOOD WEEKEND featuring BONE-IN BRUNCH will leave you filled up!

The Institute  549 North 12th Street -- 267-318-7772
"Widmer Invades The Institute" -- The brewers will be in town to talk about their amazing brews from the State of Oregon. We will also have the outdoor draft trailer to help minimize your wait for any food or beverage.

Bishop's Collar  2349 Fairmount Avenue -- 215-765-1616
"Deschutes & Ladder" -- Inversion IPA, Fresh squeezed IPA, Abyss stout, Mirror Pond, Black Butte porter, Zarabanda, Bachelor bitter, and Red Chair northwest pale ale.

Kite & Key  1836 Callowhill Street -- 215-568-1818
"Doggie Style!" -- Flying Dog is taking over the taps for the Craft Beer Express. There are no fleas on these dogs! Pearl Necklace, Raging Bitch, Old Scratch, Gonzo to name a few. We will have a special treat if you are good!!

Jose Pistola's  263 South 15th Street -- 215-545-4101
"Pie Day Celebration" -- Celebrate PIE Day and Jose Pistola's! Mini PIE eating competitions (PIES provided by the delicious Frecon Cidery). Competitions to see who can recite the most characters of PIE. Possibly some PIEs in the face. Featured drafts include: Other Farms Hoppy Mon, Other Farms Saisoner, Bell's 2 Hearted, Bell's Oarsmen, St. Bernardus Prior 8, St. Bernardus, and Rodenbach Collaboration Kazematten Grotten cave aged brown and the Oskar Blues Pinner.

The Sidecar  2201 Christian Street -- 215-732-3429
"IPA's Greatest Hits" -- It's baaaaaack! Hop heads: REJOICE!

Pub on Passyunk East  1501 East Passyunk Avenue -- 215-755-5125
"Sour Beer Tap Takeover" -- Pucker up sour pusses.

Devil's Den  1148 South 11th Street -- 215-339-0855
"Ommegang and Boulevard" -- Ommegang and Boulevard breweries will be taking over the taps at the Devill's Den for a mix of the Best Belgian and American craft beers.

Brauhaus Schmitz  718 South Street -- 267-909-8814
"US Füchschen Alt Beer Premiere" -- Brauhaus will host the exclusive United States launch of Füchschen Alt bier, a traditional German ale that has been hand-crafted in Düsseldorf since 1848. This rare copper-colored ale is brewed from a centuries-old recipe using toasty malt and noble hops, giving the beer a crisp, hoppy finish with a subtle caramel flavor and hints of toasted bread.

Race St. Cafe  208 Race Street -- 215-627-6181
"Captain Lawrence & Sixpoint" -- Please Join us in celebration of Captain Lawrence (Sunblock - Wheat IPA, Captains Reserve - Imperial IPA, Elderflower - Belgian Blonde) and Sixpoint Breweries ( Bengali - IPA, Crisp Lager, Resin - Imperial IPA, Sweet Action Pale Ale). Stop by to sample their beers and speak with their brewery representatives.

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Craft Beer Express, 2014-A version

Here we go again. Another round of Craft Beer Express, the day-long event of events. Twelve beer-centric joints with a theme to present to you, the good beer drinking public. A school of buses to shuttle you from bar to bar throughout the day, as many rides as you wish. Each bar is a pay-as-you-go arrangement and the bus is an all-you-can-ride arrangement for ten bucks.

Below is a quick rundown on what to expect at each stop. Check the website for a full version of the details.

Oh, and you think you might like to walk the entire route. It's not impossible, provided you don't spend more than 1-2 beers at each location. It'll cost you around 11 miles on the soles of your shoes.

Kraftwork - "Rocky Mountain High"
      We'll have a stash of Grade-A liquid from The Rocky Mountain's best including Lefthand, Avery, Oskar Blues, Breckenridge, and Great Divide.

Johnny Brenda's - "6th Annual Stout Brunch"
      Dry Irish Stouts to Oyster Stouts to Russian Imperial Stouts. We will have an awesome full Irish Breakfast on the menu in addition to our regular brunch menu.

Standard Tap - "Annual Big Wood Weekend"
      Wake up to wood smoked and aged beers, paired excellently with an exclusive bone-in brunch menu.

The Institute - "5th Annual Big Banging Barleywine Bonanza"
      Arcadia Cereal Killer, Avery Hog Heaven, Bell's Third Coast, Blue Point Old Howling Bastard, Boulder Killer Penguin, Duck Rabbit Barleywine, DuClaw Barrel Aged Misery, DuClaw Devil's Milk, Fegley's Brew Works Barleywine, Fegley's Brew Works Barrel Aged Arctic Alchemy, Fegley's Brew Works Barrel-Aged Barleywine, Flying Dog Horn Dog, Heavy Seas Below Decks, Left Hand Widdershins, Rock Art Ridge Runner, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot, Smuttynose Barleywine, Smuttynose Wheat Wine, Southern Tier Back Burner, Starr Hill Bandstand, Tröegs The Flying Mouflan, Two Brothers Bare Tree, Victory Oak Horizontal, Victory Old Horizontal, and Weyerbacher Insanity.

Bishop's Collar - "Dogfish Head Tap Takeover"
      120 Minute, World Wide Stout, Noble Rot, Piercing Pils, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Hellhound On My Ale, Sahtea, Midas Touch, Namaste, and 75 Minute on cask.

Kite & Key - "Yards Collaboration"
      Collaboration with Yards for a special Kite & Key choice brew (The Great White IPA). As usual, mayhem and incredible local suds from our good friend Tom Kehoe & Crew will be on tap.

Jose Pistola's - "Twin Geeks: Firestone Walker With Me"
      In a bar where nothing is as it seems and where everyone has something to drink Who Killed Jenny Hobbs?

The Sidecar - "IPA's Greatest Hits"
      It's baaaaaack. The most bodacious collection of hop juice in the universe.

Pub on Passyunk East (P.O.P.E.) - "I Wish They All Can Be California Beers"
      All draft beer will be from the west coast including Bear Republic, North Coast, and Russian River, among others.

Devil's Den - "Hooked on Hops. Seduced by Sours."
      The best of IPAs and sour ales.

Brauhaus Schmitz - "Dunkel Side of the Moon"
      Pink Floyd and every dark German draft beer imaginable under the “moon.” We will be showing “Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii” on the big screen and “The Wizard of Oz” synched with the album “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Race St. Café - "Race Street Café is Kicking it Old School"
      Join us in a celebration of the beers and the breweries that began the craft beer brewing revolution in Philadelphia with Yards, Dock Street, and Stoudt's.

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Craft Beer Express rolls into March

This Craft Beer Express really doesn't need much help from me anymore. This thing has grown so wildly popular that there are now two installments per year, mkaing it a good thing that it was broken apart from Philly Beer Week.

Here's a quick synopsis from its website. Enjoy!


Kraftwork
541 East Girard Avenue
(215) 739-1700
Gettin' Loose with Goose Island, from Chicago, IL
We’ll be lining the taps with 7 to 10 of Goose Island’s flagship barrel series! This Midway Giant is not to be missed on your tasting journey. Starting with Brunch – opening at 10:30 am.

Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford Avenue
(215) 739-9684
Back for the 4th year! Starts at 11am! Brunch served from 11-3:30. Stouts on tap all day and evening! We will have an awesome Full Irish Breakfast on the menu in addition to our regular brunch menu, plus a Smorgasbord, and an array of delicious oysters!

Standard Tap
901 North 2nd Street
(215) 238-0630
Big Wood Weekend
Wake up to our 2-day celebration of wood- smoked and barrel-aged beers!

The Institute
549 North 12th Street
(267) 318-7772
3rd Annual Barleywine Bonanza
Get your hands on 10 of the most highly sought after barleywines out there!

Bishop's Collar
2349 Fairmount Avenue
(215) 765-1616
Six Point Brewing Company
Featuring Jersey Dan "Cornelius" spinning tunes and a complete tap take-over with a firkin or two from Six Point Brewing.

Kite & Key
1836 Callowhill Street
(215) 568-1818
A Change of Events with Firestone Walker
Firestone Walker has decided to ship out to the Kite & Key an AMAZING array of beers!! You CAN NOT MISS THIS!! We will guarantee this may be your only chance to try it!!! We cannot divulge the tap list yet, but you will be thrilled!!

Jose Pistola's
263 South 15th Street
(215) 545-4101
Chuck Norris Day
In Honor of Chuck Norris' birthday we tried to tie craft beer to Chuck Norris. We soon realized that chuck Norris won't be tied to anything. We then decided it would be best for everyone involved if we just poured all bad ass beers with bad ass names. Beers include iron fist gauntlet, clown shoes eagle claw fist, evil twins yin and yang, dark horse Scotty karate, and a firkin of yards brawler dry hopped with Sirachi Hops.

The Sidecar
2201 Christian Street
(215) 732-3429
IPA's Greatest Hits - Volume III
Around the World in three whole days, Sidecar brings you the best IPA and DIPA offerings from around the globe – and we’re lining the “Lucky 13” with an individual line up each day, 36-40 total…maybe even a firkin or two. HOP HEADS UNITE! Details to come…mark the date and the stop in SWCC!

Pub on Passyunk East
1501 East Passyunk Avenue
(215) 755-5125
POPE visits Colorado
Hosting beers from the rockies including Avery, Left Hand and many more.

Devil's Den
1148 South 11th Street
(215) 339-0855
Stop out for the Spring Craft Beer Express and try some of local beer guy, Cameron Saunders', favorite beers. Tap list to include Bell's Special Cream Stout, Avery Mephistopheles, Moylans Hopsickle, Southern Tier Oak Aged Pumpking and what ever else he wants. You have seen him in Philly Beer Scene Magazine now meet him in person!

Brauhaus Schmitz
718 South Street
(267) 909-8814
Was ist Das? 10 German beers you never heard of.... Seriously most of these beers have never been poured in Philly before.

Race St. Cafe
208 Race Street
(215) 627-6181
Winter Wrap Up
Have one last rendezvous with all of your favorite bocks, browns and barleywines before you have to kiss them goodbye for the next 6 months.

In preview of tomorrow's weekly Philly Beer Calendar

Right--I normally do these weekly calendar updates on Thursday morning. And, that's exactly what you'll see tomorrow morning. You're all good enough readers to pick up on what I'm about to point out.

Once again, the Philly area beer calendar is bursting at the seams and demonstrates how "in to" great beer the publicans are...the consumers are...the brewers are...the distributors are. We live Beer Week year-round 'round these parts.

Take for example Thursday February 17 and the 10 events that will be on my weekly calendar release tomorrow. Stand back and admire the tenacity of our beer region on an "average" Thursday night.

In the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem Brew Works is doing a charity fundraiser with a special cask of beer to benefit the Muscular Dystropy Association.

In Philly, Jose Pistolas is throwing a party with Allagash's Rob Tod and in the suburbs, Capone's is throwing yet another Sierra 30th Anniversary Bash for one last taste of the special anniversary beers.

There'll be a cask of Yards Chocolate Love Stout at Khyber Pass Pub, a couple over at Kraftwork during its celebration of Victory's 15 years, and at least two at Fork & Barrel as they welcome BFM's Jerome Rebetez.

White Dog in University City is throwing a Happy Hour with Weyerbacher.

Devil's Den will be experimenting with beer and cheese in conjunction with DiBruno Bros., both always good moves.

Iron Hill has a sold-out five-course meal in Maple Shade with some pretty nice beers (call to check for cancellations).

And, finally, Sly Fox is continuing Boot Camp at its Royersford location as they march on toward St. Patrick's Day.

Happy Thursday. Not too shabby, eh? Get your rest.

Eat. Drink. New Holland Brew. And much more.

I get to do a few different things with this posting:

--- bring attention yet again to the amazing beer calendar of events that the Philadelphia region maintains week in and week out. February has how many? That's right -- Over 90 events in 27 of the 28 days deep in the heart of winter's lovely month of February.

--- point out the whirlwind tour through the Philadelphia region of New Holland's brewmaster John Haggerty, sales director Fred Bueltmann, and regional representative Joel Armato. After last night at Varga and Tria in Philadelphia, the tour continues tonight.

tonight, Friday 2/4, at Iron Hill in West Chester from 5pm-8pm

tomorrow, Saturday 2/5, at Kraftwork in Philadelphia from 9pm-??

Sunday, 2/6, at South Philadelphia Tap Room in Philadelphia from 12pm-3pm

- and last, but certainly not least -- help to promote the Big Interview Project that Dr. Joel has undertaken on his blog. He's got a minimum of 52 interviews lined up for 2011, a new one publishing each Friday. He's looking to interview more of the not-so-usual suspects, i.e. the ones that may not necessarily be household names, but all with very interesting perspectives on this very large world of craft beer nonetheless.

Today's mandatory reading, and very timely at that, is his interview with New Holland brewmaster John Haggerty. Enjoy!

p.s. and if one of these New Holland events doesn't strike your fancy (though, not sure why Kraftwork won't be overrun tomorrow night), there are at least another mere dozen or so beer events to choose from this fine weekend. Party on, party people!

Saturday the Thirstless-teenth

No one should go thirsty this Saturday the 13th. This coming Saturday will be a busy day across the Philadelphia region for beer events. As you'll see with tomorrow's weekly beer calendar that I publish, there are no less than eight beer events in and around the City on Saturday, 11/13. Really, it's eighteen when you add all of the individual events that comprise the Craft Beer Express. (And, there's probably another one or two that I'm missing that I'm sure you good readers will help to fill me in on, right?) >>> The big one is the Craft Beer Express in Philly. With 11 participating establishments and a steady flow of buses (was it 7 or 8 buses that I was told?) linking them all together, it should be a fine day. Plus, the weather should cooperate much more nicely than it did back in March during the first incarnation of this idea. Here's a quick rundown of who's doing what during the 10 hours of buses, beers, and bars. Ten dollars gets you on the bus; after that, it's PAYG at every bar along the way.

Kraftwork: 20 Beers from B.United and the sweet sounds Damon Bennett's Jazzsoul Experience

Johnny Brenda's: The Wet Hop Rodeo, A round up of local & national wet hoped beers

Standard Tap: Imperial Pageant, An orgy of excess and power in a glass.

The Institute: The Power Of The Darks Side, Stout & Porter event featuring Brewers & Owners

Bishop's Collar: Southern Tier Invades The North East

Kite & Key: A.A.A. (Almighty, Afternoon of Allagash)

Jose Pistolas: Big Bold Barleywine & Live Blues

Sidecar: Discoteque & Brothel, featuring Bell's Jazz series brews & The Sidecar Jazz Quartet

P.O.P.E.: Dogfish Head Dominates The P.O.P.E., featuring the Randell 3.0

Devil's Den: Stockertown Beverage Supplies Sudds, special tapping of Founders Nemesis

Brauhaus Schmitz: still T.B.A.

>>> Along the Delaware River at Penn's Landing's Independence Seaport Museum, Rolling Barrel Events is hosting its first annual Stout & Chowder Festival from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For a $40 admission, in their words you can expect "over ten 'Burly Beer Stations' featuring all local breweries, a special breakout session showcasing pumpkin beers, and numerous hearty soups, stews and chowders. Proceeds will also benefit the Independence Seaport Museum." >>> Back in the heart of Center City, Nodding Head is throwing 4 of their wet-hopped beers on the bar and one on the beer engine at 3 p.m. Harvest Ale on the hand pump and Wet Chinook Double IPA, X, Hoppo Marx, and BPA all on the bar top served via the lovely forces of gravity. The tasting event is PAYG. >>> Moving out from the City, first up is TJs in Paoli where they will be helping Sierra Nevada with its ongoing 30th Anniversary Celebration. All four anniversary beers are due to be on tap. Plus the Northern Hemisphere Harvest. Plus the Estate Homegrown Ale. Plus the Celebration Ale. Plus the Tumbler Autumn Brown. And, plus the Pale Ale. How's that for an all-growed-up 30 year old brewing company? This is an all-day event (and, PAYG) with nothing necessarily special planned at any given time. Just a lot of great beer (and some rather rare ones, too) served until it kicks which will be sooner for some than others, I'm sure. >>> Just a keg's throw away in Exton, The Drafting Room is conducting a seasonally-appropriate Harvest Beer event. Expect such fresh and hoppy beers from Bear Republic, Flying Dog, Founders, Great Divide, Harpoon, Philadelphia Brewing, Port Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Southern Tier, Terrapin, Tröegs, Two Brothers, Victory, and Weyerbacher. This also is a PAYG all-day affair, so come and go as you please. >>> Stretching farther to the west, downtown Reading's Canal Street Pub is hosting the 8th Brewphoria festival. Admission is $35, the event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and you can expect a beer tasting and exhibition featuring local and regional brewers with live music being provided by The Youngers. >>> Down "south", Iron Hill's Justin Sproul and his Newark location are throwing a delightful-looking cask ale festival. It begins at noon, is PAYG, and is expected to showcase "real ale" from Iron Hill, Yards, Flying Fish, Tröegs, Sly Fox, Stewart's, and Victory. >>> And, finally, stretching the Pennsylvania's Fertile Crescent of Beer to its outer limits in Harrisburg, Pa., the Expo Hall at The State Farm Show Arena is playing host to an event called PA Flavor: A Food & Beer Expo of which I know very little but have picked up some tidbits from the Web. It lasts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and promises up to 40 Pennsylvania breweries, 60 Pennsylvania food producers, and 20 Pennsylvania restaurants. Attendees can expect two-ounce samples of close to 100 different beers. All proceeds from PA Flavor are reported to benefit the Pennsylvania Brewers Guild. You can't do them all. I promise you. Though, if you get a hired driver, there's the ever-so-slim chance that you could pull it off. If I dared you, I'm afraid someone might try it. So get out there....forget about the yardwork, ditch the wedding (unless it's yours), call off from your weekend job. Drink a few great beers, support your local economy, be safe, and enjoy!