Tag Archives: Philadelphia

Dock Street Brewery Gets Political

Our Stories / April 13, 2016 / No Comments.

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Dock Street Brewery in Philadelphia isn’t shy when it comes to speaking out against a certain presidential candidate. They’ve recently announced a new brew series under the name “Friends Don’t Let Friends Vote Drumpf”. Drumpf, of course, is a reference to the name of Donald Trump’s ancestors as made known by John Oliver. Now, we’re not here to talk about politics, but we certainly won’t object to trying some new beer.

First in their series is Short-Fingered Stout. It’s described on Dock Street’s website as “a bitter and delusional stout with an airy, light-colored head atop a so-so body. Don’t worry, its bark is worse than its bite”. It’s 4.5% ABV and just a taste of what we can expect from the masterminds behind the series.

The release date hasn’t been announced yet, but Dock Street is planning to host a big welcome party at the brewpub. If you’re in town be sure to stop by and let us know how it tastes.

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Pop-Up Beer Gardens Take Over Philly

Beer / August 28, 2014 / No Comments.

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We grew up loving pop-up books, and as teenagers, we always had to watch VH1’s Pop-Up Video. That means it’s only natural that as adults, we’ve taken a liking to the concept of pop-up beer gardens – and we aren’t the only ones. The fine people of Philadelphia have been enjoying a fantastic summer filled with pop-up beer gardens due to a loophole in Pennsylvania law that lets operators serve liquor with a $500 catering permit rather than a $90,000 liquor license.

Philly.com recently reported that six or so beer gardens have popped up this summer – something you’d think any sane person would love – but some lawmakers are not pleased. On one side, PA has four lawmakers that are demanding the State Liquor Control Board puts an “immediate stop to this practice.” On the other side, are wonderful, sensible lawmakers that think the pop-up beer gardens are rad and great for boosting business in areas that weren’t doing so great before. Solid decisions regarding the law are supposed to be made in the fall, but hopefully, things will go well and the pop-up beer gardens will be able to grow again next summer.

One of the most popular beer gardens actually got started four years ago at Philadelphia Horticultural Society. President of the PHS, Drew Becher, thought the empty spot at 20th and Market Street could use a little facelift and started making things pretty by planting trees. They didn’t have food or drinks until last year and although they had been pretty successful in the first couple of years, the addition of food and beverage brought in about 28,000 visitors from March through October of 2013 at 313 S. Broad Street. People loved it so much that when it closed for the colder months, they complained. In February, PHS decided to open the beer garden up for one snowy weekend using heated tents and serving cold beer; 3,000 people stopped by to “chill.” And this year? After only one month of being open, the PHS beer garden had already seen 22,000 people.

Why is the pop-up beer garden concept so successful? Because it isn’t just about drinking; it’s about relaxing, hanging out with friends, and enjoying the weather and surroundings. Of course, the beer isn’t such a bad deal either.

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One Time, At Beer Camp…

Beer / July 23, 2014 / No Comments.

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We’ve never been a big fan of going to camp, but when we heard about Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Across America, we knew it was something we needed to be a part of. We also learned that it actually has nothing to do with camping, which is so clutch.

Beer Camp Across America is trying to be the largest craft beer celebration in history by hosting a multi-weekend traveling beer festival this summer. They’re celebrating the craft beer community – brewers and fans – and have invited every craft brewery in the country to take part in the festivities (that’s more than 2,700 breweries).

The festival is going to move from west to east, beginning in Chico, CA where Sierra Nevada started in 1980, and ending in Mills River, NC for the grand opening of their new East Coast brewery. Last weekend was the first weekend of the celebration and they spent July 19 in Chico and July 20 in San Diego. The rest of the stops are:

  • Friday, July 25th: Denver, CO – Civic Center Park, 5-10 PM
  • Sunday, July 27th: Chicago, IL – Navy Pier, 12-5 PM
  • Friday, August 1st: Portland, ME – Thompson Point, 5-10 PM
  • Saturday, August 2nd: Philadelphia, PA – Penn Treaty Park, 12-5 PM
  • Sunday, August 3rd: Mills River, NC – Sierra Nevada brewery, 1-6 PM

So, what can you expect with your $65 general admission ticket? Up to two featured beers per brewery, food vendors, live music, a tasting glass, and unlimited tastings (a $30 designated driver ticket is available). Proceeds will go to the state brewers guilds in the festival host states and research to foster the development of new types of hop varieties and barley crops.

In addition to the festivals, Sierra Nevada also put together a really cool 12-pack collaboration. They partnered with a dozen craft breweries to create 12 different beers for one mixed 12-pack (10 bottles, 2 cans). It’s available throughout the U.S. this summer, so you don’t have to worry if you won’t be able to make it to one of the local festivals.

Ready to get your ticket to Beer Camp Across America? Just go to www.sierranevada.com/beercamp

 

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