July 3rd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Word arrives this morning from Leigh Maida and Brendan “Spanky” Hartranft, the folks at Memphis Taproom and Local 44, that they’ll be opening their third joint in September. They’re moving into the space formerly occupied by the Yello Bar (Grays Ferry Ave and Catharine Street).
Their new bar will be called Resurrection Ale House, a beer-centric bistro. (No indication whether this is Spanky’s dream of a cask ale-only tavern. Interestingly, Leigh reports he’s planning to round up a keg of Brewer’s Art Resurrection - currently unavailable in Philly - for the opening.)
Sez Leigh:
We’re hammering out a menu now that we think fills a gap in the neighborhood, casual, beer-centric, someplace you can feel like a grown up, and be catered to with care, but not have to spend a ton of money to feel like you got some real value out of your experience. We’re focused (as always) on a stellar craft beer list, but we’re equally focused this time on the dining side of things too. For now we’re sort of working under the term “beer bistro” as a guiding principle, for the menu, the decor, the over all vibe of the place. We’re hoping for the same kinds of laid back, food and beer savvy, mixed-bag of cool guests that we get to meet at Memphis and Local 44.Â
According to Leigh, Yello closed last night.
Here’s the website, where you can sign up for a mailing list to get first word on opening night.
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July 2nd, 2009 Joe Sixpack
The buzz around town this week was over the opening of Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street. Meanwhile, an hour and a half up the Jersey Turnpike, the new Zeppelin Hall opened, and it sounds like a monster: 144 taps and a massive outdoor garden with seating for 800.
I haven’t had the chance to visit, yet, but here’s a guy with a new blog who’s committed himself to trying every one of the taps.
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July 1st, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Center City finally has a German restaurant once again. Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.) is the new baby from Doug Hager and his wife, Kelly Schmitz-Hager. IÂ stopped in yesterday for a bite and a gulp.
Two things to note right up front:
- There’s an informational picket line on the sidewalk, by the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters. They say the owners used non-union labor. I confess I crossed the line - mainly because I have a job to do. I have mixed feelings on this because I’m a union member, but in this economy I want to see a new business succeed. Also, the pamphlet calls Dough and Kelly “rats,” which is just bullshit intimidation. In any case, I think I’m going to wait till it’s gone before I return. You make your own decision.
- On a more pleasant note, the waitresses are wearing dirndls. Of course, I support this as a matter of authenticity and not merely eye appeal.
As for the bar itself, it’s beautiful. Handsome oak details, old German touches, a wall full of old apothecary boxes, a giant plaque with the Reinheitsgebot in German.
The taps are well thought-out, a nice group that’s nearly equal to the now-closed Ludwig’s at its finest. Among the notables: Schneider Aventinus, Franziskaner Dunkelweisse, Schlenkerla Helles (!), Kostritzer, Uerige Sticke Alt, Bayerischer Berliner Weisse, Ayinger Brau-Weiss, Reissdorf Kölsch, plus a house beer from Stoudt’s. Can’t complain about that, though as I sat there I tried to think of an alternative to its doppelbock (Optimator, Salvator) selection. Is Weltenburger Asam available of draft?
Food-wise, you’ll find many classic German dishes. Potato pancakes and roll mops as appys; house-made knackwurst and other specialties from Rieker’s Meats; and, of course, schnitzel. And try a pretzel with spicy mustard; Doug says they get their characteristic hard crust by soaking them in food-grade lye.
Bottom line: Like all new joints, give the kitchen and staff a chance to get up to speed. Enjoy the superb beer (yes, you can buy a full liter), and thank god we’ve got an authentic German tavern back in our very German town!
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June 30th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
I love the age verification at Tru-Blood’s web site. Which century were you taken?
Type AB, I’m guessing, is an oatmeal stout. Great for sucking down. All flavor, no bite.
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June 26th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Nothing better than a cold one in the fresh air. Here are the joints I mentioned this morning during my spot with Glen & Ike on 610WIP:
- The Beer Garden @ Silk City - 5th & Spring Garden, Northern Liberties.
- The Blue Ox Bistro beer garden - 7980 Oxford Ave, Fox Chase.
- Manayunk Brew Pub deck on the Schuylkill - 4120 Main St., Manayunk
- Taproom & Grill - 427 West Crystal Lake Ave., Haddon Township, N.J.
And are a few others worth visiting:
- Union Jack’s on the Manatawny - 546 Manatawny Road, Boyertown. Creekside dining.
- Newportville Inn - 4120 Newportville Road, Newportville. German/17 taps.
- Belgian Cafe - 21st & Green, Art Museum. Tree-lined city street, Belgian
- Triumph Brewpub - Chestnut between Front & 2nd, Old City. Historic sidewalk, fresh beer.
- Three Monkeys - 9645 James St., Torresdale. Side patio right at the train station.
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April 8th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
If you never visited in the few months it was opened… you weren’t the only one. It’s been dead bar walking for the past two months and owner Chris Leonard pulled the plug today.
Here’s his farewell.
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April 6th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Word arrives this afternoon that two new beer joints will opening later this month just off the Penn campus, at 38th & Ludlow.
For several weeks now, there’s been speculation in beer circles about one of them - the Blockley Pourhouse. The press release description: “a exciting bar with creative American pub fare that is destined to become one of the city’s best live music venues.”
The same developers will also open the adjacent Mary Oaks, described as “a casual beer- and wine-centric restaurant.” How beer-centric? Here’s the opening tap list:
- Guinness
- Dogfish Head 120 (or 90) minute
- Avery IPA
- Dale’s Pale Ale
- Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier
- Lindemans Framboise
- Chimay Cinq Cents
- Rodenbach Grand Cru
- Scheider Aventinus Weizenbock
- Piraat
- Hook and Ladder Backdraft Brown
- Rogue Dead Guy
- Left Hand Sawtooth Ale
- Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
- Sierra Nevada Summer Fest
- Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
- Yards Thomas Jefferson’s Tavern Ale
- Flying Fish Summer Ale
- Troegs Nugget Nectar
- Stoudts Blond Double Maibock
- Sly Fox Royal Weisse Beer
- Victory Throwback Lager
- Weyerbacher Blanche
Mary Oaks’ exec chef, by the way, is Ross Essner, formerly of Django and, more recently, the Taproom on 19th. Menu for both joints is here.
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April 1st, 2009 Joe Sixpack
P.J. Whelihan’s, which always had an OK selection, is upgrading things at a new location in South Jersey, The Pour House, “A Better Beer Bar.” Located at 124 N. Haddon Ave., in Westmont, it’s just up the road from two other decent stops, the Taproom & Grille and Cork.
I haven’t stopped in, yet, but the tap lineup is looking good. Avery New World Porter, Dogfish Head Aprihop, Weyerbacher Insanity, Otter Creek Russian Imperial Stout, Saison Dupont, among others. The bottle list is pretty substantial, with about 50 bottles, including Stone Cali-Belgique, DFH Fort, Green Flash La Freak, Westmalle Tripel, Troegs Flying Mouflan…
The food is basic pubfare - sandwiches, salads, burgers, appys.
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February 11th, 2009 Joe Sixpack
Bring your own water.
That is, if you plan on stopping in at the VIP Tap Room in downtown Bethlehem. Here’s the text of a legal opinion from the Pa. Liquor Control Board, following an inquiry from a representative of the bar:
ISSUE:Â This is in response to your e-mail dated February 5, 2009, in which you inquire as to whether or not you may charge for the service of water provided to patrons of your establishment.
OPINION: There is nothing in the Liquor Code or the Board’s Regulations prohibiting a licensed establishment from charging a fee to serve water. Therefore, it would not violate liquor laws to charge a fee for water at your licensed establishment.
It would, however, violate every tenet of common decency.
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February 1st, 2009 Joe Sixpack
I avoid arguments over lists like Rate Beer’s Top 50 beer bars - after all, everybody has his favorite joint and can make a good argument that it’s the best bar in the world.
Nonetheless, it’s fun to check off the places you’ve visited, and to check out potential destinations. So here’s the supposed top 50 beer bars. The boldface ones are places where I’ve managed to suck down a few over the years; I count 23. Looks like I need tomake my way back to Seattle, or maybe plan a trip to Sweden and Denmark.
How many of these have you visited?
 1. Kulminator   Antwerpen, BELGIUM
2. Akkurat   Stockholm, SWEDEN
3. Oldsmar Tap House   Oldsmar, Florida UNITED STATES
4. Redlight Redlight   Orlando, Florida UNITED STATES
5. Brick Store Pub   Decatur, Georgia UNITED STATES
6. Brouwer’s Cafe   Seattle, Washington UNITED STATES
7. Rich O’s Publick House   New Albany, Indiana UNITED STATES
8. Uber Tavern   Seattle, Washington UNITED STATES
9. Capones Restaurant   Norristown, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES*  Â
10. Spuyten Duyvil   Brooklyn, New York UNITED STATES  Â
11. Volo   Toronto, Ontario CANADA
12. Papago Brewing Company   Scottsdale, Arizona UNITED STATES
13. ’t Brugs Beertje   Brugge, BELGIUM  Â
14. Max’s on Broadway   Baltimore, Maryland UNITED STATES  Â
15. Nederlands Biercafe ‘t Arendsnest   Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
16. Monk’s Café   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES  Â
17. Moan and Dove   Amherst, Massachusetts UNITED STATES  Â
18. Pivovarsky Klub   Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
19. Ølbaren   Copenhagen, DENMARK
20. Capital Ale House - Innsbrook   Glen Allen, Virginia UNITED STATES
21. Concordia Ale House   Portland, Oregon UNITED STATES
22. Bierproeflokaal In De Wildeman   Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS
23. The Rover   Göteborg, SWEDEN
24. Toronado   San Francisco, California UNITED STATES  Â
25. Plan BÂ Â Â Copenhagen, DENMARK
26. Hamiltons   San Diego, California UNITED STATES
27. Falling Rock Tap House   Denver, Colorado UNITED STATES  Â
28. Le Bier Circus   Brussels, BELGIUM  Â
29. The Ginger Man (NYC)Â Â Â New York, New York UNITED STATESÂ Â Â
30. Barcade   Brooklyn, New York UNITED STATES
31. Kaffee de Hopduvel   Gent, BELGIUM  Â
32. The Publick House Brookline   Brookline, Massachusetts UNITED STATES  Â
33. Birreria Paradiso   Washington, Washington DC UNITED STATES  Â
34. The Map Room   Chicago, Illinois UNITED STATES  Â
35. Blind Tiger Ale House   New York, New York UNITED STATES  Â
36. Wenlock Arms   London, Greater London ENGLAND
37. Sharp Edge Beer Emporium   Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES  Â
38. Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (Fort Worth)Â Â Â Fort Worth, Texas UNITED STATES
39. Hop Devil Grill   New York, New York UNITED STATES  Â
40. O’Brien’s   San Diego, California UNITED STATES
41. Horse Brass Pub   Portland, Oregon UNITED STATES  Â
42. Smokeless Joe   Toronto, Ontario CANADA
43. Andy’s Corner Bar   Bogota, New Jersey UNITED STATES  Â
44. Hop Leaf   Chicago, Illinois UNITED STATES
45. Capital Ale House - Downtown   Richmond, Virginia UNITED STATES  Â
46. Zeno’s Pub   State College, Pennsylvania UNITED STATES  Â
47. Oliver Twist   Stockholm, SWEDEN
48. Chez Moeder Lambic   Brussels, BELGIUM  Â
49. The Happy Gnome   St. Paul, Minnesota UNITED STATES
50. Bierbrasserie Cambrinus   Brugge, BELGIUM
*Capone’s was ranked No. 1 last year.
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