Philly Beer Week 2014 Thread (w/ area debuts, highlights, etc)

Just went there, it was pretty dead. Enjoyed the Hoplar. There was a bottle of Gingerbread but unfortunately not for the drinking public (being shared among the brewers, Shangy's guys, and Tria owner).

 

I have had G-bread with some age on it and it does not drink nearly as well when fresh. Given that this is what 6-7 months, you were not missing much. At one year, I did not enjoy it at all.

 

Question for you PA folks...I'm coming down tomorrow for a long weekend of beerventures for my 30th bday, and i've never been to PA. What are the growler fill rules? Can I fill any growler at most breweries? Or does it have to be their own glass like some states require?

What about 750ml bottles? Will most places will them do you think?

THANKS!

 

Tired Hands will only fill their growlers. Troegs will fill most/any 2L. I'm not sure about 750s. I'd make a list of breweries and give em a call.

Happy Birthday.

- Joe

 

Thank you sir.

 

And if you don't think THAT will be a zoo....

 

So what's the good afternoon/evening spot tomorrow (Saturday) in Philly? Heading down for a race and looking for a good, not-too-insane spot.

 

Also, many bars will fill growlers. The list is too comprehensive to put together. It's worth asking if you're at a bar, tho.

 

I think it comes down to brewery vs brewpub. If it's solely a brewery, I believe the law says they can only fill their own growlers (or blanks, though some might not do that despite possibly being allowed). Brewpubs, on the other hand, can fill another brewery's glass because the additional license (ie. for food) changes the "original container" requirement that breweries have. Of course, brewpubs can still choose to only fill their own glass, like Tired Hands for example.

 

Fairly certain PA's growler law is very lax. A brewer or brewpub can fill whatever container they want, for off premise consumption. Totally at their discretion whether or not they fill someone elses container.

https://govt.westlaw.com/pac/Docume...Type=CategoryPageItem&contextData=(sc.Default)

 

I was at Resurrection Wednesday and asked for BA Sump, and I was the person BA Sump kicked on! If only I was there a half hour sooner...oh well, I got to try Citrus Wizard, and that was freaking fantastic.

 

Anybody at monks yet?

 

Bell's Black Note Alert: Today at 5pm. Field House in Center City. Wish I could go

 

I've gone at various times over the last two years. It has never been a zoo. That's what makes it so great. You don't have to worry about the riff-raff who only show up to try one particular beer and leave, because you don't know what will be tapped at any given time. And they try to assemble a list of great beers, not necessarily rare or hard-to-find beers.

In fact, there isn't anything on the list I haven't either tried, or had an opportunity to try before, with the possible exception of the Jolly Pumpkin stuff. It's just about serving great beer, and I plan on going several times throughout the weekend. It doesn't matter what from the list is on, I know it will be great. Not necessarily rare, but then, that doesn't matter.

 

For all the hype and reports of long lines just to get in the place, The Cambridge (I still feel shame in frequenting an establishment in this "family") had not yet kicked any of the Kane/Cigar City/Funky Budahh beers by 6pm. In fact, seats at the bar and tables were available in decent supply.

And yes, I listed Kane first because I was most excited about their beers.

Just goes to show that patience is a virtue.

 

I was at the Canbridge after snagging me some Huna at Monks...Holy cow that Funky Budda Last Snow was ridiccccuuloouuss. Liquid Mounds Bar...

As for the Kane beers... that morning bell variant is really nice but no way was I gonna pay 5 bucks for a 5 ounce pour of something I can get growler fills of at any time.

 

The original line/setup to get into Cambridge was ridiculous but by about 2:45 there wasn't anyone waiting outside and it wasn't very crowded. The pours were small and expensive but the list was incredible and our group was able to try a majority of the beers without getting hammered. The Kane brews were great! They have been killing it lately with galaxy double dry hopped head high, antead and cinnamon maple morning bell.

After Cambridge we went to monks and half of the ccb beers were gone. We got the last pour of stiftung and were also able to try Dan'l Webster which I really enjoyed.

The DC Brau/Stillwater event at Time was pretty cool. Very crowded but I'm pretty sure that was just their regular Friday night crowd. Everything was on late and the beers were nice, especially Stateside Saison and OTWOA.

Carton at Perch Pub was also really crowded but everything was still on when we got there after 10:00. Really nice list but it was really warm in there and the selection was heavy on dark beers. 077xx tasted great and Comma, which I never had before, was an interesting saison.

Overall, a great day of drinking in the city. Not sure what's on deck for tomorrow but I'll probably take it easy(one or two events).

 

An FYI to anyone that went to Jose Pistola's last night and had the Oxbow Stillbow Oxtisnal... It unfortunately was not that beer. I opened a bottle a few weeks ago and loved it, which is why I went to JP. Sadly the dark murky sweet beer in front if me was not the dry crisp beer I was expecting. I had the bartender go check and sure enough it was another beer: oxbow's original deluxe.

The bartender said she believes the Stillbow keg is around domewhere so anyone that did try it, keep and eye out for the real deal, it's awesome.

 

[QUOTfgetz, post: 2487114, member: 266309"]For all the hype and reports of long lines just to get in the place, The Cambridge (I still feel shame in frequenting an establishment in this "family") had not yet kicked any of the Kane/Cigar City/Funky Budahh beers by 6pm. In fact, seats at the bar and tables were available in decent supply.

And yes, I listed Kane first because I was most excited about their beers.

Just goes to show that patience is a virtue.[/QUOTE]
This event was awesome.