Beer: A Great Lullaby

I slept like a baby last night after drinking two large drafts at dinner. I went to Houlihan's Bar, and ordered an old favorite: Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat. Needing a big drink I asked for a tall draft, but must say I was disappointed with the beer choice, and I'm not sure why. Drinking the Cherry wheat just didn't sit well, and I felt like I wanted more out of my beer. It seemed off, and although I could taste the cherries, for some reason my beer tasted tart. Regardless I finished the beer, so it couldn't have been too bad. Then again, maybe I was just thirsty. For my second choice I went with another old favorite: Blue Moon. No, not the summer seasonal, Honey Moon, but the regular Blue Moon. The one with the orange, and no, I didn't squeeze the orange. The Blue Moon was refreshing, but again I wanted more out of my beer. Lately I've been craving something different than the normal beers I drink. I like drinking a micro beers, but want something other than a summer seasonal. I am disappointed that I had not gotten to drink any Sam Adam's White Ale as no place I went to had that on tap for the spring seasonal. Most places had the Noble Pils, which is not at the White Ale level. Because I was in bed by 10, I must say when I woke this morning I felt great!

A Cherry Wheat Kick

I had a tough time deciding on a place to get food and a beer last night after my doctors appointment. With it being Thirsty Thursday I prefered to select a place that was a restaurant rather than a bar. My initial plan was to hit up the Iron Hill Brewery since its been a few weeks since my last visit. Unfortunately their kitchen closed at 10, which seemed to be the norm with all the places we called. After driving aimlessly we pulled into the Appleebees parking lot, and I got the idea call Houlihan's on Route 70 in Cherry Hill. It was like music to me ears when I learned that their kitchen was open til they closed as I wasn't feeling Applebees.

We walked in the restaurant and headed to the bar area which had a decent crowd. After grabbing an empty booth I glanced at the bar and tried to figure out what they had on tap but with it being so dark I had a hard time seeing all my options. I've been here several times and remembered that they seem to offer a little more than your typical chain restaurant. The last time I was there I believe I ordered a tall glass of Flying Fish Winter Ale.

I asked the server what beers were on draft, and after listing to her list the choices I decided to go with Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat. I must admit I've been on a cherry wheat kick; I even had suggested to a coworker that he try it when he asked what beer he should consider getting one night. I love the taste of this beer and it reminds me of Blue Moon except with a taste of cherry. I find it to be a lighter beer with real flavor that doesn't overwhelm me.

I ordered a tall draft, and limited myself to one as I did have work in the AM. The one benefit for sitting in the bar area was we had the option to participate in their night happy hour. Each weekday, they run two Happy Hours, one at 4-7 and the second one from 10-Close. As we were there after 11 we were able to order select appetizers for $5 each and got $1 off each beer draft. For the price and the beer selection I will be adding this place to my restaurant selection.

Lunch with Sam

Saturday morning/afternoon was a bit rough, but that's usually the situation when I stay up to see the sun rise. I finally got out of bed around noon, which was a treat considering most mornings I'm up by 7:30 for work. I was in for an even bigger treat when I got to watch the Phillies on the YES Network (I was in Yankees Country). After watching an inning or two of Cole pitching I headed to lunch to get some food and grab a beer or two. As I was a bit hungover and exhausted from the night before I wasn't in the mood to travel too far so we ended up at Maggie McFlys which is a themed bar/restaurant after a pilot? I've been there before and remembered they had a decent beer menu. After listening to the waitress tell me what they had on draft I realized this place was close to Boston. The beer menu was loaded with different and unique Same Adam products, and throughout the restaurant there was Sam Adams signs, mirrors, and lights. For my first round I went with the Sam Adam's seasonal Noble pilsner which had a light taste and color. The beer was a little too light for my liking so for my second round, I decided to change things up and ordered a Sam Adam's Cherry Wheat. I can't remember ever trying this beer, and honestly before I ordered it I didn't think I would care for it. In my head, I pictured a very light beer that tasted like miller light with a hint of cherry. When the waitress served the beer, I couldn't help but notice how much darker it was than I expected. Then the moment of truth came, and I took my first sip. I was instantly greeted by a heavier cherry taste and instantly fell in love.

http://www.maggiemcflys.com/ordereze/default.htm