Philadelphia 2018

Once again a trip to Philadelphia, the city of Brotherly Love, or as I refer to it the city where you go if you love beer. It’s always had a really good beer scene, and I remember my first trip to Monk’s Café (more about Monk’s later), but now it’s just better and better. And I “had” to be there for a conference I was attending and speaking at.

For semi-regular readers, you know I believe in “beer-Karma” where you don’t necessarily try to find beer, you let it find you. And oh-boy this was a great beer-Karma time.

After arriving May 18 Friday on Amtrak (“the ‘Amtrak’ of rail service”) went to get some lunch. And this is but one example of as much as technology serves us, it’s still limited as compared to a face-to-face palaver. Arrived at this shop that  – according to Yelp – had beer, sandwiches, and table to sit. But when I got there I found there were no tables inside, unlike the Yelp photos from 1996 apparently.

So I went back towards a place I passed earlier: what appeared to be a small wine bar, looked to have food, and discovered the place called Varga. Now to add parenthetically, the name is a variant of “Vargas,” as in “Joaquin Alberto Vargas y Chávez” – the most famous pin-up artist in history.

You know his work, leggy beautiful women, soft pastel colors; paintings you’d find in your uncle’s Esquire magazines. Many young men of that generation went steady with a Vargas picture.

Anyway, walked in and was greeted by Frank, and then saw the draft menu (breweries circled in green have been visited)

And the bottle selection. And the not one but two beer engines (both in use).

Now no one in Philly beats Monk’s, but this is now my #2 beer bar in Philly. And the food was no slouch, had the pork belly BLT, which should receive a Mayor’s commendation.

Tried the following:

Sly Fox  -  Chester County Bitter  -  Ale, Bitter, Dark  -  4.5% ABV -  [score 7.8 / 10.0]

Neshaminy Creek  -  Four Corners barrel aged quad  -  Ale, Belgian Quadrupel Style  -  12%  [ 10.0]

Hardywood  -  Baltic Sunrise  -  Ale, Porter, Baltic  -  9.1 %  [9.4]

So after Beer Karma event #1, did find out from Frank that there was a beer event at the Eagle’s stadium the next day. I wasn’t sure if I was going due to weather and lack of VIP tickets, so I contacted a brewery client to see if they had any tickets. I did get one emailed to me in 2 minutes, so that was set for Saturday.

Frank recommended trying Strangelove’s, as it was on the way back to the hotel.

Not a bad place, far fewer beer selections but the menu looked good. Had a nice chat with one of the locals guys about business and beer.

Tried the:

Licking Hole Creek  -  Heir Apparent  -  Ale, Stout, Imperial  -  11.5 %  [8.7]

Manayunk  -  Kriek  -  Ale, Kriek  -  8 %  [7.5]

DuPont  -  Saison DuPont Biologique  -  Ale, Belgian Saison  -  5.5 %  [8.5]

Went back to the Marriott, and had a beer with dinner.

Personally I cannot fathom (oh, right, distribution channels) why hotels and restaurants in areas with good beer usually just sell the mass-market swill.

Flying Fish  -  Hop Fish IPA  -  Ale, IPA  -  6.2 %  [7.0]

Saturday May 19 was a day I had to teach a 4-hour class (well in truth I DID sign up to do so). I had contacted a brewery client Friday night, and was promised a ticket – one showed up in my email – merci. Now I was debating whether to go, as it was rainy, but I remembered someone saying to me there’s a lot under cover at the stadium. So to the Übermobile.

Arriving at the stadium  - 1 hour after general admission opened – I was dismayed to see a line about ½ block long. So 14 gates, one line (*sigh*). Eventually they opened 2 so the wait was only like 20 minutes [strike 1].

Now inside there was no real attempt to control the flow. As everyone queued up in the first line they saw, that means near the entrance was pandemonium. No room for traffic to flow, lines with no identifiable end [strike 2].

I was a least going to get to the Captain Lawrence booth, which I did.

Never put your beer down when playing Jenga!

As I was walking by one of the guides, this petite little old lady said “what are you doing in line, you have an ‘Ultra-VIP’ wristband” [home run!].

Well that was more like it. Was able to try the following over the course of the afternoon / early evening:

Devils Backbone  -  Gold Leaf trail angel  -  Ale, Wheat, Hefeweizen  -  4.9 %  -  12 IBU  [7.6 / 10.0]

Lost Abbey  -  Devotion Farmhouse   -  Ale, Belgian Farmhouse Style  -  6.8 %  [9.0]

Crowded Castle  -  Sundown  -  Ale, Amber, American  -  5.7 %  [7.5]

2nd Story  -  My Better Hef  -  Ale, Wheat, Hefeweizen  -  5.3 %  [8.5]

2nd Story  -  ¿Qué Hora Es  -  Lager, American LIght  -  5.3 %  27 IBU  [7.0]

Paulaner  -  Oktoberfest Märzen  -  Lager, Märzen/Oktoberfest  -  5.8 %  20 IBU  [7.5]

Blueprint  -  Red Rye Apocalypse  -  Ale, IPA, Rye  -  6.6 %  -  66 IBU  [8.5]
Great Barn  -  Country Girl  -  Ale, Farmhouse, American  -  5.1 %  -  20 IBU  -  [7.5]
Crooked Eye  -  The Brit ESB  -  Ale, Bitter, ESB  [8.5]
USciences  -  Dunkel   -  Lager, German Dark, Dunkel  [6.0]
Funk  -  Citrus IPA   -  Ale, IPA, American  -  6.7 %  -  70 IBU  [7.0]
Schmaltz  -  He'brew Jewbilation 14  -  Ale, Strong, American  -  14 %  [8.0]
Southern Tier  -  Blueberry tart  -  Ale, Wheat, Sour, Fruit  -  8 %  [9.0]
Wacker   -  Bohemian Pilsner   -  Lager, Pilsner, Bohemian  -  4.5 %  [7.0]

Also saw the best beer shirt ever, from Mr. Duck.

Went to Monk’s later at night, and sat in the back bar, as they had a favorite on tap – Pliny the Elder.

When I was at Russian River’s taphouse years ago, it was notably absent, so was able to check that box.Place was busy and John at the bar kept it all running smoothly

Russian River   -  Pliny the Elder  -  Ale, IPA, Double, California  -  8 %  -  100 IBU  [9.5 / 10.0]

Also had the:

De Profbrouwerij  -  Flemish Primitive #3  -  Ale, French Country   -  6.2 %  [9.0]

De La Senne  -  Taras Boulba  -  Ale, Belgian Pale  -  4.5 %  [8.2]

Russian River  -  Blind Pig  -  Ale, IPA, American  -  6.1 %  -  70 IBU  [8.5]

Boon  -  Kriek Marriage Parfait (2013)  -  Ale, Belgian Kriek  -  8 %  [9.5]

The next day - May 20  - Mr. Marty arrived, and brought gifts. Of course.

We went first to Monk's; really had some special ones with a great lunch. Amy was working the front bar and she really knew her stuff.

 And got to have beer 9,700.

Also tried the yeast slurry in water trick; definitely helped this day. Amy seemed fascinated about he biochemistry of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase in yeast, and what it does.

Chimay  -  Chimay Blue (Grand Réserve) (2018)  -  Ale, Belgian Tripel  -  9 %  [9.0 / 10.0]

Oud Beersel   -  Oud Geuze Vielle (2014)  -  Ale, Belgian Kriek Lambic  -  6 %  [9.2]  (beer 9,700)

Molen, Brouwerij De   -  Fire, Flood & Plague  -  Ale, Porter, Imperial   -  9.9 % -  36 IBU  [9.5]

Molen, Brouwerij De   -  Rasputin - Cease & Desist  -  Ale, Stout, Russian Imperial  -  10.4 %  [9.0]

The weather was mixed, so we got a ride up to Standard Tap, which was supposed to be a pretty good bar. And besides a good selection, they too have beer engines.

Had met someone at the Eagle’s stadium beer fest the day before who worked here, but they were not working Sunday. Also chatted with a guy who would be going on a business trip to Singapore. Filled him in on several brewpubs in Singapore, such as Level 33 (33rd floor of a skyscraper), and Red Dot Brewhouse, which was next to “whore alley” (which seemed to interest him a lot).

Manayunk  -  IP-Yay!  -  Ale, IPA, Fruit  -  6.2 %  [7.0 / 10.0]

Mishpillion  -  Holy Crap!  -  Ale, Red, Imperial  -  9 %  -  50 IBU  [7.5]

Conshohocken  -  Type A IPA   -  Ale, IPA, English  -  7 %  -  70 IBU  [7.0]

Melvin  -  Hop Shocker  -  Ale, IPA, Imperial  -  8 %  -  95 IBU  [7.5]

We went over to Kraftwerk to try a couple, the only new one was this, but it was a spectacular

Nøgne Ø  -  Dark Horizon 4th edition (2013)  -  Ale, Stout, Imperial  -  16 %  -  100 IBU  [10.0]

Kraftwerk also has the most amazing bathroom accoutrements.

Since one can’t get to Philly every weekend, it was back again to Monk’s the next day, May 21.

To Øl  -  Gose to Hollywood  -  Gose  -  3.8 %  [8.0]

Lost Abbey   -  Devotion  -  Ale, Belgian Blonde Style  -  6.25 %  [8.8]

Verhaeghe  -  Echt Kriekenbier  -  Ale, Belgian Flanders Red  -  6.8 %  [9.0]

Mikkeller   -  Årh Hvad  -  Ale, Belgian Pale  -  7.6 %  [7.5]

Evil Twin  -  Aün Mås Todo Jesüs  -  Ale, Stout, Imperial  -  12 %  [10.0]

Tilquin  -  Quetsche  -  Ale, Belgian Gueuze  -  6.4 %  [9.5]

Westmalle  -  Westmalle Dubbel  (2017) -  Ale, Belgian Trappist Dubbel  -  7%  [8.2]

Westmalle  -  Westmalle Trappist Ale Tripel  (2017)  -  Ale, Belgian Trappist Tripel  -  9.7 %  -  36 IBU  [8.5]

DuPont  -  Foret Organic Saison Moinette Biologique (2017)  -  Ale, Belgian Saison  -  7.5 %  [9.5]

Trappe, La; Koningshoeven  -  La Trappe Quadrupel (2017)  -  Ale, Belgian Abbey Quadrupel  -  10 %  -  40 IBU  [9.5]

Haandbreggereit  -  Norwegian Wood  -  Ale, Smoked  -  6.5 %  [9.5]

Lost Abbey  -  24 Steps  -  Ale, Wild, American  -  6 %  [9.5] (only at Monk’s)

On the 22nd, headed over to 2nd Story Brewing. It was confusing as they were on the 1st floor, but the actual brewery was on the 2nd! Very nice bartender McKenna - anyone who asks first, "do you want some water" is alright in my book.

Tried all their beers, as they offered flights. Of the beers, the Old City is Burning was a standout.

Sweat Equity  -  Ale, Farmhouse, American  -  5.8 %  [9.0]

Black Bull Porter  -  Ale, Porter, American  -  5.4 %  [7.5]

Anniversary Tripel  -  Ale, Belgian Tripel style  -  8.2 %  [8.5]

Old City is Burning  -  Lager, Rauchbier  -  5.9 %  [9.8]

Old City Kölsch  -  Kölsch Style  -  5 %  [5.5]

Fritzie’s Lager  -  Lager, Vienna, Amber  -  4.9 %  [8.0]

Declaration IPA  -  Ale, IPA, American  -  6.5 %  [7.8]

¿Que Hora Es  -  Lager, American  -  5.3 %  [7.0]

My Better Hef  -  Ale, Wheat, Hefeweizen  -  5 %  [8.5]

The Daily Double  -  Ale, IPA, Double  -  8 %  [8.0]

The Kölsch was not. It was a nice drinking beer, but not very Kölsch-like. And get that “beer engine” fed! Also had a first-rate beet and seared Ahi salad for lunch; almost too nice looking to eat.

Spoke to some German tourists, and gave then a can of Treehouse beer to try later (they agreed with the Kölsch assertion, BTW).

As IMHO Varga is the 2nd best beer bar in Philly, there was time to go back to see what was available. Rich was working there today, and shared a few beers back and forth with Rob who was there.

Fat Head’s   -  Alpenglow   -  Lager, Bock, Weizenbock  -  7.5 %  -  19 IBU  [8.5]

Firestone Walker   -  Helldorado  -  Ale, Barleywine, American  -  12.8 %  [9.3]

Firestone Walker  -  Bretta Rose  -  Ale, Wild, American, fruit  -  5.1 %  -  45 IBU  [8.5]

New Holland  -  Dragon's Milk (2017)  -  Ale, Stout, Russian Imperial  -  11 %  -  30 IBU  [9.0]
 

Deschutes Hair of the Dog  -  Collage Conflux 1  -  Ale, Strong, American  -  11.6 %  [9.5]

Clown Shoes   -  The Ballad of Minnie Quay  -  Ale, Old  -  11 %  [8.5]

Free Will  -  Kriek Nouveau  -  Ale, Belgian Kriek style  -  6 %  [9.0]

As part of a function, went to a McGillin’s Old Ale House for some drinks and snacks. Had a couple of their basic lagers on draft.

Tattered Flag  -  Pilsner  -  Lager, Pilsner  -  5 %  -  37 IBU  [7.5]

Stroudts  -  McGillin’s Lager  -  Lager  -  5 %  -  15 IBU  [6.5]

And ended the night – and the trip – with one last stop at Monk’s café.

Grain D’Orge  -  Belzebuth  -  Ale, Barleywine  -  8.5 %  -  2.1 IBU  [8.5]

So a great short visit to Philadelphia, an unplanned beer fest, 69 new beers, and milestone beer #9,700.

Colorado Rocky Mountain Beer

It was a nice quick trip out to Boulder CO area, for some work on a project. As such got to try some favorites, visit some new breweries, and make a few friends.

Having arrived at Denver International, it was short drive over to Black Project. Having tried them at the Shelton Brothers Festival in Atlanta last year, it was a place I had wanted to visit. Be aware, they take this “black project” thing very seriously - the entrance is a nondescript door with a subtle logo painted over it. Inside was quite nice, some good beers on, and an actual wing for part of the bar!

Chatted a bit with the bartender, Zach, and found there was no bottles to be had. Somehow the conversation went to where I was traveling from (CT) and one of my local breweries (Treehouse) came up. I casually mentioned I have 2 cans of Green with me, and would love to trade them. Agreed to meet Friday PM and do the deal (which sadly didn’t happen).

Tried the

Nixie  -  Ale, Sour, Fruit  -  6.0%  -  10 IBU  -  [Score 8.8/10.0]  (#9,568)

Outlaw Shark  -  Ale, Sour, Fruit  -  6.0%  -  8  IBU -  [8.5]

Puzzle Palace  -  Ale, Sour / Wild  -  6.2%  -  10 IBU  -  [9.1]

Starfire  -  Ale, Sour, Fruit  -  4.5%  -  10 IBU  -  [8.0]

Starsailor (salted version of Starfire)  -  Ale, Sour, Fruit  -  4.5%  -  10 IBU  -  [8.5]

Overheard the absolutely funniest question/conversation I have ever heard. 

A couple came in - mid-late 20s - and the distaff member ordered 3 “small pours” of some of the beers. After a few minutes (presumably after tasting at least one), she asked the bartender “What will you trade me for these beers?”  Thinking he had not heard her correctly (trust me I didn’t think I had either), Zach asked what she meant; and she very clearly asked “What will you trade me for these beers?”

As he had nothing to trade, with a flash of insight honed by undoubtedly encountering this before, he said “Oh, you mean you don’t like these?” She sheepishly acknowledged this, and the beers were unceremoniously dumped before I could offer an alternative disposal method, involving my uvula. Zach to his credit was polite and did mention that Black Project will happily give you a sip of any beer to try, before pouring a larger glass.

The next day after work was short walk from the hotel to Sanitas, a new brewery since I was last in CO. Had a nice time there - the taco truck was fabulous. Sanitas also apparently sells brewing supplies as well.

I was pleased to see they had on a Barleywine (personal favorite). They also had their “Grand Cru” on, a high gravity “Abbey Style.” When I asked the bartender Jake if they had any 4-packs for sale, he said “No, it’s free.” The conversation was reminiscent of a 3-Stooges short...

“What do you mean, ‘free’?”

“It’s free.”

“You mean ‘no charge’ free?”

“Right, no charge.”

“Really, free?”

“Yep.”

Now I am not sure why, but possibly because I am from New England, and Sanitas is now being distributed in CT, NY, MA.

Had the following:

Odin’s Barleywine   -  Ale, Barleywine, English  -  9.8%  -  24 IBU  -  [Score 7.5/10]  (#9,573)

Cardinal Double IPA  -  Ale, IPA, Double  -  9.6%  -  91 IBU    -  [7.8]

Grand Cru Abbey Ale  -  Ale, Belgian Abbey style  -  10%  -  28 IBU    -  [8.0]

Deluge dry hopped Cascade & Topaz  -  Ale, Saison  -  6.0%  -  23 IBU   -  [7.5]

Jim’s English Bitter  -  Ale, Bitter  -  5.1%  -  38 IBU    -  [8.0] (really good English Bitter style)

Cherry Saison  -  Ale, Saison, fruit  -  5.9%  -  22 IBU    -  [8.5]

Brought back - as indicated - a 4 pack of the Grand Cru Abbey Ale  

Went to Fate for dinner the next evening. Food was very good, beers as well. 

Their Chocolate Banana Milk Stout was not what one might expect, given the name. It was good as a milk stout goes, but no real chocolate or banana notes. What was appreciated is the waiter did warn me that this would not taste very banana nor chocolate-like. Only had glasses of:

Maple Bourbon Dubbel  -  Ale, Belgian Dubbel style  -  7.4  -  ?  -  [7.5/10.0] (#9,579)

Chocolate Banana Milk Stout  -  Ale, Stout, Milk, Sweet  -  5.8  -  ?  -  [8.0]

One night we just ate at the hotel “bistro” for dinner. Now personally when a hotel says “bistro” you get a bit concerned, but this was pretty good; in fact the Brussel sprouts were very good. What was a bit sad is that for being located at the nexus of 12-15 breweries in Boulder CO, they had very little local fare.

Had bottles or cans of

Odell’s  -  5 Barrel Pale Ale  -  Ale, Pale, American  -  5.2%  -  36 IBU  -  [7.5/10.0]  (#9,581)

Boulder Beer -  Mojo  -  Ale, IPA  -  7.2%  -  70 IBU:  -  [7.5]

Odell's -  90 Shilling Ale  -  Ale, Scotch  -  5.3%  -  27 IBU  -  [8.0]

Sad to say the vanilla oatmeal was REAL vanilla oatmeal, and not a vanilla oatmeal stout.

It was a long week, and Thursday was the planned day to go to Avery Brewing. Last time I was out in CO, it was at the old location. Which, if you were ever here, it was hard to find. This new spot is impressive, big yet inviting, with aromas of smoked meats wafting towards the Über dropoff.

Avery has always been a favorite brewery; they have made some edge-of-the-brewing-art stuff for years (Trogdor, Reverend), but they also brew some good basic beers (White Rascal). Mephistopheles is a personal favorite, and they had this on tap as a bourbon-barrel aged variant (as well as Growler to go). Warm, rich, boozy bourbon caramel licorice, this was a beer to savor. One of the folks I was with I don’t think had ever tried a beer like this, and was amazed at the depth and body and gamut of flavors. 

Had or sampled the following:

Mephistopheles Bourbon  -  Ale, Stout, Imperial -  16.4%  -  8 IBU  -  [10.1 / 10.0!]   (#9,584)

   aged in bourbon Barrels, and yes a 10.1 of 10.0 on an open -ended semi-log score

Emerita X  -  Ale, Sour / Wild, Dark  -  8.5%  -  ?  -  [9.0]

Reverend  -  Ale, Belgian Quadrupel  -  10.0%  -  24 IBU -  [10.0]

Coconut Porter  -  Ale, Porter, Imperial   -  10.4%  -  25  -  [9.5]

CHOWDAH!  -  Ale, IPA, American  -  6.0%  -  ?  -  [8.0]

Benedictus  -  Grüit  -  6.5%  -  ?  -  [10.0] (really nice and flavourful Gruit)

Uncle Jacob Stout   -  Ale, Stout, Imperial  -  15.9%  -  65 IBU  -  [9.8]

Brought back the aforementioned 64 oz growler of Mephistopheles Bourbon, as well as Tweak and another Uncle Jacob Stout.

Friday there was plenty of time to try a few new beers, before the midnight redeye (ugh) flight home. Stopped back at Black Project; sadly Zach was not there to trade beers. Joshua at the bar offered to buy me a beer in trade for a Green, which I did. Tried these beers (in small pours) which are the antitheses of a Treehouse Green!

Cloudmaster  -  Ale, Sour, American  -  4.1%  -  ?  -  [8.0]

Puzzle Palace 001  -  Ale, Sour / Wild  -  6.2%  -  10 IBU  -  [9.5]

Didn’t knew where to stop next. Still had to drive a rental car, so could not drink too much. Joshua had suggested TRVE as the best option nearby. The place was a bit dark, but then I realized that was the metal/Cthulu/Slayer pentagram aesthetics. 

Very surprised at the first beer, a sour Saison that has a nice hint of funkiness that many do not have. 

Had the following, before heading home:

A present for those who are present  -  Ale, Saison, sour   -  6.2%  -  ?  -  [8.0]

Sonoran Depravation  -  Ale, IPA, Sour / wild  -  5.8%  -  ?  -  [8.5]

Stout O)))  -  Ale, Stout, American   -  6.8%  -  ?  -  [8.0]   (#9,595)

Brought back Maple Funeral and Ancient Bole

Got back home in time for the mini Hermit Thrush event at a local bar, but that’s another short story for later.