Beer Bars - Mt Laurel Nj/Philly

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by HeavyDandtheGirls, Mar 27, 2014.

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  1. HeavyDandtheGirls

    HeavyDandtheGirls Pundit (785) Mar 7, 2014 Massachusetts

    Headed to Mt Laurel for a kids soccer tourney mid April. I wanted to make sure I hit some local beer bars during the downtime.

    I have Monks on my list as a must do. Anything else in that area that I should try to get to?

    Would like to be able to bring the kids so kid friendly suggestions are welcome.

    Monks is listed as having Pliny, can I expect to get a pint or 2 there? I am not sure if it is distributed seasonally to Philly or if it is a year round thing.

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Since I am sure you will get plenty of opinions on places in Philadelphia proper, I will mention the Blue Monkey Tavern (www.bluemonkeytavern.com/‎) in Merchantville, NJ, not too far from Mt. Laurel at all. I was a city dweller for many years, and this is one of the few bars in Southern NJ that holds up to my hobby in terms of selection and quality (40+ taps).

    Also in that vicinity (Maple Shade, NJ) is an Uno Chicago Grill (gasp... a chain restaurant) with a very good selection of beer and frequent offerings from local brewers Carton and Kane.
     
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  3. HeavyDandtheGirls

    HeavyDandtheGirls Pundit (785) Mar 7, 2014 Massachusetts

    Thanks, I guess I should have asked this in my original post.

    Being from New England I know nothing of the beer landscape in NJ/Philly. What are some good local beers to look for while in the area? Wouldn't mind picking up a few cases to bring back if there is something good that I can't get up North.
     
  4. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I'd call ahead if you really want to double-check that Pliny is available right now.
     
  5. dfh-dave

    dfh-dave Initiate (0) Mar 27, 2014 New Jersey

    Monks does not always have Pliny, especially this time a year as they just had their Younger Charity Day they might be low or out of Elder. They have Blind Big from time to time which is a very nice IPA as well.

    I too would have to agree that Uno's in Maple Shade has a decent selection.

    Pour House in Westmont as well as Irish Mile and Keg and Kitchen are not bad on Haddon Avenue in the Wesmont / Collingswood / Haddonfield Area.

    Miller's Ale House on 73 in Mount Laurel is not too bad either.

    Philly has so many good choices such as Kraft Works, Khyber (just had Younger here), and Barcade.

    Lastly, in Berlin area down Rt 73 South you can stumble upon Victory Lane - they have a great selection of rotating taps bottles and cans.
     
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  6. mythaeus

    mythaeus Pooh-Bah (2,074) Jul 22, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Lots of good info here in this thread for Philly: http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/philly-in-the-summer.162549/

    Very few places in Philly that serves food that won't allow kids in. The one time it ever happened to me was some douche bag bouncer at Tattooed Mom told us that we have to leave the place (which is a bar and restaurant) by 7PM because we had our infant there because he's underage. We were drinking AND dining there. This is why I will never go back there or recommend the place.

    Monk's is actually very kid-friendly, like many other gastropubs. We had our kid at the front bar when he was about 8-10 months. We only ran into 1 place, POPE, where the bartender won't let our infant sit at the bar with us "because of the law". Of course, we know that's BS so unless POPE has some really special beer on draft, we personally avoid going there. Obviously, all bets are off with sitting at the bar if your kids are older and underage, but if there is a restaurant part, you're good to go.

    If you are visiting and want Pliny, ALWAYS call ahead just before you go to any place that shows they have Pliny. Although, they always have great beers on draft at Monk's.
     
  7. scottydont

    scottydont Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2010 New Jersey

    If Pliny is on now, no way it lasts till mid-April.
    Another good option which is kid friendly is The PourHouse in Westmont.
    Usually a very good tap list and good food as well.
     
  8. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    As for locals... while in NJ, look for anything by Carton or Kane. However, Carton only can's one beer of theirs - Boat Beer. In Mount Holly, NJ, a few miles north of Mt. Laurel, Village Idiot Brewing recently opened up, but they are only served on premise.

    If you can handle a little further drive west of Philly, head to Tired Hands in Ardmore, PA. Again, they don't really bottle anything but the limited stuff, but you can truck home a growler or two. Other smaller scale "local" offerings I would look for would be Spring House and Voodoo.
     
  9. InspectorBob

    InspectorBob Initiate (0) Sep 4, 2009 New Jersey

    Jay's Elbow Room on Rt.73 in Maple Shade, across the street from Uno's, just put in 16 new taps, 14 for craft. The hidden gem for craft ..........
     
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  10. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Dang... i passed up a trip there last week to watch the NCAA's because I only remember that place being a macro slinging establishment.
     
  11. Streaky

    Streaky Zealot (701) Mar 26, 2013 New Jersey

    NO WAY that's amazing.
     
  12. Streaky

    Streaky Zealot (701) Mar 26, 2013 New Jersey

    Holy crap I looked it up and it's true. There is currently Lagunitas Sucks on tap at Jay's Elbow Room.

    Now that's a sentence I never thought I'd type...
     
  13. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    Where did you see the tap list?

    EDIT: Found their Facebook... Sucks, Sculpin, DirtWolf, Nugget Nectar, Lot 3, MO all listed recently... wow.
     
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  14. BMitch

    BMitch Crusader (459) Jul 10, 2012 Virginia

    That is incredible! I grew up in the area and I remember my dad telling me how he would go to the Elbow Room as his dive bar. It was always a running joke with me when I got old enough to drink in public and how I had to find my own version of "Jay's Elbow Room" down in VA. He's going to get a kick out of hearing this!
     
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  15. jawas

    jawas Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2013 New Jersey

    Mt Laurel, you need to check out the tap list at Mexican Food Factory. Happy hour Tacos and rare beers on tap.
     
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  16. rfgetz

    rfgetz Pooh-Bah (2,609) Nov 14, 2008 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    What is next... the Erotic Cafe first to tap Pliny in NJ?
     
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  17. Kinshasa

    Kinshasa Initiate (0) Jan 4, 2013 New Jersey

    I remember when that place was called the "The Riviera" or "The Riv" for short. Fun place to end the night with my buddies when I was in my early 20's. You had to bring your own beer at that time though.
     
  18. nitlionm

    nitlionm Aspirant (230) Nov 23, 2010 New Jersey

    PJ Whelihans in Maple Shade on Route 38 always has an excellent tap list. Kane, Firestone Walker, Flying Fish, DFH, Troegs, Victory , Stoudts just to name a few right now. Better than Millers Ale House by far.
     
  19. HeavyDandtheGirls

    HeavyDandtheGirls Pundit (785) Mar 7, 2014 Massachusetts

    Thanks for all the input. Is the area around Monks OK from a safety point of view with the family? I had someone tell me to avoid Philly all together due to safety concerns. It can't be that bad is it? For perspective we are not hicks and are routinely in Boston with the kids.
     
  20. HRamz3

    HRamz3 Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2010 Pitcairn

    I'll give an honest answer in about one hour. I should stop laughing by then.
     
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