June 21st-July 7th Mid-altantic Road Trip/Vacation Help!

Tired Hands is a must in Philly, also if you go anywhere in Baltimore you need to go to Maxs Taphouse and Brewers Art.

 

You should pick up your DFH in DE, it'll be cheaper. The only CC I've seen so far in and around Philly has been Jai Alai. You should swing by Monks Cafe in Philly, or the Beer Store in Southampton for pretty much one stop shopping. I know the Beer Store has 75% of that list covered, if not more.

 

Nassau Vineyards isn't worth a stop, though it is close to DFH Brewery. Also if you have time, about 15 minutes away is 16 Mile Brewery, their stuff is decent but it's a fun brewery visit and a fine place for a pint. As for Rehoboth, the brewpub is great stop of course. What day are you there? On Fridays they usually run 90 minute through their Randall of fresh hops. Also hit up Henlopen City Oyster House, about a 10 minute walk away. Great oysters and a awesome beer program. They always have an excellent cask of something on hand.

 

Rutt's Hutt is in Clifton, NJ, not NY. I'd recommend Rutherford Wine across the river as a small but good bottle shop.

Clifton is 15 minutes from NYC (go east on 3) or 30 minutes from the upstate border (Garden State Parkway or Rt. 17).

Now I have a craving for a Rutts hot dog or two. Haven't been in years. Hmmm, day off tomorrow...

 

If the schedule fits, I'd recommend a stop at either Kane or Carton breweries when heading north from LBI. They are both basically draft only, both very good.

 

Will second the motion of hitting Max's in Baltimore; over 100 drafts so there is bound to be something you like or haven't tried before. Would also suggest stopping at State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD, just off of I-95, on your drive from Baltimore to Lewes. Great selection and, if you sign up for their preferred buyer card on-line before you go, you'll get 10% off of singles.

 

When you are in Ocean City NJ, im right here.

Ive got your Sucaba (Abacus) here, as you probably will not find it on the shelves.


Heres the deal, When the trip is over, write a story about your trip and beer experiences here in Southern NJ. You do that, and the Sucaba is yours. Ive got it cellared and waiting for you.

Cheers.

-Ryan

 

Also, this.

 

Go the Pretzel Factory when in Philly. Locations all over Center City.

 

One more suggestion, on your way from Baltimore to DE, you will be going over the Bay Bridge, (not going on 95) first exit after the bridge is this place, I like their softshell crab sandwich, it's a great divey spot, they do all kinds of seafood and do it pretty well. Also if you are driving from Indian, and want to bring some Three Floyds with you, I am sure you won't have a problem unloading on fellow beer peeps on your travels.

Better off doing this on your way from Lewes to Philly, it's far less out of the way doing that.

 

In terms of accessibility on/off 95 in Philadelphia you'll either want to hit up Beer Heaven or The Craft Beer Outlet.

Philadelphia prices may be a little more than you're used to. You should be able to get beer from all of those breweries list at those locations. Maybe not necessarily the specific beers your looking for though (eg Nugget Nectar came out last month and if any is left in June it won't be fresh) I've seen Jai Alai and Maduro Brown from Cigar City here in Philly and a couple of bombers but I don't remember what bombers I saw.

 

Since you're coming up to Philly from DFH I'd add Total Wine in Claymont DE right on the PA border just off I-95.

Jai alai is easy to pick up right now but other random Cigar City does get to the Philly area on occasion and disappears almost as fast. I've picked up Marshal Zhukov,Hunahpu,Guava Grove,Sugar Plum, Warmer Winter,Dos Costa Oetse series around the area but it's a matter of being in the right place at the right time more often than not.
Ocassional drafts show up as well most recently Are Wheat There Yet ? is around right now

 

If you're gonna do the cheesesteak thing in Philly, try to go when it's dark so you can at least see the Pat's and Geno's neon clusterfuck. I don't particularly care for the food at either.

DiNic's roast pork with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone will ruin you for any other sandwich. It is glorious. Bassett's makes really good ice cream, but if I can make a couple other Reading Terminal suggestions for dessert, Termini Bros. makes a fine cannoli, and Flying Monkey Bakery does a thing called the Pumpple Cake that might actually kill someone one of these days.

There are some tremendous restaurants in Philly. Monk's is a given, of course. Han Dynasty does incredibly good Szechuan food and is craft-friendly. If money's not a huge factor, two Iron Chefs (Morimoto, Garces), an Iron Chef winner (Marc Vetri), and a Top Chef winner (Kevin Sbraga) all have restaurants in town. Vedge is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in the country. If you're feeling adventurous, head down to Washington Avenue in South Philly for amazing hole-in-the-wall taquerias and Vietnamese pho in questionable surroundings.

 

In Baltimore Chap's is a fine idea for lunch. The place is nothing to look at but the pit beef is second only to Andy Wargo's near Bel Air, MD. For dinner I would agree with the suggestion by someone else to hit Brewer's Art over Woodberry Kitchen. Both are good food but Brewer's Art has better beer. Vaccaros is great and you should try to stop at Max's. On your way to Lewes, DE you will probably be passing through Salisbury, MD. In Salisbury hit Evolution Brewing http://evolutioncraftbrewing.com/ they have great beer that doesn't seem to be widely known yet.
In Philly skip the cheesesteaks they are all hype. DO GET the roast pork from DiNic's at Reading Terminal it is killer. If it's not too late in the day check out the Italian Market on South 9th St. Some of the stores there like DiBruno's have a selection of imported foodstuff you probably are not going to find back home. For dinner in Philly I have had good meals at Bridget Foy's on South St. It's not fine dining but it won't break the bank either.
Enjoy your trip. I look forward to hearing a report afterward.

 

I agree with sammy806 and dhartogs in recommending State Line Liquors in Elkton, MD, as a stop between the DE beaches and Philly--it's a family-owned store with a great selection and it sounds like you might be interested in their case discounts!

Be warned, Rehoboth is going to be a madhouse that time of year, and the DFH Brewpub will be no exception.

 

Do some more research on who has the best plate in Rochester. It is not Tahoe's anymore (actually I beleive it's called Nick's now), as the original was sold to the son in law (from what I understand) and the recipe for the hot sauce didn't go with it. That make's the plate (as far as I'm concerned), much like the roll makes the cheese steak in Philly. And in Philly I'd go Tony Luke's before going to either Pat's or Geno's. I like Jim's on south street more than either of those two.