Another Weekend Came and Went

Another weekend came and went even more quickly than the last.  So here's is a recap...quickly.

Friday lunch was at TJ's in Paoli.  I had a DeMolen Vuur Vlam.  This is an American IPA brewed in the Netherlands.  I was not a big van.  It was OK.  I followed that with a very safe Belgian Pale Ale from Brewery Ommegang.  Safe because anything from this brewer is going to be great.  After work I made my way to the Drafting Room in Exton.  Up first was a Daddy Fat Sacs IPA from Roy Pitz.  It was OK.  Then I took a chance on a Manayunk Hop Phanatic.  I haven't had a beer from Manayunk that I liked...until now.  This is actually a very good red ale and hides the 8.2% abv well.

Saturday I went to the Craft Ale House in Limerick (or is it Royersford).  Up first was "Love is Evol" from Prism Brewing Company out of North Wales, PA.  This is a brown ale apparently made with strawberries and Jalapeno's.  It sounded horrible so I had to try it.  I could not detect any strawberry nose or flavor.  But the Jalapeno's came through loud and clear, but not over the top.  I enjoyed the heck out of this beer.  Next up was a Mission IPA from Mission Brewery from Chula Vista, CA.  It was OK. Not great, but OK.  I ended with an Oak Aged Unearthly Imperial IPA from Southern Tier Brewing Company.  I've had this one before and though it was great...before.  This time not so much.  I'm not sure what's going on.  Maybe it's me.  Then it was a quick stop at the Sly Fox in Phoenixville for an Abbey Extra.  They now serve it in a pint glass if you like.  Purists would be horrified pouring this Belgian-style ale into a pint glass.  I'm no purist.  I ended my night at McKenzie's Brewhouse in Frazer, PA.  I had the Houblonette (Saison) again.  This beer is awesome.  Then I had a Shipwrecked which is their red ale.  This was actually very good as well.  Can't wait to have another.

Some Good and Some Not So Good Beers

Over the course of the last week or so I've haven't had much opportunity to write about the beers I have had.  Traveling on business has consumed a good bit of my time.  I did visit the Sly Fox in Phoenixville and had a new (to me) beer.  It is called Citra Pale Ale.  I am not a big fan of this one.  Back on the road again I went back to the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson, MA.  I started with a cask-conditioned Sky High Rye from Arcadia.  It was a very nice beer indeed.  I followed that with a Wipeout IPA from Port Brewing.  Of course this was excellent.  This may be my favorite beer of the year.  The following night I went back to the Horseshoe and had a Wachusett Country Ale.  This was not very good at all.  In fact, since I knew I was only going to have one more this night I decided to have a Wipeout IPA just to play it safe. 

Back home in Pennsylvania I visited the Craft Ale House in Limerick.  First up was an IPA from Mission Brewery.  This is a pretty good IPA.  I had never heard of Mission.  Apparently they are out of San Diego, CA.  I'll look for more from them.  I followed this with a Lima Black IPA from Weyerbacher Brewing Company.  This was risky because I am not a big fan of this brewer or of this style.  I am here to say, this is an excellent beer.  That's why I keep going back and trying brewers and/or styles that I think I may not like.  Hats off to the folks at Weyerbacher for making this excellent beer.