What a Week

It was a pretty good week as far as beer was concerned.  I was in San Antonio, TX from Sunday through Friday.  While there I visited 3 brewpubs.  The first was Freetail Brewing Company.  I had a flight and then a couple additional beers so as to try every beer available that night.  Generally speaking the beers were well made.  The most memorable was a sour, which was fantastic.  I also visited Blue Star Brewing Company.  I had a Belgian Country Ale (Saison) which was pretty good.  I followed with a Cask-conditioned Stout which was also pretty good.  This is a very casual place.  If you are looking for a sophisticated meal this ain't your place.  If you are looking for a couple of good beers and decent pub food this is for you.  I also visited BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse.  This is apparently a chain as I saw 3 BJ's in San Antonio.  It is a high end brewpub as far as brewpubs go.  The food was pretty good.  The beer was also well-made.  I started with a Harvest Hefeweizen.  This is a very good beer.  I also had a seasonal beer that I don't recall the name of.  It too was well-made.  A lighter beer with citrus notes.  I hope to get back to this, or another BJ's and sample some more.

Shortly after landing in Philadelphia, I stopped in Pinocchio's Restaurant in Media.  I had a Kopstootche from Stillwater Artisanal Ales.  This is an excellent Saison.  I followed with a Dubhe Imperial Black Ale from Uinta Brewing Company.  This is perhaps the best version of this style that I've ever had.  Fantastic.  The pizza steak was pretty good too.  On the way home I couldn't resist the pull of TJ's in Paoli.  It was good to be back home.  I had a Carnevale Saison from The Lost Abbey.  This is a very good Saison as well.  A little spicy for my taste but still very good indeed.

On Saturday I went to Prism Brewing Company in North Wales.  I enjoyed everything there which included Bitto Honey IPA (where are the hops), Felony IPA (oh, there they are) and Insana Stout (chocolate).  I just really like this place.  I used to go to Victory Brewing when they first opened in the 90's and this place reminds me of those good ol' days.  To get to Prism you have to navigate your way around a building that you might never guess housed a brewery.  Sound familiar?  You go inside and nothing is fancy but the beer is excellent.  Sound familiar?  On the way home I made a stop in Appalachian Brewing Company in Collegeville.  I had time for a Celtic Knot Irish Red Ale.  It was OK.  Then I had a guest beer.  Red's Rye PA from Founders.  Now that is how you do Red Ales.

Fresh Texas Beer

Last Friday I had lunch at the Flying Pig in Malvern.  Along with my usual cheesesteak I had Flower Power from Ithaca Beer Company.  Both were excellent.  That night after work I stopped in at TJ's in Paoli for a couple.  First up was a Crooked Tree IPA from Dark Horse Brewing Company.  This is a solid IPA.  I followed that with a Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker.  Of course, this was awesome as usual.

I started to think I was having the same old beers in the same old places when all of a sudden I find myself in San Antonio, TX on business.  I found this brewpub called Freetail Brewing Company.  It was about 20 minutes from the airport but worth the trip.  I had a flight of 7 beers and all were good (some were very good).  Then I had a glass of their sour beer with a name I can't remember.  I do remember it is their red ale, Danny Mijo,  aged in barrels and soured.  This was a fantastic sour beer.  I swear I was getting some heat from this one (like some pepper beers I've had), but they said it must have been my imagination.  Regardless, it was a joy to have one of these.

How is that for a day of food and drink?

I went to the Flying Pig in Malvern yesterday for lunch and along with my excellent cheesesteak I had a Bell's Hopslam and a Titan IPA from Great Divide Brewing Company.  The Hopslam was excellent and the Titan was very good.  Not a bad lunch. 

Later in the evening I went to TJ's in Paoli and enjoyed 2 "kegkicker" specials ($3 each).  Up first was a Hop Ottin' from Anderson Valley brewing company followed by a Judgement Day from Lost Abbey.  The Hop Ottin' was very good.  The Judgement Day was great.  I can't believe I got that beer for $3.  It is a big beer at something like 10% abv.  It is malty and fruity and just plain good.

For dinner, the wife and I went to Daddy Mim's in Phoenixville for dinner. She had an excellent crab cake and I had an equally good Court Bouillon (crab, shrimp, scallops and crawfish).   With dinner we had a nice bottle of 2008 Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot Noir.  This is one fantastic Pinot.  We also started on a bottle of 2007 A.P. Vin Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir.  This is also a nice Pinot.

How is that for a day of food and drink?

Big Road Sign

Apparently today was the day it became illegal to text while driving in Pennsylvania.  I know this because as I was driving up US-202 there was a notice on one of those billboard-sized lighted signs.  It read something to the effect, 'Texting while driving is illegal.  Keep your eyes on the road."  That's just great.  A huge lighted sign off to the side of the highway begging to be read, and then the message "Keep your eyes on the road".  I pulled my car back into the correct lane and thought about the irony.

My Lost Friday

I wrote about my weekend in my last post but forgot all about Friday.  I stopped in TJ's Everyday which is not all that unusual.  I had 3 different beers all from the same brewer...Sixpoint Brewery.  The first 2 were from their Spice Of Life series of single IPA's.  The first, Nelson Sauvin, was excellent.  The 2nd, Simcoe, was pretty darn good also but not quite as good as the Nelson Sauvin.  I ended with a Gemini DIPA.  It was pretty good.

Ketchup Again

So I went to Victory last weekend and again today.  Between the two trips I managed to have a Ranch R IPA which is essentially an Imperial IPA (don't know if they call it that but it is).  I also had an Eclat Cocoa Lager which was surprisingly enjoyable.  I also had a cask-conditioned Storm King which is always awesome and finally an Alla Spina Novella Ale.  Hard to remember name for a really good beer.  To me in was a cross between a Mad King and a Golden Monkey.  Very nice.

I also went to the Station Tap Room for this year's Bigfoot from Sierra Nevada (great as it has been in years past) and Hoppy Feet from Clown Shoes.  This is a very nice Black IPA. 

Yesterday I made it to Prism Brewing Company in North Wales.  I started with a Red Zone which I think is fantastic.  I also had a Flying Magic Zebra which is a very nice Black and Tan.  Then I had the Death March which is a good black ale.  This is an interesting beer made without hops.  It also happens to be the "black" in their Black and Tan (Flying Magic Zebra). 

For dinner we went back to McKenzie's Brewhouse in Wayne.  My kids love the spaghetti there.  I love the Saison Vautour.  This is a nice farmhouse ale.  I actually had a couple.

Another Weekend Shot

Friday night started with a trip to the Drafting Room in Exton.  I started with a Eurotrash Pilz from Southern Tier Brewing Company.  As I've said many times before, I am spoiled by having Victory Prima Pils and Sly Fox Pikeland Pils always at the ready where I live so other pilsners have trouble stacking up.  This was no exception.  Although a pleasant enough Pilsner, it doesn't compare.  I followed with an Imperial IPA from Green Flash Brewing Company.  That's more like it.  Very nice beer. 

On Saturday, I took the kids to a couple of playgrounds and then ended up at Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny.  I started there with a Fire Rock Pale Ale from Kona Brewing Company.  This is a solid Pale Ale (if you like Pale Ales).  I wouldn't go to Hawaii to get one though.  Next up was a Union Jack IPA from Firestone Walker.  Sure it was a safe choice but what a nice beer.  I ended with a Torpedo Extra IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.  As with most of their beers, it was solid but not extraordinary as the name might suggest.  Of course, I currently have their Ruthless Rye IPA on tap in my basement and I have no complaints there.

Sunday was kind of cool.  We visited a couple of playgrounds and went to Merrymead Farm in Worcester, Montgomery County.  With a name like Merrymead you could hope for a nice mead but you would be wrong.  I had to settle for a Diet Coke while the kids and my wife enjoyed their icecream.  I did sample their icecream and it was pretty darn good.  We also got to see the cows getting milked and we saw a bunch of  other farm animals.  Afterwards, we went for dinner at Capone's in Norristown (technically East Norriton).  The kids loved the spaghetti and meatballs.  My wife and I enjoyed the meatball sandwich and chicken parm sandwich (we each had half of both).  Along with our food I did manage to have a Hop Notch IPA from Uinta Brewing Company.  They are apparently out of Salt Lake City, UT.  This was a very nice IPA.  I would go to Salt Lake City for one.  Then I had a Supa Hero Imperial IPA from Clown Shoes.  This is a good Imperial IPA but there are a lot of really good Imperial IPA's out there so I wouldn't travel to Massachusetts for one.

Mostly IPA Saturday

Saturday was a good day.  I revisited the Railroad Street Bar and Grille in Linfield.  My last visit at about 7pm on a Saturday was a little hectic in that the place was swamped and I couldn't get a seat at the bar.  This time it was about noon so things were a little less busy but still brisk even at that early hour.  I started with a Sculpin from Ballast Point, moved on to a West Coast IPA from Green Flash and ended with a Wipeout IPA from Port Brewing.  All were excellent.  I could have stayed there all day and continued to drink one great beer after another without ever having the same one twice.  Don't believe me?  Check out their beer menu.  It was still early on a Saturday afternoon so I thought it best that I leave before things get out of hand.  On my way out, I remembered that I was pretty close to the Craft Ale House and thought it would be a shame to be so close and not visit.  So I did.  I only had one but it was a good one.  Vertical Epic 11.11.11 from Stone Brewing.  I thought this was a very good beer.  It was big alcohol as you might expect and of all things, the chili pepper flavor really came through for me.  Fantastic.

Later that night we went out for dinner as a family.  We went to the Lucky Lab in Royersford.  This is the former Sly Fox.  I had a Racer 5 IPA from Bear Republic Brewing Company and Two Hearted IPA from Bell's Brewery.  Awesome.

So, in summary, I had a Saturday filled with IPA's that I've already had many times over and I am not complaining.  They were all excellent.  And I managed to squeak in a Vertical Epic which was just icing on the cake.

Quick Beer Out Tonight

After work tonight I went to TJ's in Paoli.  I started with a Stillwater Mikkeler Two Gypsies Our Side.  This is an excellent Saison.  Then moved on to an Over Ale from Half Acre Beer Company.  I thought this was a pretty good brown ale despite the fact that it is not my favorite style.  This one was malty and yet not sweet.  I ended with a Russian Imperial Stout from Brouwerij De Molen.  OK, it was excellent and especially at $4 for a glass at the Keg Kicker special.  Later in the evening I stopped in quickly at the Sly Fox in Phoenixville for a Pikeland Pils which was as good as always.

Getting Caught Up

Getting caught up on this past weekend and beyond.

Last Friday I went to Ron's Original Bar and Grille in Exton for a beer and as is usually the case, I had to stand because there were no seats at the bar.  I ordered a RumpelPilsen from Full Pint Brewing Company.  As I have said before, I think I am spoiled by the pils I am used to from Victory and Sly Fox so it is tough to top them.  Same goes here.  It was OK, not great.  I moved on to the Drafting Room also in Exton where I could find a seat at the bar and enjoy a beer.  First up was a Sam Adams IPA.  It too was OK but not great.  I moved on to a Tall Grass IPA which is always good.  I ended with a G'Knight Imperial Red from Oskar Blues.  I've had this before and liked it a lot but this night I was not loving it.  I think I was just having a bad night...get it?

On Saturday I went to Teresa's Next Door in Wayne for an event but primarily I went because I've never had the Canadian Breakfast Stout from Founder's Brewing Company and TND had 2 of them on tap...the 2010 and the 2011.  I couldn't wait to have my first and I am still waiting.  TND was packed and even though I arrived at 3:00pm both Canadian Breakfast Stouts were already kicked.  I had to "settle" for a Pliny the Elder which was awesome as usual.  I followed that with a Scratch 55 from Troeg's Brewing Company.  This is an excellent DIPA even when following Pliny.  I left TND and headed for Craft Ale House which was a short 30 minutes away.  I started with a Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale which is always excellent.  I followed with a...ready for this name...Alchemist/Ninkasi/Stone More Brown Than Black IPA.  This is a collaboration between the three brewers and I thought it was a very good effort indeed.  On the way home, I drove past Railroad Street Bar and Grille in Linfield.  I heard good things about this place and have been meaning to stop in.  I should have picked some time other than 7:00pm on a Saturday.  The place was packed.  Most of the folks were in their 20's or 30's.  No seats were available at the bar but I got the bartender's attention.  I saw a flip flop tap handle so I knew they had Port Brewing on tap and any Port Brewing product is OK with me.  I asked for "the Port Brewing".  He said, "which one"?  Wow!  My kind of place.  They had 3 on tap and although I don't recall which three I do recall I got the Wipeout IPA.  Fantastic!

Tuesday night I went to the Victory Brewing Company to return/purchase another sixtel.  This time I picked up a Prima Pils.  While there I had a cask-conditioned Hop Wallop which is so much better than a regular Hop Wallop (which ain't bad).

Fast forward to today.  I was on business in Lancaster County and decided to have lunch at the Bulls Head Public House in Lititz.  I had a most awesome Rubin sandwich and a cask-conditioned Bullshead Mild which is made for them by St. Boniface Craft Brewing Company in Ephrata.  So their website isn't up and running yet but the brewery is...and has been for about a year.  I visited them a while back and they were great guys making what I consider to be excellent beers.  This one today was no exception.  I haven't been able to find St. Boniface beers outside of Lancaster County but I haven't given up hope yet.

I've Had Better

After work today I stopped in Ron's Original in Exton.  OK, it was before 5:00 so maybe I left work a little early but regardless...the place was busy.  No seats at the bar.  Doesn't anyone work any more?  I had a Full Pint Rumplepilsen.  It was OK, but geographically halfway between Victory Brewing and Sly Fox you better bring something better than that.  This is the land of great American pilsners.  I left because a seat at the bar did not present itself and is my custom...I left.

I found myself at the Drafting Room in Exton.  I easily found a seat at the bar.  First up was an IPA from Sam Adams.  It was OK...not great.  Why are they so successful year after year producing mediocre beers?  Up next was another IPA from Tall Grass.  It too was just OK.  I ended with a  G'Night from Oskar Blues.  I didn't enjoy this one tonight.

I am so looking forward to tomorrow.  Maybe a revisit to Prism Brewing or maybe that thing at Teresa's in Wayne.  We shall see.

Continued...

I thought that last post got me up to date but I was wrong.  After Prism, I went to Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny and had a couple of beers.  First up was Daisy Cutter Pale Ale from Half Acre Beer Company.  Let me tell you, this is a fantastic beer.  A lot of folks would call this an IPA but either way it is great.  I can't wait to find it again.  I also had a Joe Coffee Porter from Philadelphia Brewing Company and a Dugana from Avery.  The porter was pretty good but you better like coffee.  The Dugana was very good as usual.

Finally, on Sunday we had lunch at the new McKenzie's in Wayne, PA.  This was our second lunch at the new place.  My kids love the spaghetti and the pizza.  I had a new beer.  It's called Vautour du Bois.  It is a sour version of the Saison Vautour.  I thought it was fantastic.  You have to have a taste for sour beers and if you don't, you will not like this beer.  If you do...this is the beer for you.  It is not mildly sour.  It is very sour.   And I loved it.

You Said a Mouthfull

It's been a while since I posted so I'm going back about 2 weeks here to start.  I'll skip all the noise and only reflect on the new beers (new to me) or the most enjoyable ones.  While  visiting Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny I had a Green Flash Imperial IPA which was great (no surprise there) followed by a Blue Point Imperial IPA which was just OK.  Later that night I went to Bridgeport, PA for the best pizza in the world...Franzones.  I had a new beer with my pizza.  It was Ruthless Rye IPA from Sierra Nevada.  This was a really good beer especially coming from a bottle.  As I needed a new keg for my basement I ran out and picked up a sixtel of this almost immediately.  And for $67 it was a bargain.

Then I went on a business trip to Dallas.  While there last year I found a bar called Ginger Man (actually in Plano) that had an awesome draught lineup.  At the time I had a (512) IPA which is from a brewery in Austin called (512) Brewing Company.  I vowed if I ever got back to Plano I would find the Ginger Man and have another (512) IPA.  And it was so.  I did find the Ginger Man this trip and they did have (512) IPA on again.  It was just as good as the first time.  A really excellent IPA.  I followed that with A Little Sumpin' Wild from Lagunitas which is a very good Belgian-style IPA.

Getting back to the present (which would be this past weekend) I had lunch at TJ's in Paoli on Friday and enjoyed a Colonel Blides Bitter on cask.  This is brewed by Cricket Hill Brewing Company in New Jersey.  It wasn't great but it was better than I expected of a bitter.  I had such a good time I went back to TJ's after work for a couple of Moylan's Hopsickle.  OK, I admit, the Hopsickle was a kegkicker special so the $3 price tag influenced the quantity I consumed. 

This past Saturday I went to Prism Brewing Company in North Wales for the first time ever.  I only had a half hour to spend but I had a flight of every beer they had and enjoyed the heck out of every one of them.  I will have to return to Prism and post about the various beers.  All I can tell you is I left there having tried about 12 different beers (or beer mixtures) and there wasn't a bad one in the bunch.  I mean, they even had a Shandy that was quite good.  For crying out loud, where else in America can you get a Shandy let alone one that tastes good.

A Couple of Unusual Stops

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to go to the new McKenzie's Brewhouse in Devon.  It was my wife's birthday and although she and I were going to dinner later that night (sans kids) we thought lunch with the kids would be a good idea.  The new place is gorgeous and that's according to my wife, kids and myself.  The food was enjoyed by all including those finicky kids.  I played it safe with my first beer and had the Saison Vautour which is always very good.  Then I had the Sour Marchent (not sure of the spelling).  This is a great beer.  It is not as sour as they would have you believe.  It is in the same vein as the Two Threads that I loved so much but is no longer on tap.  Next stop was the King of Prussia Mall to take the kids to Build-a-bear.  While they were building, I snuck out to Rock Bottom for an cask-conditioned IPA.  I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  Dinner was at the Kimberton Inn where I had the best liver and onions I have ever had.  The atmosphere was warm and the Victory Prima Pils were cold.  My wife had Fillet Mignon with scallops which was excellent as well.

I spent the earlier part of this week in Atlanta on business.  I had a Ranger IPA from New Belgium Brewing.  This is a nice IPA..nothing outrageous.  It seems like local brewer Sweetwater Brewing Company was all over the place including the airport.  There was a Sweetwater Draft House I had to spend some time in.  They served several Sweetwater beers on draught and had other beers in bottles.  I started with the 420 Extra Pale Ale.  It was OK.  Then I had the IPA which I thought was pretty good.  It was an easydrinking IPA.  Not bad for airport beer.