Escape with some Refreshing Thoughts from a Local Brewer

Brewers blogs are nice, sometimes quite useful. Sometimes, though, they tend to be a bit dry, fact-based, and not very insightful with regard to their deepest most honest opinions. Chris Leonard has a new blog that he snuck up on us; I haven't noticed anyone else linking to it. I found it somewhat buried on the tiedhouse's website when I was looking for more information about Lew Bryson's Session Beer event during Philly Beer Week. This blog has got some good stuff written by Chris that certainly provides food for thought. Speaking of food and thought, the post that caught my attention the most was the one related to birthday cakes. (not brewing related, surprised?) Anytime I've been out for a birthday meal for a co-worker, or such, I've always wondered about what the restaurant's real opinion of the cake was that we might happen to bring through the door with us. Hearing Chris' thoughts on this subject and others he raise are quite refreshing and revealing. He has the tone that suggests he might not stick with it long term. I hope he does.

Run, Beer, and Brunch this coming Weekend?

This weekend, anyone interested in a 13.1 mile run, then brunch at the tiedhouse? (disclaimer: I'm not buying) Shoot an email to me and we can coordinate day and time. (p.s. at 138 non-space characters, this is the closest you'll see me to Twittering...well, except for the spaces and this parenthetical which pushes me over ;-) Maybe I'll put it on My Wall at Facebook? ha!

Getting Back Off The Wagon

After gutting my way through the last mile and a half of the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, Patty and I met up with friends at The Tiedhouse where we had a table for nine. The Abbey Blonde was my first beer of choice, followed by a Bière de Framboises. With a Brewmaster's Breakfast Bowl and beer under my belt, I started to bonk. (Though, I don't think I bonked nearly as badly as did the Eagles...but that is a topic that shan't be discussed here.) Aches and pains from Sunday's marathon have subsided, but since then I've contracted a nasty cold. Apparently, and understandably, the body's immune system takes a beating during such a physical exertion so it's no surprise that I'm at the greatest risk for getting sick in the days immediately following the race. I should be back in the swing of things by this weekend. The time between the Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays will be a great time for beer here in the Philadelphia region. It begins with a dinner at The Farmhouse in Emmaus, a Stout event at Union Jack's, and an Open House at Philadelphia Brewing this coming weekend. Enjoy what will, for many of you, be a "long weekend." Here are a few more pictures related to the Marathon. Signs of support from friends and family Part of my "recovery plan."

We Ran so Fast, We Ran Through the Rain

And, we ran so fast, we didn't get as wet as if we'd run slower ;-) A Few Light Showers. Please define 'Light'. 7 runners and 8 cyclists gathered outside General Lafayette Inn & Brewery on Saturday. I considered this a great turnout given only 4 days notice and a chance of rain. It wasn't raining at the time. But with only light showers forecasted and half our run being under a canopy of autumn colors, how bad could it be?...asks the fool. Plus, running or biking in a light drizzle can actually be pleasant. Not so pleasant were the occasional downpours that we ran through. Nonetheless, everyone seemed pleased with the route, their run, and more importantly the beer and food that awaited us at the Tiedhouse in Fairmount. I'll have more to come on the Tiedhouse in the near future. From a few hours spent there this weekend and a look at the food and drink menu, I can tell that it's just one more reason for me to miss living in the Fairmount neighborhood. If you didn't catch the upper-case shouting below, the Brewmasters Breakfast Bowl on the new weekend brunch menu (we were the first brunch customers in Tiedhouse history) is the perfect after-race meal. In the meantime, you should make your own visit there and tell me what you think. There's a very good chance that I'll be hosting, but no paying for, a post-marathon luncheon at the Tiedhouse on 11/23. You'll all be the first to know if this will happen. (The General's proprietor, Chris Leonard, lays out the route for Matt, Greg, Jay, Courtney, and Bree) (Is this a race?) (Refueling is key) Fresh Beer from The General and some of the best stuff not from The General (BREWMASTERS BREAKFAST BOWL. Yes, I'm shouting.)

The General to The Tiedhouse: We Run Tomorrow

Don't forget, you don't need to RSVP. Just show up at the General Lafayette tomorrow morning between 9:30-10:00 for a 10:15 departure. Again, this is not a race and runners and cyclists alike are welcome to join in for this autumn roll down the Wissahickon and Schuylkill. RAIN OR SHINE! If you'd like a sneak peek at our scenic route that we'll be taking, check it out over here.

Beer Run this Saturday

Come join Chris Leonard of General Lafayette and me on a 13.1 mile run from Lafayette Hill to Philadelphia's home of the new Tiedhouse. He and I could both use a lift as we come down the homestretch of preparation for the Philadelphia Marathon on 11/23. Run it or Bike it. It's one of the most beautiful routes through the Philly region into the heart of the city with...wait for it...beer and brunch awaiting us at the end...here's the tap list as of earlier this week. The official details follow below. It may be short notice, but you've gotta get outside for some exercise anyways, right?!

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BEER RUN – THE TWO SWEETEST WORDS WANNA RUN? THIRSTY, NEED BEER? JUST SHOW UP, NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED Saturday, November 8, 2008; meet @ 9:30am; leave @ 10:15am > Start: General Lafayette Inn & Brewery; 646 Germantown Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA > End: Tiedhouse; 2001 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, PA * One hydration station will be located roughly at the midpoint of the route * Transportation will not be provided back to Lafayette Hill; but, contact Bryan@BrewLounge.com for possible carpooling options This is not a sanctioned or sponsored race event; you will run at your own risk. However, to get your first round free at the new Tiedhouse gastropub in Philly, you'll need to show up at The General Lafayette and run or bike 13.1 miles along one of the most scenic routes in the Philly area. This coming Saturday, come meet in Lafayette Hill, PA at The General Lafayette at 9:30am for a prompt 10:15am departure down along Forbidden Drive, Wissahickon Creek, and Kelly Drive into the Fairmount Section of Philly and the new Tiedhouse restaurant. Your first beer will be on the house; there may even be prizes. But, you must have first run or biked from The General Lafayette. Whether you're in the tapering stage leading up to the Philly Marathon on 11/23 or simply looking for some exercise with fellow beer lovers, this couldn't be a more appropriate run to do this coming weekend. Plus, the weather forecast looks great for a beautiful autumn run. For more information or with questions, contact Bryan@BrewLounge.com

Tap List at The Tiedhouse in Philadelphia, PA - 11/3/08

I'll have an announcement tomorrow which will explain why I'm jazzed to share this week's tap list at The Tiedhouse with you. The Tiedhouse draft list as of 11/3/08: GENERAL LAFAYETTE Beers: Tiedhouse Lager Sunset Red Ale Pacific Pale Ale Chocolate Thunder Porter East Coast IPA Octoberphest Cuvee de Lafayette - Belgian ale blended by GLI specifically for Tiedhouse 275th Anniversary Ale Lafayette's Escape The Mirage Raspberry Mead Ale Biere de Framboises On deck: Novemberfest, 2005 Phantom NON-GENERAL LAFAYETTE beers Harpoon Hefeweizen Victory Storm King Harpoon Leviathan IPA Allagash Trippel Ommegang Hennepin On deck: Weyerbacher Double Simcoe, Merry Monks, Ommegang Rouge