Just My Luck

I went to Union Jack's Inn on the Manatawny on Sunday and as luck would have it they were having an event (actually I think the event was Saturday but continued on Sunday).  However, it is MY luck that we are talking about so this didn't have a happy ending.  It was all Dogfish Head...all taps, almost.  Now I've never met a Dogfish Head beer that I liked so I knew I was in trouble.  I couldn't even bring myself around to picking one so I just asked the bartender to pick for me.  He poured a Theobroma.  It was about as good as any other Dogfish Head beer I have had in the past.  I didn't stick around for a second beer.

Tonight I tapped a Blue Point Hoptical Illusion at my house.  I had a keg of this before at the house and didn't care for it but every time I have one at a bar I love it.  I only had one tonight but I'm not loving it.  I hope it is just my mood and tomorrow this will be as good as when I have one out.

Saison, Simon and Garfunkel

I went into the Drafting Room in Exton tonight without looking on-line to see what was on tap.  That was my first mistake.  The most interesting thing they had on that I never tried before was Saison Du Buff, a collaboration between Victory Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Stone Brewing Company.  It is a Farmhouse Ale brewed with parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.  I suppose this is somehow an homage to Simon and Garfunkel.  This might have been a very nice, dry Saison if not for the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme.  Somehow I suspect this was Sam Calagione's contribution to the beer.  Hey Victory and Stone...remember this.  Paul Simon did just fine after the breakup.

Good Draught and a Bad 12 Pack?

I made a rare appearance at the Tap & Table in Emaus.  I first tried a My Antonia which apparently was brewed by Birra Del Borgo (Italy) and Dogfish Head (DE).  This is an Imperial Pilsner.  As is usually the case with Dogfish Head products I didn't care for this beer.  I followed this with a beer from another brewer that I normally don't care for.  At least I keep trying.  And this time it payed off.  The brewer is Brooklyn Brewery and the beer was an Imperial IPA called Detonation.  Hurray, I finally got a Brooklyn beer I can enjoy.  I ended with a Russian Imperial Stout from Rogue Brewery.  Yeah, this is a really good Stout.

I also had a chance to visit the Craft Ale House in Limerick.  I had a Dogtown Pale Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company.  This beer is always excellent. 

Speaking of excellent...one beer that is not excellent is Opa Opa IPA.  At least not the 12 pack that I brought home from Massachusetts.  It is undrinkable.  I suspect that the problem is with the 12 pack I got and not the brewer but I don't know.  I will have to find this on tap on my next visit and hopefully redeem this product.

A Fine Saturday Afternoon

What a great day. I finally got the chance to experience the new Tap And Table in Emmaus, PA. We arrived at 3:00pm exactly which coincidentally is when they open the doors. I walked in by myself as my wife and kids would rather go for a quick ride in the countryside. I was followed by approximately 8 other thirsty travelers. I assume that says something for the success of this new venture.

I ordered a Bear Republic Red Rocket from the hand pump which is a nice red ale weighing in at 6.8% abv. This was a great beer, I mean a really great beer. I only had 20 minutes tops so I had to make my choices work for me. Unsure what to order next the server suggested a Brewdog Hardcore IPA which was also on the hand pump. Brewdog is from Scotland. I was originally reluctant to order anything not from the USA but I was convinced to give this one a try. You must try this beer if given the opportunity. You may not find it on the hand pump but if you see it anywhere, give it a try. I know what you are thinking...from the UK, no hops. Try this one. It has a bite. My time has run out and my ride is probably waiting for me at the front door.

Next stop is Union Jack's on the Manatawny. I take the wife and kids with me for a nice dinner on the patio. My first one is a Bear Republic Racer X. Awesome but the 9% abv is going to kill a lightweight like me. Then I try a Southern Tier Pumking. OK, I love this brewery but I must admit the Pumking is a little too perfumey for me.

I am not sure what to order but John, the server suggests a Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA. Throughout the years I have thought that this brewer is an over-hyped under acheiver. I give credit to Sam Calagione's ability to get print but the beers always seem mediocre. OK, it's only $5.00. Let's give it a try. Very nice. I am still not conviced that all of Dogfish Head's beers are all that good but I reluctantly admit that I enjoyed this one immensely.

What to round out the night? I had plenty of alcohol already. And although my wife already agreed to drive us home I felt that a low alcohol dark beer was in order. Sly Fox O'Reilly's Stout sounds great at this point. I pretended to taste alcohol that was non-existant and convinced myself that this was a great ending to the day.

Until I could get home to my beloved kegerator...