zwanze. at monks.

From the Monk's website:

Cantillon Zwanze
Cantillon Grand Cru Classic
I do have another keg of Cantillon buried deep in the cooler, but we just put away a couple of huge deliveries so I can't get to it. I'll update this in a few days once we go through some of the kegs from today's delivery.

 

Was at Monk's Friday evening before a concert, most of the Dupont stuff was still on, don't get there enough.

 

My wife and I are moving from Asheville to Portland on the first... Perfect timing, Philly is about the halfway point.
Does the Monk normally go all-out for Zwanze? Are we talking mob scene? Is there any kind of bottle-share that gets set up?
Either way, I'm stoked.

 

No bottle share, and a mob scene might be preferable.

 

I love Monks and I've been there many times for the great food and even greater bottle list. That being said, I will never ever go there again for a special event and I don't envy the Philly natives that have Monk's as their only choice for Zwanze Day. The place is a uber popular and on days when they have special events, the place is a complete mad-house. Think people being packed in like cattle with little to no space to move or drink while waiting sometimes 1-2 hours for a pour (if you're lucky enough to receive one in the first place).

Again, not knocking the place as I think its one of the best beer bars in the country. But that's just the way things are there because of their popularity and location.

 

this, and the fact that it's on a Saturday. typically Monk's does their special events on Mondays or during the week, which are still fairly crowded. it's pretty busy on weekends at all times when there's nothing special going on - add in Zwanze day or Philly Beer Week and it's absolutely insane.

that said, see you guys there.

 

Ok, thanks for the info. I kind of figured as much. I won't actually get to the bar till about 5 anyway so I'm sure I'll miss the best kegs. Hopefully there will be a more mellow scene and some decent offerings by around dinner time-ish.

 

there's never a mellow scene at monk's around dinner time on a saturday.

 

More mellow no. Less chaotic, yes?

 

sooo.. whats a recommended time to get there on saturday?

 

just get there like a half hour before tap time or so. it's going to be a complete zoo anyway so there's no point in trying to post up super early. as long as you're there and start crushing your way towards the back room when it's tapped, you'll be able to get a glass. last year it was pretty bad for the first hour but then people started spreading out and getting tables, then you could get a beer easier - we were able to get at least one glass of everything on the list.

 

There's no way it will be as busy then as it will with the opening rush, but no one can predict just how it's going to be at that time. Does it really matter, though? If you're going stop in Philly you may as well give it a shot and see if you get lucky.

 

anyone know if monks is definitely tapping the zwanze at 3pm like everywhere else? everything just says noon but it sounds like this is another synchronized tap (at 9pm Brussels local time) like last year.

 

yes. synchronized. 3pm tap time for the zwanze. but i'm assuming their other stuff goes on at noon. so, ahem, it would be pointless to get there before 3pm....

 

Anybody know if those bottles at "exhorbident prices" will be available to go. I would not mind having a mamouche in the cellar. I know loons are not to go, but hopefully Tom will make an exception in this case.

 

no.

 

Highly doubt it. Either way, I am curious to see the list.