Hidden River

Discussion in 'New England' started by TKozuch, May 2, 2016.

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  1. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I didn't see a maintained thread on this place, so forgive me if I missed it, but.....if not, we need one.

    I go here at least once per weekend, and I love it. Like, love it, love it. Doug is basically the face of the brand, and he is awesome. Always chats with me, tells me about the new brews and what is coming up. Their location is fantastic, and as the weather gets better, the outside seating is perfect.

    As for beers, I feel like they are just on a roll. After winning their DRAFT magazine award for best new PA brewery, they have been killing it. Some of their pale ales have been out of this world good. Strings and Gravitons tasted like an un-flavored TH milkshake, and was among the best beers I've had anywhere this year.

    Their food is pretty tasty too, and Dori is a sweetheart. It's small fare, and a tad pricey, but it's all local and farm to table.

    Anyway, who has been there recently? What did you try? We should do a meet up.

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
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  2. beer_me_phl

    beer_me_phl Devotee (379) Aug 26, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I've heard nothing but good things. I've been wanting to try it and will probably head there later this month for my birthday. What's their growler fill policy?
     
    #2 beer_me_phl, May 2, 2016
  3. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    They'll fill any growler, regardless of branding - but only 32oz. No 64oz fills. They also on occasion have things they don't do fills on at all (and even sometimes limit to one glass). This is rare, and usually you only see it from their barrel-aged stuff.

    *note - the growler I posed above is their branded growler, in case that wasn't obvious. Screw top, which is a bummer, but I like supporting them and generally use their glassware.
     
    #3 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
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  4. beer_me_phl

    beer_me_phl Devotee (379) Aug 26, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Awesome, thanks! I'm looking forward to going and praying for good weather to enjoy the area!
     
    #4 beer_me_phl, May 2, 2016
  5. NickCaff

    NickCaff Initiate (0) Apr 9, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Went there a few months ago and enjoyed it. Also a fan of the 16 oz howler. Sometime I just want to take a little beer home and it is a nice size.
     
    #5 NickCaff, May 2, 2016
  6. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I do agree with you @TKozuch. I was there on Sunday (I think I saw you?), and that was the first time in multiple visits that I was pretty underwhelmed with the quality of beers on the list. Usually 80%+ are knock-outs for me. I don't know what the hell a 'butt beer' is, but that was my favorite on Sunday, I think. I do like the fact that every time I stop in the draft list is completely different. I am really looking forward to that Banana Coconut Ale!
     
    #6 ShanePB, May 2, 2016
  7. corew

    corew Crusader (440) Jun 10, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Hmm I've wanted to start a thread like this but I am glad that someone else beat me to it! I haven't been there in a few months but it seems like they almost never do a beer twice..which is cool and disappointing..I would think they should have at least a handful of staple beers that are always there..and then use the rest of the taps to experiment on. I don't get here as often as I'd like but love this place!
     
    #7 corew, May 2, 2016
  8. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Yeah, that was me. The dude with me was my brother-in-law Jason, who I'm sure you've seen around as well.

    Agree with you though on their beers this time. There were a few that were just ok, although I did like that butt beer as well. Was that the chocolate lavender one? I liked that one.

    As for the coconut one, I'm pysched too. They had a coconut "barleywine" on not that long ago that was a knock out. I say "barleywine" because that's what doug called it, but it was not a barleywine. I think he gets a bit loosey-goosey with his styles sometimes.

    Honestly, I think they will expand very slightly soon. Just adding a new fermenter or two could be enough. They should just build another small building on their property and they'd be set.
     
    #8 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
  9. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Ah, okay. Yeah, I recognized him from the Barley Mow.

    The 'butt beer' was Have a Seat with Vanilla. The lavender one you're referring to was False Memories. I did enjoy that one too, actually. I was surprised they only had one hoppy offering on.
     
    #9 ShanePB, May 2, 2016
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  10. dsharvie

    dsharvie Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2015 Pennsylvania

    I was at HR in the fall (mid October) and thought the beers were great. The last few I've had weren't as good but they were from growlers at bottle shares. I'll have to swing by here again. Thanks for the thread.
     
    #10 dsharvie, May 2, 2016
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  11. corew

    corew Crusader (440) Jun 10, 2015 Pennsylvania


    My memory is a little fuzzy (for good reason) I picked up a growler of their IPA they had at the Pottstown Firkin Fest on Saturday, went to drink it Sunday afternoon, and either this beer was not good from the get go, or did not hold up well to the next day..A couple of beers I have gotten from there in growlers never seem to be anywhere near as good out of the growler..
     
    #11 corew, May 2, 2016
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  12. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I think that's just an unfortunate reality for most, if not all, growlers. I was at Tired Hands this weekend and while everything from the taps there taste like nectar of the gods, from the growler even a few hours later is vastly different.

    The fact they use screw tops (@HR) doesn't help matters really.
     
    #12 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
  13. ShanePB

    ShanePB Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Well, if it was the same IPA they had on at the brewery this weekend, Robot Whales, it wasn't that good from the source. By far my least favorite IPA they've brewed.
     
    #13 ShanePB, May 2, 2016
  14. dsharvie

    dsharvie Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2015 Pennsylvania

    All the more reason for me to get there again.
     
    #14 dsharvie, May 2, 2016
  15. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I was in there Sunday as well, and I'll have to echo many of the comments above about the current tap list (and the Robot Whales IPA in particular) not being up to their normal quality. Such is the life of a brewery committed to making weird beer. Sometimes it just doesn't work. Otherwise, a big fan of this place.
     
    #15 callmemickey, May 2, 2016
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  16. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I must say....i got a growler of the robot whales without tasting it assuming it would be good. Damn it :slight_smile: I'm gonna power through it tonight.
     
    #16 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
  17. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Shit. You guys were right about robot whales. It's strange....
     
    #17 TKozuch, May 2, 2016
  18. callmemickey

    callmemickey Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2007 Pennsylvania

    The description was promising, the execution... not so much
     
    #18 callmemickey, May 3, 2016
  19. corew

    corew Crusader (440) Jun 10, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Do you feel like they will ever take over Covatta's as a whole and expand their menu to full brewpub style? Or do you think they are content with their little space they got going on?
     
    #19 corew, May 3, 2016
  20. TKozuch

    TKozuch Initiate (0) Mar 4, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Honestly, I think they are content with what they have. Maybe an investor will come along that makes them an offer they can't refuse, but as it stands, I think they'd be happy just the way things are.
     
    #20 TKozuch, May 3, 2016
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