Valley Forge Brewing Co. has shuttered its Blue Bell location. Citing ongoing litigation over the property, owner Dave Biles says, “Unfortunately, there’s not much we could do about it. ” Valley Forge’s original location (Gateway Shopping Center, Wayne) is still doing fine, says Biles. On tap this weekend: Belgian triple, winter ale and VF’s award-winning imperial stout. . .
Manayunk Brewing Co., the 5-year-old Main Street brewpub, will start bottling one of its flavors. Look for Crooks Mill, a strong pale ale, in coming weeks. The brewpub has no bottling machinery, so the ale will be brewed and packaged at nearby Yards Brewing. . .
Reading’s Neversink Brewing is on life support. Brewer John Zangwill says he wants to buy it from owner Bill McShane, but the deal is still undone. “There may be a shutdown period, but we’re hoping to reopen it quickly,” Zangwill says. He adds he’d like to change the beer’s name and marketing. “We’ve been selling beer by word of mouth. I’d like to find some people to actually go out and sell this beer,” he says. . .
Seen at Springfield Beverage (800 Schuylkill Ave., near the South Street Bridge): Cases of hard-to-find Troegs, from Harrisburg. And two cases of now-defunct Ugly Dog, both dated 1999. . . Speaking of old beer, Temple University deserves credit (sorta) for finally pulling those old bottles of Poor Henry’s Awesome Ale from the cooler. The Liacouras Center had been selling year-old bottles to hapless Owls fans till Joe Sixpack blew the whistle. . .
Good luck to Tom Kehoe and the Yards crew. They’re headed to Chicago next weekend to compete in the Real Ale Festival. . .
Beer calendar
Today and Tomorrow – Killarney Kick-off, McGillin’s Olde Ale House (1310 Drury St., Center City). Live Irish music and toasts are a warm-up for St. Patrick’s season.
March 3 – Third annual Main Line Brew Festival, noon to 4 p.m. Tix: $25, includes open and tutored tastings. Desmond Hotel, Malvern. Info: 610-296-9800.
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a Saturday this year, so heads up. Among the day’s activities: Big Ass Beers Festival, The Khyber (56 S. 2nd St., Old City), 1-7 p.m. No cover. Info: 215-238-5888.
The Book and the Cook festival.
March 23 – Peter La France, “Cooking & Eating with Beer,” Cutter’s Grand Cafe (2005 Market St., Center City). Noted beer and wine journalist presents a dinner matched to Belgian beer standouts, Stella Artois, Leffe, Belle-Vue, and Hoegaarden. Info: 215-851-6262.
March 24 – Eric Tucker, “Millennium Cookbook,” Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant, (1516 Sansom St., Center City). Executive chef of San Francisco’s gourmet vegetarian Millennium restaurant brings his innovative cuisine for a matchup with brewer Brandon Greenwood’s best innovative beers. Luncheon and dinner; info: 215-569-9525.
March 24 – Jim Anderson, “Beer Philadelphia,” Dock Street Brew Pub at Reading Terminal, (1150 Filbert St., next to Reading Terminal Market). Anderson leads a “Real Ale Rendezvous” tasting introduction to a variety of award-winning, cask-conditioned ales, accompanied by “beer-friendly” brewpub foods. Tix: $25. Info: 215-922-4292.
March 25 – Ruth Van Waerebeek, “Everybody Eats Well in Belgium,” Cuvee Notredame (1701 Green St., Fairmount). Presented by Anderson, this native of Ghent, Belgium, is paired with chef-proprietor Michel Notredame for a feast matched with Belgian ales. A repeat of this event also will be presented on March 28. Info: 215-765-2777.
March 27 – Stephen Beaumont, “Premium Beer Drinker’s Guide: The World’s Strongest, Boldest & Most Unusual Beers,” Monk’s Cafe (264 S. 16th St., Center City). Beer authority’s work is the inspiration for chefs Tom Peters and Adam Glickman to cook up a beer-matched dinner. Info: 215-545-7005
March 28 – Michael Jackson, “Great Beer Guide,” University Museum (33rd & Spruce streets, University City). Jackson hosts “The Funerary Feast of King Midas,” a re-creation of a 3,000-year-old meal based on a chemical analysis of the king’s tomb. The meal features Midas Touch, a beer, wine and mead concoction by Sam Caligione of Dogfish Head Brewing. Info: 215-898-4890.
March 31 – Michael Jackson, “Beer Companion,” University Museum. Jackson leads a tutored tasting celebrating the beer odyssey of the Philadelphia region in regaining its stature as one of the centers of fine American brewing. Three afternoon sessions. Tix: $32 museum members; $42 non-members. Info: 215-898-4890.
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