Happy Thanksgiving

On Wednesday I made my way to the Drafting Room in Exton after work.  I started with an Endeavor from Bear Republic.  I knew this was an English-style IPA so I didn't have my hopes up.  The English are not big fans of hops and an English IPA is likely to be what we might call a pale ale at best.  I got exactly what I expected.  It was a nice enough beer as you would expect from Bear Republic but I just don't care for the style.  I had to have a Bell's Two Hearted after that one just to get my hop levels back where they belong.

Tonight (Friday) I went to the Craft Ale House in Limerick.  It seems like such a long time since I was here.  I started with a Cascazilla Imperial Red Ale from Ithaca Beer Company.  This is a solid performer every time.  Not great but very good.  Next up was a DuganA IPA from Avery Brewing Company.  This is actually an Imperial IPA coming in at 8.5% abv.  It is a very good beer.

I bought a mixed case of Erie Brewing Company to take to Thanksgiving dinner.  I must say that I'm disappointed in this one.  The Railbender Ale is good as always but I'm not a big fan of the other three beers in the case.  They are Presque Isle Pilsner, Mad Anthony's APA and Misery Bay IPA.

A Reason to Celebrate - Sierra Nevada

Well it might seem like I am a big fan of Sierra Nevada based on what I have been drinking lately.  I didn't think I was a big fan but looking back...maybe I am.  I just tapped a sixtel of Celebration Ale from Sierra Nevada and I am enjoying the heck out of it.

As Beers Go By

There's been so many beers since my last post I can hardly keep up.

Saturday 11/13 I stopped in the Drafting Room in Exton.  They were having a Fresh Hop event.  I had to stand so I only stayed for one beer.  It was a Heavy Handed IPA from Two Brothers.  This was a nice IPA and I'll look forward to having another in the future.

Sunday 11/14 I stopped back in the Drafting Room in Exton and this time I didn't have to stand but with the family waiting in the car I couldn't stay long.  I had a Fresh Hop from Troeg's which was very good.  Next I took a chance.  I am thus far not a big fan of Philadelphia Brewing but I ordered their Harvest From the Hood regardless.  This is a pale ale?  It was a lot darker than you might expect.  But this was a very good beer.

During the following week I had obligations for work every evening.  My beer choices were limited.  On Tuesday I had one Heineken.   That was enough.  I then ordered a Kettle One neat.  That did the trick.  On Wednesday the best I could find was Blue Moon.  OK, this was actually pretty good coming out of a tap I must admit.  On Thursday it was one Stella Artois (bottle).  That was enough. I continued through the evening with Sam Adam's Boston Lager (bottles).  Nuff said.

Friday 11/19 I was back at the Drafting Room.  I had a High Tide from Port Brewing which was awesome.  Then I had a Northern Hemisphere Wet Hop from Sierra Nevada.  I wasn't expecting much especially following that Port but guess what?  It was a very good beer.  My hat's off to Sierra Nevada.

Saturday 11/20 I was at the Exton Mall and needed a quick lunch.  We went to Rino's.  Having enjoyed a Sierra Nevada product the day before I thought I'd give them another try.  Rino's had Tumbler on tap.  And yes...I liked this one a lot also.  Maybe I should re-think how I feel about Sierra Nevada.

Sunday 11/21 I made a quick stop in Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny.  I had an Unearthly from Southern Tier.  This beer is over the top with alcohol and hops.  Yes, it was very good but maybe a little harsh for me.  There was a time when I would have thought this was the best beer I ever had but I think my tastes are starting to mellow.  Don't get me wrong.  It was a very good beer. 

Friday at TJ's

After work tonight I stopped in at TJ's in Paoli.  It was busy as usual.  I got a Yellow Tail Pale Ale from Ballast Point Brewing Company.  I have had these before and always sort of felt disappointed.  I think I finally figured out why.  I always assumed this was a pale ale as I think the name implies.  However, it is actually a Kolsch.  I have never appreciated this style of beer.  I'm guessing this is a good example of a Kolsch it's just that I personally don't care for Kolsch.  It was really busy and I hate standing while drinking a beer.  Scott at the bar must have noticed me dodging the servers passing by with their trays etc (or the servers complained to Scott about the old dude getting in the way) and he took the time to come around the bar to where I was standing just to tell me there was a seat or two available at the other end of the bar.  I think it is that kind of customer service that is driving TJ's success along with their impressive beer offerings (and I suppose the food).  Now that I was comfortably at the bar I decided to have another.  This time it was Idiot IPA from Coronado Brewing Company.  This is a nice DIPA and a good finish to the evening.

Bigfoot Returns

I took a quick detour tonight on my way home from work and stopped in at the Drafting Room in Exton.  I knew they had Bigfoot 2009 from Sierra Nevada on and I had to have one.  This is a barley wine that I look forward to every year.  This time however, it was not as good as I remembered.  It was still very good...don't get me wrong.  But I must have built this one up in my mind since last year and it was just OK.  I thought it almost had a metallic taste to it.  Maybe I just had an off night.  I'll have to have another one soon.

Union Jack's Inn for Lunch

On Saturday I took my mom and my 2-year-old to Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny for lunch.  I started with an IPA from Avery which was very good.  I followed that with a Double D IPA from Otto's Pub and Brewery.  This was better than I remembered it and it went well with the Reuben sandwich I ordered for lunch.  The Reuben was excellent.  Mom was busy with her crabcake sandwich and Miller Lite.  I ended with a Dragon's Milk from New Holland Brewing Company.  This is a pretty good American Strong Ale.  At 9% it is easy to see why they call it a strong ale.  I would have loved to have more but something was telling me it was time to go.

Take the good with the not so good

Last night on the way back from Massachusetts I was passing right by the Tap & Table in Emmaus, PA.  I went in and enjoyed a cask-conditioned Rastafa Rye Ale from Blue Point Brewing Company.  This is an excellent rye ale and the Tap & Table is a great place to enjoy a beer.

Tonight (Friday) I stopped in at the Flying Pig in Malvern.  I had a Hop Garden Double IPA from Dock Street.  This is a pretty good DIPA but maybe a little harsh with hops.  I followed that with a cask-conditioned Nosferatu from Great Lakes Brewing Company.  This is an American Strong Ale or a double Red Ale.  It wasn't as good as I remembered it.  It was good, just not that good.

More Massachusetts Beers

Wednesday night in central Massachusetts and I decide to go get some beer to take home with me tomorrow night.  I go to  Julio's Liquors in Westborough.  This place rocks.  I got a six pack of Leather Lips IPA from Haverhill Brewery and a six pack of Opa Opa IPA.  I also got 22oz Bombers of Port High Tide, Port Wipeout, and Port Hop 15.  I won't have any of those until I get home.  Instead, I go to my favorite bar in the world, Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant in Hudson, MA.  I had an excellent seafood casserole and onion rings.  Both were to die for.  I also got a Be Hoppy from Wormtown Brewing in Worcester, MA.  This is a very good IPA with a great taste and great mouthfeel.  I ended with a cask-conditioned double IPA from Opa Opa.  Now I was down on Opa Opa for a 12 pack I brought home from last trip up this way and as you can see I am giving them every chance I can.  This was a good double IPA.  Not great but good.  The alcohol was in your face with nothing great to back it up.  Final decision on Opa Opa comes when I taste that IPA I took home in six-pack form.

Cask Ale and More

Friday after cutting out of work a little early to see my daughters in their Halloween parade I went over to the Sly Fox in Phoenixville for a couple.  First up was a Pikeland Pils quickly followed by a Royal Weisse.  Both were satisfying as usual.  Then for a change I ordered an Oatmeal Stout.  This is even better than I remembered.  I don't know why I don't get these more often.  Maybe in my mind I confuse it with O'Reilly's Stout.

Saturday was a great day.  There was a cask beer festival at The General Sutter Inn in Lititz, PA.  I always wanted to visit this place and what better occasion than a cask ale festival.  20 cask ales were on tap.  I started with a Ruthless Rye IPA from Barrier in Oceanside, NY.  I never heard of this brewer before but this was a very good IPA.  Next up was 4 Seasons IPA from Voodoo Brewing Company in Meadville, PA.  I never heard of this brewer...in fact...I never heard of Meadville, PA before.  Again, a very good IPA.  Finally I had a Harvest Ale from Founder's Brewing Company.  This is an American Pale Ale and it was excellent.  I hated to leave but the wife and kids were waiting patiently in the car.  I went outside, collected the family and we then walked to the Wilbur Chocolate Factory.  The kids each got a treat and then we walked to a nearby park to feed the ducks.  When it came to potty time I suggested we go into the General Sutter so they could use the ladies room.  When they were done they asked if they could go back and feed the ducks some more.  I thought this was a good idea and since my wife and I both need not go I stayed behind at the General Sutter Inn.  I got a Black Pearl from Pearl Street Grille and Brewery in Buffalo, NY.  This is an India Dark Ale and a very nice beer at that.  Then I got a Hoptical Illusion from Blue Point Brewing Company on Long Island.  I've had this on draught before but this cask conditioned version was far superior as you might expect.  Keep in mind all of these beers were cask conditioned.  What a great day.

Now (Tuesday) I am on business in Massachusetts.  I just enjoyed an Archer Ale from Sherwood Forest Brewers.  This is an English Style pale ale.  I've had it before and I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed it now.