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:
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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