Alright, so if there's one thing that makes you want to come out of beer blogging retirement, it's a severe summer of surplus awesome brews. What can I say? I got bogged down by academics, an eventual job, and traveling all over God's green earth tasting awesome things. So you crack and you stop beer blogging. It's a tragic thing, especially when you've tasted both Pliny the Younger and Westvleteren 12 and 8 in one summer. That's a damn beer travesty, that's what that is...
Anyhow, working for a living, in particular in one of the top-rated beer cities in the grand ol' USA, has enabled me to track down some of the most out of control beer bars in both Philadelphia proper and its adjacent suburbs. So I bring to you, oh loyal readers, Eric Souder's Best of Philly 2010 (so far) that I've visited to date! Hopefully, you take it upon yourself to go visit one - if not all - of these tasty dwellings of ale in one of the most fun cities in America.
Mind you, these are in no particular order...
-Tria (18th and Sansom): Alright so Tria isn't technically a beer bar. It's technically a wine bar. Ok. So it's just an awesome bar. If you work in the center of town and want great beer, wine, or cheese, go here. I've never been disappointed with this place. Small, cozy, a little on the yuppie side, you're bound to always find something that you want. Generally, the beer you want is on tap, ranging anywhere from a Dogfish Head 90 Minute to a La Trappe Isid'or Amber (actually Norwegian, but brewed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the brew company as well as the existence of Belgian-beer-brewed-outside-Belgium). The cheese is outrageously good - generally it comes from Murray's up in Manhattan. Overall, never a disappointment. (****)
-Monk's (264 S 16th): I can't leave out Monk's. About two weeks ago some psychotic bus driver crashed head-on into the front of the restaurant, generally blowing out 3/4 of the entrance. Things looked dismal, but the intense folks at Monk's persevered and opened up about a week ago. The beer menu is phenomenal: there are about 300 advertised as well as a constantly rotating duo of bars (a front and a back) generally carrying the season's best in fine beer. Go around Christmas and experience an entire bar of Belgian and Belgian-style Christmas ales. Only downside: it gets crowded FAST, so don't expect a quiet cozy environment after 5pm. (***1/2)
-Local 44 (4333 Spruce St. University City area): Local 44 is one I don't know too much about, but it's certainly worth the trip. The guy who owns it also manages two other spots, the Memphis Taproom and Resurrection Ale House (which I'll review in this entry). The unique thing is, you will only find beer on tap at Local 44. They're big on sustainability, so they cut down severely on bottled beer waste, etc. Tucked in the center of the Penn campus, they serve some of the tastiest beers around featuring brewers like Stone, Russian River, PBC and many others. Overall, a pretty fun bar and worth the checkout. (****)
-Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South Street - Old City/South Street area): Brauhaus is exactly what it sounds like - a massive German-inspired pub. Brauhaus does not mess around: they have about twenty beers on tap (all German) as well as a pretty impressive bottle list featuring rarities that I deeply appreciate such as a Baltika 7 or the Dieu du Ciel Peche Mortel. The food is pretty authentic German as well, lots of pork (try the Schweinshaxe if you like face-melting amounts of meat) pretzels, and the like. Additionally (and this is an awesome treat especially for those who have experienced Germany) they have a great schnapps selection if you honestly have room for anything after the meal and all of the beer. Definitely an awesome spot. (****)
-Devil's Den (11th and Ellsworth - South Philadelphia): It was odd: I followed this place on facebook and twitter almost a year before I ever set foot in their restaurant. Maybe that says something about the age of the internet. Well one year later, I discovered what was up. Devil's Den has an outrageous beer list. It is about the size of Monk's "Beer Bible" yet somehow, not as many people have caught on. On tap you'll get the regular seasonals, but you'll also find some awesome rarities like Great Divide's 16th Anniversary Ale or Furthermore's ThermoRefur (a beet-based spiced ale) on tap. The food is solid featuring fun things like a seafood flatbread, raw oysters, and chickpea fries served tapas style. The best part? Happy hour means half off. So that Great Divide (a 10% ABV beer by the way) sold normally there for 4.50 per glass is only 2.25. So for all of you young Philly workers chugging $5 Heineys at Elephant and Castle? Just think, you could spend about 5 bucks and get twice your fratty buzz on and simultaneously taste a better beer. THAT is why Devil's Den is epic. (****1/2)
-Resurrection Ale House (2425 Grays Ferry Avenue): Cue the Cheers theme song. Resurrection is amazing. I can't say anything bad about this place. Having been there now several times this summer I can say wholeheartedly that Resurrection is welcoming, friendly, and most importantly, so chock full of awesome and delicious that I leave each time going "Wow, I love that freaking bar." Owned by the same people as Local, the owner has sort of put the reins in the hands of Rocco, a Gonzo-tattoo sporting bearded beer genius who will gladly tell you the story of shenanigans with a hand grenade (trust me, long story) just as soon as he'll pour you the beer that will make your evening. They keep only about 10 beers on tap, but that's ok, because each beer is unique and amazing. You will never find two IPAs or two brown ales on tap simultaneously. Names like Avery (which I had "The Reverend" on tap tonight ****) Old Speckled Hen, 21st Amendment, and once again, Russian River, pop up time and time again, never ceasing to blow the mind and invigorate the tastebuds. What's even better is the food, featuring things like braised lamb with peach butter, hoisin glazed pork belly sandwiches, a fried chicken with sriracha honey, and even a couscous that will make you wonder how someone fit so much tasty awesomeness in one small place. The atmosphere is great; go in once and they know your face; go in twice and they know your name; three times? They'll practically have your beer of choice poured. If you ever get the chance, go here! (*****)
These are only a few of the amazing bars Philly has to offer. Just wander around honestly. It keeps growing and getting more amazing. I absolutely love it.
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