What are you drinking?

By all news reports, the New Jersey area will become quite interesting within the next few hours. Regardless of what will or will not happen, this is always an excuse to drink beer. Some love drinking voldka, or whiskey, where others like me love drinking brewskis. Often, we focus too heavily on milk, cheese, and bread but honestly we should think about beer. Or maybe water.


I've been getting supplies the past few days. I'm not sure what to believe on how bad the storm will be. It seems unreal when your seeing events unfold on television.

I picked up a case of miller light, and 12 pack sample fall from magic hat at the wilco. I then went to the Iron Hill Maple Shade to get a growler of Rising Sun. I knew before they were holding a special event teamed up with Flying Fish to serve Iron Fish and Flying Fish #13(don't know if I got the numbers right). I was told this was the ONLY keg available in the world!. Crazy, but no, I didn't drink this beer. I ran into the brewer of Iron Hill, Chris, whom was talking to me about the event and even let me try a taste of Iron Fish, which looked like a black IPA with a nice taste. I should have gotten a growler of that, but the Rising Sun is one of my favorites beer.

Watching the news, make sure you stay safe and drink good beer.

Frankford Hall: One Garden I Love

For the past 6 months I've heard much about the highly anticipated Beer Garden being built in the Fishtown section of Philadelphia, and rightfully so considering it was being headed by Stephan Starr. After reading the countless articles and periodically checking their website every other week, I finally got a chance to check out Philadelphia newest hot spot, Frankford Hall. After enjoying a ball game in South Philadelphia, my father and I decided to get lost on the way home and found this old car garage turned beer lovers dream. I walked into this open aired bar, and saw a main area that had rows of benches filled with people or all backgrounds. The right side included an area that you could order traditional German foods, and on the left was a bar area to order tasty brews. The bar selection of beer wasn't extensive as some places I've been too, however they had German beers, most I've never even heard of. For my first beer I went with Stoudts Karnival Kolsch, and for my second I had a Dogfish Head My Antonia. Both beers were unique and offered tastes I've never experienced, and the best part of drinking at this place is the mug glasses this beer is served in!

Instead of beer served in pints glasses, you have to option to order a 1/2 liter, and a liter of beer. Have you ever seen what a mug of a liter beer looks like? It's quite impressive. Trust me when I say, a liter of beer in your mug can make a grown man tear up. I think I can honestly say I experienced heaven.

When ordering beers this large, price has to be a concern. Because I got here after a day Phillies game, the price weren't too bad, but I did order from the Happy Hour menu.

I do want to address one concern I have with this place. As mentioned this is an open air beer garden that obviously will be affected by the weather. My visit this wee was on a beautiful, warm summer day. Therefore sitting outside drinking big German beers was enjoyable. But with fall and winter approaching I do wonder how this place will deal with the elements. I was assured by the bartenders that this place will remain open, as once it gets colder they do plan on having a fire pit, and just this past week purchased several space heaters. As for the snow, they will worry about it when it decides to fall. My only suggestion is to drink plenty of beer, and dress warm.

I really enjoyed this place, and cannot wait to go back. A few years back, I got the opportunity to drink at a beer garden in Long Island and thought it was the coolest bar I've ever drank at. I do plan to go back, and believe this would be a fun place to drink during a friday or saturday night with a large group. Just maybe not this weekend, with this hurricane coming, but definitely soon.

A beer I don't remember drinking

I love mexican food. I also love Jose Graces and is his many restaurants. Last Friday I got to have a great dinner at Mexican inspired restaurant Distrito in the city. I had a beer that night, but can't remember what it was, or if it were any good. As I was going through my pictures on the Iphone, I saw this picture and it took me a few minutes to realize where I drank this beer. I can't remember what kind of beers were on the menu other than they have craft beer selection. For my selection, I'm certain I went with a craft beer, as I didn't go with a Mexican beer such as Modelo, Dos Equixx, or even Corona. Thinking about it, I am sure I tried a hoppy beer, or perhaps an IPA. Yea, I think it was an IPA. Here's a Picture. Next time I go to Distrito I will have better luck on remembering the beer I drank.

Fall Beers Already?

With the end of summer in sight, and fall is right around the corner, I've noticed many breweries have already released their fall seasonal beers. Just the other week I noticed my local supermarket had Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, and a friend came over the other week with a case of Sam Adam's Octoberfest. I've mentioned it before, and I'm certain I'll mention it again but I love fall beers. I'm a huge fan of the Octoberfest and Pumpkin Ale Beers. The other week I went to the Boathouse in Conshohocken, and got to try a pint of the River Horse Hip O lantern. This imperial pumpkin ale is brewed with pumpkin spices and puree that was delicious. With it being as hot as it's been it was kind of weird drinking a Pumpkin beer that I would associate with the fall, but hey it just goes to show you that brewers are excited about seasonal beers. It kind of reminds me how stores handle Christmas in that they start advertisements and sales even before you get your Thanksgiving Turkey picked out. I enjoyed this beer, however it was very strong with a 9% alcohol content.

Been some time...

Dear Readers,
Or should I say old friends. I feel like I can call you that. After all, we've been through a lot of beer drinking and blogs together. Since the start of the year I shared my life, and how beer is so present in it through the blog. After chronicling my life through beer, I realized I've really enjoyed the last half year, and beer has given me incredible experiences.
The past few weeks I've been slacking in writing. When I first started this blog my goal was to write daily. At first I did a good job at succeeding. Lately things have been different. I've blogged less, but in no means did I quit my beer drinking and love for it. I plan to start writing again, and hope to keep you as readers, as well as get new readers.
Stay thirsty my friends.
HLovesBeer

An IPA I enjoy

I picked up a 6 pack of Yards Brewing Company IPA from the Shop Right. I've been craving this beer for the past few months, and am constantly reminded of this beer each time I get a Yards Brawler down at the stadium. For a local beer, I feel this brewery is underrated, and often not thought when you think of local breweries. As for an IPA it has a nice bite that's refreshing. Unfortunately after tonight I will be out of this beer as I will have drank it all.

Just like College

I was reminded of my college days the other night. I headed to a friends house in Manayunk after work Wed night. I drank a Keystone light out of a can. Yes. They still sell the beer in those tall blue cans. It tasted just like I remembered, but it was a beer.

I thought I saw it all until I saw strawberry jello shots with tequilla. Someone cut open stawberries pour jello mixed in with tequilla. It was actually good.

Happy Birthday Gram

It was my Grandmother's birthday the other week, so this past Saturday the family took her to her favorite place: Bertucci's. Since I've began this blog, I've mentioned going here multiple times, and I'm certain it won't surprise you that I ordered a draft of the Harpoon IPA. Actually, I ended up drinking two of them as this is the staple of my meal at this restaurant. There isn't much to report about this beer other than it's an IPA that goes well with the Italian food genre and the fact that it's served in a cool Harpoon IPA mug glass is a nice touch. I went with a BBQ chicken pizza, and the menu suggested pairing this with a Boston Sam Adam's Lager. This is good marketing by Bertucci's as it gives those that don't drink beer an idea what kind of beer they should order. Although, I didn't take Bertucci's suggestion, I did find my IPA washed down the pizza well.

An Awesome Gift!

From my girlfriend Lauren!

Instead of Orange, Add a Lemon

It's not often I get to watch the Phil's play and drink a beer all in the comforts of my condo. I mentioned it before, but I love when the Phillies play on the west coast, especially when the game is played on a Thirsty Thursday or  Friday night. I got home about a hour ago and I've been chilling drinking a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy. I drank several Leinenkugels this weekend as I purchased a summer sampler pack, but as I mentioned drinking several, I couldn't tell you really what it tasted like. The one I'm drinking tonight does read there is a lemonade flavor added to the beer. I've expressed my love to an Arnold Palmer and surprisingly a lemon flavor in a beer does work. It isn't too overwhelming but I can absolutely see myself drinking these out in the sun. Unlike lemonade this beer isn't too sweet and doesn't taste sugary. I did manage to cut up an orange to add to my beer which is not typical considering it's not often I have oranges in my fridge. A lemon would pair much better with this beer than an orange.

Oskar Blues Beer Dinner: Microbeer in a Can

Last Thursday night I attended a beer dinner at Jose Graces restaurant Chifa. I've never been to a beer dinner, but have always found the thought fascinating, and was intrigued that a chef and brewer could team up to provide a beer/food event. For the past few months, I've frequented the Chifa website in search of finding the perfect beer dinner I would try. When I first began my search, I noticed most of the breweries they teamed up with were in the area as the local breweries included Flying Fish and Dogfish head. As this beer dinner became more popular, breweries across the country were reaching out to Chifa asking them if they could come and host an event with them. I find it quite cool that these national breweries were coming to Chifa to allow Philadelphians to try their beer.

The beer dinner I decided to attend was hosted by Oskar Blues Brewing Company. I've never heard of this brewery, and didn't even know any of the beers they brewed. One of the reasons I picked this dinner was that I was intrigued by the food menu as it was set up like a 4th of July BBQ picnic. I love BBQ, and find beer complements this type of food well. Because I never drank any beer from this brewery I decided to conduct some research. I found out this Colorado based brewery serves all their beer in cans which is the opposite of most microbrews I've tried. I don't particulary like drinking beer out of cans as I find the aluminum gives off a weird aftertaste, but thought it would be interesting. Thinking about it, I don't think I've ever tried any microbrew from a can.

Because I never attended a beer dinner, I wasn't sure what to expect. Honestly, my initial thought was that I would leave not only hungry but thirsty. How could a beer dinner that costs $65/person provide enough beer to satisfy me when most craft beer drafts are at least $5 a draft. Thankfully I was proven wrong.

The dinner started at 7, and we were seated in the back room of the restaurant. I do want to give out a special "shout out" to the two guys that sat at our table as they made the night that much more enjoyable. They even showed us later where we can get one of the best burgers in the city. After getting seated, it wasn't long before the dinner began that beer was being brought to our table. I assumed a rep from the brewery would join us to talk about the beer, but until I saw him begin talking I wasn't sure if someone would be there. Through the course of the dinner the rep informed us about the brewery, and all the beers we were tasting. He was also friendly enough to come to each of the tables, and tell us more about the beer he loved so much. I even found out his favorite beer.

The brewery started up after the "soon-to be owner" decided to pack his belongings and drive to Montana. While in transit he stopped with his wife in Coloroda and never left. The rest was history. They still joke that still this day they have never seen Montana. He first started a restaurant, and after a few years of selling other companies beer he realized he needed to begin brewing his own beer. The thought of brewing beer in cans came after his trip to Canada, and has stuck ever since. The town this beer is brewed in is a HUGE Mountain bike town, as they often say "were a Mountain Biking town with a drinking problem!" As a side story, the owner recently had his bike stolen, and has recently considered starting a bike company.

I got to try a variety of beers that night. The first beer I tried was Mama's Little Yella Pils which was a light pilsner that the rep compared to a Bud or Coors product without all the extras that companies throw in when producing large batches of brew. This was the perfect beer to start the night, because of it's light taste. With the Phillies playing, I figured this beer would be perfect for tailgating. For the second beer course, the server brought out Dale's Pale Ale. I must say this was my favorite beer of the night. This beer was a Pale Ale, but with a slight hoppy bite. I wouldn't consider this a full bodied IPA, but it went down smooth and had a nice taste. If you ever get a chance I definitely suggest trying this beer, as I will have to get a case of this beer sometime soon. Maybe when I hold my craft beer night, I will get this beer for everyone to try.

By the next beer course, I was feeling the food and beer. The server brought out the G'Knight which was a imperial red beer that reminded me of a Killian's Irish Red. This beer was named after the brewer's friend Gordon who died fighting a wild forrest fire. When this beer was first brewed it was named Gordon, but due to legal rights the brewery had to change the beer. The last beer was the strongest of them all: Old Chub - a Scottish Ale. I tried a few sips of this and found myself holding back as after drinking one of these I would be truly drunk. I'm not much of a scottish ale person, but this dark beer had a strong beer taste that would put any man down. It reminded me of whiskey.

This was one of the coolest beer events that I've ever attending. Drinking good beer, eating great food and talking beer is something that I really enjoy. After this event, I cannot wait for the next beer dinner I will attend. The myth that good beer can't be served in a can was shattered, and found drinking micro beer in a can an awesome thought.