Features

To Barrel-Age, or Not to Barrel-Age…

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By Ben Potts

December/January 2011-12

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Wood. The material that served as fuel for the first fires of early man, used to build what some believe was a vessel that saved all animals of the Earth, and purported by Virgil to have shaped the mighty “Wooden Horse,” that helped the Greeks defeat the Trojans around 1150 BC. Wood has been used for centuries upon centuries by modern day Man with countless uses, so it is no surprise that it has a long history in the production of one of Man’s favorite things – beer.

Although the largely diminished role wood plays in beer making today is much different than it was 100 years ago, wood is once again gaining serious recognition from brewers, the beer geek community, and better-beer lovers everywhere. Originally used more for storage and transport, wood, oak in particular, is now being used to lend its character to some of the most highly revered elixirs being produced around the world. Read more…

A New Lease on Life

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By Mat Falco

December/January 2011-12

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Otter Creek is brewing better beer the second time around.

Craft beer is a tough business. There are so many great breweries out there that it’s easy to get lost in the fray.

Sometimes you’re on top, but in trying to stay there, things get rushed, growth comes too quick and the business end gets the best of you. Unfortunately, the business aspect of craft beer is as important as any. It would be ideal to imagine craft beer being solely about making great beer and then everything running itself, but sadly it’s not. Good beer will sell itself, but that’s a wave you can only ride for so long before you need a legitimate plan of attack. There are times however, where things don’t always work out for the best and you start on a sad, downward spiral of events that lead to your potential demise. Thankfully, it doesn’t always have to be New Year’s Day to start over. Sometimes it can be out of nowhere and unexpected at 8:30 in the evening on January 8th; a day like any other. Read more…

Know Your Roots

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By Bobby Clark

October/November 2011

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From apples to pint glasses, cider is a beverage rich with history.

Pennsylvania is said to get the best of all four seasons, particularly with the hue of leaves morphing from rich shades of green to crimson, burnt orange, gold and brown – the same colors you’ll find of apples as autumn comes upon us. The nights get cooler and longer, hoodies become mandatory, märzens and pumpkin beers flow freely, and we toast our friends and loved ones at holiday dinners. Read more…

The Struggle to Sell Good Beer

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By Mat Falco

October/November 2011

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How Dan Shelton changed the beer world, one opinion at a time.

“I have no doubt about it! Beer geeks always think it’s subjective and you’re always biased when you say something about a beer because you own the business and are just trying to sell it. It’s the hugest portfolio, we oughta have a few in it you would think.” Ask Dan Shelton his opinion on the quality of his beer portfolio and this is what he’ll say. Filled with passion and opinions, Dan has built what he honestly believes to be the greatest portfolio of beer in existence. With the likes of Cantillon and Mikkeller in it, it’s hard to argue the quality of such a portfolio, but sometimes you have to be willing to leave your foxhole and take some heat to prove what you truly believe to be yours. Read more…

Prostbusters II

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By Mat Falco

October/November 2011

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There’s something strange in your local bars… who you gonna call?

Have you ever been sitting at your local watering hole and something weird happens to you, but you just assume it was the alcohol working its magic? Like something brushed against you or played with your hair, but no one is actually around? Maybe you thought you saw a shadow go by or heard some strange noises, maybe even voices? Chances are, you were probably just a little drunk, but there might be more to it. Maybe, that bar stool you were sitting on was the same one that sat a patron 50 years back who lost their life in that very bar. Perhaps one of the old owners is still hanging out behind the bar refusing to pass on to the afterlife? There’s a chance you just may have had a bit of a paranormal experience. Read more…

Brews For Boobies 4

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August/September 2011

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Join us for our 4th annual pub crawl to raise awareness for breast cancer on Saturday, October 8th. Check out www.brewsforboobies.com for complete details and registration.

Philly Beer Geek 2011

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By Carolyn Smagalski

August/September 2011

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Few things are more refreshing than an intimate look into the life of 2011 Philly Beer Geek Champion Natalie DeChico. Beer Fox Carolyn Smagalski, Co-Founder of the Philly Beer Geek Competition, interviewed Natalie shortly after the June 9th tournament to hear her thoughts on winning, the triggers that got her interested in beer, and what’s in her crystal ball for the future. Read more…

Beyond Beer

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By Brittanie Sterner

August/September 2011

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Wonderful Good Ventures at Stoudts.

It’s likely that Carol and Ed Stoudt weren’t aware of the seed they’d planted when, in 1962, they purchased a little restaurant on a plot of Adamstown land. Now called the Black Angus Restaurant and Pub, the eatery is just a slice of the sprawling Stoudts operation, a web of humble and successful corporations tucked into the Amish farmland. Known primarily in Philadelphia and around the region for their brewery’s Fat Dog Stout (named for the family dog), Karnival Kölsch, and flagship beers Gold Helles and American Pale Ale, Stoudts is more locally famous for a growing litany of delicious beer-friendly morsels, brew-inspired events, and a few totally non-beer-related surprises. Read more…

OktoberPhest

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By Scott Willey

August/September 2011

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The citizens of the best craft beer city in the world will be shedding their Phillies jerseys to don their Dirndl and Lederhosen to celebrate a wedding that happened 201 years ago.

It is that time of year to put down the Tastykakes, cheesesteaks and Philly soft pretzels-wait-hold on to your pretzel, and indulge in bratwurst, sauerkraut and strudel, washed down with plenty of beer in celebration of Oktoberfest. Philadelphia is soaked in as much history as craft beer and is home to the oldest German organization in the United States- The German Society of Pennsylvania. This organization was founded in 1764, 46 years before the first Oktoberfest was celebrated on October 12th, 1810. So, it is no wonder that Philadelphia adopted the beer-fueled fest like many other cities around the world. As with most old traditions and holidays, the original reason to celebrate can be lost in time or through translation. Read more…

The 2011 Best of the Philly Beer Scene

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June/July 2011

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In February, Neil and Mat got together with six other craft beer industry professionals and enthusiasts to discuss the nominees for the Second Annual Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards. From this meeting, 7 new categories were introduced from 2010’s 35 and the decision was made that all of the prior winners would automatically be nominated to give them the chance to defend their awards for a second year. After many hours and beers, four new nominees were nominated for each of the total 42 categories and on April 1, 2011 the polls opened across the web.

With an incredible response from the Scene, there were some clear landslide winners and some only taking the win by a few votes when the polls closed on May 15th. We are proud to announce the winners of the Second Annual 2011 Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards.
(Photo by Karl Mischler)
Read more…

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