A Road Trip

Thursdays are usually a local night. We hike down the beautiful hills of Roxborough until we reach the corner of Terrace and Salaignac, Terrace Taproom. But this past week was a road trip. The Slingluff Gallery needed their monthly beer from the folks at Sly Fox. A Thursday night road trip. After a bit of a back up on the Schuylkill and meandering route through Conshy we were Royersford bound.

"The Fox In The Snow"

Fox in the snow, where do you go
To find something you can eat?
Cause the word out on the street is you are starving
Don't let yourself grow hungry now
Don't let yourself grow cold
Fox in the snow
Girl in the snow, where will you go
To find someone that will do?
To tell someone all the truth before it kills you
They listen to your crazy laugh
Before you hang a right
And disappear from sight
What do they know anyway?
You'll read it in a book
What do they know anyway?
You'll read it in a book tonight

Boy on the bike, what are you like
As you cycle round the town?
You're going up, you're going down
You're going nowhere
It's not as if they're paying you
It's not as if it's fun
At least not anymore
When your legs are black and blue
It's time to take a break
When your legs are black and blue
It's time to take a holiday

Kid in the snow, way to go
It only happens once a year
It only happens once a lifetime
Make the most of it
Second just to being born
Second to dying to
What else could you do?

A great thing about Sly Fox is that they usually have 12 drafts on and at least 3 that are seasonal or one-offs. Most of the table drank O'Reilly's Stout, and although their were a few on hand that I have either had in cans or their 22ozs, I opted for a style that I find myself drinking more and more these days, the Smoked Porter. I've enjoying Left Hand's Fade to Black a lot recently. As far as any of Sly Fox's smoked beers go, well, they lay heavy on the smoke. But heavy or not, it was a delight. Spring is now here and it is time to put away the Belle and Sebastian albums (Well, at least, If You're Feeling Sinister) and cellar your cold weather brews either for a Spring cold patch or until December finds us.
If you find yourself in the Phoenixville area, head over to Sly Fox's annual Bock Fest and Goat Race.

Owl Spotting: Hitachino

As much as I have enjoyed listing all the delicious beers that I am fortunate enough to drink in Philadelphia, I must say, that it is time for something different. Surely when I find myself in the mist of a rare or great beer week, I will document it. And of course, any Beercation, will have a pad and pen along at every stop. I'd like to spend a wee bit more time talking about individual beers, brewing companies, homebrewing, taprooms and bottle shops. So keep reading and enjoy the poems.

The Owls
Charles Baudelaire

Under the overhanging yews,
the dark owls sit in solemn state
like stranger gods: in twos and twos
their red eyes gleam. They meditate.

Motionless thus they sit and dream
until that melancholy hour
when, with the suns last fading gleam,
the nightly shades assume their power.

From their still attitude the wise
will learn with terror and despise
all tumult, movement, and unrest:

For he who follows every shade,
carries the memory in his breast,
of each unhappy journey made.

This poem was sparked by my new love, Hitachino Nest.  During the Summer Beercation in Philly, Dooglas pointed out a white ale that I never tried. I saw the name and then I saw the state, no, the country: Japan. A Japanese microbrew. Awesome. Hitachino Nest is a product of Kiuchi Brewery. It was established in the early 1800s and from I was able to round up, Sake was their seller.They have quite a few beers available, but their Real Ginger, Red Rice, White and Classic Ale were all that I have had.

The Classic was a great IPA. I love breweries that use cedar to age with. At first taste it reminded me of a Furthermore beer. "Pepper," I thought. But the bartender assured us that it was cedar. (Think more on the Cigar City lines). It has a nice nose, a bit maltly and pleasantly hopped. It seems to be easier to find Hitachino on draft, but I am a major fan of finding them at bottle shops. Their logo is a sweet piece of art. They use pudgy little pink and orange owls that remind me of something from Urban Outfitters. That sounds like it might be a bad thing, but I am a fan of owl art no matter where it comes from.

Cheers for now.

Winter Beercation 2010. Hello 2011.

Port Brewing Co. Santa's Little Helper (D)- Memphis Taproom
Hitachino Nest Red Rice Ale (D)- Memphis Taproom
Jolly Pumpkin Noel De Calabazza (D)- Monks
St. Feuillien Saison (D)- Monks
Southhampton Saison Deluxe (D)- Monks
Leifmanns Cuvee Brut (D)- Fork and Barrel
Gina (Dogfish Head, Del Borgo, Baladina) (Cask)-Fork and Barrel
Birrificio Pausa Cafe Chicca (D)- Fork and Barrel
North Coast Acme California IPA (D)- Terrace Taproom
Manayunk Brewing Co. Iron Curtain Imperial Stout (D)- Union Jacks
Petrus Aged Pale (D)- Union Jacks
Bells Two Hearted (D)- Union Jacks
Philadelphia Brewing Co. Shackamaxium (B)- House Beer

Bells Kalamazoo Stout (B)- House Beer

Troubadour Magma IPA (D)- Fork and Barrel

Beer Here Morke Pumpernickel Porter (D)- Fork and Barrel

Dogfish Head Palo Santo (D)- Terrace Taproom

Troegs Java Head Stout (D)- Terrace Taproom

Yards Tavern Spruce (D)- Terrace Taproom

Coronado Islander IPA (B)- House Beer
Spring House Seven Gates Pale Ale (B)- House Beer
Saison des Trois Enfants (D)-Earth Bread and Brewery
Romulous on Handpump (D)- Earth Bread and Brewery
Second Degree (D)-Earth Bread and Brewery
Iron Hill Russian Imperial Stout (B)- House Beer

The Sipping List -Jules Holiday Party (All Bottles)

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice

Petrus Winter Ale

Gouden Calrolus Noel

Vichtenaar Flemish Ale

Uinta Brewing Co. Labyrinth Black Ale
Brooklyn Local 2

Hitachino Nest Owl

Harviestoun Ola Dubh

Lost Abbey The Angels Share

Ichtegem's Grand Cru

Stillwater Artisanal Ales Saison/ Farmhouse

Brewdog/ Mikkeller Divine Rebel

Brasserie des Rocs Triple Imperial 

Lindemans Faro Lambec

Dogfish Head 120 Minute

Otter Creek Quercus Vitis Humulus

Monks Sour Flemish

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
Rogue 2x Chocolate Stout 

Homebrews
Kevin's "Fear of a Black IPA"
Kevin's "Under the Boardwalk Brown Ale"
Tim's Dry Stout
Ben's Imperial Stout
Ben's IPA
Ben's Bitter

I couldn't  have been any happier with the few select bars we were able to make it to over the holiday week. Memphis reigns as one of my favorites, but Fork and Barrel is just pure bliss. All I can say about the F and B experiences is that we were able to have Gina. And from what I know, it was 1 of 5 kegs/casks in the country. Gina is an herb garden. It reminded me of Saison du Buff, with more parsley, sage and thyme, a lot of oregano, and less hops. I also had the Pausa Cafe Chicca. This seems like another rare one. Again, from what I read, I had 1 of the 8 kegs in the country. It's an Italian coffee beer made by inmates of an Italian prison. Read more about it here. When I read that prisoners made the beer I had mixed feelings about it. I needed more info on what Pausa Cafe is all about and then found this.

With a title like The Sipping List, there better be a story. Let me just say that I probably missed a few bottles on the list mentioned above. It was a crazy night.

What seems to be an annual party at the best house in Manayunk, we had a theme this year. Bring a great bottle and wear an ugly sweater or dress up fancy. There were about 30 amazing bottles, 4 ugly sweaters, 1 suit and few in a fancy wear. Obviously, beer was the all important factor. With 30 or more bottles and 20 or so people, our only choice was to sample each. Let me tell you that 3 ounces here and 5 ounces there surely does catch up with you. There is no way to talk complexity on any of these beers, but as for some to seek out: Vichtenaar Flemish Ale, Uinta Brewing Co. Labyrinth Black Ale, Hitachino Nest Owl, Harviestoun Ola Dubh and Ichtegem's Grand Cru. Sours are a holiday all their own in my book. 

We are going to start to talk about homebrews a lot more on this site in 2011, so stay tuned. There are a number of homebrewers in the Brews of our Lives crew. Hopefully all of them will contribute a few words over the next year.

Thanks to all the readers of this blog for a great year.
Cheers.

Do Hops Gather On a Rolling Barrel?

Terrapin Brewing So Fresh, So Green Green
Dogfish Head Sahtea
Russian River Pliny the Elder
Green Flash Brewing Co. Imperial IPA
Port Brewing Hop 15
Great Divide Fresh Hop Ale
21st Amendment Hop Crisis!
Einbecker Winter Bock
Emelisse Black and Tan
Mikkeller Red/White Christmas
Porterhouse Wrasslers XXXX Stout
Weihenstephan Doemens 1809 Berliner Style Weisse

Hops
-Boris Pasternak (1890-1960)-Moscow/Russia


Beneath the willow wound round with ivy
we take cover from the worst
of the storm, with greatcoat round
our shoulders and my hands around your waist.


I've got it wrong. That isn't ivy
entwined in the bushes round
the woods, but hops. You intoxicate me!
Lets spread the greatcoat on the ground.

On November 27th, we diverted our path from the usual Union Jacks on the Mantawny for new territory 23 miles west in Barto, PA. I live in Philly, but I find myself in the sticks once a week so that a few of us can talk shop, eat real potato fries and enjoy a mighty tasty elixir. This week we had an agenda. A trip with a special purpose. It was Hopsgiving.

Let's back up a few days before Hopsgiving. On Thanksgiving we polished off a few bottles of my favorite beer of the year, Terrapin's Side Project #13: So Fresh, So Green Green. If you love Outkast, then I'm sure that you love the name of this one. It's a wet/fresh hopped IPA that is amber in color, super clear, piney, citrusy and an overall mess of Amarillo hop greatness.

Okay, back to Hopsgiving. The tap list included:
Port High Tide
Green Flash Imperial
Stone Ruination
Port Hop 15
Dogfish Head 90 Min
Nogne O IPA
Russian River Pliny the Elder
Southern Tier Unearthly
Rogue XS IPA
Great Divide Fresh Hop Ale
Bear Republic Racer X
Avery Maharajah
Victory Hop Wallop

That is a pretty nice list. How to choose. How...to...choose. RR Blind Pig was supposed to be on as well, but 21st Amendment Hop Crisis! took its place. I've written about nearly all of these beers before. I did learn a lesson though when there is a hop menu like this. Drink Pliny last. Your palate will thank you.

By Candlelight 
-Sylvia Plath

This is winter, this is night, small love --
A sort of black horsehair,
A rough, dumb country stuff
Steeled with the sheen
Of what green stars can make it to our gate.
I hold you on my arm.
It is very late.
The dull bells tongue the hour.
The mirror floats us at one candle power.

This is the fluid in which we meet each other,
This haloey radiance that seems to breathe
And lets our shadows wither
Only to blow
Them huge again, violent giants on the wall.
One match scratch makes you real.

At first the candle will not bloom at all --
It snuffs its bud
To almost nothing, to a dull blue dud.

I hold my breath until you creak to life,
Balled hedgehog,
Small and cross. The yellow knife
Grows tall. You clutch your bars.
My singing makes you roar.
I rock you like a boat
Across the Indian carpet, the cold floor,
While the brass man
Kneels, back bent, as best he can

Hefting his white pillar with the light
That keeps the sky at bay,
The sack of black! It is everywhere, tight, tight!
He is yours, the little brassy Atlas --
Poor heirloom, all you have,
At his heels a pile of five brass cannonballs,
No child, no wife.
Five balls! Five bright brass balls!
To juggle with, my love, when the sky falls.

Part 2 of this post takes place at the most impressive bar that I may have ever been to. Who would think that would be in East Falls, Philadelphia. Fork and Barrel opened up months ago. I knew that the beer list was entirely European. I love all beer, but there are so many American Craft Brewers out there constantly brewing new madness that I let this place slide off my radar. Mistake, mistake.

Let's start with the atmosphere of F&B, inside and out. The actually building used to be home to The Pour House. It was your regular neighborhood bar, with a basic draft list that you were able to find something on, but nothing exciting and certainly nothing to go out of your way for. The outside is now painted dark two-toned, almost black on black with nothing but a cask hanging near the window. Very simple and snazzy. Inside you are engulfed in flames. Literally. There are hundreds of candles that provide the only light and warmth. Mason jars housing tea lights hang from the ceiling and candles are placed everywhere. It is quite beautiful, intimate and the most different experience that I have ever had. The draft list was a bit of a new language to me. I need to brush up on my beer knowledge from across the Atlantic. Beer styles, however, were plentiful. There were plenty of imperial stouts, bocks, doublebocks, interesting IPAs, all providing an ABV teetering at 10% +/-. If you put your back to the bar, you can gaze at a beer bottle wall that is something of a mosaic of colors and sizes. Their bottled beer list is a novel. I don't remember how many beers they have, but the staff was great at providing a bit of help once they saw a perplexed look on my face. It was so hard to choose. A few of us shared a flight, and chose a bottle. It was a great way to introduce myself to this place. I look forward to checking out the upstairs. There is an American Style Cask pub that has a few handpumps and some nice looking bottles that are all American. And for the All Americans there is a huge flag taking over the window.

I look forward to writing one more post before 2011 strikes. With the holidays approaching, that should be no problem.

Cheers for now.

May Your Glass Always Be Half Full

Prohibition ended today (Dec 5) in 1933. And I thought last week was Thanksgiving!

Look for a new post soon on my Hopsgiving at Union Jacks and local night at Fork and Barrel.

Cheers

Thankful for Dessert Beers

Dogfish Head Bitches Brew (B)

Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale (B)

North Coast Brewery Brother Thelonious (D)

Ballast Point Black Marlin Porter (D)

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock (D)

Bells Brewery Double Cream Stout (D)
Rogue Brewing Dead Guy (D)
Yards Brewing Co. ESA (D)
Bells Brewing Co. Kalamazzo Stout (D)
Terrapin Moo Hoo Chocolate Milk Stout (D)
Copper Crow Chocolate Thunder Porter-Cask(D)
Yards Brewing Co. Love Stout (D)
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout (D)

The Son of a Gambolier

-Charles Ives (1895)

I'm a rambling rake of poverty
from Tippery town I came.
'Twas poverty compelled me first
to go out in the rain.
In all sorts of weather,
be it wet or be it dry,
I'm bound to get my livelihood
or lay me down to die.

Then combine your humble ditties
as from inn to tavern we steer
Like every honest fellow
I drinks my lager beer.
Like every jolly fellow
I takes my whiskey clear.
For I'm a rambling rake of poverty
And the son of a gambolier.

I was was tall and handsome,
and was so very neat.
They thought I was too good to live,
most good enough to eat.
But now I'm old, my coat is torn
and poverty holds me fast.
And every girl turns up her nose
as I go wandering past.

Not a Pale Ale of any sorts was in sight of making this list. My palate had malts-a-callin'. It had stouts as dark and sweet as can be making decisions for my normally hopped out appetite. These brews kind of made me feel like the song I chose to include. It sounds a bit dark, but when I hear the lyrics I think about the Dan Zane's children's version where a bunch of kids belt away the words away. Maybe they were drinking chocolate milk (stouts). When this time of year comes around I get a hankering for stouts. Some would say that I have a love interest (Yards). There is nothing like choppin' some chicory while listening to Miles Davis (DFH) to help someone forget that winter is on its way.

Most of us in Philadelphia know that The General Lafayette is no more. The beautiful historic inn off Church Rd and Germantown Ave lays empty of thirsty folk. For a while they were hosting Prism Brewing while they were getting their beehive brewhouse finished up. If you happened to find yourself at The General over the past year, even as a fair weather patron, you could feel something in the works. In a nut shell, the restaurant side of the biz was in decline. The brewing side just so happened to operate under a different name. And although I am not hip to what is going on with the food, Copper Crow Brewing Co. is what we will find ourselves drinking. The website isn't up and running yet, but stay tuned. I was at The London in Fairmount the other night and what I heard was 2011 is the year of The Crow. And by the way, The London has their chocolate porter on cask right now.

Crow Goes Hunting

-From Crow by Ted Hughes

Crow
Decided to try words. 

He imagined some words for the job, a lovely pack-
Clear-eyed, resounding, well-trained,
With strong teeth.
You could not find a better bred lot. 
He pointed out the hare and away went the words
Resounding.
Crow was Crow without fail, but what is a hare? 
It converted itself to a concrete bunker.
The words circled protesting, resounding. 
Crow turned the words into bombs-they blasted the bunker.
The bits of bunker flew up-a flock of starlings. 
Crow turned the words into shotguns, they shot down the starlings.
The falling starlings turned to a cloudburst. 
Crow turned the words into a reservoir, collecting the water.
The water turned into an earthquake, swallowing the reservoir. 
The earthquake turned into a hare and leaped for the hill
Having eaten Crow's words. 
Crow gazed after the bounding hare
Speechless with admiration. 

Cheers until December.

Beercation 2010: Part 2-Philly Meets Florida

We took a month off here at Brews of Our Lives to prepare for the long awaited Florida Beercation 2010. Although it was a short visit, we stopped by some of Tampa Bay's best beer spots. When possible, I tried to drink as many brews that Philadelphians do not often get on tap or will even see without a travel to the Sunshine State. Highlights included Pegs Cantina and Brewpub, Dunedin Brewery and, of course, Cigar City Brewery. I also had some amazing homebrews from The Greenbriar that I had been dying to try. Enjoy the list.

Highland Brewing St. Terese's Pale Ale (D)- The Refinery
Great Divide Hibernation (D)-The Refinery
Lost Coast Brewery Indica IPA (D)-Independent (St. Pete)
Lost Coast Brewery 8 Ball Stout (D)-Independent (St. Pete)
Bells Oberon (D)-Red Mesa Cantina
Terrapen Beer Hopsecutioner (D)- Rex
Pegs GOOD Day (D)-Pegs Cantina and Brew Pub
Pegs Square Dancing DIPA (D)-Pegs Cantina and Brew Pub
Cigar City Brewing Humidor Jai Alai (G)-House Beer
Greeenbriar Artisan Brews Monkey In The Night (B)-House Beer
Unibrou Ephemere Apple (D)- Old Northeast Tavern
Terrapin Beer So Fresh So Green-House Beer
Lagunitas Maximus Ale (B)- House Beer
Red Brick Pale Ale (B)- House Beer
Great Divide Titan IPA (D)- Rex
Cigar City Brewing Cubano Espresso (G)-House Beer
Greenbriar Artisan Brews Oatmeal Cookie Brown Ale (B)- House Beer
Sierra Nevada Brewing Estate 2010 (D)- Dunedin House of Beer
Florida Beer Co. Swamp Ape DIPA (D)- Dunedin House of Beer
Dunedin Brewery The Rock DIPA (D)- Dunedin Brewery
Swamp Head 10-10-10 Barrel Aged (D)- Dunedin Brewery
Blue Point Brewing Toxic Sludge (D)- World of Beer
Starr Hill Brewery Northern Lights (D)- World of Beer
Reissdorf Kolsch (D)- The Independent (Tampa)
Cigar City Brewing Ether (DF)- Cigar City Tasting Room
Cigar City Brewing Or (DF)- Cigar City Tasting Room
Cigar City Brewing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie (DF)- Cigar City Tasting Room
Cigar City Brewing Seabass (DF)- Cigar City Tasting Room