Weekly Second-Hand Brews News Update: 4/20/13

I long ago lost the ability to keep up with even half the beer news out there in the wild and wacky world of craft beer. There was a time I attempted daily (or even more frequent) updates with interesting tidbits from around the brewniverse along with small contributions of my own thoughts.

That has yielded to my weekly updates that you'll find here every Saturday morning with some of what I consider to be some of the more interesting news out there that you might like to add to your weekend reading list (or Monday morning at work, depending upon your preference).

Enjoy.

PHILADELPHIA
~ Philly Beer Week tidbits from Curtin.

~ And yet another reason to link to Curtin. Hopefully, in my agreement yet again here with Jack, this does not hereby constitute a trend.

~ Someone mapped out Citizens Bank Park; surprised it took this long.

~ Nice list.


EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Nice shout-outs from Hugh Sisson.

~ Took me a couple of reads to get through all the rules about the latest release from Ardmore's awesome Tired Hands. You obsessive ones out there must be asking a lot of questions.

~ Thanks to Beer-Stained Letter for keeping us up-to-date on progress at Flying Fish.

~ And bit of news coming out of New Jersey.

~ Hm, a controversy in Ardmore?


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Proof that the BeerPulse filter really does catch all of the news with the word beer in it.

~ Remember how a couple of weeks back I mentioned a recent lack of good donnybrooks. Here's another developing one for you to mull over. We're all part-time at something and some do it pretty well

~ Honestly haven't followed up on this one yet, but it looks interesting.

~ You might have heard of a brewery opening in North Carolina. Here'a a photo update.

~ There's a neat "beer map" included too after you make the jump to this big beer article.

~ And to close on a serious note.

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More news about Casey Hughes' move to Florida

Who needs some positive news late here in the week on Friday afternoon?

You may have heard earlier this week of Head Brewer's, Casey Hughes, plan to leave Flying Fish after his upcoming wedding and move to Florida to begin the next chapter in his brewing career.

Here are some more details that he shared with me earlier today. You beer geeks that are also baseball fans will love this one.

Casey will be leaving Flying Fish at the end of May. He'll be moving to Tampa where he will be working as brewmaster with co-founders Kent Bailey and Robb Larson to open the new Coppertail Brewing Company (website coming soon) in the city's downtown Ybor City neighborhood. Until the website is up, you can find them on Facebook. Update: Website now available.

They are shooting for a most opportune opening timeframe: spring training 2014. In case you need a quick reference, when doing your spring training pilgrimage next year, you may have the chance to stop in at Coppertail, visit with Casey, and be within less than an hour's drive in any direction to the spring training homes of the Yankees (Tampa), Pirates (Bradenton), Orioles (Sarasota), Tigers (Lakeland), Blue Jays (Dunedin), and Phillies (Clearwater).

Casey (and his fiancee Jules) have been friends of The Brew Lounge for quite some time and it goes without saying that I speak for many friends and fans of his beers when I wish them all the best in Florida.

I'll leave you with two images of Casey. One with me. For some reason, some of you have suggested there should be more pictures of me around. Not sure if I agree, but I'll allow it here in this case. And, the second one, sort of fitting. While not the best picture quality (it was sort of a "spy" photo out the window of Standard Tap), I like the grainy/hazy silhouette of Casey with Jennie Hatton and the Hammer of Glory during Philly Beer Week.

Writing this ship, Part IV (California, part 2)

If you'd like to catch up with the pieces leading up to this Part IV, head back and check out the "intro", Part I, Part II, and/or Part III.

In addition to the trip last July to San Francisco that I shared with you the other day, there have since been two others. The one in February has been shared...likely, you might fairly say, ad nauseum. That was the SF Beer Week trip that was shared adequately here and over here as well. We'll leave that one rest until next year.

In December, there was a bit more trippin' around the City and Sonoma County. In the spirit of keeping you engaged, this'll be shared through some random pictures below instead of all those wordy words that I typically like to write.

(Sunrise over San Francisco)
(Fog. In San Francisco. Who's heard of such a thing?!)
(Hills. In San Francisco. Have you heard of such a thing?!)
(Sushi. In San Francisco. At one my favorites, Sakana, near Union Square.)
(City Beer Store hangs 'em proudly)
(the premiere of 21st Amendment's Hog Island Oyster Stout with, wait for it...oysters! At the Ferry Building Marketplace)
(Tcho Chocolate, located along the Embarcadero, is one of the region's finest)
(Lagunitas in Petaluma, Calif.)
(The iconic beer list at Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, Calif.)
(The Fremont Diner in Sonoma, Calif.)
(Breakfast and a beer at The Fremont Diner in Sonoma, Calif.)

(The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Decadent. Relaxing. Convenient to some of the best of Sonoma County)
(Imagery Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif.)
(Imagery Winery in Glen Ellen, Calif.)

(A nice day to take the family for a drive and some scenery)

Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 18 - April 24

The beer events calendar around the Philadelphia region seems to have slightly higher than average number of food-based events this coming week. So that calls for both a Cheers and a Bon appétit!

Check out the entire April 2013 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Events with Tap Lists via PhillyTapFinder.com
@Memphis Taproom, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - Five Year Anniversary (12 p.m.; $PAYG for a special event draft list brought to you by PhillyTapFinder.com)

@The Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - Down South with Southern Tier (2 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for a special event draft list brought to you by PhillyTapFinder.com)


Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Friday Night Sampling (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Anchor Brewing.)

@Bell Beverage, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Friday Night Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Tröegs' beers.)

@Capone's, Norristown, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 - Keep the Pint Glass (6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; $PAYG to hang out with Joanne from Smuttynose and their beers including a limited tapping of Paradox IPA.)
@Capone's, Norristown, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - Keep the Pint Glass (12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; $PAYG to try some Otter Creek, Wolaver's, The Shed, and Long Trail brews.)

@Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Friday Night Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Deschutes beers.)

@Iron Hill, West Chester, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Black Hops Now (5 p.m.-10 p.m.; $PAYG for our Black IPA (cask-conditioned, too) release party with guest beers 21st Amendment Back in Black IPA and Heavy Seas Black Cannon.)

@Sly Fox, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Third Friday Firkin Fest (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG for three hand-pumped cask-conditioned beers.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 - Thursday Beer Sampling (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Full Sail's year round brews and seasonals.)

@The Greek's Next Door, Narberth, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Friday Night Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Philadelphia Brewing's beers.)


"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@30th Street Station, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 & Fri. 4/19 - The Porch Beer Garden (3 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG to experience the outdoor Beer Garden at The Porch at 30th Street Station. Bridgewater’s Pub will offer German and craft beers. Enjoy the fresh air and live music, all while taking in the sights and sounds of the second busiest train station in America.)

@Dock Street, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - Bottles Galore ($PAYG for Black IPA, Abt 8, Abt 12, Born Again Tripel, Devil's Double IPA, Prince Myshkin R.I.S., and Sexy Beast Chocolate Stout. Possible tentative appearance by Dock Street/Monk's/Home Sweet Home Brew's collaboration Trappist IPA.)

@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/21 - Philly Tech Week: Zapping Aliens and Saving the Universe, While Drinking a Beer (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for a night of old and new school video games, cause we roll both old and new school. To complete the geekiness, we'll have techno music on the juke and maybe some eight bit tunes too. This will be a lot of fun. Join us and help save the universe.)

@Old Eagle Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/1-Tue. 4/30 - Brewery Of The Month ($PAYG for specials on Tröegs beers throughout the month.)
@Old Eagle Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 - Tröegs Night ($PAYG for an evening of fun 'n' games with Tröegs beer specials.)

@Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton, Pa.--- Sun. 4/21 - Electric City Brew Fest (12 p.m.-5 p.m.; $37-$67 for homebrewing demonstrations, food pairing discussions, craft brew info sessions, entertainment, and more.)

@Station Taproom, Downingtown, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - 3rd Anniversary Party (12 p.m.; $PAYG for a 3rd Anniversary Ale Brewed By Tired Hands and many other beers of superstar status befitting an anniversary party.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/23 - Tasty Tuesday: Brouwerij Van Eecke ($PAYG as Danny from one of the greatest Belgian breweries is coming to visit us. They are the makers of Watou Blonde, Poperings Hommel Bier, Leroy Christmas, and many more. This will be a very special day here in the 'burbs, loaded with lots of VIPs. You’ll see, it’ll be insane.)


Food and Beer events
@City Tap House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/20 - Beer-B-Q (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $20 for an all-you-can-eat BBQ, great beer from Brooklyn, live Grateful Dead cover band Estimated Profit, and cocktail specials all afternoon at the annual patio kickoff and Pig Roast.)

@Iron Abbey, Horsham, Pa.--- Wed. 4/24 - Left Hand Beer Dinner (7 p.m.; $70 for a five-course meal served with Polestar Pilsner, Sawtooth Ale, Fade To Black, Twin Sisters, and Milk Stout Nitro.)

@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Wed. 4/24 - Beer & Chocolate Perfect Pairing (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $35 for six chocolates concoctions served with Abbey Dubbel, North Wales Pale Ale, Hoppy Frogger IPA, Black Cherry Stout, Señor Chocolatoro, and Russian Imperial Stout.)

@Nectar, Berwyn, Pa.--- Wed. 4/24 - Chester County Farm & Victory Brewing Dinner (6:30 p.m.; $85 for a five-course meal served with Headwaters Pale Ale, Wry Expression, Braumeister Tettnang Pils, Red Thunder, and V-12.)

@Union Transfer, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 4/23 - Hop Chef Tour Kickoff (7 p.m.; $53.30 as six of Philadelphia’s hottest young chefs will each create one dish showcasing their imaginative beer and food pairing skills with Ommegang ales that will be served to a panel of judges, and to all attendees, to taste and score. As it all goes down, great beer will partner with great food to help out two great causes: Groundswell and Mural Arts Program.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 - Victory Cooks Showdown (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG to cheer on Victory’s talented employees as they battle each other in our Cook’s Showdown. One back of house Chef and one Sous Chef will battle it out to become the Victorious Chef Team and have their names immortalized on the Golden Meat Grinder. This is the finale and will feature the winning teams from each of the previous three battles to decide once and for all who is the champion.)
@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Mon. 4/22 - Earth Day Dinner (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $65 for a five-course meal in conjunction with Yellow Springs Farm served with Swing Session Saison, White Monkey, NATO IPA, St. Boisterous Hellerbock, and Mad King’s Weiss.)

@World Café Live, Wilmington, Del.--- Mon. 4/22 - Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting (6 p.m.; $38 for two of the best things on earth paired together – Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer from Dogfish Head and Allagash. Bring your vegetarian friends, too – we can accommodate them on all pairings.)


It's Earth Day and a few are doing something about it
@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/19 - Earth Day with Long Trail (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG to celebrate Earth Day with us and Long Trail's Double IPA, Double Bag, and Pollenator. Buy a pint of Long Trail, keep the glass, plus get a seedling (or something) to plant.)

@Hop Angel Brauhaus, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/18 - Earth Day with Long Trail (7 p.m.; $PAYG with details to follow.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/21 - Earth Day with Long Trail (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of seasonal brews by Long Trail and Earth-friendly giveaways.)

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Writing this ship, Part III (all over the place, part 2)

Still have many more submissions to get through here to catch us all up-to-date with where in the world The Brew Lounge has been for the last nine months or so. Here comes part three and if you'd like some background on how we got here, check out the "intro", Part I, and/or Part II.

January
  - Not much to report from January other than a two-part piece I did over at After Hours naming my most memorable beers of 2012. I often blanch at naming "the best" of anything, particularly when it relates to matter of taste, something that is nearly impossible to quantify. So, I put together my most memorable beers of 2012 and it was pretty well-received. If you had missed it back then, check it now — link to Part 1 and link to Part 2.

February
  - January went by in mid-winter's bleary blur, but February first brought San Francisco Beer Week, of which I took part in some portion of 8 of 10 days. I spoke plenty of here in these pages and you can find part 1 of those days documented here and part 2 over here.

  - Back on the East Coast, I was back in time to take advantage of an invitation to the Star Chefs awards and tasting gala. My writeup over at After Hours garnered some nice attention.

March
  - On one hand, I've said plenty over the years about the high quality of the annual Brewer's Plate event in Philly, marrying local food and beer like no other event. Yet, I didn't share anything about 2012 until just before the 2013 installment was due to take flight. Then, this year's was underway and you can link here to see what I had to say about it.

  - March also brought a return to Yards for their other top notch annual event, the Cask Ale Invitational. That reminds me that I should put up a little something about this stellar showcase of the region's best (plus, a few from here and there and overseas) in cask-conditioned beer. I've stuck a couple of pictures here just to prove I was there.


  - Of other events neglected to be written about here in these pages was the excellent dinner that I was invited to at JG Domestic. The dinner featured Avery Brewing Company from Colorado and was the first beer dinner I'd been to in the Garces Restaurant Group family since a beer dinner at Chifa, which coincidentally was when current JG Domestic GM, Mark Grika, was running the dinners over there across town. This dinner did not disappoint and I owe a few words and pictures here on this topic as well.

  - March was a busy month as you're probably beginning to sense, but for me personally, the Half Marathon in Washington, DC was pretty important. I set myself a new personal best by 7 1/2 minutes which is pretty significant, particularly given my advancing age! Oddly enough, no beer was included in this trip, partly because I knew what was to come still later in March. Unless you consider beer-related to be that our hotel was across from the historic Brewmaster's Castle.


  - Yes, still later in March was a return to the nation's capital for the Craft Brewers Conference. I haven't yet said all that much about it, unless you count (which is debatable, to be sure) Tweets and Facebook updates that I made along the way. I should still add a few blurbs from the industry-only conference, its seminars, and related events around town. It was finally my first appearance, after all these years, at the annual CBC. Overwhelming might be an apt way to begin describing the coming together of a reported 6,000 or so related industry folks.


  - Yet one more trip taken in March was to Texas where there was not much time for tracking down the exploding great beer scene, but that did not stop me from finding some of the best around the Dallas region. Meddlesome Moth has been for the past few years one of my highest recommendations for travelers to Dallas. Ginger Man in Dallas has been my favorite of the "chain's" multiple locations and, once again, did not disappoint. Central Market continues to supply the retail market with some of the best options for beer to-go and for this trip provided me with a bunch of Jester King beers (from Austin) to bring home with me. And, lastly, since it was St. Patrick's Day, the night wouldn't have been complete without a stop along McKinney Avenue at Idle Rich Pub where The Kildares was bringing down the house (or, I should say, the parking lot) with their Irish/Celtic rock befitting the holiday. The Blackfriar Pub across the street provided the two in the one-two punch of St. Patty's Day frivolity. Back at the conference I was attending in Grapevine, the resort was not necessarily overflowing with craft beer options, but there were a few from Rahr & Sons (Fort Worth) and a solid Revolver Bock that caught my eye and kept me satisfied with local Texas options.


  - Not to be overshadowed, though, was a day trip taken with Beer Yard's Matt Guyer to York County to explore some of the relatively newer stuff going on from the city of York down to the State's border. We hit up South County Brewing Company, Gunpowder Falls Brewing Company, Liquid Hero Brewing Company, Mudhook Brewing Company, and Holy Hound Taproom. Central Pennsylvania has never had it so good. More to come, also, on this topic. Hopefully.

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Writing this ship, Part II (all over the place, part 1)

If you keep up around here at The Brew Lounge on a regular basis, this may be an easy post to get through. In my continued effort to clear the backlog and bring us all up-to-date around here — and, in part, make amends for my perhaps perceived absence — Part II here focuses on a bunch of miscellaneous TBL activities from July 2012 through December 2012 mostly focused from New York through Delaware.

July
  - There was Ommegang's BCTC as has come to be a summer tradition since 2004. Of course, I wrote about it here at TBL as well as over at After Hours. They were both popular features and definitely gained some traction over there at TWT. Check 'em both out if you had previously not. Jury is still out whether I'll be making the trek again this year. The streak may finally be broken.

  - Also in July was the excellent Russian River beer dinner at the lovely Yardley Inn along the banks of the Delaware River. I wrote about it, as well, over at After Hours. I can only imagine that it was probably the only beer dinner where Russian River's beers were featured where there was a table that did not touch a drop of the five excellent beers set in front of them. They were close-minded wine people, whaddya want?

August
  - August brought an invitation to an excellent venue for a beer festival in Doylestown I'd not yet been to in the past. Certainly not your typical festival at not your typical place with not your typical beer festival people. I recommend keeping your eyes open for it this year if you've also not been.

September
  - You probably know that Sly Fox is up and running with their new production facility (and Tastin' Room) in Pottstown, Pa. The land around the brewery creates the perfect space for outdoor events. In September, they moved their Kan Jam from Phoenixville to Pottstown and added some excellent live music all day long.

  - Every year, the reputation of Yards' Smoke 'Em If Yous Got 'Em event seems to grow. It helps that craft beer lovers are finding their way to these unique beers more than ever. And, that there's excellent professional and amateur barbecue served up along side.

  - That was in September. So was the Dogfish Dash in Milton, Del. Good thing I do this running thing, especially when the the decadent Yards event was the week before.

October
  - As I was gearing up for the Harrisburg Marathon in November (well, actually, for the NYC Marathon, but I think we all know what happened there), there was one last beer dinner to squeeze in that'd been on my mind for quite some time at Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza. Here's the recap of a dinner at their Horsham, Pa. location with Victory Brewing Company as the beer pairing companion.

November
  - Not much to share with you from the beer world in November as I finished training for what would become my new all-time best marathon finishing time at the Harrisburg Marathon. But, as I can recite, to the second, each of eight marathon finishing times, I can also tell you the first beer I had after each marathon. Typically, I aim for something local to complete the association of the the race, the place, and the beer. In this case, it was a post-Marathon lunch and beer at nearby Tröegs in Hershey and the beer was a Scratch #78 Fresh Hop Ale. What they're doing at the brewery simply adds to making Hershey the Sweetest Place On Earth. If you haven't been, add it to your short list.


December
  - December, like November, was a fairly quiet month for me in terms of getting out into the beer events circuit. One that I wouldn't skip, however, was the Sly Fox Anniversary breakfast. It was one of several things that I would find over many of the last several "lost months" that went undocumented here in the pages of The Brew Lounge. While there are many beer events that can justify taking vacation time from work, breakfast with the Sly Fox folks is one that will both entertain and nourish you. I've added a few pictures here for your enjoyment.

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Weekly Second-Hand Brews News Update: 4/13/13

I long ago lost the ability to keep up with even half the beer news out there in the wild and wacky world of craft beer. There was a time I attempted daily (or even more frequent) updates with interesting tidbits from around the brewniverse along with small contributions of my own thoughts.

That has yielded to my weekly updates that you'll find here every Saturday morning with some of what I consider to be some of the more interesting news out there that you might like to add to your weekend reading list (or Monday morning at work, depending upon your preference).

Enjoy.

PHILADELPHIA
~ I think I know where you'll want to be on April 23. Take a look at the beer list then let me know.

~ Some awesome shirts that remind you Philly Beer Week is coming. Plus, a charity angle as well.

~ Grow up?! Wonder if that includes me?

~ Tomcattin' around on Delaware Avenue.


EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ Unfortunately, this is more like a see-what-you-might-have-missed link. Interesting enough, though, I figured to still share at this late date.

~ Will Peggy three-peat?

~ You might know that I get to Pittsburgh quite a bit. Here's a good-sounding reason to stop by and check out Pittsburgh Beer Week.

~ Tickets on sale soon. They'll go fast as usual.


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Cicerone program continues to grow and do good things.

~ Wow, and I thought the U.S. beer market had issues. Try this one for size from the UK.

~ Whither extreme

~ Excellent perspective. Here's a tease: "But I am not naming it a Session IPA. It’s simply an IPA, because when I formulated the recipe, I wasn’t thinking of how I could dumb down a 6 – 7% ABV IPA..."

~ And just when you thought the topic of session beer riles people up...here's another good debate starter.

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Writing this ship, Part I (California, part 1)

(Before I delve into the beginnings of my travel notebook from the last nine months or so, if you don't know what's behind this, you may wish to check back on what I wrote earlier this week.)

A week to Costa Rica in February 2012 may have been the beginning. Two weeks to Belgium in May 2012 may have taken me to the edge.


But, what likely began my fall from this beer writing habit was my one week in northern California last July. The backlog of e-mails not dealt with, RSVPs not responded to s'il vous plaît, my writings of beer and people and stories found along the way in Costa Rica and Belgium not written about all went permanently on the back burner when I arrived in San Francisco in early July.

I crashed. I didn't burn, but it was definitely the most significant crash I've had in the 90 or so months that I've been doing up this gig.

What ensued after this July trip last year only compounded matters and I haven't been quite right (write) since.

It's all good, though. Remember, as I said in the preceding post, my day job comes first and that's why I was in the Bay Area. Once the day job closes for the day, though, the night job of beer exploration begins.


Not a whole lot to discuss during the week while I was in the city. A few good beers around town at the typical spots from Magnolia to Toronado to 21st Amendment. Each highly recommended, in case you didn't know, each for different reasons, for your Bay Area beer travels. There was much more to talk about from my meanderings during my entry and exit weekends around the region.

The first days brought a visit with Jay Brooks and his beautiful family as well as a gastronomical visit with Sean Paxton and his equally beautiful family. These are guys whom you should track when exploring the northern California region. Paxton for his gastronomically-incredible food and beer events delivered under the name The Home Brew Chef and Brooks for his solidified stature as one of the most knowlegable industry voices with plenty to say and share on his Brookston Beer Bulletin.


Of course, when heading up into their neck of the woods, the trip would not be complete without a visit to Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. This time, for me, a visit that included a sampling of as much as this 220-pound frame could handle, the excellent pizza, the beer bites and drew bites, and (during my return visit the following day) an equally excellent performance on stage by Midori and Ezra Boy.


I procured a full growler of Row 2 Hill 56 from the pub to bring back to my downtown hotel room during the week and that worked out quite nicely. Glad to see this very good homage beer to their hop growing farmers appearing from time to time on the draft board. At that point, I'd had it once previously at a Monk's Cafe dinner in Philly where Vinnie Cilurzo and Brian Grossman hosted a joint Russian River/Sierra Nevada dinner so I knew of the beer's solid profile.


Wandering around Sonoma County also brought my first visit (believe it or not) to Lagunitas Brewing Company. Intoxicating (that can be taken many ways, ha!), to say the least. What might have been a one hour visit turned in to almost three; it's that kind of place. It's close enough to Highway 101 that if you're trekking north to Santa Rosa, you're cheating your true beer self if you don't make the stop in Petaluma. And, if you're with family or others that have no interest in the brewery and its outdoor beer garden, the Petaluma Outlet Mall might be a pleasing alternative.


My meanderings also brought a visit to Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastapol for a couple of fine lager-based beers (from a co-founder of Gordon Biersch, natch), a light bite, and some outdoor live music and a bakery visit to the nearby Wild Flour Bread Bakery and their awesome sticky buns.


These sticky buns made their way back into the City with me and served as excellent breakfast bites each morning of the week.

After a week's worth of day-jobbing in and around the City, the second Saturday presented me with the opportunity to check out the lauded BreastFest beer for charity festival at the scenic Fort Mason overlooking Alcatraz, Marin County, and the Golden Gate Bridge. I said plenty about the festival in a piece over at After Hours, so head over there and check it out if you have previously not.

There's plenty more to say about California in parts 2 and 3, so I'll leave the Golden State until such time.

The more I think of it, I wonder if going to Germany on a two-week cruise with Stephen Beaumont in October 2010 might have been the original tipping point. More on that to come....some day. I promise...I think...maybe.

Until then.....

Cheers!
Bryan

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Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 11 - April 17

I may have lost track of how many events local ex-pat Mike Fava has going on with his new employer, Oxbow Brewing Company of Maine. If you've got your taxes done and filed (or ready to be sent), then head on out to any of these fine looking events around town...unless you owe Uncle Sam too much for last year.

Check out the entire April 2013 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Events with Tap Lists via PhillyTapFinder.com
@Standard Tap, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/13-Sun. 4/14 - Big Wood Wknd ($PAYG for a special event draft list brought you by PhillyTapFinder.com)


Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Friday Night Sampling (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Two Brothers.)

@Bell Beverage, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Friday Night Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Victory's beers and an appearance from Joe Sixpack.)

@Earth Bread + Brewery, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - Tröegs Brewing Promo (4:30 p.m.; $PAYG for Tröegs beer on tap. Free pint glasses while supplies last.)

@Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Friday Night Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Flying Fish beers.)

@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/15 - Bottle Shop Happy Hour (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free tasting samples from Philadelphia Brewing Co.)

@Old Eagle Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/1-Tue. 4/30 - Brewery Of The Month ($PAYG for specials on Tröegs beers throughout the month.)

@Pinocchio's, Media, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - A Night with Stoudt's Brewing (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG as Kevin will be here from Stoudt's and pouring 5025, Old Abominable Barleywine 2012, Double IPA, Karnival Kölsch, Scarlet Lady ESB, Fourplay, and Fat Dog Imperial Oatmeal Stout.)

@The Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - Thursday Beer Sampling (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Brooklyn Brewery's East India Pale Ale, Lager, Pennant Ale, and Summer.)

@The Drafting Room, Exton, Pa.--- Sat. 4/13 - Evolution Craft Brewing (12 p.m.; $PAYG to meet Sales Manager, Megan Moore, and taste Incubator, Lot 6 DIPA, Prelude Gold, Nouveau Rouge, Rise Up Stout, Special 608 Ale, and a firkin to be announced.)

@The Foodery (Sansom St.), Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Friday Night Beer Tasting (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Philadelphia Brewing's beers.)


"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Bulls Head Public House, Lititz, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 through Sun. 4/14 - Cask Ale Festival ($PAYG for a weekend of 18 delicious, high-quality cask ales, English Breakfast in the Pub on Saturday, Kingsessing Morris Dancers on Saturday afternoon, and half-price growler fills on Sunday.)

@Drink Philly HQ, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - Beers of Deutschland (7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $30 for a tasting of Lenten bock beers and a variety of lager styles from the land that invented it.)

@Fegley's Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Mon. 4/15 - 15 Year Anniversary (11 a.m.; $PAYG for a weeklong celebration and the release of our Anniversary Ale.)

@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Inherit the Beer: Evolution Brewing Night (6 p.m.-9 p.m.; $PAYG for Evolution's Lot 3 IPA, Lot 6 Double IPA, Sprung, glass giveaways, and more. Sorry creationists, it's Evolution Night.)

@Iron Hill, Newark, Del.--- Sat. 4/13 - Battle of the Brewers: Cask Challenge (4 p.m.-7 p.m.; $PAYG to see our eight Iron Hill Breweries go head-to-head in a cask challenge. Vote for your favorite firkin and if you choose the winning cask, you’ll be entered for a chance to win some great prizes.)

@The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/17 - Beer Four All Seasons Release: O.P. Yum ($PAYG for the spring brew, Oats Pomegranate Yum, or O.P. Yum, the first of four seasonal beers planned to be jointly brewed this year in the collaboration between Four Seasons Hotel and Dock Street.)

@Various locations around Central Pennsylvania--- Fri. 4/12 through Sun. 4/14 and Fri. 4/19 through Sun. 4/21 - Susquehanna Ale Trail Passport Event (Hours vary; $15 + $PAYG for a Passport that covers access to 13 breweries, brewpubs, craft brewing outlets, and one distillery in central Pennsylvania and special brewery tours, three to five craft beer tastings, a 10% discount on merchandise, and a souvenir Susquehanna Ale Trail mug.)


Food and Beer events
@Iron Hill, West Chester, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - Beer vs. Wine Dinner (6 p.m.; $75 for a five-course meal served with five wines going up against our Hefeweizen, Rising Sun IPA, Saison, Abbey Dubbel, and Peppermint Patty Stout.)

@Southern Cross Kitchen, Conshohocken, Pa.--- Tue. 4/16 - Terrapin Beer Dinner (7:30 p.m.; $60 for a four-course meal served with Monk's Revenge, Mosaic, Twilight Road Warrior, and Wake 'n' Bake.)

@St. James Gate at Sands Casino, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Wed. 4/17 - Flying Fish Beer Dinner (6 p.m.; $50 for a four-course meal served with a sampling of Flying Fish beers.)

@The Fuge, Warminster, Pa.--- Sat. 4/13 - Fare (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $60-$85 for a unique festival that brings together craft beer, small batch spirits, local wines, and some of the best restaurants in the Philadelphia area.)

@World Café Live, Wilmington, Del.--- Mon. 4/15 - Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting (6 p.m.; $38 for two of the best things on earth paired together – Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer from Evil Genius. Bring your vegetarian friends, too – we can accommodate them on all pairings.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/17 - Beer School (5 p.m.; $Free for in-depth beer training right along side our staff.)

@National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - State Store No More? Pennsylvania, Liquor, and The Law (6:30 p.m.; $13 non-members; $10 members, teachers & students; free for 1787 Society as the conversation will feature key players to address the issue’s pros, cons, and legal and social significance. 6abc Action News co-anchor Brian Taff will moderate a panel featuring: Scott Petri (Pennsylvania state representative, R-Bucks) and Wendell Young (president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 and chairman of UFCW of the PA Wine and Spirits Council).)


Oxbow (and Fava) are coming to town. It'll be difficult not to notice
@Monk's Café, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/11 - Philly Debut of Oxbow Brewery (4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; $PAYG for Farmhouse Pale Ale, Space Cowboy, Sasuga Saison, Funkhaus, Oxtoberfest, and Noel.)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Oxbow Brewing Company Night (5 p.m.; $PAYG to welcome Oxbow Brewing to Philadelphia for the tapping of their Space Cowboy Country Ale, Farmhouse Pale Ale, and Sasuga Saison and raise a glass with their brewer (and Philly beer scenester) Mike Fava.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 4/12 - Oxbow Lunch (12 p.m.; $PAYG for the suburban release for Oxbow, some of the best liquid coming out of the great state of Maine these days, and that says a lot. We will pour their Farmhouse Pale Ale and a few others paired with food. Their head brewer, Philly’s own Mike Fava, will be on hand to chat about their delicious beers.)

@Varga Bar, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/13 - Fava's Glorious Return (8 p.m.; $PAYG to hang out with Philly ex-pat, Mike Fava, his new employer, Oxbow Brewing Company of Maine, and drink some of their beers.)

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Writing this ship

Life has been moving entirely too fast. And, judging from the looks of things around here in the written sense, it'd be fair if you thought I've been leaving this beer thing behind. But, nothing could be less true.

It's interesting that as I've been contemplating the past, the present, and the future around here, it seems as if Stephen Beaumont has gone through a bit of his own wrestling with how he does what he does (at least in the online sense) and has taken a course of action. I like it. At the same time, Jack Curtin seems to be consolidating efforts with The Beer Yard in an effort to streamline the work it takes amongst the growing mountain of things to talk about in the world of craft beer.

What about me?

Have I scaled back the number of beer dinners that you know I've been so fond of attending in the past? Yes. And I certainly have dropped back from the frequency that once saw me two years ago attend six beer dinners in fifteen days.

Have I been attending less beer events on a whole? Yes. However, that has allowed me to (hopefully) make wise decisions about the ones that I do attend.

Am I even too busy to conduct my annual Philly Beer Run with Dock Street during this year's Philly Beer Week? Yes, sadly and regretfully. This is the first time I've said it in public. However, there may be a scaled-down version just to keep things fun and so you don't forget that beer and a healthy lifestyle can go hand-in-hand quite nicely.

No, I've not been more absent from the beer scene just because you may have seen much less content from me both here and in the Communities pages at The Washington Times.

My day job (as most of you know as nothing to do with the food or beverage industries or writing about them for that matter) has been keeping me as busy as ever. As you can imagine, from a financial perspective, it's the prudent thing to stay on top of that first.

And, the whole "running thing". Yes, many of you also know that I have a fondness for running. For distance running to be more specific. For those things over 10-Ks up to and including marathons. Those marathon excursions take a whole lot training, focus, discipline, and control. Control over caloric intake. Control over smart and strategic caloric intake. That is, if I want to do anything more than simply finish.

But while I've cut back on the long form writing over the past nine months or so, I haven't cut back on what you all seem to find the most valuable: the calendar and weekly updates. If I'll ever pull an all-nighter to ensure that you get something fresh on tap at The Brew Lounge, it'll concern my scheduled weekly/monthly calendar updates and the weekly wrap-up of newsy notes and links.

(You may have also picked up on the bi-monthly e-mail that I send out for the Mid-Atlantic Brewing News — called Hop Tips — that covers a beer calendar from North Jersey through southern Virginia. If not, go sign up for it now. I know a lot of you like to travel and find good beer along the way; this could be quite useful to you.)

Ah, and yes, the dreaded Facebook and Twitter. Well, maybe not so dreaded. Somehow I've amassed (with barely any try on my part) around 800 "followers" (ooh, doesn't that sound creepy in light of that new show on the Fox network?!) on Twitter and 600 "fans" on Facebook (even goofier sounding). It certainly does help live up to its category of "Social" Media. Though, I'd argue, dreaded on the otherhand in that it's a bit of writing (true writing) killer. At least for those of us with limited time and energy.

Twitter has been, for what's it's worth, a pretty effective way of communicating for me while at an event. It's quick and it gets out a message. Though, as some of you know, I struggle with that medium and the message, if any, that it conveys.

I'm still having difficulty grappling with what constitutes a successful use of social media. If I go to an event, blast out a handful of tweets and/or status updates along with some pictures, get some people to "like", "favorite", and retweet (god forbid, maybe add a comment), has that been a successful use of the place that I occupy in the beer media? Have I done "my job"?

Is it enough to cover an event via social media? Social media only? Dunno. If I write a 2,000 word essay complete with full sentences and paragraphs (remember those?!), but no one shares via social media or comments (HEY! I don't even use captcha; how much easier could it be?!), has it been a waste of time? If it doesn't garner a few nickels for me to rub together? What constitutes a job well done and a successful one at that?

Uh-oh, getting to be a few too many capital letters and exclamation points around here. I know, a lot of that so-called navel gazing. And, we're moving along people.

What's next?

Well, I'm going to give a run-down of my life in beer through my travel lens since July 2012. I know, it sounds daunting. But, I think I've found a way to make it digestible. I won't cover more than one city/region or theme at a time. I'll try to stay focused on useful bits of information for most of you. And, a few carefully chosen embedded pictures just like I used to do here around these parts.

I think this will be good for me. Hopefully, it will be fun for you too. Maybe you'll even be moved to +1 some stuff along the way...."like" it on Facebook..."favorite" it on Twitter (maybe even complete with a retweet...even more valuable). Drop a comment, the way we used to talk around here.

Let's get this thing righted (writed) and see where things go. Maybe this blog medium is done. At least Google is giving up Reader, for whatever that portends. Maybe Maps are next to go?!

Then, we'll see where the ship goes from there. Maybe I can do this all without attending the Beer Bloggers Conference for a few pointers. (If you didn't know, yes, there actual is one of those things.) Maybe I'll even honestly earn the nomination for Beer Writer of the Year.

See you along the way.

Cheers,
Bryan

Weekly Second-Hand Brews News Update: 4/6/13

I long ago lost the ability to keep up with even half the beer news out there in the wild and wacky world of craft beer. There was a time I attempted daily (or even more frequent) updates with interesting tidbits from around the brewniverse along with small contributions of my own thoughts.

That has yielded to my weekly updates that you'll find here every Saturday morning with some of what I consider to be some of the more interesting news out there that you might like to add to your weekend reading list (or Monday morning at work, depending upon your preference).

Sort of all over the map here this week with no one particular theme that sticks out, perhaps other than the Craft Brewers Conference and some industry insights from here and there.

Enjoy.

PHILADELPHIA
~ More beer on South Street

~ Jay still has a fondness for his East Coast roots.

~ I like this approach, though this segment of the beverage-consuming public can still be a tough nut to crack.


EASTERN PA, NJ, DE, AND OTHER NEARBY PARTS OF MID-ATLANTIC
~ A small set of photos from the craft team at Origlio Beverage while attending Craft Brewers Conference in D.C. this week.

~ More growth in Hershey

~ Has Dr. McGovern unearthed the final episode?!

~ More on Pa. privatization

~ Lew approves


THE REST OF PLANET BEER
~ Certainly a significant piece of news for Sonoma County.

~ It's baseball season again, which must mean it's beer season again. Or, wait, isn't it always?

~ Honored to make the Beer Pulse tweet roll. Perhaps my twittering skills are progressing.

~ While in Washington for CBC, the conference wasn't the only beer topic in town.

~ Swell job with the video recorder at CBC

~ Local Tom Cizauskas' insight to CBC

~ Then, The Full Pint shares some statistics.

~ Plus, finally, a bit of contention and, perhaps, mixed message coming out of DC last week.

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Weekly Beer Calendar Update: April 4 - April 10

We've got some anniversary parties over here, some free tastings over there. How about some barrels? Some Belgians? And a bunch of charitable ways to drink your beer? The Phillies kick off this week at home and Iron Hill has noticed. You want some festival-style events, a Fergie roast, and even a renovation completion party thrown in for good measure?

Can't use snow anymore as an excuse not to get out there and enjoy what your favorite beer boys and girls have created for you. Now get to it. (Just watch, now it will snow.)

Check out the entire April 2013 calendar over here. If I'm missing any that you feel should be on here, don't hesitate to let me know.


Events with Tap Lists via PhillyTapFinder.com
@Barcade, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Weyerbacher Brewing Night (4 p.m.; $PAYG for a special event draft list brought you by PhillyTapFinder.com)

@Devil's Den, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - 5th Anniversary Party (1 p.m.; $PAYG for a special event draft list brought to you by PhillyTapFinder.com)

@The Institute, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - West Coast Wipeout (2 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for a special event draft list brought to you by PhillyTapFinder.com)


Brewery Promos and Samplings
@Beer Yard, Wayne, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Friday Night Sampling (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of beers from Two Brothers.)

@Craft Ale House, Limerick, Pa.--- Tue. 4/9 - Pliny The Elder tapping (5 p.m.; $PAYG for a glass of this northern California classic — or soon to be.)

@Exton Beverage, Exton, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - Saturday Sampling (2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Otter Creek and Wolavers beers.)

@Field House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Half Day Getaway (12 p.m.; $PAYG to enjoy the Phillies Home Opener and discounted local craft beer drafts.)

@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Free Samples (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Flying Fish beers.)
@Goshen Beverage, West Chester, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - Free Samples (1 p.m.-3 p.m.; $Free tasting samples of Full Sail beers.)

@Grey Lodge Pub, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Quad Day (11 a.m.; $PAYG for four Belgian style Quad beers on tap (quad quads) — Free Will Black Friday Quad, Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Quad with Plums, Southampton Abbot, and Weyerbacher Quad.)

@Local 44 Bottle Shop, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/8 - Bottle Shop Happy Hour (6 p.m.-8 p.m.; $Free tasting samples from Stoudt's brewery.)

@Old Eagle Tavern, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Mon. 4/1-Tue. 4/30 - Brewery Of The Month ($PAYG for specials on Tröegs beers throughout the month.)

@Ruba Club Studios, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Fergie Fest (7 p.m.; $PAYG for a night to honor the man with only one necessary name: Fergie.)

@Sly Fox, both Phoenixville & Pottstown, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Incubus Friday (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG for the incredible Belgian-style Tripel pouring until the keg kicks.)

@The Abbaye, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/10 - U Buy The Glass Night (7 p.m.-9 p.m.; $10)

@The Foodery (2nd Street), Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Sampling (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples from MG who will be sampling the latest and greatest that Flying Fish has to offer.)
@The Foodery (10th Street), Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 4/9 - Sampling (5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples from MG who will be sampling all Flying Fish styles including everyone's fave summer beer--Farmhouse.)

@Washington House, Sellersville, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Beer Tasting (5 p.m.; $PAYG for a night of beers from Founders in Michigan.)

@Whole Foods, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - First Thursday Beer Tasting (6 p.m.-7 p.m.; $Free tasting samples throughout the store.)


"Takeovers", Debuts, Festivals, and other noteworthy events
@Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ--- Fri. 4/5 & Sat. 4/6 - Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival (Celebration of the Suds) (see website for all the details.)

@Bell Beverage, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Friday Night Sampling (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $Free tasting samples from a variety of canned craft beer cans.)

@National Constitution Center, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Cheers To Beer (5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; $35 for non-members, $30 for members. Includes food, drinks, and exhibition access.)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/10 - The Hoppy Beers of Dogfish Head ($PAYG for a quick celebration of some of our favorite hoppiest Dogfish Head offerings like Rhizing Bines, Firefly Ale, 90 Minute IPA, 61 Minute IPA, 60 Minute IPA, and more.)

@Sly Fox, both Phoenixville & Pottstown, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Experimental Hop Project (11:30 a.m.; $PAYG as three new brews are tapped side by side, each made with a new experimental hop variety from the breeding program of our supplier S.S. Steiner. Come on out, join in the experiment, and discover the dynamic new flavors and aromas emerging from the latest innovations in the hop industry.)

@Teresa's Next Door, Wayne, Pa.--- Tue. 4/9 - Tasty Tuesday: Barrel-aged Day ($PAYG for some rare and delicious ones from some of our favorite brewers like Hof Ten Madiran and Hof Ten Sherry barrel-aged blondes, really rare Central Waters Peruvian Morning, 2011 Allagash Odyssey, New Holland Dragon’s Milk, Russian River Supplication, and the usual suspects, Petrus Aged Pale and couple of Jolly Pumpkins, of course.)

@TJ's, Paoli, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - Renovation Completion Celebration (11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; $PAYG for a Bella Vista-exclusive event spanning all 26 taps.)

@World Café Live, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/7 - XPN's Big Day Out (1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $100-$175 for an afternoon of beer and whiskey tasting, live music, fun, live auction, and hobnobbing with celebrity guests of honor.)


Food and Beer events
@Drink Philly HQ, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - First Friday (5 p.m.-9 p.m.; $Free beer from Susquehanna Brewing Company and food from Spot Gourmet Burgers and Street Food Philly.)

@Mia in Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, NJ--- Thu. 4/4 - Atlantic City Beer Week Kick Off Dinner (7:30 p.m.; $115 for a five-course meal served with a Tröegs Scratch beer, Dogfish Head 61 Minute IPA, Yards ESA (firkin), Oskar Blues Ten Fidy, Tröegs Nugget Nectar, and Dogfish Head Rhizing Bines.)

@The Dandelion, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Thu. 4/4 - Meet and Greet with Williams Brewing (9 p.m.-11 p.m.; $35 for a meet and greet with brewmaster Bruce Williams and three different historical Williams Brothers cask ales. Snacks provided by Chef Robert Aikens.)

@World Café Live, Wilmington, Del.--- Mon. 4/8 - Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer Tasting (6 p.m.; $38 for two of the best things on earth paired together – Grilled Cheese and Craft Beer from Victory. Bring your vegetarian friends, too – we can accommodate them on all pairings.)


Homebrewing, Charity, Schooling, and Miscellanies
@Center City, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - Philly Beer and Wine Walk (11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $35 to begin at Monk's Café and walk under a mile to taste and learn about specific beers, where they come from, how they are brewed, and what makes the flavor of beer so exciting and unique.)

@Dock Street, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/7 - Shop Dock Street for Local Business (1 p.m.-8 p.m.; $PAYG for shopping exclusive vendors with everything from vintage clothing to fine jewelry and housewares.)
@Dock Street, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Sun. 4/7 - Cedar Park Neighbors Scholarship Fundraiser (4 p.m.-6 p.m.; $40 for free beer and pizza, a silent auction, and live music by the local band Big Tusk.)

@Fegley's Brew Works, Bethlehem, Pa.--- Thu. 4/5 - Charity Cask Night (5 p.m.; $PAYG as 100% of cask sales will go to the Northampton Community College Alumni Association.)

@Resurrection Ale House, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Wed. 4/10 - Beer School (4 p.m.; $Free to get some in-depth beer schooling along with our staff.)

@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Sat. 4/6 - Beer and Yoga (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; $30 for Yoga that begins at 10 a.m. and after class we will have a selection of light appetizers paired with Victory beers.)
@Victory Brewing Company, Downingtown, Pa.--- Sun. 4/7 - LLS Pig Roast and Beer Fundraiser (12 p.m.-4 p.m.; $40 to help raise money for a very worthy cause with great food, beer and friends.)


Let's give Iron Hill their own category since they've got so much going on this week
@Iron Hill, Lancaster, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Maple Shade, NJ--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Media, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Newark, Del.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, North Wales, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Philadelphia, Pa.--- Tue. 4/9 - Mexican Beer Dinner (6 p.m.; $65 for a five-course meal served with Munich Helles, Vienna Lager, Biere de Mars, Chile Infused Oatmeal Stout, and Barleywine.)
@Iron Hill, Phoenixville, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, West Chester, Pa.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Wilmington, Del.--- Fri. 4/5 - Phightin Phils Pils Release (12 p.m.; $PAYG for our newly released Phightin Phils Pils and enjoy it with one of our specially prepared “Phillies-inspired” hot dogs while watching the Phillies vs. Royals in their season home opener.)
@Iron Hill, Wilmington, Del.--- Wed. 4/10 - 5 Degrees of Bacon Beer Dinner 7 p.m.; $65 for a five-course meal served with Riverfront IPA, Pulaski Pils, The Highlander, Old Tom Barleywine, and Maple Riverfront Dock Porter.)

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