Buzz then Beer?

I knew that TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli had Pliny the Elder on tap today and I just couldn't resist the tempation to stop in after work for a quick one.  I look forward to the day when Russian River Brewing Company either expands their capacity to the level required to satisfy the demand for this great beer or decides to have it contract brewed, but something has to give.  I guess the same could be said for Pliny the Younger but I don't know because I have never had it.  It is that hard to get!  Sometimes I wonder if it is really a matter of capacity and resources or is it really just an elaborate long-term marketing scheme.  Come on guys, you got the buzz now get the beer.  Kind of backwards huh?

Hoppe Yes, Pty No

I stopped in at TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli after work because I wanted to try Hoppe Imperial Extra Pale Ale from Souther Tier Brewing Company.  This brewer never disappoints me.  This is a nice clean-tasting amber beauty and although I could not taste much alcohol I know it is in there because I actually started to get that good relaxed feeling after only one.  I talked to Will on my way out.  He told me that Pliny the Younger only lasted about 10 minutes during their event last week.  People were lined up along the sidewalk in front of TJ's at 11:30am.  He also told me that althougth they sold 66 tickets for a glass of Pliny the Younger the keg yeilded a couple of beers shy of that number.  Imagine being the poor bastard that bought a ticket and waited a couple of hours only to be told the keg had kicked.  Yeah they got their money back and yeah it's hard to have a bad time at TJ's but it still had to be disappointing.  Not familiar with Pliny the Younger?  I read an interesting article about Pty (that's apparently what the cool folks call it) by Joe Sixpack on Philly.com if you would like to become acquainted.

Great Beer and Customer Service

I knew that TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli had Pliny the Elder from Russian River on tap as well as Hopslam from Bell's Brewery.  The temptation was too much so I stopped in after work for a quick one (and only one).  It would have been a tough decision but since I can't remember my last Hopslam I decided to go with a Hopslam this time even before I got there.  The parking lot was full as was the bar once I got in.  Before I could even squeeze my way to the bar I was greeted by Will who was tending to the folks seated in the bar area.  Will asked if I was here for the Hopslam or the Pliny.  Considering the numerous other good beers on tap I was impressed that he figured which two I would be interested in.  It's great when places like TJ's employ people who know beer and what beer lovers are looking for.  Will suggested a seat in the leather chair while he gets me a Hopslam.  Now that is customer service.  I lifted my glass towards my nose to take in the wonderful floral aroma and I didn't even have to get the glass close.  I took my first sip expecting the possibility that there may be a harsh hop bite but of course there was not.  This is a great beer.  Even the alcohol (10% abv) was well hidden.  Now maybe I can go back tomorrow for a Pliny.

Good Beer and Lousy Football

So last night I stopped in to the Sly Fox in Phoenixville after ordering a couple of pizza's from Roccos's next door  As I was waiting at the Sly Fox I ordered a Pikeland Pils.  As luck would have it I had time for an Oatmeal Stout.  This is really a good stout.  Not to be confused with O'Reilly's Stout.

On Saturday I found my way to Union Jack's Inn on The Manatawny.  I had 3 beers all of which I have had before.  All were excellent.  They are Stone 13th Anniversary, Hop 15 from Port Brewing, and of course Founder's Breakfast Stout. 

After getting the kids to bed, I went out to TJ's in Paoli.  I enjoyed a Wake and Bake from Terrapin.  OK, this is no Breakfast Stout, but it is a great stout none the less.

As is usual, there were no seats at the bar when I came in.  Scott at the bar told me to go to the end of the bar where there were a couple of seats available.  To his credit, he came back later and suggested a couple of better seats as they became abailable. 

Next up was an Ithaca Flower Power IPA.  Yeah, this is a great IPA.  It has both a floral aroma and taste.   I can't wait to have another. 

Ok, I really couldn't care less about the NFL but since it is on the TV I feel compelled to comment.  The city of Philadelphia really believes the Eagles can win a Superbowl???  Seriously?  With Donovan McNabb?  It is very polite to say we can win with this guy but seriously?  Come on.  Does anyone really believe it is going to happen next year?  You are only kidding yourself.

Who Says Life is Too Short to Drink Cheap Beer?

I couldn't resist going to TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli this evening after work.  They have a "Keg Kicker" happy hour from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Friday.  They pick a couple of draught beers (presumably those they would like to kick) and offer them to you for $3.  If you were not familiar with TJ's you might think they would offer something pedestrian like Yuengling or Blue Moon but you would be wrong.  Today for example, one of those Keg Kicker beers was Port Brewing Company's Hop 15.  This is an awesome DIPA as I have mentioned before and for $3 (regularly $5.50) how could I resist.  I am usually happy to pay $5.50 for a Hop 15 but it tastes even better when you are only paying $3.

Quick One at TJ's

In between Christmas parties today I found myself with about 10 minutes of free time.  As it happens we were not far from TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli.  Time enough for one beer.  The kids were asleep in the car and my wife was OK with it so in I went.  I ordered a Rogue I2PA (I squared PA, or Imperial India Pale Ale, get it?).  This is a fine tasting IIPA without being overly bitter.  I'm ready for another but time does not allow today.

TJ's For Lunch - Great

My wife called with a really great idea this morning.  "Take me over to pick up my car at the shop and we can have lunch together...at TJ's".  It was a great idea because I love TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery in Paoli and because she and I don't have lunch together nearly often enough.  We both had the Cajun Chicken sandwich (my usual) and it was great.  I had a Bear Republic Racer 5 from the cask.  It too was great.  In fact the only thing that kept "great" from being "excellent" was that I had to pick up the tab.  Small price to pay for a great lunch, great beer and great company.

P.S.  I just looked at TJ's website and I see that the Racer 5 has been replaced by Port Brewing Hop 15.  If you haven't had this DIPA you owe it to yourself to get one.  See list of my favorite IPAs at the top of this blog.

Good Decisions, Bad Decisions???

Ok, so we have 3 daughters ages 1, 3 and 5.  We also have a large male Boxer.  My wife thinks it is a good idea to go out today and adopt a pit bull from the SPCA.  I can't disagree with her.  On the way to the SPCA I got really thirsty and thought it would be a good idea to stop in to TJ's Restaurant and Eatery in Paoli.  First up was a Coronado Red Devil American Strong Ale.  I enjoyed the heck out of this one.  I smelled hops but tasted only malted barley and alcohol.  I followed this with a Breckenridge Lucky U IPA.  This was a nice tasting beer but it didn't seem to have a lot of flavor.  I admit it may be my fault for having the Coronado Red Devil First.  I decided to try an Oskar Blues Gordon Double IPA next.  I enjoyed this one quite a bit.  Nice copper color, nice citrusy hop flavor.  I'll look for it in the future.  I expected my wife and kids to meet me on the parking lot shortly so I figure I better get going.  We have a dog to adopt for crying out loud.

God bless the folks who work at the SPCA.  They are either volunteers or those that are paid, probably don't get paid very much...however...it was quite a process.  I had already "met" the dog on Thursday at about noon.  Then me, my wife, the 3 kids and our other dog went down on Thursday evening to "meet" with the dog.  The SPCA thought a 3rd visit would be in order to make sure that we are a good fit for this dog (this dog that was a stray and found it's way to the SPCA).  Anyway, after leaving TJ's, we arrived at the SPCA at about 2:00 in the afternoon.  At about 3:45 I told my wife to take the kids and our other dog home.  I would wait behind to finalize the adoption.  It was about 5:30 before I finally walked out with the dog.

As you might expect, I built up quite a thirst, so on the way home I stopped back in at TJ's.  This would be a good test for the new dog.  How would she behave in a locked car on the parking lot of a bar???  This was kind of an important test.  I had a Troegs Dead Reckoning Porter on cask.  Nice beer.  What a joy.  Yeah, that hop flavor came right through all that dark malt.  I peeked out the blinds and the dog seemed to be doing OK.  I ordered a Peak Organic IPA.  I didn't like my first sip but I must admit, I liked this beer a lot by the time I got to the bottom of it.  It had kind of a homebrew taste but I find that appealing.

The dog passed the test.  We went home and she is settling in nicely.

Hump Day Doldrums

Here I sit wishing I could get out and enjoy my favorite beverage but alas, I can not. But if I could, here is what I'd do. Go to Paoli and visit TJ's Everyday for a Founder's Red Rye followed by a Port Brewing Wipeout IPA. What a minute...Union Jack's on the Manatawny In Oley has Port Brewing Hop 15 DBL IPA and Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye. That's likeTJ's beers on steroids. Union Jack's it is! Wait a minute...Ortino's Northside in Zieglerville has Founders Breakfast Stout and Bear Republic Racer X. I guess it would be Ortino's Northside...if I was going out...but I'm not.