York Weekend in NJ

For the past two months I've been anxiously waiting for the weekend of July 30 as I invited my college friends to come down to see my place. It's not often that I get to see the college crew, but it amazes me how we can go so long without seeing each other or even talking, and when we finally do catch up it's just like the old times. I drank a lot of brew this past weekend as I ended up at Iron Hill brewery Friday night drinking Second Rising, and last night I picked up cases of all different kinds of brew. The beer selection included the following:

two 30 packs of miller light for beer pong

Case of yuengling for the lager lovers

a sampler pack of Blue moon

summer sampler case of leinenkugel

Left over beers from my beer club

Left over beers from different parties and events I've had

It turned out to be a great weekend as I got to drink some good beer with some good friends. 

On a side note I went to a beer dinner the other day at Chifa which paired with Oskar Blues Brewery. I plan to blog in depth tomorrow about the event after work. Stay reading friends. 

I never had a Sam's Adams I didn't like, Until Tonight...

Last year I went to Boston to see the Phillies play the Red Sox. During the trip I visited the Sam Adam's brewery where I got to drink some fresh beer, and learned about the brewing process. At the end of the tour the guide informed us that the gift shop sells a set of three beers, which can only be purchased at the brewery. These beers are called the Barrel Room Collection, and are brewed in backrooms of the brewery in old wooden barrels which should "soften flavors in beer while imparting a sweet, toasty note."

After work, I went to my parents for diner. Wanting a special beer, I decided to open up the last bottle left over: Stony Brook Red. The attached label to this unique bottle described this beer as refreshing as it's rich malty flavor is combined with tart fruits. It also noted the after taste is wine like and pairs well with braised meats (I was eating ribs tonight).

Before tasting this beer I was curious to know if I would like this Belgian Style with Tart Fruit and Toasted Oak Character beer. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this beer, but as this was a Sam Adam's beer I didn't think the beer could be too bad. But boy was I wrong. Dead Wrong.

Honestly, this is probably the worst beer I ever had. I think I would rather drink day old, warm skunked Beast Ice from a Keg before drinking this beer. The label was correct in that it had a tart taste but the taste was so overwhelming that it gave off a sour, rotten taste. I poured a half glass, and after two sips of this dark red colored beer I had to pour it down the drain. The beer was so bad that when I first sniffed this beer, I couldn't help but get goosebumps. Again, I do love Sam products but the brewery should scrap this one and never brew this beer ever again.

A Classy Beer

I drank a Harpoon IPA tonight. Not only did I drink what I consider a "classy" beer, but I got to drink it out of a really cool pint glass. I went to Bertucci's tonight for dinner, and can list their beer draft list without even looking at the beer menu. Not that I expect a large selection from an Italian chain restaurant, but the choices they do offer is decent and reasonable. If I didn't go with the IPA I would have ordered the Sam Adam's seasonal draft. Although the Harpoon IPA is an IPA I don't think of this beer as your typical IPA. This beer is lighter than most IPAs I've tried, and it doesn't have that hoppy bite. The beer does pair well with Italian food, so I do understand why it's offered there, but to me this beer resembles more of a Pale Ale. Regardless the beer was enjoyable, and whenever I go to Bertucci's this is my beer choice. Give it a Try.

Brews at the Zoo

I went the zoo Saturday night. No, I didn't go to the zoo to see the lions and tigers, but to drink beer. Not only did I go to drink beer, but I was going to drink craft beer. I got an email about the annual Summer Ale Beer fest held at the zoo and as an anniversary gift my GF decided to get tickets. I drank a lot of different types of brews from many of the local breweries. Honestly, I don't remember many of the beers I did drink, but I do remember this being an awesome time. Aside from the craft beer, there were many local eateries there providing food. There was also a few bands and artist playing music during a hot summer night. I managed to take a few pictures.....

Note: I will attend this event next year, and do suggest you all to join H Loves Beer at the Zoo

I took a picture when I saw the first stands serving beer and food.

The first stand I hit. I think I went with a Belgium beer

Pretty sweet beer cup, and has a Dodo Bird for a logo. I don't remember what kind of beer I had when I took this picture

Lancaster Brewing Company was there. I went with the strawberry wheat and talked their ear off about how I use to go to their brewery all the time. Too bad they didn't have Hop Hog

One of the artist that were playing. I drank too much beer to know if they were any good.

The Extionshion puppets. They asked us to chug, I told them we drink responsibly

Stouts Brewery. I went with their Pale Ale

Ahh Flying Fish. I had to take a picture of this stand. I drank Hopfish

Six Point Brewery. I could have sworn these people were on Long Island, but I was informed their in Broklynn

A couple I met at the beerfest

A shot of the one band before the end of the night

And finally, some woman who was showing me bird eggs. She wouldn't let me hold them, but I did slip her a business card.

Kryptonite After Work

Have you ever gotten home after a long day at work and needed a beer? For most that do work, I'm certain you can remember at least one time where you felt the need to grab a tasty brewski after work. It's nothing regarding the day at work, or what may have or may have not happened, but the mere fact you just worked a long day. At times I find work exhausting, but it's nice feeling to come home and chill. I got home and needed two things: food and a brew. Lauren had hooked me up in the food category by leaving me a tray of baked ziti, and my parents hooked me up in the beer category with getting me a growler the other day.

Most times I come home after a long day at work I won't drink beer as I really don't have anything that I really want to drink. As I still had my growler of Kryptonite I immediately poured myself a glass in my mug. The beer is lighter in color than the Second Rising that I had the other day, and has a bitter but enjoyable pale ale taste. It actually reminded me of a beer I've had at one of the breweries I once ate at down in the inner harbor of Baltimore. The brewery is no longer there, and I can't remember the name, but they had a real decent pale ale and this beer reminds me of Baltimore.... Go Figure.

Iron Hill Second Anniversary Party: Glad I went

A few weeks ago, I learned of the 2nd anniversary party at Iron Hill Maple Shade from my father. Although I'm a mug club member, he gets the majority of the emails from the brewery about different events, but knowing my love for beer he is kind enough to forward them. Thankfully, he his son well, enough, that he decided to make reservations for Saturday to attend the party and the taping of their keg Second Rising. Prior to going, I decided to get more involved with my twitter account and tweeted a message to the Iron Hill CEO asking him if he would be there. I also felt the need to tell him about my excitement to try Second Rising. Or should I say #SecondRising. To my surprise, he answered my tweet and even re tweeted what I said. Pretty cool, right.

We ran a later than we originally planned as I had to order the valance that goes with my curtains at Bed, Bath, Beyond. And you wonder where my beer money is going? We picked a table in the bar area, and despite the event wrapping up I knew I would still get to drink fresh beer. I've blogged before about my love for Rising Sun, so I was anxious to try what the brewer was calling it's "Big Brother" Second Rising. This beer, which is also brewed with Japanese bred Sorachi Ace Hops, is considered a double IPA. I don't normally enjoy double IPAs, so I was a bit sceptical and thought it might be too much of a heavy, big bite beer. Even with my concerns, I knew I had to try this beer, as these hops it's brewed with give this beer an unique flavor. I also found it cool that they had brewed a keg of Christmas in July beer which they tapped earlier in the day. Unfortunately, by the time I got to the bar it had already been kicked.

I ordered a draft of Second Rising, which was served in one of the Iron Hill mugs. As much as I love drinking my beer out of these mugs, I sometimes forget how beautiful a finely poured beer looks. Especially when its a fresh craft brew. To my surprise, and thankfully for my blog my dad ended up ordering a draft that wasn't poured in a mug. The beer had a nice dark color that reminded me of the Dogfish Head 60 minutes IPA. The beer was poured perfectly and produced a perfect head. Getting head on a beer needs to be an exact science as too much can make the beer drinking experience a negative one. I do regret not getting a nice smell of the beer, however I was just too damn excited to try this beer that I took a huge gulp with my first sip. Despite it being a beer I never tried, I immediately knew the unique taste, and could see how this beer is considered the Big Brother of Rising Sun. Honestly, I do enjoy Rising Sun much better, and as this beer was 7.5% alcohol drinking a few of these beers can take it's toll on you.

While doing what I do best (drinking beer), I did get a chance to meet the brewer Chris. As often as I've been to the Hill I've never actually met him but have seen him plenty of times. I can even say I read his blog. Being that it was the anniversary party and he wasn't creating beer (or should I say working), I got the chance to talk to him about beer, and share my love for it. He was even kind enough to take me and my dad to the back and show us the beer tour and answer all my beer related questions. Because I wore my Zoo with Roy Beer shirt, I even discussed with him about the So Cuttered Hoppy Wheat Beer I tried at Iron Hill North Whales

We stayed later than we planned, and I somehow talked my parents into getting me a growler to go. Instead of the Second Rising I went with the Kryptonite, which I haven't really gotten to enjoy yet. With everything going on in my life, I haven't been drinking as much beer as I would like. However after spending an afternoon at the brewery I have fallen back in love with beer....

A Few Beer Dates...

With July wrapping up here are some of the highlights I'm looking forward too:

Saturday Afternoon, 7/16 - The Iron Hill brewery in Maple Shade is having their 2nd Anniversary Party. As a mug club member, I feel obligated to go and drink some fresh beer especially since they will have a raffle and free food for members. On tap for the event will be Second Rising,a double IPA similar to the beer Rising Sun that I love so much and A firkin of Christmas in July, a Bourbon Strong Ale.

http://www.ironhillbrewery.com/mapleshade/special-promotions.htm

Saturday Night, 7/16 - Heading into the city. First stop Maggiano's for a birthday dinner, then possibly going to a bar in the city to celebrate another birthday. Not sure how late I'll stay out or how much I'll drink as I'll likely be tired from day drinking and eating a large amount of pasta dishes at dinner. Regardless, should be fun

Friday Night, 7/22 - Phillies game, and it just so happens to be Retro night at the ballpark. Maybe they will have some beer from the 80s? Billy Beer anyone? I doubt it, but I do know I'll enjoy a tasty brew or two. Perhaps end up at Mcfaddens, since that's what I do.

Saturday Evening, 7/23 - Summer Ale Festival 2011 at the Philadelphia zoo. What more fun can you have than drinking craft, local beer while at the zoo. I missed out last year, but will not this year. Hopefully I don't get too drunk and wake up in some cage.

http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/getdoc/05c8f9d2-f97f-487a-90bc-b0e47f8989cf/.htm

Thursday Night, 7/28 - Originally planned on going to the Phillies game, but boy how quick plans can change when beers involved. Instead, I'm going to beer pairing dinner at Chifa in the city. The Jose Graces restaurant is pairing up with Oskar Blues Brewing Company to hold a summer BBQ beer dinner. I know be jealous...

http://chifarestaurant.com/pdf/Chifa_OskarBlues.pdf

Saturday Afternoon, Evening, Night, and Sunday Morning - 7/30 through 7/31 - My college buddies are coming down to drink some beers and party like the old times. OK, not really like the old times as my body can't handle that, but it should be a good time

Lot of Craft Beer = Rough Morning

I ended up drinking a lot of craft beer Saturday night. Because of the different kinds of beer I drank (IPAs, Lagers, Ales, you name it) I wasn't feeling too good come Sunday morning. Regardless, this hasn't stopped me from enjoying a cold brew in the past, nor will it stop me this time. I started the night off at PJs and went with their beer special, Blue Moon. I'm not going to further elaborate as I always go with their beer special on Saturday as I love Blue Moon, and for $2.75 you can't beat the price. The size of orange slices alone are enough to persuade me. I considered ordering another one of the Brooklyn IPAs, but I did not see this being on tap; Someone must have read my last blog and went to PJs to try this beer I think highly of. I did manage to venture from the beer path and did a skittle bomb. This drink contains all different flavors of three olives vodka and red bull, and tastes like skittles. Hence the name. It was OK, but I'll stick with my sambuca shot instead. After dinner I went back to my house and continued drinking. I mentioned drinking craft beer - courtesy of the beer of the month club, and plenty of miller light. It wasn't that I drank a lot but that I drank all different types of beer which caused my mild hangover.

A Most Popular Bar Special

The person who thought of "Wing Night" is a genius. Out of all the specials bars will run, selling wings at a discounted rate has to be one of the most popular and profitable. For some reason people love wings, and especially love them when they are cheap. We've all been to "Wing Night" at some point of our life, and I bet you've all drank beer with your wings. I ended up at PJs last night, which happens to be their "Wing Night." I'm not sure what their discounted price is, but I do know it's a popular event as it was packed. No longer is "Wing Night" an event for poor college kids, as there were plenty of business men devouring chicken wings. When it came time for a beer, I knew I wanted an IPA and went with the Brooklyn East India Pale Ale. My beer paired well with the Hot N Honey wings, and this IPA was milder compared to other IPAs I've tasted. The amber colored beer had a bit of a pine smell and taste that was crisp in taste. The last few times I've gone to PJs, I've noticed they have offered Brooklyn Brewery Beer on draft, however this was the first time they had their IPA as their normal selection consist of the '66 pennant ale. 

My Beer Suggestion For A Wedding

For the after party and pre wedding festivities, I picked up a case of the Shock Top and the Magic Hat Summer Seasonal Sampler pack. I must say if you are ever going to a wedding and need a case to pick up considered the Magic Hat Seasonal Pack. This assorted pack is ALWAYS a hit, as I had no extra beer from the Magic Hat, but still have some Shock Top left for drinking.

Beers Before the Wedding

This past weekend I attended a wedding in Andover, MA. Before the wedding, I ended up grabbing a few beers from the bar at out hotel, and had a couple local beers. The one beer I really enjoyed was brewed by Cape Ann Brewing Company in Gloucester, MA.

Fisherman's BREW is an American Amber Lager, brewed by the docks of America's oldest seaport, Gloucester, Mass, from the finest 2-row barly imported from Munich, Belgium and England. At 5.5% ABV and a well balanced 30 IBU'S this smooth lager offers a toasty malt flavor followed by a dry, hoppy finish. Style American Amber Lager ABV: 5.5% IBU:30

Mid Afternoon Baseball and Sunset Wheat

The reason why so many people enjoy day baseball games is that they have an option to play "hookie" from work. For most there is nothing better than sitting in the sun during a Phillies game, and drinking a cold beer. To my credit, I previously scheduled a day off for Thursday instead of calling in "sick." Earlier that week I went to the Tuesday night game which was humid, but wasn't hot. Thursday's afternoon game was not only humid but HOT! With the sun out, and no clouds in sight I knew I needed a cold beer to beat the summer heat. Because I was sitting in the sun, my first choice of beer would need to be a refreshing and light in taste. I went with a beer that I never had before, and was actually surprised I liked it. Both me and Lauren ended up getting a draft of leinenkugel sunset wheat, which to my surprise Lauren even liked! All I will say is that if she enjoyed it, I am certain anyone would because she is not a beer drinker, at all. I imagined the Sunset Wheat being similar to the Sam Adam's Summer Ale, which was the case in the color of the beer, but not the taste. The taste had a ligther taste that I could have sworn was mixed with a slight taste of fruit. I'm not sure of the fruit, but it kind of reminded me of raspberries. I was quite impressed with this beer, and would recommend it to any beer drinking just from the fact Lauren liked it.

A View from the Diamond Club

Last Tuesday was the start of an important and possible World Series match for the Phillies. With the Red Sox in town, and Cliff Lee matching up against Josh Beckett you knew it was going to be a great game (or should I say "Wicked" game for those Boston fans). I originally planned on watching the game from the comforts of my couch until I got a phone call at 7:00, just a few minutes before first pitch. It was my dad asking, "How fast can you get down to the stadium. I have an extra ticket in the Diamond Club."

Within 30 minutes I was down at the sports complex meeting my Dad. After getting seated right behind home plate, I was quick to enjoy Flying Fish Extra Pale Ale on a hot summer night. The best part of drinking one of my favorite beers was I did not have to wait in the long beer line. Although CBP does a good job at moving the beer lines, when your looking to get a cold beer your still required to wait in line which could possibly cause you to miss an important play. The one benefit of sitting in the Diamond Club was we had a server who brought me delicious and cold Flying Fish Drafts. Once the game ended, I joined my Dad at the Diamond Club bar, and enjoyed an additional Flying Fish. I considered a Blue Moon after seeing my Dad order one, however I consider the Flying Fish Pale Ale, an awesome brew.

A New Cookbook

I feel like I am writing less and less, which is definitely disappointing. As with my last update, the lack my blogging isn't related to that I am losing interest in this blog, but the fact I still do not have Internet access at my house. Fortunately, I am able to stop by my parents place and get a few words in. This past weekend, I was at a CT supermarket, and bought a really cool Cooking Book that all their recipes included my favorite common ingredient: Beer. I will be making a few dishes from this book and of course will include the recipe on the blog.