Beer Board of the Week (Road Edition) @ The Charleston Beer Exchange

Most of my picks for Beer Board of the Week have been local (Philly area). This go around is coming from the road. Charleston South Carolina might not be the first town you'd think to roll into for a southern beer adventure but it has it's fair share of good craft beer spots. Perhaps the best place for variety and unique bottles is The Charleston Beer Exchange (CBX). 

Located in the French Quarter (surprise, New Orleans doesn't have the only one) on a quiet side street, CBX is a shop small in square footage but huge on selection.  Besides having shelves packed floor to ceiling with beer they operate 9 rotating taps for growler fills. If you're paying attention to the photos you've noticed their large growler isn't the normal 64oz instead these guys raise the bar with the 128 oz. Now that's some serious take home! Besides the amazing selection and kick ass growler station, CBX takes online orders (sorry no shipments to PA) and the guys who run the place are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable on all things beer related.

On my visit the growler station had some nice offerings including two Victory beers on tap. A fact that may of swayed my decision for this board as favorite of the week. More important, it's good to know the people of Charleston are enjoying some Philly flavor.

Tasting Central Waters Peruvian Morning

The previous post focused on what's currently my favorite beer glass. Now it's time to highlight what recently went in it. 

Current glass of choice

Peruvian Morning is a Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout done by Central Waters Brewing in Amherst, Wisconsin. To be more specific it's a bourbon-coffee stout.  This is evident from the first sip. While the bourbon attacks the nose the coffee is what tackles the tongue. The roasted coffee/espresso bitterness is there from go along with some alcohol warmth. The flavors then slip to sweet dark fruit, caramel and bourbon with added touches of vanilla and oak. Though the flavor leans heavy on coffee the oak and bourbon really come through as it warms.

As satisfying as the flavor is, the appearance and mouth feel are disappointing. This is not a big, rich, chewy, sit by the fire on a winters night kind of beer. It's moderately thin. Not what I was expecting from a bourbon stout. The color follows the same underwhelming path. Instead of a deep, oily opaque, pour it's more brown/black with red hues.  Not a deal breaker, just not what I look for in a Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout. I'm sure I'm being slightly critical since my last two beers similar in style were KBS and Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout. Peruvian falls short of both.

The bourbon and coffee flavors, along with the aroma, are winners. I can see this as a solid breakfast/brunch beer. Pancakes with maple syrup, sausage and a Peruvian Morning, perfect! Although it won't take top spot among the heavy hitters in this style, Peruvian Morning is worth the purchase.

Hey Dogfish Head...Sweet Glass!

Which glass takes top spot?

Kicking back and enjoying a craft beer is one of life's relaxing pleasures. Having that beer in a great glass can add to the experience.  Even though certain beers can require specific glassware I think most good beer drinkers have a favorite glass or two in their collection that handle a variety of beer styles. For me that glass has been the classic Duvel tulip. With a fairly large capacity, room for a brisk aroma raising swirl  and a fat bottom that fits perfectly in my palm, (make your own joke) the Duvel tulip is king in my cabinet.  No beer style has been denied access: Belgium Sours, DIPA's, Imperial Stouts, Rauchbier, Saisons, Pale Ales, Porters and so on have been enjoyed from those famous curves.

However, as of Sunday night there is a new glass on the rack and it's quickly moving in on the number one spot. From the creative mind that spawned "Randall the Enamel Animal" comes the Dogfish Head Signature Glass. Where the Duvel tulip flaunts sexy feminine curves, this goblet is all straight lines and heavy based machismo. A true man glass. What else would you expect from Mr. Calagione. While the 16oz capacity falls short of Duvel's 20oz and swirling requires a bit more care, what makes it a winner are good looks and a solid feel. Is it the end all, be all masculine imbibing vessel? Ehhh, maybe. Can it completely overtake the classic tulip? Hey for now it's the bad ass flavor of the week.  It's already a damn fine addition to my already over crowed glass collection. Time and many, many tastings will tell if it's worthy of the top self.  Cheers!

For more on the Dogfish Head Signature Glass

Beer Board of the Week



Dogfish Head rules at Craft Ale House. The 75 min is outta here!



World Wide Stout vertical. Cab please!

It's almost silly to announce when good beer is flowing around the Philly area. When can't you find a bar that has a killer line-up? The deep western burbs beyond King of Prussia were rich in offerings this week with the kick off of Suburban Beer Week 19468. One of the better  events was Dogfish's impressive appearance at Craft Ale House. No Sam C in the house but there were 21 DFH beers on tap including a firkin of 75 Minute and 4 years of World Wide Stout: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Obviously not a night for the session minded. 

A few courteous tweets also filled me in on Kite & Key and their Savage Sixtel Sunday (Rich on Beer has the details). A Randallized version of World Wide Stout infused with coffee and Vanilla beans along with a couple Russian River beers, Alesmith Speedway Stout and few others rounded out the draft list.  As much as I would of loved to cruise down to my old stomping grounds for an evening with Randall and the others, I stuck to the burbs. I'll have to wait to experience my first Savage Sixte at Kite & Key. For now Craft Ale House's DFH board is my winner of the week.

Hangin' with The Baggataway Beer Club

A few weekends ago I had the chance to hang out with a great group guys and take part in a themed beer tasting.  The group was the Baggataway Beer Club, the gathering was in Phoenixville and the theme was beer variations. Each person attending was to bring at least two beers to compare, i.e. Cigar City Winter Warmer 2011 and 2012 as a vertical or a beer with various treatments, i.e. Bourbon County Brand Stout, Bourbon County Brand Coffee Stout and Bramble Rye Bourbon County Brand Stout. To round out the day there was also plenty of non-judged beer just in case anyone needed even more of a selection.

Now before you start thinking this is some pretentious group of beer snobs with their noses in the air understand that the Baggataway Beer Club (named after Baggataway Tavern. Sorry don't know the entire back story) is made up of guys with various levels of craft beer knowledge who get together every few months to casually enjoy good beer and food. How pretension can it be when games of Cornhole mix in with the tastings? All beers are judged and afterwards the victor (person with the highest rated beer) and the loser (worst beer tasted) receive trophies. I was lucky enough to win the later with Cigar City Winter Warmer 2012 judged as the stinker of the afternoon. The winner all versions of Goose Island Bourbon County. 

Thanks again guys. I look forward to the next gathering and hope to elevate my good name with a far better beer.

My contribution to the day. Proud to be a loser



Ohhhh the carnage



To the victor go the spoils



Suburban Beer Week 19468 & Pittsburgh Beer Week

As we wait for Philly Beer Week 2012 a couple of other areas are preparing for their own big beer week celebrations.


Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week

Currently in Philadelphia mentioning Pittsburgh will only bring up conversations about the undisciplined, cheap shot artist Penguins (not my words). Hopefully The Burgh is better with beer than the Pens are with stopping pucks. Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week kicks off today (Friday April 20th) and runs until Sunday April 28th. This is the inaugural year with 360 events planed over the nine day period. Details on all events can be found here (pittsburghcraftbeerweek.com).

Suburban Beer Week 19468

Why should the big city have all the fun? Beer flows proudly in the western suburbs beyond King of Prussia. As I found out several years ago after moving out of the city, the area along 422 is rich in craft beer. So much so that Suburban Beer Week 19468  launches Monday April 23rd and continues until Sunday April 29th. It all gets underway with a massive Dogfish Head Total Tap Takeover at Craft Ale House in Limerick. The beer week celebration is naturally small in scale when compared to the behemoth Philly Craft Beer Week but it looks to pack an impressive punch. The events center around four area bars all in the 19468 area code: Craft Ale House (Limerick), French Quarter Bistro (Royersford), Lucky Lab (Royersford), and the Railroad Street Bar & Grill (Linfield). Each bar will host one or more events during the week. For more information on events and times check HERE. Cheers to raising a few in the burbs.

Heads Up Philly Heady Topper Is In

By the time you read this it may be too late! Hopefully the rush to get Heady Topper, one of the most sought after DIPAs, isn't so frantic that all those selling the canned elixir from Vermont's The Alchemist Pub & Brewery aren't already staring at empty shelves.  This is the first and possibly the only time Philadelphia will get Heady.  The current distribution in the Philly market is due to extra production. Look at it as a bit of a tease. For now once it's gone, it's gone. Here is more from the source (The Alchemist website)

Now that mud season is among us, I am happy to say that we finally have some extra product to send out of Vermont. Over the course of the next 8 weeks, we plan to make shipments to Philadelphia, Boston and NYC. We wanted to attend Philadelphia Beer Week in June, but realized that we will not have enough product to send out of state once summer is upon us.



So, we will have Heady Topper available in Philadelphia within the next 2 weeks. Origlio is helping us with this shipment; we hope to have a link on our website listing retailers as soon as possible. I do know that our friends Tom and Peggy, at Earth, Bread and Brewery will be having some sort of event with Heady. Wish we could make it! They are a lot of fun.

The event mentioned at Earth Bread + Brewery happens tomorrow night (4/19). They will be pouring Heady from cans and offering free can cozies while they last. I'd expect a few people to show for this little gathering. Remember keep your elbows in and no crowding the bar. Cheers!

(Photo from www.brewerysessions.com)

Did You Get Younger?

Anytime I take a slight or in this case a lengthy hiatus from my beer blogging duties I feel like this part of the universe has passed me by. And so it has. To get up to speed I'll pick up from where I left off.

So did you get your Pliny?

Well if you live in and around Philly and didn't get your Pliny the Younger don't blame it on availability.  Seemed like every good beer establishment had it flowing at some point. Whether you had to stand in line, bought tickets, put money towards a charity, received a special tweet or happened to arrive at a place by dumb luck, the opportunity to imbibe the ultra brew was there. I stuck to two locations this go around and they couldn't have been more different experiences.


That glorious smudge is where Pliny the Younger was listed

A quick tweet (sorry can't remember from who, but a HUGE thanks) alerted me to the early evening tapping at Teresa's Next Door.  Since work is only minutes away and I had finished for the day the timing couldn't of been more dead on. The beauty of the situation was the unadvertised tapping meant that by the time I walked in the bar it was only a quarter full. Amazingly I had time for some conversation and a little food before ordering. At no point did I fear not getting my fair share. By the time I was ready to leave the room was active, but not crowded, I had two 10oz pours and the Pliny had just kicked. Perfect.

My second go around took on legendary event status. As always word went out in advance for Capone's big PtY day. Anyone who  is familiar with it knows the crowd grows every year. I swear each year will be my last but how could I put an end to a 5 plus year tradition? A wise man arrives early for this one. An hour and a half before the doors opened guaranteed a good spot in line (and a seat at the bar). A cool wet morning did nothing to deter the faithful. By the time the doors opened the line had worked its way to the rear of the building. Even with hype and humanity this is one of the better run Pliny events. Money was collected outside, each person received a ticket for a for a 5oz pour, and once inside pre-poured glasses of PtY awaited the masses. Instant crowd control. Matt Capone's organization and a damn impressive draft list kept most at peace and satisfied.





Both experiences were good and it's always interesting to see how establishments handle the chaos.  I use to think there was a perfect way to structure a day around the PtY release. Not the the case. The uniqueness of each location and the creative twists make it interesting. As long as Pliny the Younger is released only in small quantities once a year, people will continue to jump on the hype train and seek out a spot for their opportunity at tasting a sip or two of hop heaven.

More catching up to follow.......

P _ _ n _ the Y _ u _ _ _ r @ C _ p _ n _ s

Nilpy eth Gnoyeru ta Oacpsen

A secret source has revealed that a highly sought-after rare beer will be available somewhere in the western burbs of Philly on Sat (3/3) @ 10:30am. Along with this beer will be two other hop heavy offerings from the same brewer and a tasty mix of other hop bombs. Many beer fans would smack their mamas simply to have the opportunity to sample these pours. I've promised not to reveal much more, although other advocates have already put the word out on the street. For this reason expect a mass of humanity to gather early. These grainy surveillance photos and a cryptic message are all I can provide on the location for the event. Good luck beer brethren and godspeed. Hope to see you there.

If this all looks familiar it should. It's practically the same damn post from last year when this grandest of hoppy mega hyped beers was released. Hey 1 point for resourcefulness 0 for creativity.

Beer Reality: The Next Great American Brewer

In the world of reality TV fancy cupcakes, bazaar foods, competing chefs, eating challenges and gut busting meals at funky corner dives rule. Beer? Not so much. Nationally it seems that people aren't interested in watching shows on the liquid subject. Even the marketing brewing genius of Sam Calagione couldn't take Brew Masters beyond one season (6 episodes). Well don't give up hope beer people cable seems to be getting it's brew balls back. Main Gate Productions is putting together The Next Great American Brewer.  The show is reality competition series with pro and amateur brewers facing off.

"The best amateur and professional craft brewers across the United States are brought together to compete against each other in challenges related to brewing beer and running a successful brewing company.  The winner of the competition will have their beer brewed, bottled and distributed to beer drinkers across the country!"

Hopefully this show finds a home, begins it's run and has enough of a following that it doesn't disappear as soon as it arrives. After all there are only so many times I can watch ancient episodes of Beer Nutz .

Beer Board of the Week: Barcade (Philly)

It's been some time since I've posted a favorite tap list of the week. This past weekend I made it to Barcade and Frankford Hall for the first time. The board above is from Barcade and while it's not jammed with hard-to-find or big time specialty beer, it does give a nice range of solid options. Ballast Point Victory at Sea, Sixpoint Diesel, Troegs Dreamweaver, Lagunitas Pils, Sly Fox Saison Brune and North Coast Old Rasputin just to point out a few.

My picks for the afternoon were Sixpoint SMP and Weyerbacher Fireside Ale (Cask). The SMP (7.8%) is a Smoked Baltic Porter made for Barcade. It was smokey with flavors of dark fruit and dark chocolate. The Fireside Ale (7.4%) on cask had a similar profile with a flavor mash of smoked malt, sweet dark fruit, and spice (think allspice & nutmeg). It's the kind of beer you want to kick back and sip on all day. Barcade gets big points for hipness and hangout potential especially on a lazy Saturday afternoon. I'll save the rest of my kind words for a thorough review.

Mary's Maple Porter @ Capone's

Hidden deep in the magical list of draft offerings today at Capone's is a non hop blast from Brooklyn Brewery, Mary's Maple Porter. It's made with 100% New York State maple syrup. This might be the perfect shift from an afternoon of high hop delight.

(From Brooklyn Brewery website)

Mary’s Maple Porter is a rich, dark ale featuring a large portion of her (Mary Wiles) maple syrup in the kettle. After fermentation by our house ale yeast, the syrup is no longer sweet (yeast likes to eat maple syrup too), but the maple flavor shows through in a complex interplay with caramel, chocolate, and coffee flavors from our blend of roasted malts. An earthy hop note rounds it all out.

HopSlam and Friends @ Capone's

Yes it's that time of year again when hop heads around the the land get all warm and fuzzy inside.  The release of the big hop bombs is on. While there are many beers that are big on hops there are a select few that have a cult following. Today at Capone's the highly sought after Bell's HopSlam leads an impressive draft list of top hop offerings.  However fear not non hop lovers as always Matt has not forgotten you.  With 30 plus taps, selection is never a problem.

Whats Pouring
(from Compone's email)
BELLS HOP SLAM DOUBLE IPA
ITHACA FLOWER POWER IPA "KEGGED ON 1/11/12"
FIRESTONE UNION JACK IPA "KEGGED ON 1/5/12"
FIRESTONE DOUBLE JACK DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/16/12"
PORT BREWING MONGO DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/15/12"
FOUNDERS DOUBLE TROUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/31/12"
GREAT DIVIDE HERCULES DOUBLE IPA "KEGGED ON 1/16/12"
BOOGOOP COLLABORATION W/MIKKELLER AND THREE FLOYDS
MIKKELLER 19 DOUBLE IPA "VERY FRESH"
FREE WILL CITRA PALE ALE "NEW UP IN COMING LOCAL BREWERY"
DEPROEF FLEMISH PRIMITIVE "SOUR"
GAVERHOPKE EXTRA "A HOPPED UP QUAD"
BROOKYLN BREWMASTERS MARYS MAPLE PORTER
KONA KOKO BROWN "COCONUT"
SOUTHERN TIER CHOKLAT
FULL PINT RYE REBELLION RYE WHISKEY BARREL AGED STOUT
Fish Brewing Ten Squared Fish Tale Barleywine HAS 100 IBU's
NOGNE HOLY SMOKE "RAUCH BEER"
SOUTHERN TIER OAK AGED PUMKING
PHILLY BREWING SHACKAMAXIUM IMPERIAL STOUT 
2010 DIEU du CIEL PECHE MORTEL STOUT
NORTH COAST OLD RASPUTIN "ON NITROGEN"
LEFT HAND SAW TOOTH ALE "ON NITROGEN POUR" 
LEFFE BROWN BRUNE "ITS BEEN SOMETIME THIS HAS BEEN ON DRAFT"
ROGUE MAIERFEST OKTOBERFEST

Clown Shoes: Funny Business in Philly

"Send in the Clowns" would be an appropriate anthem for Philadelphia in February.  Clown Shoes Beer from Ipswich, MA (they brew out of Mercury Brewing/Ipswich ales) has arrived and they're rolling out big in the area. Monday Feb 6th was the debut at Tapestry (700 S. 5th Street) with Owner/Brewer Gregg Berman and 9 of his beers on draft.

Maybe known more for their infamous beer names and slightly suggestive label art, Clown Shoes looks to continue expanding it's reach .  The brewery has more than tripled output from 2010 to 2011 and now produces over 3000 bbls.

Previously if you wanted a taste of the clown and lived in the Philly area a trip down 95 to Delaware was in order. Thanks to Bella Vista Beer Distributor that's no longer the case. A taste of Clown Shoes is now only a hop, skip and a jump away. 

Tonight the shoes step into Kraftworks. Gregg Berman will be in house rubbing elbows and chatting beer.

Draft List

Vampire Slayer

Tramp Stamp

Muffin Top

Hoppy Feet

Supahero

Clementine

Lubrication

Eagle Claw Fist

Blaecorn Unidragon

Tomorrow (Thurs Feb 9th) 6:30-8:30pm Clown Shoes in the burbs. Blue Dog Tavern in Chalfont

Draft List

Blaecorn Unidragon Russian Imperial Stout (12.5% abv)
Muffin Top Belgian IPA (10% abv)
Vampire Slayer Imperial Stout (10% abv)

Tramp Stamp Belgian IPA (7% abv)

Hoppy Feet Black IPA (7% abv)

Supa Hero Imperial IPA (8% abv)

Lubrication American Black Ale (6% abv)

Clementine Witbier (6% abv)

Founders Porter

There are those things in our lives that we tend to take for granted.  The tried and true, always around and  never wavering. That's sort of the way I've treated Founders Porter. Passed it on the shelf a hundred times in the midst of searching out  bigger, bolder more obscure beer. Always mumbling that I'd get to it eventually. Finally, I wised up and tossed a sixer in the cart. Oh what a foolish man I'd been to wait so long for such a good beer. I wasn't a stranger to Founders Porter but it had been a long time since my last taste.



Perfect match for a Super Bowl halftime

 When it comes to Porters and Stouts I tend to gravitate towards the earth shattering Imperials (CBS anyone?).  I have to remind myself that rocking a 9% plus abv doesn't automatically make it good. Founders Porter is the perfect example. At 6.5% abv it's no slouch, but having one certainly won't topple you from your bar stool. As expected the pour is deep brown/black. The small head that manages to form, quickly fades as the beer settles. Most noticeable upfront are the dark chocolate/cocoa flavors which then lead to roasted coffee with good peaks of mild bitterness. The surprise is the creamy thickness of the beer. It almost has the richness of a big imperial and notably is one of the thicker porters I've tasted. When it comes to porters this easily checks in towards the top of the list. Founders I swear I will never take you for granted again.

Head Clown in the CBS Hype Circus @ TND

As much as I hate to fall in line for the hype train on any beer, this past Saturday I found myself parked in front of Teresa's Next Door at 10:00 AM anticipating the soon  to pour (doors opened at 11:30) Founders Canadian Breakfast Stout. Having previously had the 2011 and 2010 CBS in no way lessened TND's gravitational pull.  I was so damn early for the event I had time to walk for coffee, relax in my car and catch up on emails well before the first few mingling beer souls started forming the semblance of a line. Sure I could blame the over eagerness on the two Cantillons or the rest of the amazing draft list, but it's the damn bourbon barrel treatment that gets me every time. In this instance I was truly head clown in the hype circus.

So with all the hype did CBS have a chance in hell to live up to the ultra high expectations? Yep! It is a phenomenal beer if you have bourbon barrel dreams like I do. The sweet alcoholic aroma alone will draw you in and have you wishing for a big leather chair placed in front of a crackling fire. I'd have no worries sipping the afternoon away. The 2011 was noticeably sweeter (maple goodness) than the more rounded 2010. Sweet bourbon/maple dominated followed by roasted coffee, dark chocolate and hints of licorice. Even with greater sweetness the 2011 was never cloying and the bourbon burn, nonexistent. Smooth from the start with a pleasantly warm finish. Big psycho hype well deserved.

Would I stand in line again for a glorious taste? Maybe. I know of a place that hasn't unleashed their supply. Sorry, there's no way I'm making that reveal. I'll just wait to get the word and plan accordingly. As long as strong coffee is obtainable there's never a fear of an early morning beer mission.

A quick shout-out to the guys from Baggats Beer Club. It was very cool hanging and having a few. I look forward to sharing several more. I may need to take a stab at getting that trophy. Cheers!!!

Something "Super" @ Teresa's Next Door

This weekend the world focuses on Indianapolis for the Super Bowl "Big Game". Before we all get geeked up for football's biggest day, Teresa's Next Door in Wayne kicks off the weekend with "Superbowl Saturday". It's an impressive collection of limited beer favorites that's sure to bring out everyone and anyone who has ever sipped a craft beer and enjoyed it. Yes that means crowds. Please don't yell at this messenger for adding to the pending hysteria. I'm in the slow lane when it comes to breaking this beer news. However, if this is your pathway to true beer enlightenment I won't feel insulted if you bestow upon me one of the offerings listed below. To all attending: game plan accordingly, treat the staff kindly and enjoy the spoils. Cheers!!!

Founders

Canadian Breakfast Stout 2010

Canadian Breakfast Stout 2011

Cantillon

Iris

Fou Foune

Russian River

Blind Pig

Pliny the Elder

Salvation

Supplication

Temptation

Consecration

Troegs

Scratch 55, DIPA



Don't worry.  Who'd be crazy enough to stand in line for beer?



Dogfish is All About the Noble Rot

Sly Fox Phoenixville Robbie Burns: Haggis Infused Birthday Celebration

Yes, it's time to get your Scottish on at Sly Fox.  The annual Robbie Burns celebration is this evening. Festivities start at 6:00 but the real fun starts at 6:30 with the arrival of the Haggis. If you're lacking on the history of Mr. Burns (pictured below) please click here for a fast lesson.

Robbie Burns Birthday Event

Our mid-January party is the first big beer event of each year and this one is no different. Gang Aft Agley Scotch Ale and Burns Scottish Ale will be pouring, the bagpipes will be piping and the arrival of the Haggis (6:30pm) will be marked by Ian Turnbull's reading of Burns' Ode to a Haggis. Celtic Spirit will play music throughout the evening.

We will also reward everyone who attends wearing a kilt with a free pint and have a judging of the best Kilt attire, male and female, with first, second and third place prizes.