Buy Fresh, Buy Local

If you read this blog often, like I hope that you do, then you frequently see names like Yards, Sly Fox and Victory. If you keep this blog bookmarked, then you are sure to read about other gems like Nodding Head, Manayunk Brewing Co., Iron Hill and Earth, Bread and Brewery. Lucky for us, buying local never tasted so good.

Over the weekend, I indulged in a few other favorite local brews from our neighbors to the north in Easton, PA, Weyerbacher; our friends across the river to the east in Cherry Hill, NJ, Flying Fish; and the much closer brewery, from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia Brewing Company

For a small craft brewery, Weyerbacher will always reign as Pennsylvania’s Big Beer Brewery. They have a year round line of beers that all pack in close to or above 10% ABV. With fun brew names like Blithering Idiot or more “to the point” names like Double Simcoe IPA, it is apparent they are out to hit you with a tremendous amount of ingredients.

With some warmer weather in the forecast and a weekend nearing its end, I enjoyed a nice pint of Weyerbacher’s Hops Infusion IPA. Not as big as their other beers, Hops Infusion is a complex IPA with seven different hop varieties. The head on her dissipates quickly; however, the fruity nose lasts throughout. Orange in color and grapefruit in taste, she is a bit a hazy and a wonderful treat. A definite session beer, she boasts a nice 6% ABV.

There are not a lot of area breweries that make an Abbey Dubbel in year round rotation, but Flying Fish have it covered pretty well. This Belgian style brew pours a nice, dark amber with a pretty little head. Very evident of dark fruits and very sweet yeast, these New Jersey folks do it right. With a 7% ABV, this beer should be taken slow and enjoyed over a long conversation with friends.

For a fairly new brewery, Philly Brewing Co. has pumped out an extensive lineup over the past three years. They keep their beer names local and kitschy like Kenzinger, Walt Wit, Newbold, Fleur de Lehigh, Shackamaxon, Biberry and plenty more. With winter coming to a close, I enjoyed a few pints of their Rowhouse Red. Rowhouse is a ruby farmhouse ale, some say an Irish Red, but I say possibly a bit of both with some rye on the side. This is just a great beer to enjoy all winter long before Fleur de Lehigh hits the pubs.

And to let you all know just how local this blog is, we have been picked up and sponsored by a local, suburban Philadelphia newspaper, The Delaware County Daily Times. With an online newspaper that keeps you up-to-the-minute on what’s happening just west of the city, they will now let their readers know what is happening with the local beer scene. Check us out at delcotimes.com/blogs.