Calling All Masters of Home Brewing...

Do you make your own beer? Do you live in the greater Philadelphia area? We'd love to sample it! Oh hell, who am I kidding, we'll bring our own pint glasses! If you'd like to be featured here on our blog, drop us a note on our Facebook page (you can click on it directly on the lower right sideof this page), or email us. We don't care if you make your beer in your basement, garage, or the back of a Volkswagen bus, we want to taste the home-brewed Stouts, IPAs, Porters, and Ales that have been lovingly brewed by YOU.

Hit us up, peeps!

Pugsley's Signature Series

Pugsley's Signature Series

Imperial Porter 7.1% ABV

Shipyard Brewing Co.

This delish Imperial Porter did not fall short of my expectations.  It was full bodied, dark, smooth, and malty.  It was not bitter and had a nice chocolate finish.  Pugsley...you did good!  It is now one of my favorites in my Porter Playbook!  As for the ABV it was just about 7% so it was not quite a knock you on your derriere porter but it did have enough love to make a little happier. 

I would certainly recommend this porter and I am sure I will be trying more from Shipyard!  I did spy the Pumpkinhead Ale and Blue Fin Stout (Classic Irish Stout).  I found this precious porter priced at just a few cents under $7 for 22oz.

For more information on Shipyard you can go to http://www.shipyard.com/. 

If you do end up stepping aboard Shipyards deck let me know what you think!

Cheers!

~K~

Cool Labels...Great Beer

Smuttynose Robust Porter - 5.7% ABV

Kath: Since I have been reviewing fruity ales I wanted to go back to one of my favorite types of beer.  The PORTER.  I trolled the craft beer isle until my eyes were intrigued by the unusual label and name.  If you have read anything in our blog you know I enjoy a good porter and low and behold...I found one!!!!  

I was not disappointed when I opened this gem.  It was mahogany in color. Super smooth going down and had a chocolaty finish. I was in a porter's paradise. 

Gab: I love this beer. A little malt, a little cocoa, lots of gorgeous, rich color. Fantastic porter! I would give you a GBF but Kathleen made such a wonderful salad for lunch I was a little full when we uncapped it!

If you're looking for a very drinkable porter (and by drinkable, I mean the lower ABV), this is your beer. Enjoy!

Cheers!

~K & G~

Easton's Littlest Known Secret...

On Saturday we had nothing better to do, so we jumped in the car and zipped up to Easton, Pennsylvania to visit the small but mighty Weyerbacher Brewing Company. Upon entering we noticed that the tasting area was packed and took our place at the bar. We were greeted by volunteers working the bar and were told that most of their visitors hail from the Philadelphia area, woohoo! Growlers are available for purchase, as well as mixed cases starting at $32.00. And if you are a Weyerbacher fan, there are plenty of sassy t-shirts and hats to choose from, as well as some very nice barware.

As for the beer itself, our favorite available for tasting was Old Heathen Russian Imperial Stout (8% ABV). Rich, velvety, and delicious with a roasty nose and a flavor of chocolate, espresso and dried fruits with a moderately dry finish. YUM-O.

Gab also enjoyed Double Simcoe IPA (9% ABV) which is described as a "crotch-grabbing beer", and we agree 100%! If you are a hophead, this is your next favorite beer.The first sip delivers an explosion of juicy, luscious hop-iness. This is going to be a staple in my fridge!

If you ever find yourself on the Southside of Easton, PA, please stop in to Weyerbacher for a tour and tasting. We cannot wait to sample their Fall/Winter Imperial Pumpkin Ale (8% ABV), and pick up a case of our favorite, the bourbon barrel-aged Heresy (8% ABV).

We hope everyone is enjoying the Philly Beer Week festivities! Did you know that Philadelphia is the biggest beer-drinking city? Uh, you better believe it!

Cheers!

~K & G~

Blue Point Blueberry Ale

Blue Point Brewing Company Blueberry Ale 4.6% ABV

Kath: This refreshing ale is a perfect for sipping by the beach or just in your yard. 

I first had this little slice of blueberry pie in a glass at the Springfest with Gab.  I saw the interesting beer tap and had to see the man behind the curtain!  That man was Gary Rosen and he was super friendly and he was just like his business card read...All Around Nice Guy!

After I sampled this a few more times I was on a mission to get more of this ale.  I sent Gab on a treasure hunt and as always she came up BIG!!!  In the meantime I was hitting the internet to read up on the Blueberry Ale.  This is what I found...

First brewed in 1998, this delicious golden ale quickly became a year-round favorite. Our fresh Blueberry Ale offers an unusual twist on brewing that turns out to be a wonderful blend of fresh blueberries matched with a distinctive, thirst quenching ale. We carefully add 732 pounds of fresh, plump and juicy, handpicked, USA Northern Highbush Blueberries to every batch. Even before your first sip of Blueberry Ale, a strong, refreshing sweet fruit aroma emanates from the bottle, kicking your taste-buds into overdrive.

I will have to say the aroma is VERY strong but the taste is not overpowering.  What is also NOT overpowering is the ABV.  It comes in at a low 4.6%.  I am used to my porters and stouts coming in at 8% or higher so this is quite a change for me, but NOT a bad change.  It also was priced pretty well.  Gab grabbed me the last two 6 packs for $7.99 each.

If you like blueberries and love beer I suggest you give this ale a chance.  If you do find it...LET ME KNOW!!!  It is a hard little number to get!

Cheers!

~K~

Great Lakes Brewing Co. Eliot Ness

Great Lakes Brewing Co. Eliot Ness 6.2%

Gab: This handcrafted Amber Lager from Cleveland, Ohio is a real treat. Not too light, not too heavy, just what you would expect from a great lager. I almost always prefer a hop-heavy IPA or a black-as-night Stout, but I will come back to this beer again and again. Great taste, gorgeous amber color, perfect summer-time beer for peeps like me who don’t care as much for the pale ales. I would give this a GBF (Gab Buzz Factor) of 5, not too shabby! My husband and I are expecting company from some loyal Yuengling-lovers in the weeks to come; I think I will be offering my guests Eliot Ness instead.

I wanted to add a brief note about Great Lakes Brewing Co. I'm very impressed by how environmentally-conscious these guys are. The label reads, “In memory of Eliot Ness and his paddy wagon of guilty criminals, we have the “Fatty Wagon” (minus the criminals). Our eco-friendly Fatty Wagon and beer delivery truck both run on straight vegetable oil (SVO),  which results in lower toxic emissions and a 25% savings over the cost of regular diesel fuel”. Nice! Additionally, Eliot Ness is brewed according to the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516: only barley, hops, yeast, and water. I love this beer and look forward to sampling more of what Great Lakes has to offer!

 Kathleen is away for the week, , but we have some fun plans for this weekend. We'll have lots of pics and tales for you!

Cheers!

~G~