Bully and Me

It's been some time fellow beer drinkers. Actually, its been way too long time since my last blog, but I figured to check in. The last few weeks have been hetic. Work has been busy with some very interesting challenges. I've really gotten comfortable living in my condo. And more wild is the fact that I finally got my English Bulldog.

For some reason, I've always had the desire to get an English Bulldog. I've never made it a secret that this is something that I would want to pursure. After finally getting the courage to make a new friend, I got my white English Bully puppy that's named Mrs. Utley. Clever, right. Maybe I could start a dog blog, Bully and H? How's that sound?

Today was longer than expected so I needed a beer. With Lauren's party last Friday, we had plently of left over beer. I scanned my crowded fridge and saw Sam Adam's Irish Red. Earlier tonight I noticed a friend on facebook enjoying this beer. I figured, why the hell not. I decided to grab my Sam Adam's pint glass and found this beer to be a little darker than your typical Sam's lager. I must have been a bit excited as I poured my beer too fast that I created too much head, which produced spillover. I did the typical slurp to try to limit the amount I would need to clean up.

I found the aroma to the beer as sweet as the taste. I don't know if I was as thirsty as my bulldog, but I finished my brew quick enough that I considered a second. This beer was refreshing, however I didn't find this as good as some of the products Sam's brews. I got this beer out of their fall seasonal sampler pack. While most of the beers in this case I enjoyed - like the pumpkin or octoberfest, the Irish Red wasn't one of my favorites.

Who knows where I was, but I did like the Beer

I was in the heart of Lancaster county Saturday. I don't know where exactly I was, but I do remember feilds of crops, lots of trees, and barely no people. OK, maybe I did see some Amish. Regardless, it was something I'm not quite use too. I ended up going to some Itailian restaurant, and again couldn't tell you the name nor town this place was in. The food was good, but I was impressed that they had Flying Fish on draft. Actually, I was quite shocked as this is a New Jersey brew, and with so many local breweries in that part of PA, you think they might offer Stoudts, or perhaps ABC on draft. The waitress asked me if I knew Flying Fish. Do I know Flying Fish? C'mon man. It's OK, not everyone knows my love for this beer or the fact I write on a beer blog (when I'm not tired). The beer was delicious, and I believe it was the Extra Pale Ale. I thought I might have gotten lucky, as I was told it was a hoppy beer. I instantly thought of Hopfish. I wasn't that lucky, but was lucky in that I got to drink Flying Fish, at an Italian restaurant Lancaster County.

A Blog that Brings Back Memories

I had lunch at the California Pizza Grill and had a draft of Flying Fish Extra Pale Ale. As I was drinking this beer and watching the Phillies, I couldn't stop thinking about my blog. If my memory is correct, I believe one of my first blog posts was about this place, and I drank the SAME beer then. Both times the food and beer were excellent, which shouldn't surprise you considering I love Flying Fish, and their bbq bacon chicken pizza is "da bomb." Although their beer selection is limited, they get points from me for having a South Jersey (and Northeast) favorite. Just look at the picture below, and look how delicious and tasty this brew looks like. If your wondering, I didn't drink my beer with a straw!

Few Days of Beers

On a lighter note, I did drink some beers this past week. I started the week still enjoying the benefit of summer, and got to drink a draft of Sam Adam's Summer Ale. Most likely this was the last time this beer season I'll get a summer ale draft. I've noticed the changing of the season by the many Summer beers turning into Fall beers. The taste of Summer drafts will soon be over, but this beer was refreshing, and watching the Phillies game cold weather was far from my mind.

I managed to head down to the casino to relax and possibly win some extra beer money. Like always, I lost but I did drink some delicious Magic Hat (fall seasonal pack). I brought down a 6 pack, and a few more of the different MH beers - #9, HIPA, and Hex. I did run into one MAJOR problem. These beers required a bottle opener, and valet had my keys. I did have a ligther but up until this night had only ever seen a friend able to master the art of opening a beer with a ligther. I quickly googled how to do it, and after 5 minutes and one bloody knuckle I was drinking a cold beer! I do want to say as the night went by I did become more efficient.

For those in the Philadelphia area my Aunt entered into the NBC backyard bash and got picked to host an event. I went out to Chadsford, but didn't really drink but thought was cool and took a few pictures.

I finally got to check out Buffalo Wild Wings. I love eating wings and drinking beer, so I was curious to see the beer selection considering their wing sauce choices are extensive. I got seated and saw a large selection of beers on their menu, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. I did ask the server about any local favorites/breweries they offer, but was drastically disappointed by how unknowledgable she was about what they had. She mentioned they had Yards, but didn't know what kind of beer it was. As a server you should know this, and if you don't, maybe you should find out.

Despite not know which beer, I decided to order this. I took my chance and asked her to order it as long as it wasn't a stout or something really heavy. The beer came and was very light, and I'm certain it was a Pilsner. Honestly, I don't drink pilsners often and wasn't aware Yards made a pilsner. I assumed I would get a Pale Ale, as thats the staple I find at most places. For my second beer I went with the Blue Moon Pumpkin Ale, which has an awesome pumpkin spice taste.

As for now, I'm drinking some of my growler.

A Serious Note..

The last week has been kind of hectic this past week with the passing of my Grandmother. After living a wild life, and surviving 5 battles against cancer, she finally moved on at the age of 80. I watched through the years my Grandmother overcome each challenge and somehow came through. Although I'll miss one of my favorite persons, she will never be forgotten, and live through the very vivid memories created. Thanks Gram for the memories.

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.