The Brew Lounge: Sly Fox Brewing

Showing posts with label Sly Fox Brewing. Show all posts

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Flagship February daily feature - Sly Fox Pikeland Pils

Once you find Sly Fox's production brewery and taproom off the highway, down the railroad tracks, across the creek, and on the backside of a business park at the end of the local municipal airport in Pottstown, you'll find it difficult to leave. Quite a few good things about their hidden location. One is that after hours during the week and all weekend long, they have the business park pretty much to themselves (and neighboring Manatawny Still Works across the street).

Things have gone well for the nearly 25 year old Sly Fox and its befitting that they reside on Circle of Progress Drive in the business park. Another fortuitous piece of the puzzle is the adjacent grassy piece of land that hosts their oversized outdoor annual events -- Bock Festival/Goat Races; Taps, Tunes, & Trucks; Cyclocross; and Can Jam Festival.

Inside, there's excellent pizza and sandwiches to pair up with a brewery tour, a few beers from a wide-ranging lineup, and a relaxing visit. On a nice day, sitting outside and watching planes take off and land at the airport adds to the atmosphere. They always have a lot going on, a decent amount of it Irish- and German-inspired (like this featured Pils), and growth on the horizon with planned satellite operations on the drawing board for nearby Malvern, Wyomissing (in Berks County), and across state in Pittsburgh.

Now click the picture below for a full feature on Sly Fox Pikeland Pils.

If you're just jumping in during the middle of this and want to know what this is all about, link back here to see the Flagship February overview as well as an ongoing list of all beers I'm featuring during the month of February.

Disclosure: For this project, I solely created the list of 28 beers featured here on The Brew Lounge. I was in contact with each brewery and neither required nor requested complimentary samples. I purchased today's Sly Fox beer at retail.

© Bryan J. Kolesar and The Brew Lounge, 2019. 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

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

New ingredients at Sly Fox's kitchen

Haven't been to Sly Fox in Phoenixville since Robbie Burns Night back in January (actually have driven farther, many times, though to the HQ in Pottstown). Sounds like these updates, particularly the kitchen menu, are perfect reasons to get there soon. Here's the brewery's press release describing the recent changes.

Region’s first brewery retools original pub
Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery freshens up with brewery rebrand

JULY 10, 2018— Phoenixville, PA — In late 2017, Sly Fox Brewing Company evaluated their twenty-plus year old offering and instituted some seriously creative innovations including a revised portfolio of beers featuring all new packaging and an updated brand with an exciting new logo. Only one brewpub in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania was first. In 2018, the small southeastern Pennsylvania town of 16,440 ranks in the national top 10 for most breweries per capita, but it all started twenty years ago with the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery.

MEET THE NEW SLY FOX PHOENIXVILLE!

Pennsylvania's original brewpub, the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery, recently applied the exciting modifications to the restaurant, overhauling the inside with a fresh new look that underscores what Beer Advocate called, "America's third best brewpub." Beyond a new coat of paint, the Phoenixville restaurant modified the bar and dining room layouts and opted to use brewery event and product promotion in the interior decoration plan. All new carpeting and a decluttering of the pub has created a new, inviting space.

Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery, the only Sly Fox outpost that offers full table service, also upgraded their exterior facade—incorporating an aesthetic that complemented the brewery rebrand. Outside, inviting cedar fencing now encloses a charming outdoor patio and tasteful signage summons passersby to acres of free parking, while a long list of award-winning fresh beer and an original pub menu with rotating specials await inside. The East Pikeland Township pub also offers Penn's Woods select and premier red and white wines.

"The Eatery is unique even within our own company," says Pete Giannopoulos, brewery founder and manager of the first pub—one of the longest-lasting brewpubs anywhere. "With the rebranding of the brewery and excitement generated by the new beers added, it was a logical time to examine what we were doing on the restaurant side."

Sly Fox recently announced a new pub coming online in Wyomissing, PA as well as plans for several other locations and it's expected that Trainer will consult on those menus while maintaining the creative new style of the Phoenixville food offering.

MEET THE NEW CHEF!

Besides the rebranding and the interior and exterior upgrades, Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery has retained a new chef with a first class pedigree. Chef Jim Trainer, who last ran the kitchen at the Kimberton Inn for twenty-seven years, has revamped the Sly Fox menu and introduced daily specials as inviting as the new decor.

Trainer has been a fan of Sly Fox beer since the beginning, sitting on the other side of the bar after long shifts preparing wonderful cuisine. He'd often commiserate with the bartender so, in true Sly Fox style, we enlisted a part-time bartender to introduce you to the new head chef. Corey Reid, part-time beer-slinger at the Brewhouse & Eatery and full-time sales manager has come to know a lot of customers well, and he recently sat down to interview the man who is reshaping the food offering in Phoenixville.

Click here for a fun Q&A with Head Chef Jim Trainer conducted by Corey Reid

© 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

Friday, May 25, 2018

Major change at Sly Fox: Brewmaster Brian O'Reilly to depart

(Brian O'Reilly, far left, on a panel with Philadelphia area peers at Johnny Brenda's during the Craft Brewers Conference in 2016.)
Without consulting my records, my hunch is that the last significant, publicly recognizable departure at the Head Brewer/Brewmaster position at a Philadelphia-area brewery was somewhere between Iron Hill (Bob Barrar at the Media location leaving to start up 2SP) and Rock Bottom (Brian McConnell pulling up long stakes in King of Prussia to open Sterling Pig). Those were both, I'm thinking, in the 2015 timeframe. (I know, I know, I could just consult my handy lil spreadsheet; but my memory isn't too shot yet, so let's go with that.)

Now, Brian O'Reilly is off on a brand-new venture in Philly from Sly Fox, with which he's become rather synonymous since joining them 15+ years ago from New Road Brew House in CT (Collegeville, thanks for the correction to Jack Curtin), and before that John Harvard's in Cleveland and Brewer's Bier Haus. The press release below tells all. And, congratulations to Tim Ohst, also a long fixture of the brewery for now formally being recognized as Director of Brewing Operations. As many know, he's been the top dog in the day-to-day brewing for many years and, as O'Reilly mentioned somewhat humorously in a quote to Forbes, "To be honest I haven’t really made wort in many years."

(photo courtesy Sly Fox Brewing Company)
O'Reilly to Start New Philly Venture
Sly Fox Positioned to Maintain Quality and Innovation

May 24, 2018 — Pottstown, PA—The brewmaster responsible for transitioning Sly Fox Brewing Company into a regional independent craft brewing competitor will leave the brewery in early July, the company announced today.

Brian O'Reilly came to a fledgling Sly Fox in February 2002 when the small operation, one of the first in the Philadelphia region, consisted of a single small brewpub in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. O'Reilly immediately began transforming the Sly Fox beer portfolio into what has since become one of the most respected portfolios of new- and old-world styles available anywhere.

Sly Fox's enduring success has been due, in large part, to O'Reilly's award-winning beers and careful go-to-market style. The brewery won a Great American Beer Festival (GABF) medal for its Helles Golden Lager in O'Reilly's inaugural year and has accumulated more than a dozen since, including four medals in five years for its Grisette Summer Ale. O'Reilly was also instrumental in championing craft beer in cans and, in 2006, oversaw Sly Fox's transition as the first craft brewery in the mid-Atlantic region to install a canning line.

Sly Fox Brewing Company, with the main brewery and tasting room in Pottstown, the newly renovated Phoenixville pub and the anticipated Wyomissing and Malvern locations in development, is well-known for pairing its beer releases with compelling events.

When O'Reilly first came to Sly Fox, he proposed a spring celebration that would feature racing goats, and now in its 18th year, the Sly Fox Bock Festival and Goat Races hosts more than 5,000 guests and is named best beer event in Philadelphia year after year. The brewery hosts a packed schedule of other uncommon events that all started as O'Reilly ideas, including a huge outdoor music festival and Robert Burns birthday celebration, but it's beer making that motivates the brewer.

"I'm most proud of the actual growth of the brewing operation," reflects O'Reilly.

"When we look back at where we came from, scrambling to make beer in the little brewpub to the 30,000-square-foot, 50-hectoliter production brewery, it's pretty amazing. I'm thankful the Giannopoulos family always strives to provide the resources needed to continually evolve and brew quality beer."

As the brewery grew, O'Reilly trained a small army of capable brewers, many of whom have gone on to noteworthy brewing positions elsewhere, while some of the very best remain a part of the innovative team at Sly Fox. Although the brewery does not plan to immediately replace O'Reilly, as many as five brewers came of age under his tutelage and are poised to contribute to the brewery's ongoing innovation, sustainability and growth.

Former Operations Manager, Tim Ohst will be named director of brewery operations and will oversee production at the regional brewery that currently enjoys distribution in six states.

"Brian and I grew up together in the beer business over the last 17 years," Giannopoulos continued. "We're like brothers, and we're excited for Brian, but we're also confident that he's leaving us in good hands."

"There are team members in the brewhouse who have an opportunity to step up," he added.

"It won't be a radical change in the brewery, where there are collaborative efforts every day," adds O'Reilly. "The [Sly Fox] team of lead brewers has been managing brewing day to day for years now, efficiently and professionally."

Next up for O'Reilly is a new brewing venture in partnership with Philadelphia change agent and restaurateur Avram Hornik in the space formerly occupied by Yards Brewing.

About Sly Fox Brewing Company
Since its inaugural brew in 1995, Sly Fox has crafted more than 100 different top-notch craft beers. Its critically acclaimed year-round lineup and highly anticipated seasonals are available in its brewpubs in Phoenixville and Pottstown, as well as top bars and restaurants in PA, NJ, NY, MD, VA and Washington, DC. Sly Fox was the first craft brewery in the mid-Atlantic to put in a canning line, adding it to the facility in 2006, and with it, earned the first-ever Great American Beer Festival (GABF) medal awarded to a canned craft beer, in 2007. Sly Fox has earned GABF medals virtually every year since and is widely recognized as among the region's best and most enduring craft breweries.

Monday, April 09, 2018

More Fox on the run: Sly Fox to grow with a new location

For those of you following along both here and in social media land, you may have caught me slipping some not-quite-confirmed news out there about Sly Fox's future [link to Facebook].

This isn't about that.

Instead, they chose to confirm another "rumor" that had been floating around - that of opening a brewpub in Berks County. Wyomissing to be specific. On the old Vanity Fair outlet complex property to be even more specific.

This strikes close to home for me, literally, as I was raised in Berks County and had my back-to-school fashion needs taken care of with shopping at the outlets - for Lee jeans and other stylish duds.

So in keeping with my proclamation last week that I'd begin sharing select press releases with you, I believe this one certainly falls under the umbrella of news you can use. Sly Fox beer is already distributed in five states, plus D.C., and this move serves to further shore up and invest in their home turf, which I think is a critical move for mid-tier/regional brewery, particularly those of a similar certain age.

And, did someone say "indoor Kan Jam"?!

Regarding that other rumor - another new Sly Fox location, in Malvern, Chester County? That will have to wait for another day.

RUMORS VERIFIED: Sly Fox Opening Brewery Outpost in Wyomissing
Pottstown, Pennsylvania – For more than 20 years, Sly Fox Brewing Company has remained focused on producing quality lagers and ales while building a reputation for their establishments—two festive pubs in southeastern Pennsylvania featuring a revolving list of award-winning beers and a lineup of can’t miss events.

A legendary goat race, a massive outdoor concert and Boot Camp– where the brewery gives away a trip to Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day–are just a few of the many creative events that contribute to making Sly Fox pubs unique in the universe of craft beer destinations.

Since opening their doors in 1995, the Sly Fox pubs have become local fixtures, community allies and favorite spots for beer appreciation. Celebrating, meeting friends and enjoying consistently creative cuisine is what we are about.

The family-owned operation is launching a third location just 20 miles west of the Pottstown brewing operation, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. “We look forward to immersing ourselves in the community and working with local charities and creating activities at the new location,” stated John Giannopoulos, Sly Fox Brewing Company president.

“Wyomissing is a booming neighborhood,” says Giannopoulos. “There are large employers, great residential sections, a museum, and improvement happening all over. There are tons of great street festivals, events, and the restaurant selection is top notch! We are very excited we are to be part of the future growth here.”

The newest Sly Fox outpost will be located at 801 Hill Avenue on the eastern edge of the Borough of Wyomissing in a renovated building that was formerly a part of the expansive VF Outlet. Most recently a Dooney & Bourke™ retail store, the building that Sly Fox Wyomissing will call home is part of a development poised to transform Wyomissing into the ideal live, work, and play location in Berks County.

Philadelphia-based Equus Capital Partners purchased the 24-acre center from Vanity Fair Corporation at the end of 2016 with the intention of redeveloping it as a mixed-use campus. Equus has committed more than $70M into Phase I of the Knitting Mills, and Phase II, a 20-acre site north of the main campus, has already attracted corporate tenants interested in new construction build-to-suit offices.

In addition to retaining the retail outlets and McDonald’s, the campus will be anchored by a new Wawa and corporate office users such as UGI Services’ regional headquarters and Tower Health’s corporate offices.

Incorporated in 1906, Berkshire Knitting Mill began as an experimental hosiery factory and, for a time, was the largest fashion knitting mill in the world.

“There’s a real sense of history here and throughout the Wyomissing area,” reflects Giannopoulos. “With the unique architecture and use of materials, these older buildings evoke a true sense of nostalgia. It’s great to see the community rallying behind it and repurposing the space.”

The 7,000+-square-foot building features two floors and will include a newly installed wrap-around deck. Materials, including 100-year-old bricks from the original Berkshire Knitting Mills, will be featured prominently into the Sly Fox decor and buildout.

“We’re envisioning a casual dining and bar atmosphere upstairs and a game room below like nothing else,” adds Giannopoulos. “The lower space is wide open with room for a stage and bar games. There’s even room for an indoor Kan Jam Tournament!”

Sly Fox Wyomissing will focus on developing a fresh and locally sourced menu to accompany their well-regarded beer portfolio. The convenient location, just off of Penn Avenue, is a prime spot for foodies and craft beer aficionados.

Sly Fox has had a strong presence in Berks County for many years. The brewery formed an alliance with the Reading Fightins two years ago and sponsored the team’s Power Alley Pub.

“We are thrilled to get Sly Fox as a lead tenant and believe they will attract other restaurants and stores as well as providing an important amenity for the employees located on campus and residents of Wyomissing and West Reading,” offers Kevin Flannery, acquisition associate and asset manager at Equus Capital Partners, Ltd.

Sly Fox Brewing Company’s Wyomissing announcement comes hot on the heels of other ambitious changes at the brewery that are being positively received in the beer community.

These changes include a brand refresh and three new offerings: Sly Fox Mudlust Coffee Porter, Vulpulin IPA and Alex’s Lemon Wheat, a brew that benefits the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“We’re really excited to create something special in Wyomissing,” says Giannopoulos. “A local pub that offers our award-winning beer lineup, but more—a community asset that people will love.”

About Sly Fox Brewing Company
Since their inaugural brew in 1995, Sly Fox has crafted more than 100 different top-notch craft beers. Their critically acclaimed year-round lineup and highly anticipated seasonals are available in their brewpubs in Phoenixville and Pottstown, as well as top bars and restaurants in PA, NJ, NY, MD, VA and Washington, DC. They were the first craft brewery in the mid-Atlantic to put in a canning line, adding it to their facility in 2006, and with it, earned the first-ever Great American Beer Festival (GABF) medal awarded to a canned craft beer, in 2007. They have earned GABF medals virtually every year since, including a gold medal for Grisette Summer Ale in 2017, and are widely recognized as among the region’s best and most enduring craft breweries.

Wednesday, August 09, 2017

5 favorite beers of last week (July 31-August 6)

Contrary to my notes below, I did get out of the house last week. But, there was plenty to do around the house and yard, therefore the kegerator's taps were flowing freely. And I wouldn't have these three on tap if they weren't solid. And how about that homebrew from 2010? Still surprising.

(My homebrew in its early development stages.)
~ Chocolate Cherry Imperial Stout (~11%), by The Brew Lounge (in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pa.)
Who knew 53 twelve-ounce bottles could last so long? For starters, it didn't lose its harsh sour cherry edge and show off its rich chocolate characteristic until nearly a year post-bottling. Then, consider it's a roughly 11% ABV beer, bursting with cherry and chocolate flavors; it's more of a sipping sharer than a chugger. This was my second-to-last bottle and I was so impressed by how decently it had held up that I selfishly figured it warranted a place on this list. I don't have a lengthy homebrewing resume, even to the point where I would say it's not fair to other homebrewers to call me a homebrewer, but with results like this one (and the one remaining bottle) I have a decent track record. Now...when will I drink the last bottle?

(Answer to a Jeopardy clue: What are three stellar local beers on tap in my house right now?)
~ Puddlers Row ESB (5.4%), by Conshohocken Brewing Company (Conshohocken, Pa.)
    This sixtel has been on tap at The Brew Lounge twice before. Been a favorite of mine since they opened in 2014 and they've won national recognition for it in competition. A very well-made beer perfect for the segue between the end of a hot summer day and dinnertime.

~ Saison Vos (6.5%), by Sly Fox Brewing Company (Pottstown, Pa.)
    A favorite of mine for longer than the ESB if only for that it's been brewed that much longer than Conshohocken's beers. They're both well-made in their own right. This sixtel has shown up at least a half dozen times, maybe eight or nine times since the kegerator went live on the sunporch. My go-to local Saison, though to be fair, quite a few others are encroaching on that list.

~ Pynk (5.5%), by Yards Brewing Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
    Not too many fruit beers make my best-of lists. Even fewer would ever qualify for a full 5.16 gallons inventory at Chez Kolesar. This one from Yards is a slightly, but refreshingly, tart one and chock full of raspberries and cherries and is also a significant annual fundraiser for the Tyanna Foundation. Time and thirst permitting, there could be a second sixtel on tap before summer's end.

("Levante at The Stables" in Chester Springs, Pa. -- Photo courtesy of Levante Brewing Company)
~ Clean Living Saison (5.5%), by Levante Brewing Company (West Chester, Pa.)
Did someone say refreshing? That's what this Saison from Levante is serving up, with a nice, but not overwhelming, dose of lemongrass and ginger flavors. Had this at their new outpost for Levante beers, called Levante at The Stables, which is also home to at least two food trucks and a side food operation from Split Rail Tavern. The thing is a bit of a joint venture, one of which details I need to, admittedly, learn more about. Quite a suburban/rural undertaking on this striking, nearly 200-year-old, farm property with plenty of parking, entertainment, and room for the kiddies to roam.

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

© 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

Tuesday, August 01, 2017

10 favorite beers of last week (July 10-July 30)

If Beer Weeks can define a week as ten days (or eleven this past year in Philly?), then I'm going to take the liberty of defining my last week of favorite beers as covering 21 days! What can I say? Have I been slacking? Not at all.

Been busy on many fronts, including two weeks of travel to Winston-Salem, NC — you'll see below how that turned out to be such a worthy destination. The first week of this three week period did not have much to write home (or to you) about. But the last ten-plus days certainly made up for it. Read on and let me know if you agree.

(Rich, full, and balanced flavors in a big bottle.)
~ Uísque Fumaça (7%), by 2SP Brewing Company (Aston, Pa.)
The brewery's website lists this under "Special Beers" and it certainly earns that right. Head Brewer Bob Barrar finished this smoked porter in both Cabernet Sauvignon barrels and Rye Whiskey barrels. My personal preference says the quality and the depth of flavor wins with the super smooth and perfectly balanced whiskey version.

(One of the most distinctive looking beers I've had in some time. The color gives this one away.)
~ Ghost Station Berliner Weisse w/ Raspberries (4%), by Crime & Punishment Brewing Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
It's all berry, all tart, and all refreshing. Perfect for summertime and perfect at 4% ABV. Had this during the brewery's 2nd anniversary party. It's the only beer I ordered twice. I love the inspiration behind C&P's beers and naming. With Ghost Station, on their website they describe it as being "Named in honor of the secret trains that ran between East and West Germany during the Cold War. Brewed with 126 pounds of red raspberry puree..."

(A work of art, both on paper and in the glass.)
~ Sofiya (6.1%), by Crime & Punishment Brewing Company (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Lot of very good things happening (or shall I say, brewing) at Crime & Punishment on Girard Avenue. The brewery's first foray into bottling coincided with the anniversary and upon bringing a bottle home with me and later diving headfirst into it, I can report that the barrel-aged Saison (in Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) turned out very, very well.

(Comfy and inviting environs in which to enjoy a Dark Mild, ESB, or Dry Stout.)
~ Dark Mild (3.7%), by Hoots Beer Co. (Winston-Salem, NC)
Once you find Hoots in Winston-Salem's historic West End neighborhood, I challenge you to make it only a short visit. There's no food at the brewery, but the adjacent family-friendly Mexican restaurant - The Porch Kitchen & Cantina - has that covered with ease and you should not miss that either. At Hoots, brewer Dave McClure's (of award-winning brewing history at Foothills and Red Brick) Irish Dry Stout and the ESB are phenomenal, but if I was sessioning the evening away (or the day, for that matter, why not?) the Dark Mild is what you'd find in my hand. Guaranteed, and that's a challenge that I'm willing to take.

(Photogenic bar for a picture perfect beer.)
~ Sorachi Grace Saison (4.8%), by La Cabra Brewing Company (Berwyn, Pa.)
Been a couple few too many weeks since I'd last been to La Cabra. That was thankfully rectified and I was justly rewarded with a nice herbal and citrus balance in this farmhouse ale.

(A lot to like about this airy brewpub outside of Lancaster.)
~ Frican Saison (6.2%), by Mad Chef Craft Brewing (East Petersburg, Pa.)
Rounding out my three 2-year anniversary parties in three weekends as Mad Chef in the middle on July 22. Their food, as much as their beer, continues to really impress me. So, do I put up the American IPA (6.3%), the Frican Saison (6.2%), or the F-18 IPA (6.3%) up as my favorite of the week? Tough call, but Saison is unmistakably my favorite year-round go-to style. At Mad Chef, brewer Sean Raney has nailed it. If you're anywhere near Lancaster, Mad Chef should be on your list of three breweries to visit.

(Just your run-of-the-mill Monday draft board at TJ's.)
~ Supplication (7%), by Russian River Brewing Company (Santa Rosa, Ca.)
We're fortunate in the Philly area to have access to a near year-round supply of beers from the vaunted Russian River from California. When this sour cherry ale, aged in Pinot Noir barrels, can show up on a random Monday at TJ's in the suburban town of Paoli, yeah, you know were fortunate. This, btw, is likely my favorite from the brewery's sour side of the menu, as it sports the trifecta of brettanomyces, lactobacillus, and pediococcus while spending a year in the barrels.

(Solid summer beer to enjoy all day long.)
~ SRT Ale (4.6%), by Sly Fox Brewing Company (Pottstown & Phoenixville, Pa.)
I recently picked up a sixtel of Saison Vos, the beer that has appeared in my home kegerator more than any other in the seven years of proud kegerator ownership, and while at the brewery also was fortuitous to come home with some canned Hop Project 002 and SRT Ale. The SRT makes an annual appearance in the spring and draws its inspiration from the SRT (Schuylkill River Trail), to which proceeds from this beer's sales are donated. It's a low-alcohol, hop-forward ale that I'm sorry I did get to sooner than mid-summer. The Hop Project is packaged in 16 oz. cans with the removable lid. This version in the series/project is sporting Centennial, Simcoe, and Denali hops and goes down all too easily.

(Two Old Hos hanging out together, one from '05 and the other from '06.)
~ Old Horizontal [2005] (11%), by Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Parkesburg, & Kennett Square, Pa.)
If you follow me closely on social media (and, duh, why wouldn't you?! I use social media much more responsibly than some people. **handy FB link and Twitter link**), you may have noticed I've been working my way through a whole bunch of vintage beers. Many of which have very little business still being around 10+ years after bottling, much less five. This "Old Ho" from Victory has actually held up rather well after nearly 12 years. Not too much sherry or oxidation notes. Poured carefully to leave behind the sludge (though, surprisingly not too much), this is still a nice rather rich drinking barleywine that has held up similarly to certain Brooklyn Monster and Sierra Nevada Bigfoot barleywines.

(Plenty of both indoor and outdoor space to enjoy excellent beers from Wise Man.)
~ Week's Work English Mild (3.3%), by Wise Man Brewing Company (Winston-Salem, NC)
Unlike Hoots, Wise Man is very easy to find. Just off the edge of downtown W-S, the 7-month-old brewery is making a strong impression with beers that wander into the extreme. Rebel Funk Brett Saison (6.3%) and Table of Brotherhood Tart Wheat IPA (5.5%) are two such examples. But, similar to Hoots, they really, really (did I say "really"?) caught my attention with their low alcohol offerings -- Week's Work English Mild, Scoop Dogg Cream Ale (5.6%), and Open Confession Scottish Ale (3.6%). The brewery is very kid friendly, very dog friendly, food truck friendly, and well good independent beer-friendly.

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

Tuesday, June 06, 2017

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.

Friday, April 21, 2017

April 2017: News update, part 2

A variety of brews news, much of which was picked up in just the last few days. The first one, though, might be a bit dated for a few of you. Grab a beer and enjoy. Cheers!

~ If you ever wondered what happened to Patrick Jones, former brewer at Triumph in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood. [link to Northwest Indiana Times]

~ Just got this e-mail yesterday. I really like the sound of it and will need to look further into it. [link to Artisanal Imports]

~ Philly Beer Scene Awards for 2017 are now open for voting. [link to Philly Beer Scene]

~ Tony Forder from Ale Street News weighs in with astute observations from the annual Craft Brewers Conference. [link to Ale Street News]

~ I can only speak about half of these. I've got some more work to do! [link to Visit Cumberland Valley]

~ Very cool article about Wegmans, Sly Fox, and friend Ned Foley's Two Particular Acres. [link to Wegmans]

~ Something new and shiny in West Philly. [link to Dock Street Brewing Company]

~ Taking in the super-sized NFL Draft spectacle on the Ben Franklin Parkway? Here are some drinking options. [link to Philly.com]

~ Insights to the state of the industry from longtime analyst Peter Cherpack. [link to The Full Pint]

~ And before all this CBC went down in DC, Jim Koch from Boston Beer let this out into the wild for our consideration. [link to New York Times]

~ If I was going to Pittsburgh's Craft Beer Week, I'd definitely be studying up on this from Bob Batz. [link to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Thursday, September 29, 2016

We Be Jammin' at the annual Sly Fox Can Jam Festival 2016

(a picture-perfect day for big crowds at Can Jam Festival 2016 at Sly Fox Brewing Company in Pottstown, Pa.)

The annual Can Jam Festival at Sly Fox's brewery in Pottstown, Pa. has quickly (and somewhat quietly) become one of the region's destination events. I say "quietly" because the early years of this festival were more exclusively focused on the competition - the Kan Jam tournament. I won't go into much detail of game rules here, but basically it works like any two-person team game such as horseshoes. In Kam Jam, teams alternate throwing discs to open cans 50 feet away. Points are earned a variety of ways and scoring goes to 21. It's addictive.

So addictive that, while I don't have documented or validated numbers on this, my guess is that in the early years of Sly Fox-hosted Kan Jam tournaments held in the city during Philly Beer Week, there were no more than 16 teams. Who knows, maybe 8 teams?

Click here for a look back to the 2012 tournament held at the Four Seasons Hotel where William Reed (Standard Tap/Johnny Brenda's/and a new venture soon-to-be-named) and I took second place.

By the time the tournament was taken out to the brewery's Phoenixville location (on a very uninviting and unforgiving macadam parking lot), the game was really catching on and (again, guessing here) there could have been 16 or 32 participating teams. Still, it was mostly about the game.

Then in 2012, after the brewery opened its impressive location in Pottstown (at the edge of the Pottstown Municipal Airport, if you've never been....I still grin when I see that they're located on Circle of Progress Drive), many events were naturally moved there to the much more accommodating space for large events.

I recall talking with owner John Giannopoulos in Phoenixville during the Goat Races one year saying something to the extent of "...your new location is so perfect for events like this (Goat Races). You've got to move it there; you're going to right?...." His response was rooted in skepticism that fans of the brewery would "find them in" and make the effort to go to Pottstown.

I think that the crowds that show up for the Goat Races in May, the Can Jam Festival in September, Cyclocross in November, and many other medium- and large-scale events held in Pottstown have rightfully concluded that Sly Fox has one of the region's more ideal brewery (and brewery event) locations.

The 2012 Can Jam Festival attracted 64 teams and you can see a full picture gallery here.

(from left: Charlie Sciandra, Kan Jam inventor; Brian O'Reilly, Sly Fox Brewmaster; Corey Reid, Sly Fox Ambassador at Can Jam Festival 2016 at Sly Fox Brewing Company in Pottstown, Pa.)

Back to Can Jam Festival circa 2016. This past weekend's tournament saw 160 registered teams (!) playing in double-elimination bracket format. That's 320 players. And consequently, 320 automatic customers of the brewery before one additional guest showed up. Further, in one of the wisest moves, a few years ago, Sly Fox added music to the day's events. Wise, I say, because teams that exit the tournament quickly might likely pack up and head home otherwise. With the lineup of five spectacular local bands, there's all the more reason to stay and, naturally, drop a few more dollars the brewery's way.

The brewery estimates that upwards of 3,000 people in total were in attendance for Can Jam 2016. This year, there was Ben Arnold, American Babies, Jason Fraticelli, and Chestnut Grove on the live music docket. But the band that I really wanted to see (for the second time this year... the first time being during Philly Beer Week at Deschutes Street Pub) was Swift Technique, the amazing local Philly funk band that puts the art in party.

Want to see the Swift Technique band in action? Check this video over at YouTube.

Pictures are very few in number this year as I teamed up with Patrick Mullin (former Director of Sales at Sly Fox) for the tournament. We went five rounds before finally bowing out. We had a good thing going until it ran out of steam. Not a bad thing as we got to focus on the people, the beer, the food, and the music.

Canned beer, draft beer, pizza kitchen, outdoor grill, merchandise, official games, practice courts, and live music. All components in what is now a successful, full-fledged festival.

P.S. Did I forget to mention that given that this is now generally accepted as the largest Kan Jam Tournament in the world, the game's inventor Charlie Sciandra showed up to recognize and participate in the event? You can see longtime brewery fixture, Corey Reid, introduce him here in this YouTube video.

Friday, March 04, 2016

Beer News You Should Know - Jan.-Feb. 2016

The pace of change in the beer world has never been greater. As the industry continues to move and shake, rattle and roll, and find its footing to move confidently into the future, the only constant is change.

On a somewhat regular basis, I'm going to attempt to keep you in the know with some of the most noteworthy news items happening. I'll focus primarily on the region (defined as I see fit) centered around my home turf of Philadelphia. And, considering I wrote a book about the PA, NJ, MD, and DE beer scenes and continuously stay abreast of changes within those four states, I'll likely cover newsy happenings from Erie to the Eastern Shore, Bayonne to Baltimore, and Pittsburgh back to Philly.

Let's try to knock off the first two months of 2016 in succinct bulletpoints and see where we go from there. Of course, if I missed anything you deem noteworthy, please hit up the comments below.

(in no particular order, seriously)

Mispillion River - as the Philly market continues to house one of the country's most diverse retail beer collections from around the world, it's great to see new ones available in the Philly market from just a few miles down the road in Milford, Del. Keep your eyes open for three-year-old Mispillion River Brewing Company and their excellent beers such as Beach Bum Joe (Belgian Pale) and Double Chin (Double IPA). [Link to Philly Beer Scene]

Southern Tier - on the heels of announcing the joint venture/partnership/don't-call-it-a-sellout with Victory Brewing Company, a plan to open a brewpub in Pittsburgh's North Shore neighborhood was announced by Southern Tier Brewing Company. The Lakewood, NY-based brewery plans to set up along the bank of the Allegheny River in between Heinz Field and PNC Park and joins Penn Brewery, Grist House Brewing Company, and Draai Laag Brewing Company on Pittsburgh's increasingly popular North Shore across from downtown. [Link to STBC's news page]

Victory - speaking of that joint venture between Victory and Southern Tier, all short-term signs point to continued business as usual. Under the Artisanal Brewing Ventures holding company, Victory's 52 original investors get paid out in a combination of stock shares and cash and Ron Barchet becomes COO. According to VBC, the previously-planned brewpub for Leesburg, Va. is currently on hold. Will be interesting to see if they fold in any additional mid- to small-tier breweries in the coming months. [Link to Victory Brewing Company]

ShawneeCraft - ShawneeCraft Brewing Company is a standout brewing operation in northeast Pennsylvania on the doorstep of the Pocono Mountains. They recently announced that the grand opening for Scratch – their unique and collaborative food-beer retail operation inside the Easton Public Market in downtown Easton, Pa. – will be on March 18. [Link to Scratch's website]

Boaks - One of NJ's earliest homebrewers to turn pro, Brian Boaks and his Boaks beer have been around festivals and here and there for quite a few years. Now, he's decided to close up shop and deplete his inventory at a bunch of "Farewell Tour" upcoming events. The Great Beer Expo in Philly on June 4 will be one of the last chances to get his commercially brewed Boaks beer. [Link to Boaks' blog]

Susquehanna - the only time I visited Susquehanna Brewing Company, I was surprised such a beautiful brewing facility had no real tasting room. That's about to be rectified tomorrow, March 5, and that's a really good thing considering some of my favorite beers from them (thinking: Southern Rye IPA, Pils Noir, and especially the Goldencold Lager) that should be enjoyed by the glassful while sitting and chatting with others. [Link to SBC's tour page]

Saucony Creek - Also tomorrow, March 5, Kutztown, Pa. will see its Saucony Creek Brewing Company add on a gastropub, extending the experience of a visit to the brewery. Check out the announcement for all the festivities surrounding the opening and the brewery's third anniversary celebration. [Link to SCBC's press release]

Homebrewers - The Homebrew Con (formerly known as National Homebrewers Conference - can't imagine the need for name change, but I digress) is descending upon Baltimore, Md. from June 9-11. The most amazing confluence of education, events, vendors, and beer judging will take over the city's convention center and, I'm sure, dozens of bars and breweries for an unforgettable experience. I look forward to covering the excellent event in the excellent city of Baltimore; attendees are in for a treat. Maybe I should plug my book for advice of what to see/do! [Link to NHC event website]

New Jersey - I was surveyed and contributed to New Jersey Monthly's sweet 16 of brewery braketology with my top six breweries (ask nicely, and I might share that list with you). This is a mighty fine list from the Garden State. Now it's up to you to crown the best. [Link to New Jersey Monthly]

Sly Fox - Gosh, I recall ten years ago when the thought of merging running and beer events elicited hardly anything but scoffs and jeers. My running/beer events that I conducted were always wildly popular, but nothing like what breweries and bars have come up with these days. Case in point: check out the Sly Fox Fox Trot 5-K and accompanying Tap, Tunes, & Trucks festival. [Link to Sly Fox's event page]

Yards - Looks like Yards is ready to grow again. Hard to believe that the once-spacious building on Delaware Avenue is already reaching capacity. Read the article; stay away from the comments. [Link to Philly.com]

Meeting Of The Malts - Finally, a meeting of some of the brightest minds and most recognizable figures in the brewing industry are set up for a triple play of events in Bethlehem, Pa. on March 24. Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada), Jim Koch (Boston Beer), and Dick Yuengling (D.G. Yuengling & Son) will hold court from 7:15 p.m.-9:30 p.m. under the banner of Meeting of the Malts to discuss the current state of affairs in the business of beer. Bookending this event, at which time a five-course beer-pairing meal will be served, the Pennsylvania Brewpub Festival will happen from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. and a "Prohibition Party" will take place from 10:15 p.m.-12 a.m. at The Foundry Room in the Sands Casino Resort. Should be a fun, educational, and tasty night. [Link to Brewers of PA event page]

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

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....

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Band of Brewers played on at World Café Live: March 2, 2014

This event has the makings of becoming a permanent fixture on the annual Philly Beer Events calendar. I was not able to attend the inaugural version in 2013, but watched YouTube from afar (like... 3,000 miles afar) and was envious of all who got to see talented brewery staff take the stage to rock out and show another creative side of themselves.

Philly Beer Scene's Mat Falco again organized the raucous afternoon at the accommodating World Café Live where many beer events have been held over the years.

A few hundred came out to see seven breweries took to the stage (Victory, Sly Fox, Weyerbacher, Neshaminy Creek, Tröegs, Yards, and Philadelphia Brewing) and no one disappointed. Beers from each of the breweries were available as was a limited food menu from the kitchen.

The judging panel consisted of local beer luminaries Suzanne Woods (Allagash), Casey Parker (Jose/Sancho Pistola's), and Dennis Hewlett (the "POPE") along with JUMP magazine founder, George Miller.

They awarded third place to Neshaminy Creek, second place to Yards, and first place to Philadelphia Brewing Company. Check out videos from each of the brewery performers below.

Band of Brewers first place presentation by The Brew Lounge.

Weyerbacher's Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Neshaminy Creek's Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Yards' Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Tröegs' Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Sly Fox's Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Victory's Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Philadelphia Brewing's first place winning Band of Brewers by The Brew Lounge.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sly Fox takes over

This is something the likes of which The Brew Lounge has never seen. Three beers from the same brewery on tap at the same time at The Brew Lounge. When three of four taps are dominated with beers from the same brewery (75% for some quick, high-order math), that sounds like a bona fide tap takeover to me. (Not three out of thirty, don't get me started.)

Around the time of my running of the NYC Marathon, I had a fortuitous note from the good people at Sly Fox that a bit of smooth and delectable Oatmeal Stout would be available at the brewery in Pottstown. They know of The Brew Lounge's (and the Missus') fondness for the occasionally-brewed Oatmeal Stout. Very little of it makes it outside of the brewery and is typically on tap at their two locations around this time every year, depending upon their brewing capacity and schedule.

While talking sixtels, I casually asked without any expectation if/when Black Raspberry Reserve might find its way into kegs for the retail market. (The old adage that goes something like "you'll never know if you don't ask" applies in this case, for sure.) This, also a wonderful beer and one of The Brew Lounge's favorites from this 18-year-old Pennsylvania award-winning brewery, likewise rarely makes it out into the broader marketplace, save for 750ml caged/corked bottles.

A mighty fine beer any time of day, it can also serve as a great brunch beer with its dominant fruit flavor and smooth texture. If you think breakfast drink options consist of stouts, mimosas, or bloody marys, this is one you should definitely consider.

Lucky, lucky. They'd just brewed a small batch and it would be available within a week or so. I couldn't say "yes, please" quickly enough.

So, what's left? Well, in the two plus years since Exton Beverage installed The Brew Lounge's kegerator, if there was a beer that has earned anything close to permanent tap marker status, there's no doubt it would be the Saison Vos from Sly Fox. I've long considered this to be (and still hold it to be) one of the finest of its style this side of the ocean.

"I might as well pick up one of these too, right? We'll call it a tap takeover."

And that's the story of how The Brew Lounge stumbled into its first ever Tap Takeover. This will be fun. For reservations at The Brew Lounge, drop a note to me and we'd be happy for you to stop in for a taste :-D

Otherwise, stop by the Pottstown or Phoenixville locations for the year-round Saison Vos or Pottstown (only) for the Oatmeal Stout — while supplies last, that is. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending upon your preference), the Black Raspberry Reserve is currently available only for retail in 750ml bottles.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Eating well this holiday season with The Homebrew Chef

By now, most well-traveled beer folks that also like to eat and drink well (that's a part of the profile, is it not?) have likely heard the name Sean Z. Paxton. If not, perhaps the name Homebrew Chef is more familiar.

Paxton is a self-taught chef who has been treating tens of thousands of eager fans across the country to his delectable masterpieces from the kitchen that both incorporate our favorite beverage as well as that pair perfectly with it in a glass. It doesn't hurt that, though he travels the world in search of great beer and food for both serving and personal consumption, he hails from gastronomically-blessed northern California.

As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, many will find great help in his holiday menu suggestions over at his website.

Additionally, he recently sent along a couple of dessert recipes that landed in the pages of Draught Lines magazine, a glossy newsletter from Origlio Beverage. I'd written about some fun ideas for the holiday season and used a recipe for Hophead Peanut Brittle and one for Narwhal Truffles (pages 9-10, by the way).

A third recipe, which to me was the most appealing of them all, did not make the cut due to space issues.

It's called Spiced Beer Cake with Hazelnut Beer Brittle and Barleywine Mascarpone Mousse. I would be complete neglecting my responsibility of bringing you the best of the beer and food world if I did not find a place to share this with you.

Sure the recipe looks long, but when you break it down in to bite-size tasks (sort of a pun, I suppose, fully-intended) as Paxton has done in laying out the ingredients and instructions, you will see that the preparation can begin three days prior to the final assembly of the dessert.

It also helps that Paxton's recipe-writing skills allow the home cook to read the recipe as if Paxton himself is in the kitchen serving as personal coach. This is one recipe that I plan to serve up at our Thanksgiving meal next week.

Go check it out for yourself over at my space in The Washington Times Communities and judge for yourself.