Monday, June 7, 2010

Taste-testing the Philly region's best beers

It is one of the great ironies of the now-gargantuan brewfest that has become Philly Beer Week: The bigger it gets, the less it is about Philadelphia's own beers.

Indeed, as the festival floods local taprooms with visiting brewers from San Diego to Belgium, some hometown beer guys like Bill Barton of the Philadelphia Brewing Co. gnash their teeth as they temporarily lose tap handles, and drinkers' attention, while the hops-light is shining brightest.

"They should call it Beer Week in Philly, instead, because it's not about the locals," grumbles Barton. "If you're from around the corner [people] just aren't that interested."

Beer Week executive director Don Russell disagrees, insisting that the local breweries are active participants, and that the festivities boost beer awareness for the rest of the year. In fact, Russell is among those who have long argued that Philadelphia is "America's greatest beer-drinking city" in part because of its embrace of an international range of beers, as well as those from Kensington.

Still, we decided it was time - before that extra tidal wave of out-of-town ale hits when Beer Fest opens Friday - to give the region's homegrown beers a closer look.

And thus was born the first Philadelphia Inquirer Local Brew-vitational, a comprehensive tasting of the fresh flavors being crafted by the local beer scene right now. Which were the most exciting new creations, and who has the hottest hand at the kettle? What are the big trends? And, has our beer scene defined its own unique identity?

These were just a few of the questions going into the Brew-vitational, which asked craft brewers throughout the region, from Harrisburg to Milton, Del., to submit their latest efforts (issued in the last six months) to a panel of seven judges for consideration. for the rest of the article:


http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/95439659.html#axzz0qCoFcF00

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/95439659.html#ixzz0qCp6B8en

The top 13 finalists, which scored the highest averages in the first round, were re-tasted in the final round then ranked by total points. Beers 14-28 are listed in the order of their average score from the first round, based on a five-point scale.


1. McKenzie Brew House Biere de Garde:
A rustic amber farmhouse ale of stunning complexity. 7.5% ABV: 35 pts.

2. Flying Fish Exit 16:
A double IPA made with three kinds of rice; the light color and body belied its richness and power. 8.2%: 25 pts.

3. Tröegs Flying Mouflan:
A dark, powerful barleywine with two personalities — vibrant with citrusy hops when young, but with age, something profoundly mellow. 9.3%: 15 pts.

4. Gen. Lafayette Inn The Grim Reaper:
An Imperial Stout that melds full-on decadence with the balance of a good port — “roasty, toasty, and chocolate.” 8.5%: 15 pts.

5. Stoudts Karnival Kölsch:
A crisp and refreshing take on the light German classic that one judge called “the best kölsch I’ve ever tasted.” 4.8%: 13 pts.

6. Earth Bread + Brewery ABA:
A drinkable brown ale so balanced between dark malts and American hops, one judge declared brewer Tom Baker “an artist.” 5.5%: 10 pts.

7. Weyerbacher Tiny
Belgian-Style Imperial Stout, 11.8%: 8 pts.

8. Stoudts Heifer-in-Wheat
Hefeweizen, 5%: 6 pts.

9. McKenzie Brew House Tristessa
French wine barrel-aged golden ale, 7%: 5 pts.

10. Dogfish Head My Antonia
Imperial Pilsner, 7.5%: 4 pts.

10. (tie) Tröegs Java Head
Coffee Stout, 7.5%: 4 pts.

10. (tie) Earth Bread + Brewery Phyto
Gruit-inspired amber ale, 6%: 4 pts.

13. Yards Saison
6.5 %: 3 pts.

For all the beers tasted with their scores, click through this image gallery from the tasting: Brews of our own


All the rest:

14. Yards
Olde Bartholomew Barleywine, 10.3%: 3.21 pts.

15. River Horse
Hop-a-lot-amus Double IPA, 8.5%: 3.17 pts.

16. Sly Fox
Rt. 113 India Pale Ale (in can), 7%: 3.15 pts.

17. Flying Fish
Exit 4 American Trippel, 9.5%: 2.97 pts.

18. Dock Street
West of Center "American Mild" Ale, 5.5%: 2.92 pts.

19. Nodding Head
Goldihops Light Golden Ale, 4%: 2.85 pts.

20. Weyerbacher
Verboten Belgian-Style Pale Ale, 5.9%: 2.85 pts.

21. Spring House
Beyond the Gates Double IPA, 7.5%: 2.8 pts.

22. Victory
Braumeister Strissle Pils, 4.8%: 2.78 pts.

23. Iron Hill
(Media) Smokin' Blonde Belgian-style Blonde Ale, 6.2%: 2.75 pts.

24. Spring House
Seven Gates Pale Ale, 5.6%: 2.70 pts.

25. Philadelphia Brewing Co.
Pennsylvania Pale Ale, 5.3%: 2.68 pts.

26. Manayunk Brewing Co.
Manayunk Wit, 5.1%: 2.62 pts.

27. Gen. Lafayette Inn
Copper Crow IPA, 7.3%: 2.61 pts.

28. Dock Street
Saison DuPotts, 5.77%: 2.02 pts.



Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/restaurants/The_Winning_Beers.html#ixzz0qCoY2736
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Friday, June 4, 2010

Longs Park Lancaster PA Sunday Music series

Every Sunday, June 6 to August 29, 2010
All performances begin at 7:30 pm

The tradition begun 48 years ago by Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation continues. Free entertainment…award-winning performers…summer’s favorite place for the community to come together. This summer we’ll treat you to 13 Sunday nights of great music…from zydeco, jazz, patriotic and Southern rock to Celtic rock, bluegrass, patriotic, rockabilly and blues. And the acclaimed lineup boasts three Grammy, Jammy and Jazz Journalist Association’s winners and nominees. And each and every concert is free, thanks to our sponsors and your support of the Long’s Park Art & Craft Festival.

June 6, 2010

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
June 13, 2010Dr. Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys
June 20, 2010Esperanza Spalding
June 27, 2010Angelique Kidjo
July 4, 2010257th Army Band, Cannon Brigade and Fireworks!
July 11, 2010The Felice Brothers
July 18, 2010Benjy Davis Project
July 25, 2010Sammy Figueroa and his Latin Jazz Explosion
August 1, 2010The West Side Winders
August 8, 2010David Garfield & Alex Ligertwood Group
August 15, 2010The Saw Doctors
August 22, 2010Chris Smither and The Motivators
August 29, 2010C. J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and picnic in the park or visit our food vendors. Long’s Park is an alcohol-free park. :(

All events are held rain or shine, except in the case of dangerously inclement weather.

June 6, 2010 Lancaster PA

SUNDAY, JUNE 6:
Lancaster Cemetery, 205 E. Lemon St., offers the eighth annual Victorian Day, featuring historic walking tours of the cemetery grounds with discussions of symbolism displayed on monuments and tomb stones. Victorian funeral practices and customs will be brought to life by the Patriot Daughters of Lancaster. 1 to 5 p.m. $5. 717-393-6476.

AND

SUNDAY, JUNE 6: 300 Block of North Queen Street merchants offers the eighth annual Block Festival, featuring a variety of vendors, food, live music, children’s games and more. 300 Block of North Queen Street shops also open. Free. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Rain or shine. 717-299-0827.


LBC has a new Bock pouring

Here’s the latest buzz from LBC...
Try our New Rumspringa Golden Bock.
Big, smoothly malted, flawlessly hopped
and spiked with real Lancaster County
honey for that extra sting.
Just ask the bartender for a sampler.

Malts: Caramel 40, Cara-Pils ,
2 Row Pale, Munich 10, Honey
Hops: Tettnang, Hallertau, Cluster, Saaz
OG: 18 - ABV: 6.6% - IBU:30

VICTORY SUMMER LOVE ALE

Victory Brewing is very very excited and extremely proud to announce the launch of Summer Love Ale, a new craft beer from the D-town brewing company, With Love, Philadelphia XOXO.

The golden brew will debut in Philadelphia on June 4th, 2010 just in time for Philly Beer Week before rolling out to bars and restaurants across the country later this summer.

Brewed locally at the Victory Brewery in Chester County, the Summer Love Ale is a golden ale made with pale malts, German hops and Brandywine River water. This specific style of beer was chosen because it has a broad appeal and will be accessible for casual beer drinkers, but will still retain exciting hop notes.

The brew has a vibrant and refreshing pale color derived from its lean and refreshing malt body. And the initially floral aroma of hops segues into a well integrated, refreshing hop dryness of European heritage.

I am looking forward to trying it.