Philly Beer Scene

Last years Best of Philly Beer Scene winning festival, the Winter Beerfest is back.  They’re changing things up a little though.  They moved the location to the Startlight Ballroom on North 9th St and cut down the ticket sales to make it less crazy.  They also cut back to only 2 sessions, so no Sunday session this time around. Tickets are still available to the January 22nd festival, but probably won’t last long, as I’m assuming this will sell out.  It was an awesome festival last year with one of the best beer selections I’ve seen at a local festival, so don’t miss out.

On January 12th, Cavanaughs in Rittenhouse is hosting Ithaca for their monthly Brew & Chew event.  This is a pretty hard to beat event as it’s all you can drink Ithaca beers and appetizer pairings for 2 house for only $20. Unlimited Flower Power alone makes it worth while. You can reserve your tickets at PhillyBrewandChew.com. Heres the beer list:

-Ground Break

-Flower Power

-Apricot Wheat

-CascaZilla

The Iron Abbey in Horsham is hosting their monthly beer dinner on the 19th and Founders is going to be the featured brewery.  I went to their Christmas dinner last month and it was incredible.  They really go out all with these dinners and serve extremely generous portions of great food and there’s plenty of beer.  For $50 you really can’t beat it, especially when they’re pouring some of the best beers out there.  Breakfast Stout and Backwoods Bastard are two of my all time favorites and this is a rare chance to get to sample some Nemesis that they’ve been hanging out to just for this dinner.  Get your tickets soon as this will definitely sell out.

There really is no competition to awful bar names, as it doesn’t get much worse than the name Raw Dawgs.  The guys behind Raw Dawgs have finally thrown in the towel though and sold the bar.  My buddy Jim and his fiance Tiff are going to be the new owners of the little corner bar on 2nd and Morris in South Philly. The bar will still say Raw Dawgs out front until all the legal paperwork is finalized, but I’ve been assured that the name will change immediately upon that time and they have a few new names they’ve been toying around with.  Jim also told me that the bar will go back to being a craft beer focused pub and have a large selection of craft bottles to go along with 6 taps.  The decor will also slowly change until the grand reopening when they’ll shut down for a few days and really redefine the place.  Even now though, just walking in you can instantly tell it’s not the same bar: it’s mostly candle lit, most of the obnoxious tv’s are turned off and soon to disappear, and the ugly non craft centric beer decor has been replaced with some classier craft signage.  Food is also in the works as they plan to start serving a simple fried food menu to begin and then expand.  Prices won’t change either, as they’ll keep the really cheap beer prices.

In honor of Christmas, 12 Steps Down has put out a great list of specials for the 12 Days leading up to Chritmas. It’s a perfect excuse to take a break from your holiday shopping and they’re located right in the Italian Market so you can pick up all your holiday dinner needs while you’re there!

Tonight, Fork & Barrel in East Falls will be tapping an extremely rare firkin of Dogfish Head. This beer is one of only 5 firkins to make it to the country!  It is a collaboration with Italian breweries Del Borgo and Baladin (this is not a firkin of My Antonia).  Chances are you’ve never had this beer so don’t miss out on this opportunity.

ALSO….there will be live Jazz performed by Michelle Lordi

ALSO….they are hosting a canned food drive for PHILABUNDANCE.  Everyone who brings a can of food will get 1/2 off their first draft.  If they receive 120 cans all together, Tom Kehoe of Yards and a local anonymous East Falls resident have both agreed to match the donation.

ALSO….They are tapping a gravity keg of Mahrs Christmas Bock as well as having 4 other Christmas beers on tap

It all starts at 6:30….See you there!

The eagerly anticipated 2011 Varga Bar calendar has arrived! If you were unable to make the release party, calendars are still available at Varga Bar (941 Spruce Street, Philadelphia) or through local, renowned photographer Celeste Giuliano’s blog (http://celestegiuliano.blogspot.com/2010/12/purchase-your-2011-varga-bar-calendar.html).

Read more…

Last years highly acclaimed and much enjoyed Winter Beerfest is coming back to a new location in January. On Saturday January 22nd there will be two sessions held at the Startlight Ballroom on N 9th St in Philadelphia.  Tickets are on sale now and will go quick as they are keeping them limited to keep the crowds down.  Last years festival was one of the best around and offered up a great selection of beers, smaller lines, and just a great drinking experience.  You can get tickets and more details here.

The High Street Grill in Mt Holly New Jersey is hosting a Yards beer lunch.  Here are the details:

• Saturday, December 11th
• 12 noon
• $45 per person
• 4 Course Menu
• 4 Yards Beers Paired
• Hosted by Chris from yards
• With History by Paul Kennedy
• Battle of Iron Works Re-enactment at 3 pm on High St.
• Dress in Revolutionary Garb and pay only $40 ($5 off)
• Best Costume Award
• Don’t miss the last Beer Lunch of 2010!