Some of you love this time of year; others hate it. One thing's for sure, there are plenty of you looking to find a great beer on New Year's Eve outside the comfy confines of your own home.
For those New Year's Eve naysayers, this one's not for you. This is for all of you looking for something to do on New Year's Eve, could be at 6pm or 11pm...looking for a party, looking for a good dinner, looking for a good beer with a bunch of your friends.
Here's a look at some of the country's establishments--particularly in and around Philadelphia--that serve up better beer throughout the year and their special New Year's Eve plans. If there's something missing that you know of, feel free to drop a comment at the end of this or a private e-mail to me here.
UPDATED & NEWLY ADDED (12/27) In this update:
Philadelphia--> Bridgid's; Devil's Den; For Pete's Sake Pub; Grace Tavern; Local 44; Memphis Taproom; St. Stephen's Green; Swift Half Pub; The Belgian Café; The Foodery; The Institute
Philadelphia Metro--> America Bar & Grille; Brickside Grille; Flying Pig; Isaac Newton's; McKenzie Brew House; Michael's Deli; Rock Bottom (King of Prussia); Sly Fox; The Drafting Room
Other PA/NJ/DE--> Appalachian Brewing, Barley Creek Brewing, Fat Heads; Half Moon Saloon; Lancaster Brewing, Otto's Pub & Brewery; Rivertowne Pour House (Monroeville); Stewart's Brewing; Triumph (Princeton)
Other Northeast--> Boston Beer Works (Fenway); Brasserie Beck; ChurchKey; City Steam; David Copperfield's; Ebenezer's Pub; Heartland Brewery & Chophouse; Spring Street Lounge; The Brazen Head; The Gate; The Publick House; Trinity Brewhouse
Other United States--> 21st Amendment; Ale Asylum; Capital Ale House; Carolina Brewery; Duclaw Brewpub; Dunedin Brewery; Falling Rock Tap House; Fort Street Brewing; Magnolia Pub & Brewery; Marin Brewing; Meddlesome Moth; Moylan's Brewery; The Brewer's Art; The Alembic; The Monk's Kettle; Toronado; Tyler's Taproom
This list will continue to grow to almost 200 establishments up until December 30. The falling of the calendar this year ensures a long holiday weekend for most, so New Year's Eve should turn into an even bigger party this year. No matter what you do, eat and drink well, enjoy yourself, and be responsible out there.
By region---starting with the City of Philadelphia---here's what's happening this rapidly-approaching December 31, 2010.
Philadelphia
Biba Wine Bar - Wine Director, Michael McCaulley, will conduct a special class featuring his favorite wines of 2010. That's 10 wines with some tasty bites and scintillating wine talk. 5:30pm-7pm. $75/pp.
3131 Walnut Street
(215) 222-BIBA (2422)
Brauhaus Schmitz - No cover charge, close to the fireworks at Penn’s Landing, Free party Favors and Champagne toast at midnight. In addition to our normal menu we will be offering an a la carte or Prix Fixe option… 4 courses for $55.
718 South Street
(267) 909-8814
Bridgewater's Pub at 30th Street Station - Open for Business as Usual
2951 Market Street
(215) 387-4787
Bridgid's - Open for Business as Usual
726 North 24th Street
(215) 232-3232
Cantina Dos Segundos - Offering the magic pick-your-own two hours for $25. Margaritas, mojitos, sangria, cocktails and beer.
931 North Second Street
(215) 629-0500
Cantina Los Caballitos - Offering the magic pick-your-own two hours for $25. Margaritas, mojitos, sangria, cocktails and beer.
1651 East Passyunk Avenue
(215) 755-3550
Chick's Café - Special New Year's Eve dinner menu; Call for Reservations
614 South 7th Street
(215) 625-3700
City Tap House - City Tap House transforms into Atlantic City's most posh speakeasy for one fun filled evening. Open bar, games of chance, dancing and a grand buffet....tickets are going fast. $100 per person
3925 Walnut Street
(215) 662-0105
Dawson Street Pub - Open for Business as Usual plus a DJ
100 Dawson Street
(215) 482-5677
Devil's Den - Open for Business as Usual with a Champagne Toast at midnight.
1148 South 11th Street
(215) 339-0855
Dock Street Brewery - We are open for lunch and will be closing between 9 and 10pm. We'll be selling 750ml bottles of Bubbly Wit.
701 South 50th Street
(215) 726-2337
Drinker's Pub - This New Years Eve one ticket gets you into two Rittenhouse Bars - Drinker's Pub and NoChe. $65 covers you for the entire night. That includes food, a top shelf open bar from 9pm to 2am and a champagne toast at midnight!
1903 Chestnut Street
(215) 564-0914
Drinker's Tavern - This New Years Eve one ticket gets you into three Old City Bars - Drinker's Tavern, Lucy's Hat Shop and Top Hat. $85 covers you for the entire night. That includes food, a top shelf open bar from 9pm to 2am and a champagne toast at midnight!
124 Market Street
(215) 351-0141
Drinker's West - This New Years Eve $65 covers you for the entire night at Drinker's West. The package includes food, a top shelf open bar from 9pm to 2am and a champagne toast at midnight! Buy two tickets for $100!
3900 Chestnut Street
(215) 397-4693
Earth Bread + Brewery - Closed for business.
7136 Germantown Avenue
(215) 242-MOON (6666)
Fergie's Pub - Live music: Rev. T.J. McGlinchey at 6 p.m. and Old Soul and Friends at 10 p.m.
1214 Sansom Street
(215) 928-8118
For Pete's Sake Pub - Open for Business as Usual with Champagne Toast and party favors at midnight
900 South Front Street
(215) 462-2230
Good Dog Bar - Open for Business as Usual
224 South 15th Street
(215) 985-9600
Grace Tavern - Open for Business as Usual with a Champagne Toast at midnight
2229 Grays Ferry Avenue
(215) 893-9580
Grey Lodge Pub - New Year's Surf Rockin' Eve: Ring in the new year with great beer and surf rock! Rey Rico will be playing from 10pm to 1am. 9 pm: Complimentary pub food, 10 pm: 3 hours of surf rock with Rey Rico, Midnight: Complimentary champagne toast with hats and noisemakers. Rey Rico will keep playing until 1am. All of this for just $10.
6235 Frankford Avenue
(215) 825-5357
Jack's Firehouse - 5pm-8pm four course meal for $40; 9pm-1am open bar plus desserts, party favors, DJ, and dancing.
2130 Fairmount Avenue
(215) 232-9000
Johnny Brenda's - The NYE Snowflake Ball at JB's Party Mansion: Spend New Year's with some of our favorite DJ couples: Stanton & Carroll, Blofson & Dickey, Ward & Good, Kennedy & Kennedy, plus our host Sweeney. Fine festive libations including Jameson Winter Warmer punch and hot toddies. See your friends in fancy attire! Dance like wild fools in an atmosphere of conviviality!
1201 North Frankford Avenue
(215) 739-9684
José Pistolas - Dollar off all drafts, all craft cans for $3.50, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Absolutely no cover charge.
263 South 15th Street
(215) 545-4101
Kennett Restaurant - Join Yards Brewing at Kennett for a special NYE beer dinner. Featuring Trubbel and some other special Yards beers, the menu is focusing on local, sustainable fare. Chef Brian is very familiar with our beer, so this is going to be a special night. Call for reservations. $55 at 9 p.m.
848 South Second Street
(267) 687-1426
Khyber Pass Pub - New Years Eve Party featuring Ommegang Abbey Ale, Ommegang Rare Vos, Ommegang Hennepin, Maredsous 10, and Complimentary Duvel toast at midnight. Everything on draft just $3.00 from 9pm-11pm.
56 South Second Street
(215) 238-5888
Local 44 - Open for Business as Usual and preparing for their 2nd Anniversary Party on New Year's Day
4333 Spruce Street
(215) 222-BEER (2337)
London Grill - Regular and Special a la carte Dinner Menu 5:30-10:30
Champagne Toast and Party Favors at Midnight at the bar with Times Sq on multiple 42" TVs
Bar menu till 1 a.m.
301 Fairmount Avenue
(215) 978-4545
Lucy's Hat Shop - This New Years Eve one ticket gets you into three Old City Bars - Drinker's Tavern, Lucy's Hat Shop and Top Hat. $85 covers you for the entire night. That includes food, a top shelf open bar from 9pm to 2am and a champagne toast at midnight!
247 Market Street
(215) 413-1433
Mad Mex (University City) - Mad New Year: 2 for $35 dinner; Big Azz $6 Margaritas all day long
3401 Walnut Street
(215) 382-2221
Manayunk Brewery - Manayunk's Hottest New Year's Bash is back bigger and better this year! Ring in 2011 at amongst friends at the Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant where everyone is a VIP!
Tickets are $60 per person and the package includes:
3-hour open bar from 9pm to midnight including our hand-crafted microbrews, house wines and all of your favorite name brand premium liquors 4 different bars each with multiple bartenders serving drinks Champagne toast at midnight Chef's choice passed and stationary hors d'oeuvres Live performance by the cover band Candiflyp Philly Star DJs spinning all your favorite hits upstairs in the River Club Party favors galore.
4120 Main Street
(215) 482-8220
McGillin's - Be part of the oldest New Year's Eve celebration in Philadelphia & the wrap-up McGillin's 150th year with a bang! On Friday, December 31, 2010, McGillin's is getting a limited quantity of cask-conditioned McGillin's 1860 IPA, plus sparkly surprises & decorations. Deejay. $5 cover.
1310 Drury Street
(215) 735-5562
McMenamin's - Music, dancing, and champagne toast at midnight
7170 Germantown Avenue
(215) 247-9920
Memphis Taproom - Open for Business as Usual with some special dinner menu options
2331 East Cumberland Street
(215) 425-4460
Monk's Café - Early Seating: 6:30 p.m. $55
A four course meal that includes a glass of beer (or wine, if you must) with each course. You can enjoy a good meal before you go to your friend's party. We'll even give you noise makers on your way out the door.
Late Seating: 9 p.m. $125
A six course extravaganza. Includes some rare beers from Tom's cellar. This one sells out first, so don't delay. Includes hats & noise makers. A midnight toast of Malhuer Brut.
626 South 16th Street
(215) 545-7005
Moriarty's Pub - 4 hour top shelf open bar from 9pm, 3 floors, 3 bars, awesome DJ, dancing, deluxe gourmet buffet, champagne toast at midnight, watch the ball drop on one of our 15 flat screen TVs
1116 Walnut Street
(215) 627-7676
NoChe - This New Years Eve one ticket gets you into two Rittenhouse Bars - Drinker's Pub and NoChe. $65 covers you for the entire night. That includes food, a top shelf open bar from 9pm to 2am and a champagne toast at midnight!
1901 Chestnut Street
(215) 568-0551
Nodding Head - a special prix fixe menu in addition to the normal a la carte menu. Open for Business as Usual otherwise.
1516 Sansom Street
(215) 569-9525
Paddy Whacks Pub - Come Ring in the New Year With Us!!! Celebrate at any PW Location. Top Shelf Open Bar including Imported Bottles, Deluxe Dinner Buffet, Party Favors, DJ Music & Dancing & Much, Much More! Pre-Sale Discounts - Get $10 Off Now until December 25, 2010.
150 South Street
(215) 464-7544
Philadelphia Brewing - Open for Business as Usual until 6 p.m.
2439 Amber Street
(215) 427-2739
Prohibition Taproom - DJ plus Champagne of Beers toast at Midnight (Miller High Life)
501 North 13th Street
(215) 238-1818
Rembrandt's - Open for Business as Usual with some food and drink specials
741 North 23rd Street
(215) 763-2228
Resurrection Ale House - In addition to our regularly scheduled awesome food and beer selections, this New Year's Eve we're offering a special Four-Course Menu with an optional beer pairing! No reservations are required (sorry fancy pantses).
2425 Grays Ferry Avenue
(215) 735-2202
Royal Tavern - Offering up all its familiarity and comfort on NYE with a pick-your-own two hour open bar package for only $20.
937 East Passyunk Avenue
(215) 389-6694
South Philadelphia Tap Room - Open for Business as Usual, including the $3 Kenzingers
1509 Mifflin Street
(215) 271-7787
Standard Tap - New Year's Eve celebration with a night of Mad Elf and Golden Monkey love and Live Music by The Pros from Dover
901 North 2nd Street
(215) 238-0630
St. Stephen's Green - Open for Business as Usual
1701 Green Street
(215) 769-5000
Sugar Mom's - $2.50 PBRs, $4 Yards, $4 Yuenglings, and $30 champagne bottles
225 Church Street
(215) 925-8219
Swift Half Pub - Open for Business as Usual with some drink specials and maybe some passed appetizers
1001 North 2nd Street
(215) 923-4600
Ten Stone - Unless a private party books the entire restaurant, there will be $65/pp open buffet and bar from 9pm-1am
2063 South Street
(215) 735-9939
The Artful Dodger - Live music with John McFadden from 10 p.m. No Cover. Noisemakers and champagne toast at midnight. Only 1 block away from the best view of Penn's Landing fireworks.
400 South Second Street
(215) 922-1790
The Belgian Café - Open for Business as Usual
2047 Green Street
(215) 235-3500
The Blockley Pourhouse - New Year's Eve with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Top Shelf Open Bar for $85 starting at 7 p.m.
3801 Chestnut Street
(215) 222-1234
The Foodery (both locations) - Closing early at 11 p.m.
837 North 2nd Street
(215) 238-6077
324 South 10th Street
(215) 928-1111
The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. - This is an exclusive event for our NYE celebration. we only have 50 available tickets @ $75 each which will include a open bar, punch bowl and champagne toast at midnight and complimentary hors d oeuvres. please contact Colin at (267)467-3277 for more information. tickets will be first come first serve.
112 South 18th Street
(267) 467-3277
The Institute - First Friday Fun with Play Dough New Bar/NYE edition. 7pm-midnight. There is no other bar in the city that hands out Play Dough and rewards people's creativity with gift baskets stuffed with good beer. No cover. No expensive tickets. No Douche-Baggery. The music will rock (it's a collection of all of our favorite stuff). The beer will flow and sure, we will have bubbly to toast.
549 North 12th Street
(267) 318-7772
Tir Na Nog - Join us at Tir Na Nog for our great Happy hour and stay late into the night as DJ RKO spins everything from today's hottest songs to the classic songs of your youth.
1600 Arch Street
(267) 514-1700
Tria (both locations) - Nothing Really Special on New Year's Eve. No overpriced surf and turf. No second-rate band. No forced whooping it up. So come before the party or instead of a party. We will have on hand some specialty festive wines, cheeses, and beers to make for a sublimely civilized affair. In other words, Business as Usual.
18th & Sansom Streets
(Rittenhouse Square)
(215) 972-TRIA
12th & Spruce Streets
(Washington Square West)
(215) 629-9200
Triumph Brewery (Old City)- Fireworks on NYE right outside our window.
117 Chestnut Street
(215) 625-0855
Varga Bar - Beer Dinner, two seatings, 6 p.m. 3 courses, $45; 8 p.m. 5 courses, $55
Open Bar package 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. 3 hour premium open bar for $50 with a champagne toast at Midnight, Live DJ, Party Favors, and the return of the 10-foot ribeye cheesesteak at Midnight.
941 Spruce Street
(215) 627-5200
White Dog Café - 4 Course Prix Fixe $75/person: Join us for a 4-course celebratory dinner then head over to our sister restaurant, The Moshulu for a fireworks extravaganza at midnight with complimentary dessert buffet, coffee and dancing to live music.
3420 Sansom Street
(215) 386-9224
World Café Live - Opening late at 5 p.m. with Live music upstairs (Slo-Mo, Steph Hayes, and the Good Problems) and downstairs (Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue) at 10 p.m.
3025 Walnut Street
(215) 222-1400
Philadelphia Metro
Avalon - Join us for our early seating starting at 5:30 with reservations available upto 7:30.
5 courses $70 per person - includes complimentary champagne. Later seatings started at 9:00pm include 5 course dinner, champagne toast at midnight and live entertainment from Steve Laret $80 per person
312 South High Street
West Chester, PA
(610) 436-4100
America Bar & Grill - Open for Business as Usual with a Champagne Toast at midnight
499 East Uwchlan Avenue
Chester Springs, PA
(610) 280-0800
Brickside Grille - Serving dinner with music featuring Matt Spitko from 10 to 1. Free chocolate fountain starting at 9pm. Champagne toast at midnight.
540 Wellington Square
Exton, PA
(610) 321-1600
Capone's Restaurant - Special dinner menu in the restaurant, then Closing early at 10:30 p.m.
224 W Germantown Pike
Norristown, PA
(610) 279-4748
Exton Beverage - Open for business as usual until 10 p.m.
310 East Lincoln Highway
Exton, PA
(610) 363-7020
Firecreek - Join us for our 4 Course New Years Prix Fixe...with Live Entertainment by Dave Kenney on piano and vocalist Pam Orlando. Enjoy light jazz, light pop and some light dance music from 9:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Seating's at 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Reservations required. $75 per person, $100 with wine pairings
20 East Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA
(610) 269-6000
Firewaters (Concord) - Holiday Inn hotel package for $149/pp or $199/couple. 9pm-10pm check-in; 10pm-2am light buffet, 5 drink coupons, champagne toast at midnight, buy 10 wings/get 10 wings
1110 Baltimore Pike
Glen Mills, PA
(610) 459-9959
Flying Pig Saloon - Open for Business as Usual
121 East King Street
Malvern, PA
(610) 578-9208
Goshen Beverage - Open for business as usual until 10 p.m.
102 Turner Lane
West Chester, PA
(610) 436-6555
Gullifty's - Closing early at 9 p.m.
1149 East Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA
(610) 525-1851
High Street Grill - Special New Year's Eve dinner menu served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
64 High Street
Mount Holly, NJ
(609) 265-9199
Hulmeville Inn - Rookie Night. Last call @ 5pm
4 Trenton Road
Hulmeville, PA
(215) 750-6893
Iron Abbey - New Year's Celebration with a special crafted menu with suggested beer pairings, served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
At 9 p.m., a special firkin tapping of Dogfish Head 75 Minute I.P.A.
From 10 p.m., DJ and dancing with two rooms open. Free Admission.
680 Easton Road
Horsham, PA
(215) 956-9600
Iron Hill - Open for Business as Usual with a special New Year's Eve dinner menu at each location.
multiple locations: Maple Shade, NJ; Media, Pa.; North Wales, Pa.; Phoenixville, Pa.; West Chester, Pa.; Wilmington, De.
Pinocchio's Beer Garden - Open for Business as Usual until 10 p.m.
131 East Baltimore Pike
Media, PA
(610) 566-7767
Isaac Newton's - Closing early at 6:30 p.m.
18 South State Street
Newtown, PA
(215) 860-5100
McKenzie Brew House - New Year's Eve Bash at both locations. $55 in advance, $65 at the door. 9pm-1am premium bar, buffet, DJ, Dancing, and Champagne Toast at midnight
451 Wilmington-West Chester Pike (route 202)
Glen Mills, PA
(610) 361-9800
240 Lancaster Ave
Malvern, PA
(610) 296-2222
Michael's Deli - Closing early at 9 p.m.
Valley Forge Office Center
King of Prussia, PA
(610) 265-3265
Pickering Creek Inn - Open for Business as Usual with a $5 cover and the band Psychedelphia...a few specials, too
37 East Bridge Street
Phoenixville, PA
(610) 933-9962
Riverstone Café - Special chef's menu additions and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight
143 West Lincoln Highway
Exton, PA
(610) 594-CAFE (2233)
Rock Bottom (King of Prussia) - Closing early at 6 p.m.
1001 King of Prussia Plaza
King of Prussia, PA
(610) 230-2739
Ron's Original - Complimentary Buffet and shuttle to and from the Comfort Suites (discounted rates call them @ 610-594-4770) and Jeff Washington to supply your New Year's Soundtrack!
74 East Uwchlan Avenue (Route 113)
Exton, PA
(610) 594-9900
Sly Fox - Kitchen closes at 10 p.m., bar between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
519 Kimberton Road
Phoenixville, PA
(610) 935-4540
312 North Lewis Road
Royersford, PA
(610) 948-8088
Station Taproom - A three coarse menu in addition to our menu. First Come, First Serve. No reservations. $35/pp
207 West Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA
(484) 593-0560
TJs - Closing early at 3 p.m.
35 Paoli Plaza
Paoli, PA
(610) 725-0100
Teresa's Next Door - Open for Business as Usual
124 North Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA
(610) 293-9909
The Drafting Room (Exton) - Special dinner menu options with last dinner seating at 10:30pm, bar closing shortly after
635 North Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA
(610) 363-0521
Trax Restaurant & Café - A festive 4-course, prix fixe dinner at Trax, a cozy BYOB in the old train station in Ambler. Chef Steven Waxman will serve his special New Year Menu during two seatings (4:30pm & 6:30pm; $50 & $60, respectively). Reservations are necessary.
27 West Butler Pike
Ambler, PA
(215) 591-9777
Twenty9 Restaurant & Bar - Open Bar 8pm-1am, Grand Buffet including carved Filet Mignon, Lobster Tail, Pasta Station, Seafood, Chicken, and much more. Live entertainment and complimentary Champagne Toast at midnight. $80 per ticket, $95 at the door. A la carte menu will also be available. Hotel accommodations also available.
16 Great Valley Parkway
Malvern, PA
(610) 251-9229
Victory - Closing early at 7:30 p.m.
420 Acorn Lane
Downingtown, PA
(610) 873-0881
Other PA/NJ/DE
Allentown Brew Works - Dine & Stay package with the Holiday Inn Center City Allentown (9th & Hamilton, Allentown). Mention Brew Works for: Overnight accommodations in one of the spacious guestrooms, a bottle of Champagne to celebrate, breakfast for two on New Year’s Day morning, and overnight parking in the staffed parking deck–All for $159.00 per Room
812 West Hamilton Street
Allentown, PA
(610) 433-7777
Appalachian Brewing/Harrisburg - 1920s Prohibition Theme Party with Champagne Toast and party favors. $15 cover ($20 at the door), live band Scythian playing through the night
50 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 221-1080
Barley Creek Brewing - Open for Business as Usual with a Champagne Toast at midnight
Sullivan Trail & Cambelback Road
Tannersville, PA
(570) 629-9399
Bethlehem Brew Works - Noise makers and party hats! Free tastings and New Year’s giveaways. Complimentary Champagne Toast and Balloon Drop at Midnight, Party Favors and noise makers, Bottle Service in the Steelgaarden, an exquisite featured menu, and watch the ball drop on our 10 foot HDTV! Dine & Stay package with the Hyatt Place Bethlehem (45 West North St, Bethlehem). Mention the Brew Works and receive a special rate.
569 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA
(610) 882-1300
Bube's Brewery - New Year's Eve celebration dinner and party. Call for info and reservations.
102 North Market Street
Mount Joy, PA
(717) 653-2056
Bullfrog Brewery - New Years Eve free show with Phil Wiseman/South Mountain Soul at 10 p.m.
229 West Fourth Street
Williamsport, PA
(570) 326-4700
Church Brew Works - Executive Chef Jason Marrone and Executive Sous Chef Cory Burns are proud to feature a Three Course Prix Fixe Menu this evening. Enjoy your choice of Appetizer, Soup or Salad and Entrée from the Diamond Tier $48 per person, Gold Tier $42 per person, or Silver Tier $35 per person.
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 688-8200
Craft Ale House - Serving a four-course food and beer pairing dinner featuring exciting dishes paired with beers that complement each dish. $75.00 per person, does not include gratuity. Reservations required.
708 West Ridge Pike
Royersford, PA
(484) 932-8180
Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats - Open from 12noon to 4pm for regular seating, then we'll close to prepare for our annual New Year's Eve Beer Dinner (6pm-$65 and 9pm-$85). We will re-open to the public around 11:00pm for live music and to ring in the 2011. Last call 12:45 a.m.
320 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, DE
(302) 226-2739
East End Brewing - Open for Business from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
6923 Susquehanna Street
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 537-BEER (that's 2337)
Fat Heads - Closing early at 6 p.m.
1805 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 431-7433
Half Moon Saloon - Open for Business as Usual with dinner menu specials
108 West State Street
Kennett Square, PA
(610) 444-7232
Iron Hill - Open for Business as Usual with a special New Year's Eve dinner menu at each location.
multiple locations: Lancaster, Pa.; Newark, De.
Pearly Baker's - Special New Year's Eve dinner menu
11 Centre Square
Easton, PA
(610) 253-9949
Keystone Homebrew (both locations) - Closing early at 4 p.m.
779 Bethlehem Pike (Rt. 309)
Montgomeryville, PA
(215) 855-0100
599 Main Street
Bethlehem, PA
(610) 997-0911
Lancaster Brewing - Open for Business as Usual with the Friday Happy Hour specials from 5pm-7pm (free food buffet and Happy Hour pints)
302 North Plum Street
Lancaster, PA
(717) 391-6258
Otto's - Kitchen closing early at 8 p.m. and bar around 9 p.m.
2105 North Atherton Street
State College, PA
(814) 867-6886
Rivertowne Pour House (Monroeville) - $50/pp, $90/couple for prime rib buffet, appetizers, carving station, all you can drink (well brands). DJ. 9pm-2am
312 Center Road
Monroeville, PA
(412) 372-8199
Selin's Grove Brewing - Closed through January 4
121 North Market Street
Selinsgrove, PA
(570) 374-7308
Stewart's Brewing - New Year's Eve Party with DJ. No cover. 9pm-1am
219 Governors Place
Bear, DE
(302) 836-2739
Stoudt's - Dinner and Party packages available. Contact the restaurant for more details.
2800 North Reading Road (route 272)
Adamstown, PA
(717) 484-4386
Triumph (Princeton) - Open for Business as Usual with DJ and a Champagne Toast
138 Nassau Street
Princeton, NJ
(609) 924-7855
Union Jack's on the Manatawny - Live music with Frog Holler
546 Manatawny Road
Boyertown, PA
(610) 689-0189
Zeno's - AAA Blues starts NYE off at 7pm, then Stubby’s new funk outfit takes the stage around 10:30
100 West College Avenue
State College, PA
(814) 237-4350
Other Northeast
Beer Table - We will offer a special five-course dinner on New Year's Eve. Each dinner will include three beers, and there will be two seatings, 8 PM ($55) and 10 PM ($65), with the 10 PM seating including a midnight toast.
427 B 7th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 965-1196
Blind Tiger Ale House - We will have a closed door party (from 9:00PM to 2:00AM) for only 75 people (which is very comfortable in the space). There will be an all you can eat finger food menu (with very special items made just for the party) and all the draught beer, cask beer, wines, and Prosecco you can drink. This year, we wanted to give the party a vintage theme - so we are going to break out over 10 very special vintage kegs, and we are going to charge 2005 prices for each reservation - that's $100 per person!
281 Bleecker Street
New York, NY
(212) 462-4682
Boston Beer Works (Fenway) - Open for Business as Usual with a Champagne Toast at midnight
61 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA
(617) 536-2337
Brasserie Beck - Beck's New Year's Eve featuring a special 3-course tasting menu
1101 K Street NW
Washington, D.C.
(202) 408-1717
Cafe D'Alsace - We will uncork a rare nine-liter bottle of St. Feuillien Triple and pour it for $6 a glass.
1695 Second Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 722-1533
Cambridge Brewing Co. - Serving up a 'Brew Year’s Eve Beer Dinner Tasting Menu'. [Note: This is an early evening event – 5pm-10pm to be exact – we will not be partying late, at least not here;-). We will be closing shortly after 11:30. ]
Chef Dave, Brewmaster Will and The CBC Crew are serving up 4 courses and 4 beers for $45, $35 for 4 courses/no beers. (Tax and Gratuity Not Included)
Also, at 5:00pm on New Year’s Eve we will be releasing the latest batch of one of our biggest, boldest, most badass brews of the year: The 2010 Blunderbuss Barleywine! This is one of our most wildly anticipated brews of the year and when you knock back a few, or sip and savor if that’s your thing, you’ll understand why.
1 Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA
(617) 494-1994
Captain Lawrence Brewing - Closed for business.
99 Castleton Street
Pleasantville, NY
(914) 741-2337
Chelsea Brewing Company - 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Full Open Bar, Buffet Dinner, Champagne Toast at midnight. $75/pp.
59 Chelsea Piers
New York, NY
(212) 336-6440
ChurchKey - Things get rolling at 9 p.m. and we won’t stop pouring our selection of 50+ rare and super-special draft beers well into the new decade. Other activities include dancing to our live DJ’s tunes and smiling for the camera in a 21st century photo booth, which instantly immortalizes its subjects onto overheard screens.
Come midnight, Greg will break the seal on some mighty big bottles and christen our own version of a ball drop. No dress code.
Tickets are $150 per person and include access to our full open bar, edibles throughout the night, tax and gratuity.
1337 14th St NW
Washington D.C.
(202) 567-2576
City Steam - Shows at 7:30pm ($59.95) and 10:30pm ($35). includes dinner choices and Champagned Toast. Bar open for Business as Usual.
942 Main Street
Hartford, CT
(860) 525-1600
David Copperfield's - Open for Business as Usual
1394 York Avenue
New York, NY
(212) 734-6152
Ebenezer's Pub - Incredible fireworks and open until 1 a.m. Reservations strongly suggested
44 Allen Road
Lovell, ME
(207) 925-3200
Ginger Man (NYC) - Join us New Years Eve for specialty beer, and a Chimay or champagne toast at midnight. $100 per person includes open bar from 9pm - 2am, or come in and drink at your own pace.
11 East 36th Street
New York, NY
(212) 532-3740
Heartland Brewery & Chophouse -$200/pp for a 4-course meal with 3 hour open bar from 9pm-12am (cash bar 12am-2am) and a Champagne Toast at midnight. Call 212-582-2057 for reservations.
127 West 43rd Street
New York, NY
(646) 366-0235
Southampton Publick House - Special New Year's Eve dinner menu served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $39.95. From 10 p.m. in the taproom, DJ Dory and party favors. No cover for diners, $10 for all others.
40 Bowden Square
Southampton, NY
(631) 283-2800
Spring Street Lounge - Open for Business as Usual
48 Spring Street
New York, NY
(212) 965-1774
The Brazen Head - Open for Businss as Usual with no cover charge
228 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 488-0430
The Gate - Open for Business as Usual, no cover for specials through the night, party favors, Champagne Toast, and fun like "Pass the Tiara"
321 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
(718) 768-4329
The Publick House - Open for Business as Usual
1648 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA
(617) 277-2880
Trinity Brewhouse - Open for Business as Usual
186 Fountain Street
Providence, RI
(401) 453-2337
Willimantic Brewing - New Year's Eve Dinner, being served from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. We'll offer our full menu plus wonderful additions as well! Also, join us for our Party in the Pub beginning at 9:00 PM! We'll have DJs Jim & Jodi providing great tunes for dancing, a champagne toast at midnight, hats & party favors and a complimentary Hors D'oeuvres buffet.
967 Main Street
Willimantic, CT
(860) 423-6777
Zum Schneider - Doors open 8pm and Free admission. Regular menu till 11pm. Champagne bowl all night long. DJ Gonzo spins German & International Pop & Rock. Free Midnight Champagne toast. Weisswurst Breakfast out of the hot pot at 1am. DJ Peter Pan spinning German techno at 2am.
107 Ave C
New York, NY
(212) 598-1098
Other United States
21st Amendment - Open for Business as Usual
563 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 369-0900
Ale Asylum - Free beer toast at midnight. All 4 Belgian beers available throughout the night and the 2011 release of Ballistic IPA
3698 Kinsman Boulevard
Madison, WI
(608) 663-3926
Arbor Brewing - To celebrate we will release a different keg of small-batch celebratory beer every hour from 8:30pm-11:30pm, dinner specials, live music (early evening band and later evening DJ) and best of all, no cover!
The specialty beers will be 3 different IPA's and the last release to ring in the New Year is the Terminator, so beware!
114 East Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 213-1393
Birreria Paradiso (both locations) - Closing early at 7 p.m.
3282 M Street Southeast
Washington, DC
(203) 337-1245
Bourbon and Branch - 9 p.m. Celebrate in Style at Bourbon and Branch for a 20's themed night of fancy Cocktails and Champagne. Pre-Sale tickets are only $50.
501 Jones Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 931-7292
Capital Ale House - Open for Business as Usual
623 East Main Street
Richmond, VA
(804) 780-ALES (2537)
Carolina Brewery - Open for Business as Usual with dinner specials and beer pairing suggestions and a Champagne Toast at midnight
460 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC
(919) 942-1800
City Beer Store - Closed from December 24 through January 3
1168 Folsom Street-Suite 101
San Francisco, CA
(415) 503-1033
DA's RFD - No Cover, DJ, $15 Buffet from 8-10pm, Unique Beer Specials, and $5 Drafts All Night, Beer Toast @ Midnight.
810 7th Street NW
Washington, DC
(202) 289-2030
d.b.a. (New Orleans) - Linnzi Zaorski at 6PM and Honey Island Swamp Band & John Mooney at 10PM-$20
618 Frenchman Street
New Orleans, LA
(504) 942-3731
Duclaw (all locations) - Open for Business as Usual with $1 off growler refills, $2 off new growler fills, and $10 wine bottle sales
16 Bel Air South Parkway
Bel Air, MD
(410) 515-3222
Dunedin Brewery - Join us on New Year's Eve for a night of Celtic music to remember. 9pm, $10
937 Douglas Avenue
Dunedin, FL
(727) 736-0606
Falling Rock Tap House - Open for Business as Usual
1919 Blake Street
Denver, CO
(303) 293-8338
Father's Office (both locations) - Closed for business.
1018 Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA
(310) 736-2224
3229 Helms Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 736-2224
Fort Street Brewing - New Beer's Eve with special beer releases at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
1660 Fort Street
Lincoln Park, MI
(313) 389-9620
Great Dane - DJ Mike Carlson kicks off the night and DJ Kid Cut Up takes over for the countdown to the new year! $5 cover including party favors and a champagne toast at midnight begins at 9:00pm.
123 East Doty Street
Madison, WI
(608) 284-0000
Hop Leaf - Open for business as usual with Regular Hours, Regular Menu, Regular Prices, and No Cover
5148 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL
(773) 334-9851
Magnolia Pub & Brewery - Closing early between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
1398 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 864-7468
Marin Brewing - Closing early at 10 p.m.
1809 Larkspur Landing Circle
Larkspur, CA
(415) 461-4677
Meddlesome Moth - Special New Year's Eve menu available at $65/pp with either beer or wine selection with each course inclusive
1621 Oak Lawn
Dallas, TX
(214) 628-7900
Moylan's Brewery - Open for Business as Usual
15 Rowland Way
Novato, CA
(415) 898-4677
Sierra Nevada - The Big Room doors open at 8:30 PM and music at 9:30 PM. Our buffet offerings begin with a fabulous cheese table featuring a selection of local, California and International cheeses paired with candied nuts, local honey comb, chutneys, fruits, roasted garlic and Estate vegetables. We’ll also be featuring Sierra Nevada fresh made brewer’s grain breads, crackers, rolls, grissini and flat breads along with Estate herbed butters and local fromage blanc spreads. The tables are decked out with hats, horns and streamers and the balloons come down at midnight as you consume your complimentary glass of champagne. All this for $50.
1075 East 20th Street
Chico, CA
(530) 893-3520
Stone Brewing - Tickets are $150, Designated Driver Tickets are $99
"Dr." Bill has put together a fantastic beer menu featuring some rare & delicious offerings for the evenings festivities. Join us for this special night of festivity and you'll enjoy a lavish array of food and entertainment including live music, a commemorative glass, a midnight toast with Deus Brut des Flandres, and lots more!
1999 Citracado Parkway
Escondido, CA
(760) 471-4999
The Alembic Bar - Open for Business as Usual
1725 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 666-0822
The Brewer's Art - Open for Business as Usual with dinner specials
1106 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD
(410) 547-9310
The Corner Brewery - Featuring THIRD COAST KINGS and we'll have a series of special Rat Pads that we'll tap at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 to mark the occasion:"Countdown to Ecstasy" & to ring in the New Year with. The festivities start at 8pm and go til 1am. No Cover.
720 Norris Street
Ypsilanti, MI
(734) 480-2739
The Monk's Kettle - Open for Business as Usual
3141 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 865-9523
The Old Toad - New Year's Eve special 3-course dinner menu for $55 including tax ($45 with no beer pairing)
277 Alexander Street
Rochester, New York
(585) 232-2626
Thirsty Bear Restaurant & Brewery - Chef Jessica is working on some very delicious specials. As always we will be serving a special desert featuring chocolate. We will be staying open late for all you night owls wanting to see the apple drop and of course offering a complimentary Cava toast for everyone at midnight.
661 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 974-0905
Toronado - Open for Business as Usual
547 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 863-2276
Tyler's Taproom - 7pm-2am open buffet, bar, and DJ for $70/pp, $120/couple
324 Blackwell Street
Durham, NC
(919) 433-0345
Yard House - Hats • Tiaras • Horns • Beads
Midnight Belgian Beer Toast. This year Yard House will pour preselected Belgian Style beer for a unique toast to ring in the New Year! No reservations needed
401 West Shoreline Drive
Long Beach, CA
(562) 628-0455
Wynkoop Brewing - An early show ($55/pp) and late show ($70/pp) packages available and include: Impulse Theater Comedy Show; Dinner at Wynkoop; Champagne Toast with dinner; Mead Toast at midnight; Live DJ in the pool hall; Free party favors; and close access to 16th Street Mall fireworks at 9 p.m. and midnight
1634 18th Street
Denver, CO
(303) 297-2700
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Good Friends We've Lost Along the Way
Be still sad heart and cease repining; Behind the clouds the sun is shining, Thy fate is the common fate of all, Into each life a little rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary. ~ Longfellow
In the deeply personal side of the beer industry, a few notable losses occurred this year. This is not meant to be a complete list, so if I've overlooked someone please feel free to contribute via the comments section below.
In January, the former CEO of the Beer Institute, Jeff Becker, passed away after a tough battle with cancer. In his role, he served as a strong industry voice for legislative change and is represented nicely in a 2007 interview with Andy Couch. Posthumous tributes can be found at Lew Bryson's blog and Crouch's as well.
William ("Billy") Pflaumer, former owner of the legendary Schmidt Brewery, passed away of heart failure in late May. The link I had to the Philly.com site no longer works, but I tracked down a lengthier review of his life and his work at the brewery at the New York Times.
At the end of November, the Philadelphia beer and restaurant community was dealt a major loss when we all learned of Bruce Nichols' passing after a short bout with Leukemia at the age of 62. His contributions to Philadelphia's food and beverage landscape were remarkable and most recently were recognizable to many through his role as a co-founder of Philly Beer Week. Much more can be read, and seen through pictures, courtesy of: ~ Carolyn Smagalski ~ Jack Curtin, via Beer Yard ~ Tom Peters, close friend and co-founder Philly Beer Week, at Monk's Café (text of Tom's memorial was copied/saved here at The Brew Lounge) ~ Jay Brooks ~ Philly.com
Good friends we have, oh, good friends we've lost---Along the Way---So Dry your tears I say ~ Bob Marley
Monday, December 27, 2010
Year-end Lost 'n' Found
Back to the Aecht Schlenkerla dinner at Brauhaus Schmitz earlier last month.
Just before the terrific course of Schlenkerla Märzen and Bamberg Onion, I took video of Matthias Trum introducing the course and giving some further background on smokebier.
It was the only video I took of the night and I promptly forgot about it. Not only does it showcase the small Kodak Playsport video camera that I bought (similar, but better, in my opinion than the Flip), but it provides some in-living color evidence of what I wrote in black-and-white text--the humor and the ease in which Trum communicated with the room and delivered interesting information via his speaking and his accompanying PowerPoint presentation.
You should be able to pick up most of the audio. Given the low light and Trum's voice moving to and from the camera, I'm fairly pleased with the way it recorded. The video also illustrates what I mentioned of the exemplary behavior of the attendees. The background noise that you hear comes from the bar area away from the dining room where Trum was speaking.
Enjoy.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Calendar links
Here's a link to the 12/16-12/31 calendar update that I've updated with a few extras since I posted it last week.
And, of course, there's the continually growing New Year's Eve calendar of events that spans the country.
Enjoy
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Spirit of the Holidays at Teresa's Next Door
Last night at Teresa's Next Door in Wayne epitomized all that is good about the holidays. And it wasn't so much about the beer. Well, okay it had something to do with the beer, but perhaps not as much as usual.
It was about the people. Forgive me if that sounds a bit cliche, but it was 100% honest last night.
There are times when too many people at TND is just not a good thing....or I should say not good if you're stuck 3 deep at the bar in the server gauntlet. But, last night there seemed to be just the right amount of people there. Tables filled for the better part of the dinner rush, and then some. And a steady stream of two deep at the bar.
Enough to keep the staff (Andy, included) hopping, but not too many that we couldn't get a table within a half hour or so and still be comfortable standing at the bar.
We went there in search of a couple of seasonally-appropriate beers, most from the Shelton stable of beers....with names like: Tsjeeses, Black Albert, Red/White, Jolly Pumpkin Noel, EKU, and De Ranke to name a few.
I knew that we'd be meeting up with David McDuff, host of the excellent McDuff's Food & Wine Trail blog where he covers a lot of tasty goodness mostly in the world of wine. Though, he does stray into the beer world a couple of times a month and proves that he's got an appreciative palate for all well-made beverages, he has a firm grasp on the world of wine and his writing provides for enjoyable reading.
What I did not know was just how many other friends from across time that we would cross paths with. Some of them were quite surprising encounters. It's pointless to name names, simply because that's all it would be--or sound like--name-dropping.
Suffice to say, though, that our table for two turned into three with David and then five with a couple of unexpected (at least unexpected from my p.o.v.) friends of his. Then, Matt Guyer (beer retailer to the Main Line Stars and Wannabes) persisted on making it a booth for six. The number of friendly faces that passed by the table, seemingly one after another, was staggering. Twenty or more, perhaps? Sorta Cheers-like.
And, somehow, Sarah (yes, Sarah of Ortino's....Sarah of "Sarah Rocks" fame) kept up with the madness around our table and kept us well liquified.
Old Friends. New Friends. Great beer and Food. The perfect holiday celebration. Thanks to Andy and the entire TND crew for capturing the spirit of the season last night at Teresa's Next Door.
p.s. Even though I had my camera with me (yes, this time the battery was firmly in its place), I wasn't so much in the picture-taking mood--even with all of those friendly faces there. However, I did manage one inanimate picture of one of the suggested pairings of the evening: Seared Scallops, Foie Gras, cran-huckleberry compote, and La Moneuse Spéciale Noël. I know you all love the people pictures, but on this night I was in it for the people interactions on the other side of the camera instead.
Want to get a virtual taste of the other special pairings made for this special night? Check out the following: ~Smoked pork belly with Mahr's Christmas Bock ~Savory duck timbale with De Ranke Pere Noel ~Tsjeeses-braised antelope osso buco with De Struise Tsjeeses Reserva ~New York Strip Steak with Ridgeway's Santa's Butt Porter ~Buffalo Burger with Santa's Butt ~Strawberry Mascarpone Mousse with Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
It was about the people. Forgive me if that sounds a bit cliche, but it was 100% honest last night.
There are times when too many people at TND is just not a good thing....or I should say not good if you're stuck 3 deep at the bar in the server gauntlet. But, last night there seemed to be just the right amount of people there. Tables filled for the better part of the dinner rush, and then some. And a steady stream of two deep at the bar.
Enough to keep the staff (Andy, included) hopping, but not too many that we couldn't get a table within a half hour or so and still be comfortable standing at the bar.
We went there in search of a couple of seasonally-appropriate beers, most from the Shelton stable of beers....with names like: Tsjeeses, Black Albert, Red/White, Jolly Pumpkin Noel, EKU, and De Ranke to name a few.
I knew that we'd be meeting up with David McDuff, host of the excellent McDuff's Food & Wine Trail blog where he covers a lot of tasty goodness mostly in the world of wine. Though, he does stray into the beer world a couple of times a month and proves that he's got an appreciative palate for all well-made beverages, he has a firm grasp on the world of wine and his writing provides for enjoyable reading.
What I did not know was just how many other friends from across time that we would cross paths with. Some of them were quite surprising encounters. It's pointless to name names, simply because that's all it would be--or sound like--name-dropping.
Suffice to say, though, that our table for two turned into three with David and then five with a couple of unexpected (at least unexpected from my p.o.v.) friends of his. Then, Matt Guyer (beer retailer to the Main Line Stars and Wannabes) persisted on making it a booth for six. The number of friendly faces that passed by the table, seemingly one after another, was staggering. Twenty or more, perhaps? Sorta Cheers-like.
And, somehow, Sarah (yes, Sarah of Ortino's....Sarah of "Sarah Rocks" fame) kept up with the madness around our table and kept us well liquified.
Old Friends. New Friends. Great beer and Food. The perfect holiday celebration. Thanks to Andy and the entire TND crew for capturing the spirit of the season last night at Teresa's Next Door.
p.s. Even though I had my camera with me (yes, this time the battery was firmly in its place), I wasn't so much in the picture-taking mood--even with all of those friendly faces there. However, I did manage one inanimate picture of one of the suggested pairings of the evening: Seared Scallops, Foie Gras, cran-huckleberry compote, and La Moneuse Spéciale Noël. I know you all love the people pictures, but on this night I was in it for the people interactions on the other side of the camera instead.
Want to get a virtual taste of the other special pairings made for this special night? Check out the following: ~Smoked pork belly with Mahr's Christmas Bock ~Savory duck timbale with De Ranke Pere Noel ~Tsjeeses-braised antelope osso buco with De Struise Tsjeeses Reserva ~New York Strip Steak with Ridgeway's Santa's Butt Porter ~Buffalo Burger with Santa's Butt ~Strawberry Mascarpone Mousse with Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza
Ginger Beer Birthday.
I don't typically give out personal birthday wishes here, but with the billboard I saw last year coming out of the Lincoln Tunnel in NYC, it seemed fitting to share on this day.
Steve Mashington of Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia. Happy Birthday.
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Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Pintley for Mobile/Web Beer App of the Year?
I've given Pintley a test run, both on my desktop and my mobile phone. Results are very good. The app is extremely easy-to-use, clean and intuitive, and after rating approximately 150 beers, I'm comfortable recommending it along to you. It can be as simple (1-5 rating) or as complicated (tasting notes, tweeting, facebooking, etc.) as you'd like it to be.
But, the best thing? Or at least one of the best things? The privacy. I'm not a big fan, personally, of beer ratings websites and doing such things myself. But, here at Pintley, if I wish to share my ratings, I may do so. However, the driving mission of Pintley to deliver personal value, first and foremost. So, that means that unlike other public rating sites, no one needs to see my beer ratings if I choose.
But be forewarned! If you download the mobile app, of the boilerplate intense doomsday warning: "Rated 17+ for the following: Frequent/Intense Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References"! :-D
Monday, December 20, 2010
London's Calling on Philadelphia
Earlier this year, I enjoyed a glass of Wells Bombardier from the handpump at Memphis Taproom with brunch; I was a very happy fellow. Last year, (almost) a boatload of Fuller's made its way across to the Memphis/Local 44/Resurrection family.
Now, the opportunity comes knocking again...and then some.
In a recent email update from Leigh:
We'll kick it off Monday (12/20) when our firkins of Wells Bombardier arrive from Bedford, England. Soon to follow will be amazing beers from Bank's and Marston's (including the Pedigree Bitter and Oyster Stout), the Wynchwood Hobgoblin and our second installment of firkins from Fuller's, including the London Pride, London Porter, and the ESB!
We'll kick it off Monday (12/20) when our firkins of Wells Bombardier arrive from Bedford, England. Soon to follow will be amazing beers from Bank's and Marston's (including the Pedigree Bitter and Oyster Stout), the Wynchwood Hobgoblin and our second installment of firkins from Fuller's, including the London Pride, London Porter, and the ESB!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
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.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monk's Holiday Dinner: 12/14/10
Lesson of the Day: When you forget to take the battery off the charger before leaving home, it doesn't matter how big and sexy your camera is, it's not gonna take pictures. Fortunately (for quantity, not quality), my camera bag still has the old point-and-shoot in it, and that's where the evidence of the annual Monk's Holiday Dinner below comes courtesy.
As is all-too-common of late, I'm pressed for time so will share only the menu, the pictures, and just the briefest of brief analysis.
~ De Ranke Père Noël with Bouillabaisse
-->bouillabaisse creatively awesome, especially with the traditional rouille
~ Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi with Rabbit Terrine
-->loved the meatiness, of the terrine, that is
~ Mikkeller Red/White Christmas with Pork Loin stuffed with Pancetta, Roquefort, and Apple Sauerkraut
-->English red blended with Belgian white very nice with the perfectly done pork, but my palate was not digging the extremely sharp flavors of both the cheese and the sauerkraut on the same plate duking it out with each other for supremacy
~ Nøgne Ø Holiday Ale with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter
-->spruce-y juniper beer went nicely with the savory sage
~ Corsendonk Christmas Ale with Cassoulet with Garlic Sausage and Duck Confit
-->to me, the hands-down winner of the night, eeking out a "win" above even the dessert. tender, meaty duck with a sliver of skin and fat...beans...and the malty perennial favorite of the Corsendonk...done, hard stop.
~ Tsjeeses Reserva with Cheeses (La Beola from Italy and Landaff the Grey from New Hampshire) and Quince Jelly
-->the cheeses unfortunately overwhelmed what appeared to be an otherwise very nice beer
~ Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper (2009 vintage) & Tröegs Mad Elf with Bûche de Noël
-->the oh-so-chocolaty-decadent dessert with the rich, chocolate, coffee-flavored imperial stout. perfection.
Weekly Beer Calendar Update: December 16-December 31
Here's one last weekly calendar update until 2011. Must admit that it's not too shabby looking of a calendar given the busy holiday season.
The Brew Lounge is going to go fairly quiet for the next two weeks, save for a In Memoriam piece, a year-end wrap-up, and the New Year's Eve guide.
So, here's the last 16 days worth of beer calendar events in and around Philadelphia.
Check out the entire December 2010 calendar over here.
If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.
Philadelphia
In December up and through Christmas Eve, Brauhaus Schmitz will be participating in the Philadelphia's outdoor Christmas Village around City Hall. Anywhere you head in Center City during December is probably worth a stroll through City Hall to get there.
@City Hall, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 11/25-Fri. 12/24 - Brauhaus Schmitz in the Christmas Village (all day, every day; PAYG)
@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/17 - Friday Night Sampling (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Winter Warmer Beers)
@Chifa Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Tröegs Beer Dinner (7:00pm; $65 for a four-course meal paired with Dreamweaver Wheat, Troegenator, Mad Elf, and Java Stout)
@City Tap House, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/21 - Sixpoint Mad Scientists Series #1 (7:00pm; PAYG for the cask tapping of Spelt Wine)
@Devil's Alley, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/23 - Sixpoint Mad Scientists Series #1 (7:00pm; PAYG for the cask tapping of Spelt Wine)
@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/24 & Sat. 12/25 - Celebrate Christmas with Tröegs (PAYG to compare '09 and '10 Tröegs Mad Elf)
@Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Sly Fox Promo Night (8:00pm; PAYG for a Gread selection of Sly Fox beers including Kimberton Coffee Porter, the 2010 Odyssey Imperial IPA, Oatmeal Stout, Helles, Saison, Route 113 IPA, Christmas Ale, Dunkel Lager, and Pils in cans. Plus author, Lew Bryson, will be on hand to sign copies of his latest release of 'Pennsylvania Breweries'.)
@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/17 - Sam Adams Old Fezziwig Tapping (6:00pm-10:00pm; PAYG for a Christmas miracle as they've scored a full half-barrel of Old Fezzywig. Unheard of! Sorry no growlers.)
@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Mon. 12/20 - Sixpoint Mad Scientists Series #1 (7:00pm; PAYG for the cask tapping of Spelt Wine)
@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/17 - A Nodding Head Firkin of Sled Wrecker (4:00pm; PAYG for the only cask of Nodding Head's Winter Warmer "Sled Wrecker" you will see outside of their own pub)
@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/22 - Sixpoint Mad Scientists Series #1 (7:00pm; PAYG for the cask tapping of Spelt Wine)
@Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, PA--- Sun. 12/26 - Boxing Day Beer Festival (11:00am; PAYG as they serve some of the best Holiday & Seasonal Ales from around the world like: Allagash Fluxus 2010; Burton Bridge Bitter (handpump); Corsendonk Christmas; De Dolle Oerbier; De Ranke Pere Noel; Dogfish Head 75 Minute IPA (gravity cask); DuPont Avec Les Bons Voeux; Hannsen's Oude Gueuze (gravity cask); Hitachino Red Rice Ale; Port Older Viscosity; Rare Franconian Lager (gravity cask); Scaldis Noel; Sly Fox Christmas....AND we've added a few rare session beers to give you a chance to breathe a little!)
@Standard Tap, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Decade the Halls: Christmas Through the Ages (8:00pm; PAYG to hang out with the IPA club..and don't forget to bring a beer for the Bottle Swap and an ornament to decorate the tree)
@The Belgian Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Mon. 12/27 - The Third Day of Christmas (7:00pm-2:00am; PAYG as they will have all Three Saison du Buffs-Stone, Dogfish Head, and Victory-singly or in threes for a special price.)
@The Institute, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/24 - It's A Charlie Brown Christmas (7:00pm-12:00am; PAYG as they play all Christmas Classic movies and put out free sugar cookies. Oh and the most important thing we will be doing 1/2 off all draft from 7pm to 12am and $2 off all menu items.)
@World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA--- Sun. 12/26 - Winterfest '10 Beer Tasting (12:00pm-4:00pm; $45/$20 for a festival showcasing stouts, porters, and winter seasonals from at least 20 breweries)
Nearby 'burbs
@Iron Hill, North Wales, PA--- Thu. 12/16, Fri. 12/17 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, West Chester, PA--- Thu. 12/16, Fri. 12/17, Sat. 12/18 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, Wilmington, DE--- Fri. 12/17 & 12/31, Sat. 12/18 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-9:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, Media, PA--- Sat. 12/18, Thu. 12/23 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (Free tastings with your dinner from various bottle reserves)
@Pickering Creek Inn, Phoenixville, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Craft Brew Night (6:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG as Manayunk Brewery's Doug Marchikitus - Head Brewer, Bill Young - Brewer, and Jeff McCracken - Brewer/Sales will be on hand and presenting their Cali Dreamin Double IPA, Festivus Holiday Ale, Iron Curtain Russian Imperial Stout...and some great Bottle-Conditioned Festivus will be raffled off! And, if that's not enough, a free buffet will be served from 6pm-8pm.)
@Pickering Creek Inn, Phoenixville, PA--- Thu. 12/30 - Craft Brew Night (6:00pm-8:00pm; PAYG for an all-IPA night featuring Coronado's Idiot IPA, Boulder's Mojo IPA, and Great Divide's Hercules Double IPA to name a few. And, if that's not enough, a free buffet will be served from 6pm-8pm.)
@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, PA--- Tue. 12/21 - The Grinch Drank Christmas (4:00pm; PAYG for drafts like: Blaugies La Moneuse Special Winter; DeRanke Pere Noel; Jolly Pumpkin Noel de Calabaza; Mahr's Christmas Bock (Gravity Keg); Mikkeller Red/White Christmas; Noel des Geants; Ridgeway Santa's Butt; and more...and bottles like: Black Albert (Batch 0); EKU 28; Hook Norton Twelve Days; Jolly Pumpkin Noel 2009; Nogne-O Special Holiday Ale; Tsjeeses Reserva; and more...)
@The Drafting Room, Exton, PA--- Wed. 12/29 - Brewery Promo Night (6:00pm; PAYG for a night with Breckenridge Brews from Colorado like: 471 IPA; Avalanche; Christmas Ale; Lucky U IPA; Oatmeal Stout; Regal Pilsner; Vanilla Porter)
@Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Stone Beer Sampling (6:00pm-8:00pm; Free tasting samples)
Farther out
@Craft Ale House, Limerick, PA--- Mon. 12/20 - Great Lakes Christmas Beer Tasting (6:00pm-11:00pm; brewery rep will be on hand to present and discuss their Dortmunder Gold Lager, Edmond Fitzgerald Porter, IPA and, appropriately, their Christmas Ale)
@Craft Ale House, Limerick, PA--- Wed. 12/22 - 2nd Annual Tröegs Yuletide One On (PAYG, the event title says it all, I think...)
@Craft Ale House, Limerick, PA--- Wed. 12/29 - 2nd Anniversary (6:00pm-11:00pm; PAYG for Russian River Blind Pig, Pliny the Elder, Consecration, and complimentary tastings of Parkerford Brewing's Lost Cause)
@Exton Beverage, Exton, PA--- Fri. 12/17 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples from Svyturys and Grieskirchner)
@Iron Hill, Newark, DE--- Sat. 12/18 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (3:00pm-7:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Issac Newton's, Newtown, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Brewery Promo Night (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for beers from River Horse brewery)
@Issac Newton's, Newtown, PA--- Wed. 12/22 - Specialty Keg Wednesday (11:30am 'til it kicks; PAYG for Brooklyn Detonation)
@Ron's Original, Exton, PA--- Thu. 12/16 - Blues Brews 'n' BBQ (PAYG)
@Stewart's Brewing Company, Bear, DE--- Wed. 12/22 - Brew Crew Holiday Party (6:30pm; PAYG to party like a rock star brewer)
@Union Jack's, Boyertown, PA--- Sat. 12/18 - The 12 Bells of Christmas (1:00pm; PAYG for 12 beers from Michigan's famed Bell's brewery on tap including: 2008 Java Stout; Batch 10,000; Batch 9000; Bourbon Barrel Hell Hath No Fury; Christmas Ale; Expedition Stout; Oarsman; Porter; Rye Stout; Sparkling Ale; Two Hearted; and Winter White. Plus, a firkin of Best Brown is to be tapped at 3pm.)
Monday, December 13, 2010
Beer on the "Radio"
Beer has made its rounds lately on the web....radio....or whatever....Let's just call it my car speakers.
NPR recently hit up two themes. Most recently it featured the respected Dr. Charles Bamforth whose book, Beer is Proof that God Loves Us, had just been released. The show focused on some of the basics of brewing beer in an interview with Bamforth.
Just recently before his appearance on NPR's Science Friday, he appeared for a much longer segment on The Brewing Network's Sunday Session.
Back in NPR-land, a week earlier on All Things Considered, the show covered the Samuel Adams and Weihenstephan collaboration beer, Infinium.
Brew Works Craft Beer Festival wrap-up
Special thanks to Glenn Koehler of TheElVee.com (Lehigh Valley, if you didn't catch the reference) for taking advantage of my unused ticket to the Brew Works' Craft Beer Festival last weekend in Allentown. Actually, the pay-it-forward started with the Fegley's crew that made the ticket available to me.
Now that all the disclaimers are out of the way, Glenn submitted a report on his website where he discusses the many good things of the Lehigh Valley, mainly in the realm of eats and drinks.
Go check out his writeup and review. From his write up and Lew's notes (via Facebook), it sounds like an event to keep an eye on next year.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sly Fox 15th Anniversary Brewmaster's Breakfast
My day has gone a little longer than I expected and now I'm getting ready to get out of here for the remainder of it.
However, I did get around to uploading videos from yesterday's Brewmaster's Breakfast which kicked off Sly Fox's 15th anniversary party yesterday.
So, without much other background, I'll leave it to Brian O'Reilly, brewmaster, to take it from here.
Thursday, December 09, 2010
Weekly Beer Calendar Update: December 9th-December 15th
Here's 7 days worth of beer events around the Philadelphia region that will either keep you totally distracted from the duties of the season...or will give you good ways in which to reward yourself for completing said duties.
Any way you approach it, there's a lot to choose from...enjoy!
Check out the entire December 2010 calendar over here.
If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.
In December up and through Christmas Eve, Brauhaus Schmitz will be participating in the Philadelphia's outdoor Christmas Village around City Hall. Anywhere you head in Center City during December is probably worth a stroll through City Hall to get there.
@City Hall, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 11/25-Fri. 12/24 - Brauhaus Schmitz in the Christmas Village (all day, every day; PAYG)
15th Anniversary Celebrations roll on
@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - 15th Anniversary Celebration (all day; PAYG)
Here a taste, there a sample...getchya some
@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Friday Night Sampling (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Holiday Spiced Beers)
@Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/14 - Barrel-aged Prince Myshkin release (6:30pm; PAYG for this big Russian Imperial Stout, a small stash of '09 Barleywine, plus free cheese from DiBruno Bros.)
@Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/15 - Home Brew Holiday Swap (7:00pm; PAYG to swap homebrew and get a free pint of Dock Street beer)
@Exton Beverage, Exton, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Friday Night Tasting (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples from Stoudt's Brewing)
@Iron Hill, Media, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (Free tastings with your dinner from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, North Wales, PA--- Thu. 12/9 & Fri. 12/10 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, West Chester, PA--- Thu. 12/9 & Fri. 12/10 & Sat. 12/11 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Iron Hill, Wilmington, DE--- Fri. 12/10 & Sat. 12/11 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-9:00pm; Free tastings from various bottle reserves)
@Nodding Head, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 12/11 - Tripel 3 Ways (3:00pm-6:00pm; PAYG for Belgian-style Triple done 3 ways, Nodding Head-style..."Tripel", "Egress Quatro", and "Phreddie")
@Union Jack's, Boyertown, PA--- Sat. 12/11 - Back in Black 3.0 (12:00pm; PAYG for a draft list that currently contains Allagash Fluxus 2010, Avery Meph Addict, Ballast Point Victory at Sea, Dogfish Head World Wide Stout 2008, Eel River Ravens Eye Imperial Stout 2009, Founders KBS, Left Hand Fade to Black 2009, Manayunk Iron Curtain, New Holland Night Tripper, Port Older Viscosity, Rogue Double Chocolate Stout, Sierra Nevada Fritz and Ken's 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout, Spring House Planet Bean 2009, Stone Vertical Epic 9-9-09, and Weyerbacher Fifteen)
@Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, PA--- Thu. 12/9 - Ommegang Beer Sampling (6:00pm-8:00pm; Free tasting samples)
Seasonally appropriate and politically correct...sometimes
@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Mad Elf, Happy You Night (6:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for '09 and '10 Mad Elf, Scratch #37 & #39, and Nick Johnson throwing in some Mad Elf gear)
@Iron Abbey, Horsham, PA--- Wed. 12/15 - 12 Beers of Christmas Dinner (7:00pm-9:00pm; $60 for 6 plates of food and 12 glasses of beer)
@Iron Hill, West Chester, PA--- Sat. 12/11 - Oy' to the World (2:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG for He’Brew Jewbilation, Southampton Christmas Ale, Sly Fox Christmas Ale, and Iron Hill Hopalicious Holiday Ale)
@Kite and Key, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Christmas Spectacular (PAYG for all the Christmas ales they can get their hands on)
@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/14 - Holiday Dinner (7:00pm-10:00pm; $75 for the annual holiday extravaganza blowout)
@Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA--- Sun. 12/12 - Brunch with Santa (10:00am-2:00pm; $20/$10 a brunch buffet with all the fixins including a carving station...and, of course, Santa for the kids or the kid in you)
@Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown, PA--- Tue. 12/14 - Holiday Beer Dinner (6:00pm-9:00pm; $50 for a five-course meal paired with Prima Pils, Rauch Porter, Pursuit Pale Ale, ESB, and Dark Intrigue..wait, did someone say DARK INTRIGUE?!)
Other fun with food and beer
@French Quarter Bistro, Royersford, PA--- Thu. 12/9 - Dock Street Beer Dinner (7:00pm-9:00pm; $45 for four courses of food paired with Dock Street's Hop Garden, Royal Bohemian Pils, Prisoner of Hell, and Satellite Espresso Stout)
@High Street Grill, Mt. Holly, NJ--- Sat. 12/11 - Yards Beer Lunch (12:00pm; $45 for four courses, each paired with one of the historically significant brews from Yards)
@Molly Maguire's, Phoenixville, PA--- Mon. 12/13 - Sierra Nevada Beer Dinner (7:00pm-10:00pm; $50 for a four-course meal paired with Pale Ale, Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale, Celebration Ale, and 30th Anniversary Brewers Reserve Oak Aged Ale)
@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, PA--- Fri. 12/10 - Brewmaster's Breakfast (10:00am; $35 for a five-course breakfast with new beers and a guest chef from Majolica)
@The Institute, Philadelphia, PA--- Sat. 12/11 - Beers & Steers with Roy Pitz Brewing (2:00pm-6:00pm; $40 for all you can eat/drink beef and beer including Roy Pitz's Old Jail Ale, Ludwigs Revenge, Best Blonde Ale, and Gobbler Lager...vegetarian options available as well)
@Tria Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/14 - Yards and Betty Bring it Home (6:30pm-8:00pm; $48 for chocolate, fudge, and beer...separately and together)
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Aecht Schlenkerla Beer Dinner at Brauhaus Schmitz, 11/18/10
Link to Photo Gallery of Aecht Schlenkerla at Brauhaus Schmitz
That I consider this a top five event in my personal calendar of 2010 beer events makes it all the more strange that I've taken almost a month to get around to sharing the story with you all.
Nonetheless, this is a top five event of 2010 for me. Oh wait, I've already mentioned that. Sorry, I still get a little excited talking about what a great beer...dinner...event this was at Brauhaus Schmitz on November 18.
I arrived at the restaurant after a short visit to City Tap House's media preview event of their new pop-up brewery weekend concept (the inaugural one featured Sixpoint from Brooklyn) and a quick cab ride across town. And, I arrived with enough time to order up a delightful glass of Jever Pilsner as something of a palate reset-er between some of Sixpoint's adventurous brews and Schlenkerla's smoked beers.
The full menu listing follows below. For a rundown of the Aecht Schlenkerla dinner plus an insightful Q&A with owner and brewer, Matthias Trum, please visit After Hours at The Brew Lounge, hosted at The Washington Times Communities section.
But, before you leave--or after you come back, if you will--how about a few tidbits of fun Bamberg and Schlenkerla trivia? You'll never know when it will come in handy on Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit :)
-> To schlenker means to stagger around, almost drunk-like. It's the inspiration behind the brewery's informal name. Read more here. The official brewery name is Heller-Bräu.
-> The brewery's pub was known as the "House to the Blue Lion", circa 1877, where proprietor Andreas Graser was known to schlenker about
-> The sausages of the first course were invented by Chef Thiel and the only ones known to incorporate smokemalt into the recipe.
-> Matthias Trum is the a 6th generation family brewer, the company's 15th since 1405.
-> The lager uses a base pilsener malt and really doesn't emphasize the smoke.
-> All Schlenkerla beers use beechwood in the smoking process, except the Eiche Doppelbock which uses oak for its different burning temperature for a smoother, less pronounced smoke flavor.
-> Refrigeration was a Franconian invention.
-> The northern Franconia region is home to 344 of 670 Bavarian breweries and has roughly one brewery for every 5,500 residents.
-> Wanna know what the meaning behind these following two pictures? Read through the Q&A with Matthias Trum over at The Washington Times. (pictures courtesy of Matthias Trum/Aecht Schlenkerla)
Welcome Bier ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock ---a stronger version of the original smokebier
First Course Schlenkerla House-made Smoked Sausages with Sweet Cabbage and wrapped in Pumpernickel Bread ~ Schlenkerla Rauchweizen ---a noticeable apple flavor as it warms; as a result, it went nicely with the dessert course
Second Course Cream Soup of Horseradish Root and Parsnips with Smoked Trout Dumpling ~Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier ---a more "standard"-tasting German lager
Third Course Bamberg-Style Onion stuffed with Ground Pork and Bacon with Mashed Potatoes and Smoked Beer Sauce ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen ---a wonderful bier that was so perfectly paired with the Bamberg Onion
Fourth Course Gingerbread Mousse with Carmelized Apple Slices ~Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (Oak Smoke) from a Wood-Clad Gravity-Poured Keg ---smooth, slightly boozy dessert bier that went perfectly with the decadently rich chocolate mousse
That I consider this a top five event in my personal calendar of 2010 beer events makes it all the more strange that I've taken almost a month to get around to sharing the story with you all.
Nonetheless, this is a top five event of 2010 for me. Oh wait, I've already mentioned that. Sorry, I still get a little excited talking about what a great beer...dinner...event this was at Brauhaus Schmitz on November 18.
I arrived at the restaurant after a short visit to City Tap House's media preview event of their new pop-up brewery weekend concept (the inaugural one featured Sixpoint from Brooklyn) and a quick cab ride across town. And, I arrived with enough time to order up a delightful glass of Jever Pilsner as something of a palate reset-er between some of Sixpoint's adventurous brews and Schlenkerla's smoked beers.
The full menu listing follows below. For a rundown of the Aecht Schlenkerla dinner plus an insightful Q&A with owner and brewer, Matthias Trum, please visit After Hours at The Brew Lounge, hosted at The Washington Times Communities section.
But, before you leave--or after you come back, if you will--how about a few tidbits of fun Bamberg and Schlenkerla trivia? You'll never know when it will come in handy on Jeopardy or Trivial Pursuit :)
-> To schlenker means to stagger around, almost drunk-like. It's the inspiration behind the brewery's informal name. Read more here. The official brewery name is Heller-Bräu.
-> The brewery's pub was known as the "House to the Blue Lion", circa 1877, where proprietor Andreas Graser was known to schlenker about
-> The sausages of the first course were invented by Chef Thiel and the only ones known to incorporate smokemalt into the recipe.
-> Matthias Trum is the a 6th generation family brewer, the company's 15th since 1405.
-> The lager uses a base pilsener malt and really doesn't emphasize the smoke.
-> All Schlenkerla beers use beechwood in the smoking process, except the Eiche Doppelbock which uses oak for its different burning temperature for a smoother, less pronounced smoke flavor.
-> Refrigeration was a Franconian invention.
-> The northern Franconia region is home to 344 of 670 Bavarian breweries and has roughly one brewery for every 5,500 residents.
-> Wanna know what the meaning behind these following two pictures? Read through the Q&A with Matthias Trum over at The Washington Times. (pictures courtesy of Matthias Trum/Aecht Schlenkerla)
Welcome Bier ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock ---a stronger version of the original smokebier
First Course Schlenkerla House-made Smoked Sausages with Sweet Cabbage and wrapped in Pumpernickel Bread ~ Schlenkerla Rauchweizen ---a noticeable apple flavor as it warms; as a result, it went nicely with the dessert course
Second Course Cream Soup of Horseradish Root and Parsnips with Smoked Trout Dumpling ~Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier ---a more "standard"-tasting German lager
Third Course Bamberg-Style Onion stuffed with Ground Pork and Bacon with Mashed Potatoes and Smoked Beer Sauce ~Schlenkerla Rauchbier Märzen ---a wonderful bier that was so perfectly paired with the Bamberg Onion
Fourth Course Gingerbread Mousse with Carmelized Apple Slices ~Schlenkerla Eiche Doppelbock (Oak Smoke) from a Wood-Clad Gravity-Poured Keg ---smooth, slightly boozy dessert bier that went perfectly with the decadently rich chocolate mousse
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
This is a Stoudt's, Eddie's Bread, Duvel, Food-and-Beer Pairing all-in-one posting
My fancy new camera needs some tweaking. This beautifully composed picture I took three different ways with three different focal points. I settled on the one with the Stoudt's bottle in focus because, well, this is first and foremost a place where we talk about beer first and foremost.
And then I figured why spread out a bunch of smaller material across 4 different postings when I could tell you all in one place at one time that:
1) Eddie's Bread in the Wonderful Good Market at its Adamstown home behind Stoudt's restaurant and brewery is as good as it's ever been. Spotted a Sauerkraut Rye loaf that might make an appearance on our New Year's Day dinner table alongside pork, sauerkraut, and mashed potatoes. This time took home a sourdough.
2) Stoudt's has a Brewers Reserve bottle out (not sure for exactly how long now it's been) called Adamstown Brown. It's a solid brown ale with a solid flavor shot of hops.
3) This beer goes real nicely inside the new piece of glassware from Duvel that came home with us from the Duvel Day event last Wednesday evening at Monk's. Looking forward to future renditions of similar glassware from Duvel.
4) The beer goes pretty nicely, as well, with a bowl of pasta and lentil (and a produce drawer's worth of vegetables) soup. It might have been a tad hoppier than a perfect pairing would call for (where's my Legend Brown when I need it?), but the solid malt backbone of this beer and the lentils played happily together. Oh, yeah, and the sourdough bread was pretty happy to play nicely with the others.
How's that for a keyword-rich posting? Maybe that will improve my Wikio ranking, y'think?
Will the geeks be all atwitter over water?
More anniversary brews are coming. 1995-1996...some busy time around the Delaware Valley. Victory's turn at a 15 year anniversary is coming soon.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Big 15th Anniversary fun at Sly Fox this weekend
Beginning before noon on Friday, Sly Fox will be kicking off its 15th anniversary celebration. I figured this is worthy of my last vacation day of the year. It begins with a sold-out (sorry) breakfast that, at $35, looks a steal. A five course breakfast with all the beer fixins? A new coffee porter, Majolica, Succubus, and benedict? Yeah, it's like that.
But enough gloating. Come anytime after 11:30am and you'll find all sorts of shenanigans to keep the party going well into the night.
Here's a brief rundown. Check the website for all of the anniversary party details. (exclamations brought to you by the Sly Fox!)
• 23 plus beers pouring all the time!
• Featuring the release of Odyssey 2010!
• 2009 & 2010 Odyssey firkin pouring side by side!
• Four courses of beer paired tapas to get you through the day!
• Live music from HOLT 45!
• Open mic Sly Fox tribute - get up and toast the Fox!
• More surprises to come as the day gets closer!
Sunday, December 05, 2010
TJs can now resume its normal business
(you may wish to first link back to a fun Q&A with owner, Jeff Miller)
All staff reported for duty yesterday and every single one of them was needed because you all turned out to support TJs in the 7th Anniversary Party.
So, other than opening late today at 4pm to give the staff a bit of a well-deserved break, it will be back to business as usual in Paoli. Or, wait a second, TJs serves great food and beer every other day of the year so what exactly will be different?
Well, I suppose that there won't be hundreds of well-wishing beer enthusiasts streaming through the door from the minute they open until the wee hours of the night.
There won't be giveaway t-shirts and commemorative glassware. And there won't be one-year-old methuselahs of Allagash Tripel being passed around for special 7pm toasts.
Nonetheless, if we do these things once a year at TJs, that should be good enough I suppose?
Thanks to the entire TJs crew for a wonderful day. Late night reports suggest that everything went as close to their wants and expectations as could have.
Instead of continuing on with all of these dreadful words...I'll take you now to the pictures and let them do the remainder of the speaking. Sorry, no time for captions today.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
TJs turns Seven...and you're all invited
For all of you outside the Philadelphia area, you should forgive my extremely local posting here this morning. But, as I get chores out of the way so that I may have lunch at "my local", TJs in Paoli, I feel inclined to share with you the anatomy of a seven-year-old beer bar in suburban Philadelphia that continues to improve with age. In the ever-competitive Philadelphia world of great beer, this is no easy feat.
If you are local to Philadelphia and are in search of a good beer today, than a car or train ride to Paoli should be at the top of your list. And, to be clear, I don't stand to benefit anything from these effusively glowing words (...no free beer...no free cajun chicken alfredo...mmm, cajun....chicken...alfredo.....must...focus) I write this solely in support of the good people at TJs that are serving up great beer, food, and a special toast at 7pm with a couple of very large bottles of Allagash Tripel (pictured above with Jeff and Teri). They've been doing this sort of thing for many years now and they certainly deserve the attention.
A pictorial review will follow tomorrow. But, as usual, I digress.
I sat down recently with Jeff Miller and tried to wrap up what the last seven years has meant to him and Teri (the first half of TJs....it just wouldn't sound right as JT's now would it?).
Bryan Kolesar/The Brew Lounge: What have been the most noticeable changes in the last seven years?
Jeff Miller, co-Owner TJs: The most astounding change is the sheer number of restaurants/bars within a small radius of TJ’s that have closed or changed hands in the past seven years. It’s over twenty!
TBL: How have you seen the pursuit of craft beer change either for the better or the worse over the past seven years?
JM: There was a period of beer-chasing for us. Having to have the latest and greatest to prove ourselves in the market place. Although we get our fair share of extraordinary beer, I think that we’ve moved away from beer-hunting and into just making sure we have a constant list of quality and diversity. Our guests have come to trust that we aren’t going to put “crap” on tap.
TBL: Has the changing distribution landscape greatly impacted your business plans?
JM: We made a conscious decision ahead of the grocery stores selling beer to shift away from take-out and concentrate towards on-premise sales. We reduced our bottle selection down to one hundred and increased our drafts to twenty-six. The results have been quite remarkable. While I knew our take-out sales would drop, I hadn’t anticipated the draft beer sales increasing so dramatically. We just kicked our 1000th keg of this year a few weeks ago.
TBL: Do you recognize any customers that date back to Day 1 of your opening?
JM: Dick came in about a week before we opened 7 years ago, introduced himself and he’s been coming in at least once a week ever since.
TBL: How has your staff reacted to the surge in craft beer popularity at your bar?
JM: The staff has really embraced the changes over the years. They realize we are constantly improving and there’s something to be said for working somewhere that actually increased its sales during the economic downturn.
TBL: What's been the most challenging aspect of keeping up with the Craft Beer Revolution, or whatever we're calling it?
JM: Staying ahead of the pack and figuring out how to continue to stand out when more and more establishments are embracing the craft beer movement?
TBL: I feel like a reporter asking this question of former President George W. Bush, but here goes: In a period of self-reflection, what has been your biggest mistake and what has been your proudest success?
JM: Outdoor dining was my biggest misstep. We spent several thousand dollars adding it to our liquor license, buying tables, chairs and umbrellas only to find that a very small populace would actually use it.
We are most proud that we have been able to succeed in a location that so many others had failed. We are the sixth restaurant to occupy this space and we are the process of negotiating an additional ten-year lease to expire in 2024.
TBL: What would you change today about your current bar/restaurant operation if you could?
JM: I would eliminate the three smaller dining rooms and make the bar area larger. Our bar area and three dining rooms have an equal number of seats. However, if the bar is absolutely packed four people out front and four people in the back can handle it. If the dining room is full it takes double that number to do the same sales and it’s twice as much work.
TBL: What's the most bizarre thing you've dealt with on the other side of the bar (i.e. customers)?
JM: The “war-room” stories are endless…
TBL: Wow! How to follow that up? So, given those war-room stories, do you prefer the kitchen, the bar, the floor, or your office?
JM: I’m an operations guy. I always have been. Tweak this. Fix that. How can we do this better? While I attempt to make the rounds out front from time to time, my mind is always telling me “you should be doing this or that needs to get done. What are you doing out here? Get back to work!”
TBL: What's your beer du jour? What are you looking forward to trying the most on Saturday that you haven't tasted before?
JM: Goudenband! I’ve got a case of the new batch coming in this week and I have two bottles of the original. I’m looking forward to a side-by-side tasting at the end of the evening. I REALLY hope the new stuff lives up to how I remember the original.
TBL: You know your beer geeks pretty well. What do you think will be the first keg to kick?
JM: Ballast Point Dorado or the Sculpin firkin. The Dorado was a last minute surprise from the Bella Vista boys. It’s a rare sixtel and sure to be a favorite of the evening.
TBL: Will there be any extracurricular activities like body shots or dancing on the bar?
JM: Those were fun times, but TJ’s has long since moved past them. We recently instituted a “no-shot” policy to further enhance the experience of the audience we have built over the past several years and to dissuade the audience we don’t want.
TBL: I should let you go now; you have a lot of work before Saturday. I hope you have some time to enjoy it with your customers.
JM: See you then. It’s going to be nuts.
Friday, December 03, 2010
A Toast to Bruce Nichols
Not much to say about Wednesday night other than THANKS to Tom Peters and his Monk's Café and Megan Maguire and her Duvel beer for putting on just the right event last night at Monk's for a nice cross-section of Philadelphia Beer looking to raise a toast to our friend and recently departed Bruce Nichols.
It had just the right tone and after Tom decided with a heavy heart against canceling the event, I think it turned out to be just what everyone seemed to need in the early days after the sad news.
We wound up the night over at Devil's Den for a cozy wood-burning fire that you could smell from around the corner and some tasty dinner (oh, and a few nice barrel and smoke beers too), which provided for the perfect end to a bittersweet night.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Do you want to go to Allentown Brew Works Craft Beer Festival this weekend...for free?
They've done it again. Allentown Brew Works is hosting another event that I can not attend. But, they've once again allowed me to take the complimentary pass that I might have used and pass it along to one of you.
I realize that it's short notice, but if you can be the first to reply in either a comment below or a private email to me, the ticket will be held for you at the door. You can choose from the 1pm-4pm or 5pm-8pm session; either way, it's a value of as much as $35 at the door.
For more info about the festival, click here. General admission tickets are still available for the 5pm-8pm session.
Now, for the question: What was Rude Elf's Reserve called before the threat of litigation caught up with those nasty kids from the north pole?
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Weekly Beer Calendar Update: December 1st-December 8th
After a bit of a relative lull in the Philadelphia beer calendar around the Thanksgiving holiday, bars and breweries are back with a fierce-looking 8-day calendar to open the festive month of December. Come out to any of the following beer events and you can Fugeddabout any seasonal depression.
Check out the entire December 2010 calendar over here.
If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, let me know.
In December up and through Christmas Eve, Brauhaus Schmitz will be participating in the Philadelphia's outdoor Christmas Village around City Hall. Anywhere you head in Center City during December is probably worth a stroll through City Hall to get there.
@City Hall, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 11/25-Fri. 12/24 - Brauhaus Schmitz in the Christmas Village (all day, every day; PAYG)
Here a taste, there a sample...getchya some
@Bell's Beverage, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/3 - Friday Night Sampling (4:00pm-6:00pm; Free tasting samples of Founders beer from Michigan)
@Blue Dog, Lansdale, PA--- Fri. 12/3 - Friday Night with Stoudt's Brewing (6:30pm; PAYG)
@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/8 - Avery Brewing Night (7:00pm-9:00pm; PAYG for a selection of some of Colorado's finest like: Rumkin; Salvation; The Beast; DuganA IPA; Old Jubilation; and White Rascal)
@Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Tröegs Keep the Pint Night (4:30pm-8:30pm; PAYG for 7 beers from Tröegs and free glassware)
@Iron Hill, Maple Shade, NJ--- Wed. 12/1 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-8:00pm; Complimentary tastings of several of Iron Hill's bottled beers)
@Iron Hill, North Wales, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Complimentary tastings of several of Iron Hill's bottled beers)
@Iron Hill, West Chester, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-7:00pm; Complimentary tastings of several of Iron Hill's bottled beers)
@Iron Hill, Wilmington, DE--- Fri. 12/3 - Bottled Reserves Tasting (5:00pm-9:00pm; Complimentary tastings of several of Iron Hill's bottled beers)
@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/1 - Duvel Day (4:00pm-7:00pm; PAYG for Duvel, Duvel Green, and Duvel Tripel Hop, plus a chance to go home with a piece of new Duvel glassware)
@Sly Fox, Phoenixville & Royersford, PA--- Fri. 12/3 - Incubus Friday (all day; PAYG the monthly release of their excellent Tripel)
Beer for getting in the spirit of the season
@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/1 - Light our Fire (7:00pm; PAYG for smoked and wood/barrel-aged delights like: Weyerbacher 15; Rodenbach 2008 Vintage; Dogfish Head Red & White; Weyerbacher Heresy; New Holland Chakoota Rye; Lost Abbey Angel's Share & many more)
@Iron Hill, Lancaster, PA--- Sat. 12/4 - Winter Warmers Tasting (12:00pm-5:00pm; PAYG to get warmed up with the likes of Old Ale 2010-from Media; Wee Heavy-from Newark; Russian Imperial Stout-from North Wales; Tripel Sec-from Phoenixville; Pete’s Celebration- from Maple Shade; Wheat Wine-from West Chester; Dark Side-from Wilmington; Imperial Coffee Porter-from Lancaster; Shokolad Stout-from Lancaster)
@Tria Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/8 - Winter Beer Wonderland (6:30pm-8:00pm; $55 gets you tastes of beer from around the world courtesy of importer B. United such as: Brewery Glazen Toren; Aecht Schlenkerla; Birrificio Del Borgo; and Baladin)
Beer Dinners for sustenance of course
@Iron Hill, Phoenixville, PA--- Tue. 12/7 - Brewmaster's Fall Beer Dinner (6:30pm; $65 for a five-course meal paired with Nut Brown Ale, Belgian Pale Ale, The Cannibal, Pumpkin Ale, Bourbon Tripel)
@Jose Pistolas, Philadelphia, PA--- Fri. 12/3 - Lunch with Founders (11:30am-2:00pm; PAYG for a la carte lunch with a lineup of Founders beer to match with lunch from Jose's)
@Spinnerstown Hotel, Spinnerstown, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Meet the Brewer Series (7:00pm-10:00pm; $55 for a night of food and Victory beer tasting and pairing)
@Union Barrel Works, Reamstown, PA--- Tue. 12/7 - Wild Game Beer Dinner (6:30pm; $40 for a seven-course meal paired with Pilsner, Pale Ale, Lager, Kölsch, Porter, Mai Bock, and Wobbly Bob)
And now for a little something extra
@Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/7 - Prisoner of Hell release and movie (6:30pm; PAYG for the release of this Belgian Golden Strong Ale)
@Kite and Key, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Russian River Night (PAYG for a hearty lineup of Russian River goodies to include at least Consecration, Damnation, and Temptation)
@Khyber Pass Pub, Philadelphia, PA--- Wed. 12/1 - Grand Opening (11:00am-2:00am; PAYG for a day-long full of specials)
@P.O.P.E., Philadelphia, PA--- Tue. 12/7 - Exit 13 release party (7:00pm; PAYG for only pre-release tasting of this Chocolate Stout inspired by north Jersey)
@The Drafting Room, Exton, PA--- Fri. 12/3 - Tröegs Holiday Tapping (6:00pm; PAYG for Mad Elf '09, Mad Elf '10, Java Head Stout, Dreamweaver, Scratch #36, Scratch #37, Scratch #38, HopBack Amber, and Troegenator)
@TJs, Paoli, PA--- Sat. 12/4 - 7th Anniversary Party (12:00pm; PAYG for daylong frivolity and breweries including Allagash, Ballast Point, Cantillon, Corsendonk, Dieu du Ciel Aphrodite, Flying Dog, Founders, Great Lakes, Hitachino, Jolly Pumpkin, Lost Abbey, Mikkeller, Port Brewing, Russian River, Tröegs, Troubadour, Unibroue, White Birch, and Yards)
@Tria Café, Philadelphia, PA--- Thu. 12/2 - Dogfish Head (6:30pm-8:00pm; $65 as Sam resurrects ancient recipes, famous extreme brews, and extra-special vintage bottles. He's even breaking out Randall the Enamel Animal.)
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