Stoudts Brewing Co. makes a comeback, partners with Evil Genius Beer Co.

Well, this is interesting news!

I have a soft spot in my heart for Stoudts Brewing for several reason. To the best of my recollection to first craft beer (we called them microbrews back then) was Stoudts Gold circa 1990. I didn’t know that beer was a Munich Helles (I didn’t even know there was a beer style Munich Helles back then) but I did know that I enjoyed drinking that beer since it was more-ish as compared to mainstream beers (AAL beers) of that timeframe.

Later on, I had visited Stoudts many times for Oktoberfest events, microbrewery events, etc.

I wonder where this draft Stoudts Oktoberfest beer will be produced. I have been to the Evil Genius brewery in Philly and it is a rather small operation. The last packaged Evil Genius beer I purchase (a while back) was produced by Thomas Hooker Brewery (CT).

Best of luck to this new ‘joint venture’.

Cheers!

@rotsaruch @slander

 

I am with you, Stoudts was a regular purchase for me and I have fond memories of the place. They did Lagers well and I enjoyed their Oktoberfest so it will be nice to be able to try this one (I assume it will be the same but maybe not?).

 

Where this beer will be produced will be impactful here. Even if it is decided to brew Stoudts Oktoberfest using the same ingredients the brewing process (e.g., specific brewery setup) will change the beer.

It still may be a 'good (i.e., worthwhile) purchase nonetheless.

Cheers!

 

this is good news. hopefully they produce Stoudt's Gold on a regular basis. I purchased that beer regularly until it stopped getting distributed to NEPA.

 

Evil Genius used to (maybe still do) contract out brew out of SBC in Pittston

 

Stoudts was one of my go-to favorites when I first moved to Philly in 2000. So I was very excited about this news until @SPRichard pointed out in the regional thread that just last year:

Evil Genius co-owner Trevor Hayward has made the decision to step down from the board “after dozens of allegations of non-consensual sexual activity, racism and abusive behavior surfaced against his business partner, his managers and himself” Forbes reports.

https://breweriesinpa.com/evil-genius-brewing-co-owner-steps-down-from-philly-loves-beer-board-amid-discrimination-allegations/#:~:text=According to a report from,managers and himself” Forbes reports

Seems like an odd choice for one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved brewers to partner with — and also points to how Hayward seems to have escaped the criticism Tired Hands’ owner received for supposedly stepping away from operations only to step right back in when the heat died down.

 

So the problem in the end is Carol Stoudt?

 

I don’t know what, if anything, Hayward and Evil Genius have done to make amends to the people they wronged and to generally become a better member of the community since the dozens of allegations against them came to light last year. Personally, I want to hear convincing evidence of change before patronizing their business again.

In the meantime, I look askew at any beer journalists (like Breweries in PA) writing stories about the Evil Genius/Stoudts partnership and quoting Hayward without even mentioning all the shit that went down last year, and I also look askew at any beer luminaries partnering with him without mentioning anything about it either.

There very well be something to the story I’m missing; if so, I’d love for someone to share it. The silence from beer advocates about what appears to be one of our most beloved brands partnering with a company infamous for racism and sexual harassment is deeply disappointing.

 

You are giving EG too much credit here in regards to how many BAs actually care about them. I can count on one hand how many beers I have had from them, know next to nothing about them and hardly ever see their beers in the threads on here, so I would not assume that this was on many people's radars.

 

That’s a good point

 

I kinda imagine Carol Stoudt telling them to simply shut up and brew the beer, and getting no argument otherwise.

 

I will definitely try some to see if that is the case.

Like your and ESHBG, Stoudt's has a soft spot in my heart. I used to make periodic trips there for their beer (their Hefeweizen and Oktoberfest in particular) and also their bread.

 

Nice article in Philly Inquirer last Sunday on the collaboration and their plans to offer brews.

https://www.inquirer.com/food/stoudts-beer-evil-genius-20220729.html

 

An additional detail provided in the Inquirer article:

"Evil Genius will begin canning Stoudts beers starting next year, Hayward said."

So, cans of Stoudts branded beer will be available in 2023.

Cheers!

 

Has anyone seen the Oktoberfest out and about? A local paper (Tri County Record) has suggested that it's mostly sold out by now.

The Inquirer article linked by @rotsaruch has this paragraph-

She said she and Evil Genius head brewer Matt Lally are working on a winter beer. “I have my ideas, he has his ideas and then I said, ‘Reach out to your sales team and ask them, ‘What style of beer do you think has legs?’” she said. “Historically, the winter beers I made — the bocks, the double bocks — they only can be marketed to a small customer base. Let’s see what the sales team dreams up and then we’ll formulate a recipe.”

Obviously I need to withhold judgement until the beer actually exists, but I'd rather see a bock or winter warmer.

 

Nope, I have not seen it on draft anywhere

 

Since we're more or less into Oktoberfest now, I'll ask again. Has anyone seen this on tap? I'm seeing some entries on Uptappd but it will take some small effort to figure where those places are located.

 

Here are two places via the Beer Menus website:

 Kings Corner

603 Summit Avenue, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Restaurant · Menu Updated: 09/17/2022

16oz Draft $7

 Varga Bar

941 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Restaurant · Menu Updated: 09/17/2022

16oz Draft $7

Cheers!

 

Thanks for the tips. A bit far for seeking out 1 beer. A place nearby in Leola had it last week but sadly no longer.

I need to check out that beer menus site; keep forgetting it's a thing.

 

A couple of us were talking about Varga Bar over the weekend.

 

My wife and I stopped there for the first time for a few drinks before our anniversary dinner at Morimoto a few weekends ago. Great tap list, and the food menu looked good - will definitely go back again.

 

"Back in the day", the old Philly beer week days, in between events you could find a lot of brewers and industry folks hanging out there.

 

Morimoto rocked, haven't been there in several years.

 

Kings corner is up the road. Doubt I stop by. Stoudts is done. Hanging with Carol a million years ago and having her introduce me to her American micro brews at a British beer fest has always stuck with me. She closed the doors and to me Stoudts is only a name now and I won’t go back. EG makes bad beer and too many bad vibes around them. I wonder if Carol really knows what’s up there.

Enjoy

 

It is a possibility that she just wants the Stoudts 'name' to continue and Evil Genius presented her with this opportunity?

Cheers!

 

Could be, and that’s her choice. I’ve made mine.

Enjoy

 

If you’re near Leola, it appears that Queen Street Bistro in Lancaster and The Union Beer House in Lebanon have it on currently.

 

Thanks. I'll investigate the Lancaster spot when my vacation is over.