Flagship February daily feature - Tired Hands SaisonHands

Today's featured Flagship Beer of February comes from one of the Philadelphia region's most sought after breweries of at least the last 5 years. In my travels around our country's beer world, the reference brewery question I hear most often when I mention where I hail from is, let's say 8 out of 10 times, Tired Hands.

Owner Jean Broillet made his way from Weyerbacher through Iron Hill before deciding to strike out on his own, choosing Ardmore as home to his long-percolating plan for Tired Hands. And the beer fans quickly caught on to the brewery's frequent releases and mind-bending names that accompanied the flavorful and unique beers - most of them either yeast-driven or hop-focused - that boosted the Tired Hands name and cachet.

Today, the Tired Hands family includes the original Brew Café, Fermentaria, the General Store, The Dispensary, and, as of just this last week, the announcement of an intended satellite in the Kensington river ward neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Saison has long been one of my most dependable, year-round, go-to styles. For my personal palate, both in the glass and when paired with foods, its versatility and complexity rarely disappoints. This Tired Hands version fits the bill perfectly and is the only saison from a local brewery to make this list of 28 as a Flagship.

Now click the picture below for a full feature on Tired Hands SaisonHands.

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 this beer at Tired Hands when visiting for an afternoon session with friends.

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© 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

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June 2017: News update, part 2

A smattering of this and that to bring you up-to-speed from the last week or so of interesting news.

~ Betting this will be a better launch than the previous occupant's. [Link to Philly.com]

~ Rather odd, yet somehow not surprising, story. [Link to RateBeer.com]

~ Interesting bit of development in Ardmore. [Link to Philly.com]

~ Been a fan of Scott Smith and his East End brewery in Pittsburgh for quite a while. Here's an interesting story from him. [Link to East End Brewing's website]

~ Wow! Now that didn't take long. [Link to The Town Dish]

~ Lists are lists. This is a decent one and difficult to quibble with. [Link to Food and Wine]

~ Another list. This one an annual list from Zymurgy with a significant change atop it. [Link to the Brewers Assocation]

~ The Pistola's crew is shooting for another success in a third neighborhood. Smart money says this will likewise be a winner. [Link to Philadelphia Magazine]

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© 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

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Tired Hands, Construction Update #5

(FarmHands and HopHands, two Tired Hands beers that you should be seeing plenty of and enjoying plenty)

Tired Hands is so close to opening that you can smell it. Literally.

Owner Jean Broillet is readying eight beers for tap lines that will flow his tasty brew house creations on opening day. The opening will be rather "soft" with a grander opening coming in June.

My last stop prior to heading off to Belgium came two weeks ago when he and his crew were sanding wood floors, brewing beer, and awaiting the last inspection which should be coming any day now and for which all signs point to an opening day before the end of the month.

Here are a few pictures from my last visit at the beginning of May. I'll look forward to seeing you there in June.

(Signs of progress and creativity are all around Tired Hands Brewing Company)

(In the cold box with HopHands on makeshift tap)

(The first floor bar and tap tower)

(The first floor bar)

(Second floor being turned into a very comfortable space)

(From the second floor staircase looking down on the first floor bar)

(At work on Foliage)

(Broillet channeling his creativity circa 2006 in the foothills of the Adirondacks)

Tired Hands, Construction Update #4

Follow this link to Google+ and 20 more pictures

As is the way with many new breweries today, Tired Hands has worked the social (and free) media quite well to its advantage.

Owner Jean Broillet has kept up via a website/blog and Facebook with details and pictures of his progress from various assistant brewer/cellarman/server positions to owner of a barn-kept brewery to proud proprietor of a suburban brew cafe, due to open (pending final inspections, of course) sometime around the middle of May.

Jean posted two days ago just how very close he is to opening the doors of his dream to share with all.

I'll be away during that time and Broillet mentioned that he won't be able to hold back the opening until I return, so I stopped in this past weekend for a last look. Though, with the Cricket Lane festival on 4/28, I may yet get one more last look with even more final-looking pictures to share with you.

To keep this brief — I know how many of you snicker in my attempts to do so — I'll leave you with my impression that this will be one of the Philadelphia area's most comfortable meeting places for socializing amongst friends, noshing on small plates of honest food, and downing some high-quality beers - particularly Saisons.

Jean and his core team (Collin Farrell- (mostly) of Iron Hill and Manayunk fame, Jeff McCracken- recently departed Manayunk Brewery after a few years of solid service helping turn around their reputation, and Colin "The Magick Man") have all been working tirelessly at creating a very warm, comfortable, and inviting space.

This should be no where more evident than in the second floor space, with plenty of exposed brick and ceiling, handcrafted tap handles, and repurposed barn beams and staircases in a bar area that might have turned out to be double the original anticipated size. Once finished, I think many of you will agree that this is the perfect hideaway from the troubles of the outside world.

They've also been brewing up a storm in the rear of the long cafe space with the "typical" Chico-based fermentations taking place on the first/main floor and the "funky Saison"-based fermentations being secluded in the basement where all kinds of wonderful things can happen. They've just brewed the 10th batch of beer, Tabel ("a riff on a wit bier and brewed with lemon verbena and green peppercorns") and also have a batch of FarmHands Saison bubbling away in the brewhouse.

Tactile will be served at the Ardmore festival on the 28th, so you'll have one more chance to try this beer before you'll have the pleasure of sitting at his cafe on Ardmore Avenue. Jean describes the Tactile as an "exceedingly aromatic rye-based pale ale". I had a chance to try it at the 2nd anniversary party of Station Taproom in Downingtown, Pa. just this past weekend and I think that many will find this to be quite a pleasant and refreshing 5%-ish beer. And, if you define your session (yes, you're allowed to do that all by yourself — I'm an Oxford Comma guy too, whatchya gonna do?!) in the 5% range as I do, then you'll be likely to see many of these disappearing over the course of a night spent at the future Tired Hands.

Enough for now. Check out the pictures. Follow Tired Hands as they come down the home stretch and welcome them to Ardmore.

Oh, yes and that one more thing (Columbo reference?). If you want to get in on the ground floor and say that you were a part of getting Tired Hands up and running, Jean mentioned that Believer's Club memberships are still available to those that wouldn't mind being a part of the club, receive its benefits, and drink beer at a prepaid discount. Check out the link with all the details.

Weekly Brew Bits Update: 2/27/12

February may only have 29 days, but even for the dead of winter, there was no shortage of beer news to share. Here's a bit more from the last week of the month.

PHILADELPHIA
~ Lew Bryson, Senator McIlhenny, and a roomful of beer lovers discussed evolving legislation at Yards on 2/9. Philly Beer Scene's Mat Falco was there and shared audio from the event.

~ While we're on the topic of Yards, BeerNews.org has an interview with Yards' Tom Kehoe and the recently-dismissed operations manager, Steve Mashington. They discussed the phenomenal growth and plans at the brewery over the past few years.

~ Chris LaPierre, Philly Beer Week 2012's collaborative brewer from Iron Hill, has blogged some words and pictures from the big brew day over at Brasserie Dupont in Belgium.

~ About Philly Beer Week, wish I'd written this, but then again I wasn't there. Great piece by this beer guy Craig LaBan ;-)

EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ "The end result is an elegant and succinct brewery/cafe space, with floor drains in every room, that can comfortably house one hundred and eleven people enjoying a glass of Saison." That's a quote in a recent blog post from Jean Broillet, owner of the soon-to-be Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore, Pa., a place that from that quote makes me very anxious to be paying customer there.

~ Evil Eye PA. They're calling it a sessionable IPA and, at 6%, it'll be pushing that boundary a bit for some. None the less, these new suburban Philadelphian brewers, Luke Bowen, Trevor Hayward, and Mark Braunwarth, at Evil Genius are contracting their beers out of Four Horseman in South Bend, Indiana and if you've seen any of their beer around the area, share with the group please.

~ I've still got a few more spoonfuls of chili to work off from yesterday's Chili Challenge at Victory. They've got all sorts of fun planned to coincide this year with the brewery's 16th anniversary. A new one I learned of was the new Chocolate Lager, brewed in collaboration with nearby Eclat Chocolate in West Chester, Pa. This beer won't last long, so get yourself to the pub soon and try this delicious beer.

~ How about one more bit from Victory? Matt Krueger is still raising money to fight the good fight against cancer. Here's a way that your contributions can benefit you. Do the right thing.

~ Female fans of great beer continue to band together in appreciation and support of their favorite beverage. The West Chester Beer Ladies group continues to grow and now they'll be brewing a beer at the West Chester location of Iron Hill. On Wednesday, in two days, they'll be gathering at Iron Hill to toss back a few beers, announce the collaboration brew, and hear from guest brewer, Whitney Thompson, of Victory Brewing.

THE REST OF PLANET EARTH
~ One last blurb from SF Beer Week comes in the form of a 15 minute long video wrap up of Celebrator Magazine's anniversary party, which every year is a Bay Area Beer Highlight. (Philly Beer Week shout-out at 10:40)

~ And in other northern California news, for those of you that love the behind-the-scenes type of stuff and Pliny the Younger too, you'll probably like this video shot during the initial brewpub release of PtY.

~ Must not be much of a man, if twisting a cap makes him feel like one. Loser. Keep drinking the swill and puffing the chest.

~ And, while you're at it Einstein, keep rubbing your nose grease and boogers and sticking it in your beer to kill the head. Thanks, Mr. Sixpack for an informative article. Or you could treat your beer and pour it properly to begin with.

Tired Hands, Construction Update #3

Tired Hands Brewing Company, 16 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, Pa 19003

The only thing that was for sure when today began was that we were heading into Philly, taking the dogs to a dog park (Schuylkill River Park), and making a few beer pick ups for an upcoming event.

After a sidewalk lunch at Dock Street, we opted for the westward route out of the city along Lancaster Avenue and found ourselves saying, "hey, I wonder if Jean is at Tired Hands today".

Ha! As if he'd be anywhere else ;-)

You could argue that I should always travel with my "big boy" camera, but today I did not. However, the iPhone is usually up to the task of taking halfway decent pictures.

So, here are a few from my impromptu and unofficial (but, yet, by me posting this, I suppose it has now become official....phlegh, I'm beginning to lose even myself here) visit to the soon-to-be official location of Tired Hands Brewing Company.

By the way, for a more comprehensive (and usually up-to-date) photo chronicle of the progress at this new Ardmore, Pa. brewery, keep up over at its Facebook page and/or its website/blog.

(A temporary reminder amongst the construction site)

(More temporary reminders of what's to come)

(Someday soon the sign will be gone, but the beer will remain)

(Tanks onsite and ready to be put into place)

(Don't worry beer geeks, they're planning with you in mind too..i.e. enlarge the picture and read the fine print)

Weekly Brew Bits Update: 1/2/12

As you begin to come out of your holiday craze and daze, here are some things that you may have missed along the way.

~ Tired Hands continues to make progress...progress that is rapidly picking up pace. Before we know it, there'll be a new opening. This one, in a location desperately needing one. Note to self: get back to Ardmore. Link here back to previous pictures on The Brew Lounge or Link here to new ones from the brewery's Facebook page.

~ But, while Tired Hands and others continue to trudge through their pre-opening construction "fun", Iron Hill has plowed quickly through the last few weeks and opened their ninth location in Chestnut Hill for soft opening dinners this past week. I'll have a few more pictures posted separately here in the next day or so. Until then, go and check out their Facebook photo page and prepare for a grand opening to the public this coming Wednesday, January 4.

~ Have you caught my column over at The Washington Times Communities recently? I took a stab at a Top 10 Brewers list and a Top 10 Craft Beer Themes of 2011. A Top 10 Beers list is coming soon; stay tuned.

~ Jay Brooks uncovered a Philadelphia History of Beer poster. I love these kind of illustrative capsules. Go check it out.

~ In last week's wrap-up post, "KL" commented about progress at Bucks County's Free Will Brewing and Neshaminy Creek Brewing. If you missed it, check back via this link.

~ 2011 left and not a minute too soon. I didn't find anything noteworthy about New Year's Eve to link you to, so let's get on with 2012.

Weekly Brew Bits Update: 12/19/11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tired Hands, Construction Update #2

Tired Hands Brewing Company, 16 Ardmore Avenue, Ardmore, Pa 19003

Quick Notes. Jean Broillet and his team continue to rip away at the old building, finding beautiful brick, stone, and glass that was previously covered. Look for a just-after New Year opening, if all continues apace.

I'll be reviewing a bottle of their FarmHands coming up soon.

Tired Hands are not idle hands

Click Here For All New Pub Opening Updates

Tired Hands Brewing Company, Construction Update #1

Jean, Collin, and the wrecking crew at the future Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore are wasting no time making a brewery out of a former doctor/chiropractor office space.

Did you see the picture Jack Curtin posted on Saturday? He followed up yesterday with some additional notes.

He was there not long after owners Jean and Julie showed up to begin assessing first-day demolition plans. He got a good deal of scoop on plans for later this year when they intend to open, if all goes according to plans.

I showed up later, closer to dinner time, and found Jean with one of his operating owners, Collin Farrell (the former Iron Hill and Manayunk brewer, not the actor) and "Magic Man" Colin (sheer coincidence) armed with sledge hammers, pry bars, and reciprocating saws.

Apparently, in the six hours since Curtin had been there, quite a lot had changed. Fast forward another 24 hours to check out Broillet's pictures posted over on Facebook and you'll find even more progress being made. Today, I'm sure was no different.

No surprise, I suppose, since these guys are young and destruction work is always faster, more fun, and requires last care than does construction.

The next generation of craft brewers is upon us, folks. See also: Forest & Main; McKenzie Brew House; Dock Street; Roy Pitz, just to name a few. Get ready.

There will be plenty more construction updates and pictures in the weeks and months to come.

Oh, and I should end with a bit of a mea culpa. "Light snacks", as I mentioned yesterday? What a gross injustice I did in those two words to the food plans that Broillet has at Tired Hands. Sure, there won't be a full-scale kitchen, but it won't be pringles and gherkins either. Expect sandwiches, on-site baked bread, cheeses, meats, and other "simple and satisfying foods". Much better than "light snacks" :)

Click Here For All New Pub Opening Updates

Welcome Tired Hands to Ardmore

Click Here For All New Pub Opening Updates

Easy now, don't let the title fool you; Tired Hands Brewing Company is not yet open for business in Ardmore, Pa.

However, today marked a significant step forward as Jean Broillet and Julie Foster officially settled on and took possession of 16 Ardmore Avenue as the future location for their "brew café" endeavor.

Which is to say that beginning tomorrow, all hell breaks loose. Work begins to transform the space (two floors and a "back yard") into their vision for a community spot serving beer and light snacks just off of Lancaster Avenue and a few extra steps from the Ardmore stop of the don't-call-it-the-R5 regional rail train station.

Those of you savvy with the beer scene around Philadelphia know that as Jean has been "phasing out" of his current position at Iron Hill Brewery (where they've been quite gracious in keeping him on as he openly laid the groundwork for his new business plans), he has been brewing up batches and making it available around town. His saisons/farmhouse ales are garnering quite a bit of favorable buzz even before going into full production.

You may recall an event that he coordinated with me at Johnny Brenda's something like 6 weeks ago. He's also been partnering with Birch Run Hills Farm's cheese program and working closely with DiBruno Bros. in Philly.

Collaboration brews in Philly as well as across the Atlantic. Beer dinner at Station Taproom and special events like at Earth Bread + Brewery.

Patty and I lived in Ardmore, albeit closer to Haverford Road and the college than Lancaster Avenue, for just shy of 18 months. However, it would have been less than a mile uphill walk from our house and I could have imagined us stopping in frequently for light bites, social meetups, and growler fillups.

As many Philadelphia locals know, the city is a mecca of great beer, as is farther west into Montgomery and Chester counties. The "closer" Main Line has always been a bit of a void for better beer options.

Tired Hands should help to change that. Celebrate tonight, but not too much, tomorrow and every day after will be filled with lots of hard work to make the dream a reality.

Click Here For All New Pub Opening Updates

Breaking Stereotypes: Runners love (and need) good beer too

Running, rain, then beer.

Last Thursday proved wildly successful for runners that love great beer.

(David April and Jean Broillet kicking off the night at Johnny Brenda's)

I teamed up with the Fishtown Beer Runners and Johnny Brenda's to provide a venue to introduce Jean Broillet's Tired Hands Brewery beer, which is not yet available for sale in Pennsylvania.

Later this year, that will change when Jean wields the mash paddle solo - commercially, at least - for the first time at his own brewery on Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore, Pa.

(Runners finish at Johnny Brenda's and obviously have their priorities in order)

During the planning of every Beer Run that I've conducted, I'll get at least a sideways glance or two when I mention that I'm conduct an event where runners head to the intersection of beer drinking. All of my runs conclude with beer at the end. These are not "party runs", though we do have plenty of fun (usually).

No, the sideways looks I get are likely leftover vestiges of the old beer drinker stereotype. But, many who cycle, run, or perform other physically draining activities know that there can be not much more nourishing of a post-workout beverage than a glass of low-alcohol beer - session beer, if you will.

(Dave Casmay takes a beer with him on his cooldown walk)

David April, founder of Fishtown Beer Runners, knows all about that too. In fact, he's leaving tomorrow for Spain to meet with the inspiration for his beer running club.

That's why when Jean asked to share some of his beer with me I said something to the effect of "sure, I'd love to try it and so would a bunch of my running friends".

(David April toasts the runners, the bar, Tired Hands, and The Professor, the "inspiration" for Fishtown Beer Runners)

Then William Reed and his crew at Johnny Brenda's offered up their place to host the post-run beer event. Given that they typically have a handful of local and tasty session beers on tap, this seemed like the right night and the right place.

Tired Hands for Tired Feet is what we called it.

Approximately 50 or so showed up to do the run and then promptly drained the keg of Tired Hands Tabel (a spicy saison at 3.6% ABV) easily in less than an hour after they returned to Johnny Brenda's. Doing a rough calculation, there was one glass available for each runner.

After a delightful taste of Jean's beer, we moved on to other appropriate post-run beers like Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout, Tröegs Sunshine Pils, Victory Lager, Yards Brawler, Tröegs Dreamweaver, and Dock Street Summer Session - all at or below 5.0% ABV.

All around there were plenty of winners. Johnny Brenda's with a nice chunk of business for a couple of hours. Tired Hands that got a vehicle to show off its future beer. And, runners who scored both free beer and a night of friendship through a rain-soaked run and a few post-run beers.

Next time a runner asks for a beer, don't be so surprised.

We Run this Thursday, will you?

And drink free beer too. Well, some of it will be free, at least.

Here's the story.

I sort of snuck this story out on a Sunday over a week ago. Many of you noticed, but I'm guessing some may have missed this. You can link back to the original posting if you wish.

Basically, I'm teaming up with the Fishtown Beer Runners (FBR) on Thursday, May 19 for a run and some beers. FBR will conduct the run. It's a 6.5 mile run through the city ending at Johnny Brenda's.

At JB's, Jean Broillet will present a keg of Tired Hands beer to us as a complimentary gesture. Well, actually he's not yet permitted to sell the beer in the State, but you can have it as a preview taste of what he'll be making in his Ardmore brewery later this year once he opens shop. He'll be at JB's to talk about his beer, location, and plans with anyone who's interested.

He plans to bring for us a "spicy saison" weighing in at around 3.6% ABV. Perfect for what we'll need after the run. Other session-y type will also be on hand. Jean's beer will be complimentary; the rest (and food) will be pay-as-you-go.

By the way, we run rain or shine. Runners (esp. FBRs) are a hearty bunch.

So far, we've got around 50 runners expected. But, we can always use more. mailto:Bryan@BrewLounge.com?subj=BeerRunRSVP if this is something you'd like to join us for. The RSVP will help with proper planning at Johnny Brenda's.

"Tired Feet deserve Tired Hands" — another Beer Run brought to you by The Brew Lounge

Run with The Brew Lounge and Fishtown Beer Runners (FBR) on Thursday, May 19 in Philadelphia.

The run begins at 7:00pm sharp at 2346 East Susquehanna Avenue.

The run ends at Johnny Brenda's at 1201 Frankford Avenue.

You can choose from the FBR's 6.5 mile run or make your own shorter one.

As an added bonus, on this special evening, you will have the opportunity that very few others have had to try some preview beer from a new brewery due to open within the next 6-9 months.

Tired Hands Brewery and its owner/brewer, Jean Broillet, will be on hand to discuss the beer that he brings along to pour for you free of charge. Right now, we're discussing a 3.6% ABV spicy saison. He may run with us as well.

Alongside of his great beer, Johnny Brenda's will be serving up their typical great food and beer. Owner William Reed has arranged to put on as many session-like beers for our post-run as possible (pay as you go).

This should be as great a night as ever for running and beer drinking.

Will you join us? An RSVP will be helpful for us to ensure proper arrangements at Johnny Brenda's.

Please RSVP to Bryan@BrewLounge.com to confirm or with additional questions.

Tired Hands are busy at work

Jean Broillet of Iron Hill's West Chester location has been busy for many years formulating what will eventually become Tired Hands Brewing Company, loosely targeted for 2012, all while working up a solid résumé at Victory, Weyerbacher, and Iron Hill. I'll have much more in coming weeks and months on this developing story. However, with Broillet's self-documenting over at his blog, I'm not sure I can tell the story any better than will he. I caught my first sip of a few of his beers the other day at Birchrun Hills Farm's market that they open on a regular basis in one of their property's barns. This gives a chance to buy meats, cheeses, breads, and other handmade goods as close to the source as you can imagine. At this past week's market, Tired Hands and New Holland were invited to pour some complimentary samples of their beers as customers gathered in the barn. The snow fell, the fires burned, and the beers warmed as the Christmas holiday crept ever closer. I know we're all looking forward to drinking more of Jean's beer in the near future. In the meantime, you can still catch him brewing on Gay Street in West Chester. In fact, if you're interested to know more, you'll be able to bend his ear during Iron Hill's annual Belgium Comes to West Chester on January 29.

New Brew Pub Watch

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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