Ale Street News August/September 2007
Regional News: Philadelphia
By Rich Wagner
Who would have ever imagined that summer is the time for craft beer in cans? That was the theme of a beer dinner hosted in May by Monk’s Café which showcased some great recipes from Lucy Saunders’ book “Grilling With Beer.” Shawn O’Sullivan was on hand from San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery with his Watermelon Wheat. He spoke about his beers and his canning line. Chuck Williamson drove all the way down from Garratsville, NY to deliver cans of Butternuts Heinnieweisse. Other “canned brands” included Brooklyn lager, Dales Pale Ale, Sly Fox Royal Weisse, Sly Fox Pale Ale and Oskar Blues Old Chub, a Scottish style ale. Each beer was perfectly paired with Chef Glickman’s awesome entrees. Check out Lucy’s website grillingwithbeer.com for ideas on summer grilling and beer!
In June Monk’s held a beer dinner to celebrate Stoudt’s Brewing Company’s 20th Anniversary. Family members were on hand to take part in the festivities and diners were treated to Stoudt’s 20th Anniversary Brew, “Hoperator,” described by Ed Stoudt as a Doppelbock with lots of American hops, which sadly, is no longer available. Carol Stoudt said their (draught only) Saison and Oktoberfest would be coming to market by the beginning of August.
Tom Buonanno, sales rep for Muller, Inc. the distributor who handles Stoudt’s along with an impressive lineup of specialty beers informed me that Otter Creek has two summer seasonals available in the five-county area: Summer, a filtered Wheat and White Sail, a Belgian white style. He said next up in the Brooklyn’s Brewmaster Reserve series is Abbey Singel, available only on draught. I also met Bryan Kolesar at the dinner. He’s got a blog which beer aficionados might enjoy.
Eulogy’s Mike Naessens reports that Beneluxx Archangel (described as “Orval-like”) is being brewed in Belgium by Steenberge Brewery for the Beneluxx and Eulogy locations which should be on tap this summer.
For those who enjoy a diner experience Silk City (435 Spring Garden) has reopened under new ownership and will be adding an entertainment roster in the near future. They’ve got six brands on tap including Harpoon IPA and Yards ESA with one rotating tap. They’ve got lots of bottled beer including Lionshead and PBR in cans!
I subscribe to Suzanne Woods’ Pursuers Post blog, which keeps me up to date on some of the city’s great beer bars. The club recently celebrated its first anniversary at Devil’s Alley near 19th & Chestnut Sts. Her “In Pursuit of Ale” group has enlisted Iron Hill brewer Larry Horwitz to conduct a Beer School for eight weeks where the “Ladies of IPA” can become certified beer judges. And speaking of judging beer, Suzanne herself was recently tapped by Sally Toms, the Editor of London-based Beers of the World Magazine to be on their tasting panel when they host the World Beer Awards!
McGillin’s Ale House will start their Oktoberfest celebration starting August 16 with heavy German lagers and German food which will culminate with a Midtown Village Fall Festival on September 29. The giant street fair between Walnut and Chestunt and from 12th to Juniper Sts. will be filled with your favorite midtown restaurants, booths from galleries, book stores and merchants. McGillin’s will be sponsoring a live band and outdoor seating on Drury St. from noon to 8 PM. Afterwards they’ll have a DJ inside the pub where you can finish off what’s left of the German lagers.
In July Nodding Head hosted its eighth annual “Royal Stumble” with a “running of the bulls theme” and Flying Fish’s Farm House Ale was the first keg to kick! And can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about the GABF? Nodding Head brewer Gordon Grubb informs me they’ll be sending their Berliner Weiss, Prudence Pale Ale, Hoptimus Prime, O-Tay Buckwheat Beer, George’s Fault and their Wee Heavy Scottish Ale. Next in the lineup in his Single Double series is a Double IPA made exclusively with Kent Goldings.
And up a lazy river in Manayunk, the creative brewers have just brewed Pablano Porter made with pepper for that pepper flavor without the heat. Their Maibock should be pouring by the beginning of August as well as their popular Helles Bells and Bill’s Pils. This will be the third summer for their American Wheat made with 50% wheat and all Amarillo hops, fermented with the house ale yeast and served unfiltered it is one hoppy wheat beer!
Finally, the latest from Dock Street is that they are installing their brewing system and should be brewing very soon.