SLY FOX the Trail and the Ale Draught Lines Spring 2017

SLY FOX the trail and the ale draught lines spring 2017

FISHTOWN ON FOOT

crushable CRAFT beers

draught lines spring 2017

ON THE COVER: Brian O’Reilly of Sly Fox Brewing Co.

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contents

8 VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES ITS DEMISEMISEPTCENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY WITH DEMISEMI ALE

15 THE BOOKSHELF THIS CALLS FOR A DRINK! THE BEST WINES & BEERS TO PAIR WITH EVERY SITUATION BY DIANE MCMARTIN

16 THE TRAIL & THE ALE: BREWMASTER BRIAN O’REILLY & SLY FOX SRT ALE

23 FISHTOWN ON FOOT

Editor in Chief Art Directors/Photographers Guest Writers Maryanne Origlio Loren Leggerie Lew Bryson Michael Kuchar Steve Hawk Christopher Munden Senior Editor Contributing Writers Maureen McCoy Jessica Lawrence Doug Williams Mark Your Calendars A Few Words From The Editors...

Locals Only Beer Fest | Philadelphia, PA April 22, 2017 – Independence Seaport Museum Dear Beer Aficionados,

Decibel Metal & Beer Fest | Philadelphia, PA Now that warmer weather April 22, 2017 – The Fillmore has finally arrived, beer drinkers may find themselves emerging from the winter Greater Northeast Philadelphia Beer Festival | Philadelphia, PA doldrums in search of new, May 6, 2017 – Cannstatter Volkfest Verein springtime beers and fun places to drink them. Phoenixville Beer & Wine Festival | Phoenixville, PA May 13, 2017 – Kimberton Fairgrounds At least that’s how we feel at Draught Lines. Fortunat- ely, the Delaware Valley All-Star Craft Beer and Wine Festival | Philadelphia, PA beer scene is, quite simply, May 20, 2017 – Citizens Bank Park on fire, so there’s no short- age of things to experience. That’s why this issue puts Philly Beer Week | Philadelphia, PA our local beer scene in the June 2-11, 2017 spotlight.

For more information about these events, and others Philadelphia is a city of neig- visit our website: hborhoods. And no neighborhood has evolved more than Fishtown. We took a weekend trip www.origlio.com there, stopping by some of our favorite haunts like Johnny Brenda’s and Loco Pez, and we got a tour of the new Evil Genius brewery! Check out our story, Fishtown on Foot, for a completely mapped out pub-crawl.

Then we drove up to Pottstown and spent an afternoon with Sly Fox Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly. The brewery is surrounded by acres of land, perfect for outdoor events like Can Jam and their not-to-be For an electronic version of this publication, visit: missed Goat Races. But O’Reilly and his team have been captivated draughtlinesmag.com by the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs alongside their campus. It has inspired a beer, SRT Ale, and a desire to preserve this natural Like us on Facebook treasure that connects the Leigh Valley to Philadelphia. They don’t facebook.com/draughtlines just brew great beer up there.

Follow us on Twitter In addition to all the local beer happenings, we clear up the differ- @draughtlinesmag ence between light beers and session beers, showcase some of our favorite tap handles and so much more. Follow us on Instagram No doubt about it, this is a great place to live if you love beer. And @draughtlinesmag as always, this magazine is best enjoyed with a beer in hand, so crack open a cold one, find a spot in the sun and enjoy! Check us out on YouTube youtube.com/draughtlines Cheers, draught lines is a publication of Origlio Beverage. All rights reserved. The Draught Lines Editorial Staff

3000 Meeting House Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154 AVE REVIEWS Cucumber Basil IPA Cooler

Ahhhh… springtime. The temperature begins to rise, flowers start to bloom and gray skies slowly turn blue. This time of year calls for a deli- ciously light and refreshing cocktail. Jacquelyn Dodd (a.k.a The Beeron- ess) has created the perfect IPA cooler to enjoy as the weather warms.

Ingredients 1 ½ oz. vodka 2 basil leaves, chopped (2 additional small leaves for garnish) 6 slices of cucumber (2 for garnish) 3 oz. sparkling lemonade 3-6 oz. IPA with citrus notes, like Sierra Nevada Tropical Torpedo

Preparation Add the vodka, basil, cucumbers and sparking lemonade to a shaker half filled with ice. Shake several times, pour into an IPA glass, straining the cucumber and basil. Pour beer into the glass and gently stir. Garnish with a cucumber slice and basil leaves. Serve immediately. -Recipe courtesy of thebeeroness.com REDISCOVEREDBEER Saison Dupont

Beer and spirits author Lew Bryson

risp, spicy, refreshing and balanced are the adjectives Lew Bryson uses to describe one of his all-time favorite beers. He says it should be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. “I’ve served Saison Dupont at cel- Cebrations – birthdays, New Year’s Eve, graduations – and I’ve shared a bottle with my wife, while we were stripping wallpaper.”

Saisons, also called farmhouse ales, originated in Belgium. Think of the style as a unique pale ale. Saisons are light in body, with a dry finish. But the Belgian yeast creates flavors you don’t find in typical pale ales. Your first sip of Saison Dupont starts off with a pleasant, thirst-quenching bitterness, followed by spicy hops, a touch of pepper and stone fruit notes. Yes, saisons are great thirst-quenchers, but the style is also wonderful with food.

“Saison Dupont works really well with food – especially seafood,” offers Bryson. “I’ve had a hard time finding another beer that works as well with such a wide range of fish and shellfish; maybe not fra diavolo style, but most others. I think it’s the effervescence and the spice. It’s also great with a variety of cheeses.”

The Dupont brewery in Belgium is now run by Master Brewer Olivier Dedeycker, fourth generation of the Dupont family. “Olivier’s attention to detail is incomparable,” says Bryson who believes that Dedeycker’s approach, deeply rooted in history, “ensures the beer’s consistency and authenticity.” And it’s the reason why it takes 60+ days to make one bottle of Saison Dupont.

“Dupont’s saison deserves to be rediscovered because of its effortless consistency paired with a beautiful level of complexity. It doesn’t shout, it doesn’t need to. The flavor of these Belgian beers runs the gamut from crisply refreshing to deeply complex, and Saison Dupont sits right in the middle of that. There’s always room for it in my drinking schedule,” says Bryson.

So, why do people overlook this beer, even though it’s been called the best in the world? Bryson thinks it’s “for the same reason they overlook a lot of the Belgian classics: familiarity has bred complacency. When American craft brewers produce a fleet of saisons, the original gets lost.”

Giving the beer one last plug, Bryson adds, “Saison Dupont is so complex, it satisfies the most seasoned beer connoisseur, yet so approachable that a novice beer drinker can appreciate it as well. This beer makes friends easily. Beer lovers should ‘rediscover’ Saison Dupont to simply enjoy it, but also to establish the mark for judging American versions. Many Amer- ican saisons don’t measure up, or worse, overshoot the mark. Saisons need some balance, some restraint, and Dupont has it instinctively.” 8 draughtlinesmag.com Villanova University Celebrates its Demisemiseptcentennial Anniversary with Demisemi Ale

pale ale created by the founders of Cape May Krill and Henke created a pale ale brewed with a sam- Brewing Company for their Alma Mater is the pling of German pilsner malt, CMBC’s house ale yeast A strain and of course, a hefty dose of Centennial hops. toast of the Main Line. The beer’s name had to be Demisemiseptcentennial Ale. It pours a light copper, finishes crisp and is su- When it came time to plan a yearlong celebration for per crushable. Translation: with an alcohol content of Villanova University’s 175th Anniversary – that’s 4.5%, Demisemi is not a high octane beer. what a Demisemiseptcentennial is – Christine Quisen- berry and Chris Kovolski, both employees of the uni- CMBC has brewed other celebratory beers. In 2015 versity, knew they wanted the faculty, students and the company released #YOPO, short for You Only alumni to come together and share something very Pope Once, to commemorate Pope Francis’s visit to special. And what could be better than sharing a one- Philadelphia. The pale ale was brewed with “an un- of-a-kind, commemorative beer? They approached holy amount of hops”. Krill explains, “Both beers are Ryan Krill and Chris Henke, the founders of Cape kind of a coincidence. We are small enough where we May Brewing Company (CMBC), who just happen to can do fun things.” be Nova graduates – Class of 2005. These light-hearted, one-off brews have garnered “It was a perfect fit,” says Kovolski. “As Chris and CMBC some much deserved attention. “We’ve been Ryan built their company, they’ve done a great job ex- getting phone calls about Demisemi every day,” says hibiting what we call Villanova ideas and values. The Krill. “We’ve been getting so many phone calls, we way they’re committed to their South Jersey region, now have a script to follow.” the way they employ sustainable practices, the way they use local ingredients. It’s all reflective of what The phone has been ringing in Quisenberry’s office as we think makes our community at Villanova special.” well. “We’ve really been impressed with the feedback, and the demand. In a year when we’ve had some huge For Krill and Henke, who met at Villanova in the fall achievements – #1 overall seed in the mens NCAA of 2001 as freshman, brewing a beer for the Demisemi basketball tournament and a Top 50 University rank- – a much easier way to say Demisemiseptcentennial – ing from U. S. News & World Report – commissioning was an opportunity to pay homage to the university Demisemi has been one of the most popular things that had done so much for them. “Villanova gave us a we’ve done.” great education and lifelong friendships,” says Krill. “It’s great to have a chance to give something back to Demisemi has been difficult to get, even on Villanova’s the school that gave us both so much.” campus – a testament to how much the beer scene has changed since Krill and Henke were students. “We The challenge for the Cape May brewers was to come used to go to Erin’s Pub and drink 32 ounce Coors up with a recipe distinctive enough to honor their Lights. There was no craft beer then. Today, people Alma Mater, that was tasty, yet approachable. “The really appreciate a variety of good beer. So if you can’t beer could have gone in a ton of different directions,” get any Demisemi now, wait around and we’ll get to says Krill. “We wanted to do something that would you. Nova’s anniversary celebration doesn’t end until appeal to all the alum. Something that [Villanova Uni- December.” versity President] Father Peter would enjoy.”

Ryan Krill & Chris Henke Cape May Brewing Co.

draughtlinesmag.com 9 By Lew Bryson

GREAT BREWER MAKES EVERY BATCH OF BEER TASTE LIKE THE ONEA BEFORE. BUT WITH ALL THE NEW, EXCITING HOPS AVAILABLE, SOME BEERS WILL BE “CONSISTENTLY” DIFFERENT. HOW FUN IS THAT?

Last summer I was in St. Louis and saw Firestone Walker Luponic Dis- More locally, Luke Bowen, co-founder of Evil Genius Beer Company, tortion on tap. Hey, I'll try that! It was delicious, and part of a “keep the stands that statement on its head when he considers why they started glass” promotion. I liked the glass – a nice willi becher – so much, I care- their hop-rotator beer, This One Time At Band Camp DIPA, saying fully packed it and brought it home. But even though Luponic Distortion that beers like that are driven not by hop varieties, but by drinkers' love is sold in Philly, I cannot get that same beer in my glass again... because it's for them. “Yes,” he says, “we think that it is because consumers love not the same beer anymore. different hops. That is all the rage now! And as people are getting more familiar with hop varieties, we have been able to showcase each of them Luponic Distortion is one of the new breed of rotating hop beers, beers in various formats to be received by a very educated consumer.” that a brewery keeps steady and stable, usually under the same name, but they change up the hops. It's a reflection of the bountiful harvest of new Whether it's the hops or it's you, the hop-rotator is the latest way brew- hop strains that have been coming available. As Firestone Walker Brew- ers have of bringing us two of our favorite things: more hops and more master Matt Brynildson puts it, “In recent years, the door has been blown new, different beers. Port Brewing has been pursuing that for a while, wide open on all of these insane, new, experimental hop varieties. Luponic and have spun off another brewing group to do it: The Hop Concept. Distortion is our vehicle to venture into uncharted territory through the They started their Hop Freshener Series with a slightly different for- potential of these new cultivars.” mat: four seasons of IPAs, each tagged for the different hop characters

10 draughtlinesmag.com they delivered: Dank & Sticky, Citrus & Piney, Lemon & Grassy and Trop- simply Hop Project. But this time, there will be more, and you can get it ical & Juicy. to-go: Hop Project will be in Sly Fox's popular 360 can format.

“The premise for our Hop Freshener beers has been the same since day one,” “It came from us wanting to explore things again, and package it,” says head says co-founder Tomme Arthur. “Deliver a sense of taste and smell to brewer Brian O'Reilly. “It's still a series of beers: the can has a number on it. But consumers who are thirsty for hops, but maybe not as familiar with ex- we want the beer to be fresh, not a collector’s item on a shelf. So we make just actly the hops used. The goal has been to blend hops to reach the de- enough to get it to the market and into peoples' hands. I'm excited to talk to sired taste and smell in each beer. Of the four, Lemon & Grassy was far people about the differences. There will be changes in the hops; American and and away the most difficult!” He notes that Lemon & Grassy has been New Zealand, floral-citrus hops are where we're going to focus for a while. We're dropped from the lineup this year. also not ruling anything out. We may do a Hop Project that's a keller pils. We haven't made any rules.” Hop Concept 2.0 was “a bit more geek-like in terms of the varietals be- ing in charge,” he says. “For Galaxy & Comet, Citra & Azacca, Melon & You'll notice that some of these are single hop beers, and some are blends. O'Reil- Blanc, as well as Mosaic & Eureka, the goal was emphasis on varietal ly's statement about rules follows through with each of these other brewers: dry hopping and late whirlpool carrying the essence.” That lineup will there are no rules in this new type of release. It may be a one-off; it may happen probably change as well; they are, as all these beers are, works in every year. It may be an IPA, a DIPA, a pale ale or a pilsner (Tomme Arthur progress. says he is “tinkering with a hoppy lager recipe; just don't call it a pilsner!”).

Stone Brewing went with a pure and simple hop-rotator called The only thing you can count on, and the thing that makes these beers so in- Hop Revolver. The first one was released in January, featuring Lo- teresting and irresistible, is that they're different, and changing. When ral hops. Like Stone's popular “Enjoy By” series, Hop Revolver is you see that tap of Luponic Distortion, that bottle of Band Camp, that can a grab-it-while-you-can kind of thing. If you of Hop Project 001 or smell the wild aroma of a miss it, well, you missed it, because it won't fresh-poured Hop Concept, or watch someone be back. pouring a Hop Revolver... your curiosity will make you grab it. You'll just have to know. But Sly Fox is joining in the fun with an ex- don't get used to it; the next one's coming right pansion of their beloved IPA Project and behind! Pale Ale Project single-hop releases, called

draughtlinesmag.com 11 CLEVELAND UNTAPPED By Christopher Munden

Great Lakes Brewers Share a Few Must-See Attractions in Their Favorite City

nce the stereotypical hard-luck city, Cleveland has rediscov- • Across the street from our pub is Cleveland’s oldest public market, the ered its cool. Thanks to two brothers and their love of Europe- impressive West Side Market. You can find anything from fresh meat an-style craft beer, it’s a beer town once again. and pasta to spices, flowers and lunch to-go. OurOhio City Farm is just O across the parking lot. It’s one of the larger urban farms in the country, When Dan and Pat Conway opened Great Lakes Brewing Company and it yields fresh produce and herbs for seasonal items on our menu. (GLBC) as a small brewpub in a vacant bar back in 1988, Cleveland’s beer landscape was bleak. The brothers were the only people making • If you’re looking to take in beautiful views of the Cleveland skyline beer in this city, once home to hundreds of brewers. A beer-seeking and enjoy watersports or a hike, one of our favorite spots is Edgewater vacationer had little reason to put Cleveland on their itinerary. But in Park and nearby Whiskey Island. You can rent a kayak, paddle around a few short decades, that has changed. Now, a visit to the Great Lakes and finish up with a sandwich and a pint at the casual riverfront restau- Brewing Company can be the foundation of a unique, cultural experi- rant Merwin’s Wharf. ence. • See films from the world over at the 12-day Cleveland International Today, folks can’t get enough of Great Lakes’ European-style beers Film Festival. The energy is palpable. If you’re not around during the with names inspired by Cleveland’s history: Commodore Perry IPA festival, try the Cedar Lee Theater for interesting independent films and (after the hero of a Lake Erie naval victory), Burning River Pale Ale (af- weekend cult movie nights. ter the infamous 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga River) and Turntable Pils (a nod to Cleveland’s rich music history). Of course, if you tour the brew- • Enjoy our world class orchestra at Severance Hall or take in the al- ery, you’ll sample unique, one-off beers only available on the premis- ways-free Cleveland Museum of Art in University City. Then visit Chef es – GLBC makes 100 different beers in any given year. But check the Zack Bruell’s L’Albatros for excellent French cuisine, or go casual at the brewpub’s schedule of events before you go. Take advantage of their Happy Dog East at Euclid Tavern – a great place to catch live music and free comedy and music nights, or make a reservation for a Brewmas- entertainment. ter’s Dinner. The experience, not to mention the food and beer, are not to be missed. • It’s an exciting time to be a Cleveland baseball fan, and Progressive Field is a must-visit stadium with food and beverages from some of our Yes, there’s more to Cleveland than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! favorite Cleveland neighborhoods, including our beer garden in Left We asked the Conway brothers for some tips on what to see after your Field. Dine and drink at our brewpub before the game and our shuttle brewery tour. Here are Pat and Dan’s recommendations… will take you to and from the stadium!

12 draughtlinesmag.com DRINKTHESE NOW

Take a Walk on the Wheat Side

Guinness Irish Wheat Brewed with Guinness ale yeast and 100% Irish wheat, this refreshing beer offers notes of zesty citrus, subtle clove and banana. 5.3% ABV

21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon A crisp, dry and refreshing wheat beer brewed with real watermelon. 4.9% ABV

Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat Golden as the summer sun, Summer Honey Wheat has a slightly sweet clover honey taste with a hint of citrus. Light biscuity malt and a slight hop bitterness provide balance. 5.2% ABV

Weyerbacher Wit Coriander, orange peel, grains of paradise and star anise give a light spiciness to the aroma, while this refreshingly crisp wheat ale finishes with just a hint of tartness. 4.6% ABV

Evil Genius Ma! The Meatloaf! An easy-drinking, fruit-forward wheat beer, made totally unique with an addition of mango in the fermenter. 5% ABV

Yuengling Summer Wheat A German weizen-style brew with a slightly hazy appearance and overtones of banana and clove. 4.6% ABV

Sea Dog Sunfish This delicate wheat beer is light-bodied, with refreshing hints of peach and grapefruit. 4.6% ABV

UFO Huckleberry Natural huckleberry flavor is added to this hefeweizen to make it the perfect blend of sweet and refreshing. 4.8% ABV HOP ART Fortem The First Release From Firestone Walker’s Leo v. Ursus Chronology of Beers

onflict and creativity produce great beer. At least that’s the philosophy David Walker and Adam Firestone put into practice at their miniature, state-of-the-art, experimental Cbrewery called the Propagator. It’s also the reason why the label designed for Fortem – an unfiltered New England-style double IPA and the first beer released in the brewery’s Leo v. Ursus Chronology of Beers – features a new rendering of the bear and lion poised for battle.

Firestone Walker is best known for Union Jack IPA, Pivo Pils and Luponic Distortion. Fans of these and other FW beers know that the lion and the bear represent the brewery’s founders. Firestone, a native Californian, is the bear. (There’s a bear on California’s state flag.) And Walker, who hails from the United Kingdom, is the lion. (The lion is a cherished symbol of England.)

“Adam and David are brothers-in-law. They are close and get along, but our brewery culture is founded upon a healthy tension that has always existed between them,” says Firestone Walker spokesperson Jamie C. Smith. “The imagery of the lion and the bear captures the beneficial conflict that exists between these two. David and Adam are always in pursuit of the perfect beer. They each have strong opinions and are willing to experiment and re- vise beer recipes until they have made the best beer possible. The Propagator is the perfect incubator for them to make exciting, in- novative beers.”

Fortem, Latin for The Strong, is the first release in a chronology of beers developed at the Propagator. “Until the Propagator came along, our ability to experiment and go crazy with tiny batches was limited,” says Firestone Walker’s Brewmaster Matt Brynild- son. “Here we can be creative with a host of new hop cultivars. This is a new chapter for us. We will go to our graves wishing we had made the perfect beer – but we will give it our best shot with Leo v. Ursus.” TB the bookshelf

home after a stressful day at the office and cook a gourmet meal, served with an unaffordable French white – nope, we’re dealing THIS CALLS FOR A with real life – stressing over first dates, tackling the impossible feat of assembling an IKEA coffee table, worrying about those quickly DRINK! approaching “big” birthdays and stalking exes on Facebook. THE BEST WINES & BEERS Beginning with the basics – learning to taste wine and beer, under- standing glassware and deciphering labels – McMartin breaks it TO PAIR WITH EVERY SITUATION all down in a relatable and fun way. But the majority of the book is dedicated to the really good stuff – what to drink and when to by Diane McMartin drink it. Having dinner with your significant other’s family? By now, most of us know that full-bodied, roasty stouts bring out the best in decadent, chocolate Attending your high school reunion? desserts, while hoppy IPAs work well to tame the Watching an awards show? burn of spicy foods. But which adult beverages pair best with the important (and not so import- McMartin offers recommendations for so many situations, deliv- ant) events in life? Until now, many have been at ered in a voice that is fresh and full of sass. She’s clearly someone a loss. who enjoys a good drink and teaching others about beer and wine. And she relays information in a way that is personable, accessible and refreshingly funny. While the tone may be a bit on the feminine In her new book, This Calls for a Drink! The Best Wines and Beers to side, men who drink beer and wine will get a kick out of these sit- Pair with Every Situation, certified sommelier Diane McMartin pairs uational pairings too. her favorite libations with the circumstances, emotions and mile- stones that life throws our way. This Calls for a Drink! is a great read for anyone who wants to enjoy a drink, no matter what's going on in their lives. With plenty of The very witty McMartin writes about wine and beer with an un- LOL moments, you’ll be surprised how much you actually learn derstanding of everyday life. She knows most of us don’t come from this book.

draughtlinesmag.com 15 gets draughted BRIAN O’REILLY Sly Fox Brewmaster

16 draughtlinesmag.com The Trail and the Ale

Released every year in anticipation of Earth Day, the 22nd of April, Schuylkill River Trail Ale is a refreshing, hop-forward, American pale ale, brewed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. But this great tasting, easily crushable beer is made to do more than quench your thirst. It is brewed to honor and raise money for the 130-mile Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) that runs through communities from rural Schuylkill County all the way to Philadelphia.

Situated on six acres adjacent to the Schuylkill River Trail, Sly Fox is famous for its award-winning beers and its outdoor events – Can Jam Music Festival, Cyclocross Race and of course, one of the area’s best beer events, the annual Bock Fest and Goat Race.

draughtlinesmag.com 17 raught Lines reached out to Sly to be recognized, but we are excited that our efforts Fox Brewmaster Brian O’Reilly to help maintain the trail and fund the procurement of call boxes, for safety, along the trail. Dtalk about how the brewery’s passion for craft beer and dedication to the en- D.L. Can a beer like SRT Ale influence how people vironment go hand-in-hand. think about natural resources and the enjoyment of the great outdoors? D.L. First, let’s talk about SRT Ale, the actual liquid. B.O. I think it can. Drinking beer is more than just B.O. It’s a low alcohol [4.6%], golden hop-forward the drinking and the tasting. It’s about a shared American pale ale. Many call it a session IPA, but experience and the time we spend together. If peo- I’ll leave that decision up to you. It comes in 12 oz. ple know what SRT Ale stands for and that Sly Fox cans and draught. I think it’s a great tasting, easily wants them to “Enjoy Anywhere – Recycle Ev- crushable beer that helps give back to the commu- erywhere”, that’s our motto, they will at least get nity. the message that our brewery cares about how we impact our corner of the world. Hopefully it gets D.L. The SRT is often called a “hidden gem”. When them thinking along the same lines. But if people did you and your Sly Fox co-workers decide to buy it because it is a great tasting beer, that’s OK, make SRT Ale and raise money for its upkeep and too. preservation? D.L. The SRT begins in rural Pottstville and continues B.O. Well it might not be hidden for long. USA To- through Philadelphia. Does that have any signifi- day named the SRT “Best Urban Trail in the Na- cance to you and the folks at the brewery? tion”. B.O. We all believe that places like this are where D.L. That may in part be thanks to your efforts. everybody comes together. Whether you live in Schuylkill County or a crowded city neighborhood, B.O. Well, maybe. We started brewing SRT Ale three everyone should have access to a place like the years ago. We did it for many reasons. Both our lo- SRT. It adds to our quality of life and personally, it cations [the Pottstown brewery and the brewpub makes me feel connected to a bigger community – in Phoenixville] are located along the trail which one that extends to Philadelphia. runs parallel to the river. We take advantage of it all the time, so we wanted to highlight the SRT’s D.L. What’s the SRT Spree? It’s scheduled for the recreational value and how access to the trail and 21st and 22nd of April. the river enhances everyone’s enjoyment of the outdoors. And you can’t brew good beer without good B.O. It’s a party that celebrates the trail and the water. Earth Day release [April 22nd] of SRT Ale. You can kayak, cycle, hike or run with folks from our brew- D.L. Speaking of the water, you and your family do ery or participate in organized cleanups. There’s some kayaking. even a 50k relay race along the trail. The event ends with a huge party in Phoenixville’s St. Michael’s B.O. Each year for Father’s Day at my request, my Park where there will be food trucks, live music family and I kayak up the canal in Phoenixville and and plenty of beer, including SRT Ale. Every great back down the river. It’s not much work. It’s close outdoor adventure should end with a great beer! to home. I live on the Valley Forge side of Phoenix- ville, and it’s a great way to unwind. D.L. What else is going on at Sly Fox?

D.L. Sly Fox was given the “Schuylkill River B.O. We are working on a new IPA Series called Legacy Award”. The beer and the brewery’s efforts Hop Project. The beers will be fresh, new, experi- to support the trail must be going well. mental IPAs. Then our Bock Fest, better known as the Sly Fox Goat Race, is the first Sunday in May. B.O. We’ve donated over $9,000 to the Schuylkill There’s always something going on and I wouldn’t River Heritage Greenway Association from pro- have it any other way! ceeds we set aside from the sale of SRT Ale. It’s nice

18 draughtlinesmag.com “Brewing a tribute beer to this crown jewel of regional recreation was a natural fit for us,” says O’Reilly. “And besides the recreational value that the trail brings to all the communities along the river, the Schuylkill Watershed is vital to the work we do at Sly Fox. We are grateful for the opportunity to give back.”

draughtlinesmag.com 19 and stone fruit to round out its finish. It a guy walks is brewed with four different hops (Chi- nook, Cascade, Comet and Azacca), then into a bar and dry-hopped again, which gives the beer its piney citrus notes. “A huge part of Belgian says to the tradition is using different ingredients and brewing methods to create new flavors,” bartender... said Allagash Brewing Company founder Rob Tod. “That’s exactly what Hoppy Table Beer is.”

“what do light Another great choice is the new GFB from Green Flash Brewing Company in San Di- beer and making ego, California. GFB is a light, refreshing, crushable blonde ale with hints of honey love in a canoe and orange peel, complemented by a mel- low malt character. When asked what the have in common? appeal of a session beer is, Green Flash Brewmaster Erik Jensen had a ready reply. they are both “If you like to drink beer… sometimes a lot of beer, you can’t always do that with f***ing near an IPA, Belgian tripel or barrel-aged stout. With GFB, you get a lower-alcohol, high-fla- water.” vor beer in line with other great Green Flash beers of the past that have been easy to drink and keep you coming back for more.” hen you think about a light beer, what Wcomes to mind? For some, a light beer is If you want to have a beer from a local brew- just like this old joke. There’s very little flavor ery, Delco Lager from 2SP Brewing Compa- so it’s like drinking water. Now suppose it’s ny in Aston, Pennsylvania is a wonderful, a hot Saturday afternoon. Friends are coming sessionable lager. Delco Lager incorporates over for a backyard barbeque that might end smooth malts, clean hops and a crisp finish. after the sun goes down. No one’s watching It is a classic, everyday beer, updated for to- the clock. There is plenty of food and enough day with premium ingredients. time to enjoy a few beers without fear of getting a DUI. You’re in the mood for beer that A few months ago, Michael Contreras, Dire- is low in alcohol, but not low in flavor. Light ctor of Sales and Marketing for 2SP predict- beer? Nope. What you really want is a session ed that session beers, and lagers in particu- beer. Better yet, you want a crushable session lar, would be a big trend in the Philadelphia beer. area this year. And apparently he was right. “It seems each region has their own style,” A well-balanced, low alcohol beer – usually be- said Contreras. “In Colorado, New England low 5% is a session beer. But a crushable ses- and California, they favor various versions sion beer is all that, and more. It’s a tasty, low of IPAs, but our top two selling beers are ABV beer that has the kind of flavor that makes Delco Lager and 2SPils, a German lager. you want to go back again and again. As session beers become more popular, we look forward to having a strong identity in Session beers are available year-round. They’re the region.” not just for fun-in-the-sun. So let’s take a look at some stand-outs. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chi- co, California offers a variety of sessionable First up is Hoppy Table Beer from Allagash beers. Sidecar Orange Pale Ale is a pale Brewing Company in Portland, Maine. It’s ale with a twist. It’s brewed with Cascade, a beer inspired by Belgian tradition, but it’s Equinox and Mandarina hops, which all clearly a hybrid American style. Hoppy Ta- have a bright, citrus-heavy character. There’s ble Beer features a hop-forward aroma, notes also a hint of orange peel from additions in of grapefruit and the flavors of pine, citrus

20 draughtlinesmag.com both the brew kettle and the fermenter that tweak the classic hop pro- file and add a zesty pop of bright orange flavor. Also from Sierra, Nooner Pilsner is a crisp, hoppy take on a classic German-style pilsner, one of the original session beers. Nooner is easy drinking, yet packed with the big flavor of spicy and floral whole-cone hops. And for a true artisan experience, Kelle- rweis is the brewery’s hazy wheat ale, inspired by traditional Bavarian techniques. This brew has a full, fruity aroma with notes of spicy cloves and banana bread.

Bottom line, a session beer simply needs to be lower in alcohol, but NOT low in taste. What’s fun about trying these beers is that there’s so much flavor you almost can’t believe they are low in alcohol.

Now get out there and start crushing.

Clockwise from left: Rob Tod of Allagash Brewing Co.; Allagash Hoppy Table Beer; 2SP Delco Lager; Mike Contreras and Bob Barrar of 2SP Brew- ing Co.; Sierra Nevada Sidecar; Green Flash Brewmaster Erik Jensen

draughtlinesmag.com 21 Test Your IPA I.Q. fter attending a recent lecture by noted beer author Josh Bern- Session IPA: Lagunitas DayTime stein, the staff here at Draught Lines decided it was time to put Fruit IPA: Green Flash Tangerine Soul Style ourA money where our mouth is… White IPA: Blue Moon White IPA Triple Hopped IPA: Heavy Seas Loose Cannon Back in March, Bernstein, author of Complete IPA: The Guide Wet Hop IPA: Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter to Your Favorite Craft Beer, hosted a lecture titled “A Guide to Black IPA: Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale IPAs” where he discussed craft beer’s most ubiquitous style Rye IPA: Dock Street Rye IPA and its seemingly endless variations. Wheat/IPA Hybrid: Evil Genius Hooray! Sports!

Following his presentation, and some healthy debate, we de- We opened the bottles and placed them in paper bags so we cided it was time to see who had the best palate by conducting couldn’t tell which beer was inside. Then we numbered them an old fashioned blind IPA taste-off. 1 through 10. Placing a cup next to each beer, we all tasted them. When the answers were revealed, some of us were more First we grabbed a bunch of our favorite IPAs, but you can successful than others – nailing a beer style is harder than you’d choose whatever sub-styles you’d like. Here’s what we used: think.

American East Coast-Style IPA: Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA Have fun testing your IPA I.Q. And don’t forget… if you talk American West Coast-Style IPA: Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA trash, you have to back it up!

22 draughtlinesmag.com Fishtown on Foot Walk this way through a Philadelphia neighborhood with a booming beer scene.

hiladelphia has always been an incredible city for beer drinkers. From South Philly, to Queen Village, all the way up to Port Richmond, each pocket of this city has its own identity Pwith a bar and restaurant scene to match. But over the past few years, one neighborhood in particular has undergone an explosion of new beer bars: Fishtown.

Behold, your guide to Fishtown on Foot – making stops at old standbys, as well as exploring some of the area’s newest beer bars.

Located northeast of Center City between the Delaware River and Frankford Ave., Fishtown was historically the cornerstone of Phil- adelphia’s fishing industry in the 18th and 19th centuries (hence its unique name). Still home to many working class Irish Catholic Philadelphians, Fishtown has experienced a fury of growth this past decade.

With the warmer weather finally upon us and the grand opening of Evil Genius’s brand new brewery on Front St., Draught Lines decided it was high time to pub crawl through Fishtown.

Behold, your guide to Fishtown on Foot – making stops at old standbys, as well as exploring some of the area’s newest beer bars.

If you’re taking public transportation, the El stops at Girard and Berks, both very close to some of Fishtown’s best bars. If you’re driving, parking on Frankford Ave. can be a little tough. Luckily, parking one block over on Front St. is much easier – especially up near Cecil B. Moore, which just so happens to be right across the street from one of Fishtown’s newest hotspots: Evil Genius Beer Company.

This past March after years of planning, Luke Bowen and Trevor Hayward, the founders of Evil Genus, proudly opened their first permanent home at 1727 N. Front St. And boy is it a beauty. This jaw-dropping, huge, industrial space even has an outdoor beer garden!

On tap are Evil Genius classics like I’ll Have What She’s Having and Stacy’s Mom, but you’ll also find plenty of limited “lab ex-

draughtlinesmag.com 23 clusives” like Ermahgerd! Rhsberries! a raspberry Baltic porter, or Trust the Process, an IPA brewed with Galaxy and Amarillo hops. If you’re on the move, like we were, and don’t get a chance to try all the limited releases they have available, you can snag a growler or crowler to-go!

Walking east on Cecil B. and down Frankford Ave., stop at the Philadelphia Record Exchange or grab some frozen yogurt at The Igloo on your way to the next destination – Bottle Bar East. It opened four years ago as a standard takeout bottle shop, but has since undergone quite a transformation.

“We started with just four taps,” says bartender Josh Aptner. “But Fishtown just blew up so quickly that we had to expand. The kitchen was expanded, the upstairs was expanded. Now we have 13 taps. This used to be my favorite spot before I started working here. The draught program is killing it, the food is killing it, all at reason- able prices.”

With a few stops under your belt and a few beers in your belly, it could be time to grab some grub. Right next door to Bottle Bar East, Kensington Quarters is dedicated to supporting local farmers and producers. The amazing menu has something for everyone. Gen- eral Manager Tim Kweeder says, “We champion small farmers and we do it pretty well here. We still maintain a whole animal butch- ery which is unique to Fishtown. Even our breweries are super local. We like to keep it all Pennsylvania and New Jersey.” The patio out back is one of the best spots to enjoy a cold beer while soaking in those Fishtown rays. “When I first started here, this neighborhood was so different. But Paul and William [owners of Johnny Brenda’s] did a lot for Fishtown. It’s a destination now. You can come here and hit so many different places, depending on what you’re looking for.” -Tabitha

Fueled up and feeling good, take a jog down to Frankford and Gi- rard to hit up one of Fishtown’s most beloved craft beer bars: John- ny Brenda’s. A bar that ignited the Fishtown beer scene 14 years ago, Johnny Brenda’s was built on a philosophy of supporting local breweries. All their taps are from breweries within a 90 mile radius, so you’re likely to see lots of local favorites like 2SP, Sly Fox, Wey- erbacher and Dogfish.

As one of the most storied bars in the area, Johnny Brenda’s has been uniquely positioned to witness Fishtown’s transformation. “Fishtown has changed tremendously,” says longtime bartender Tabitha. “When I first started here, this neighborhood was so different. But Paul and William [owners of Johnny Brenda’s] did a lot for Fishtown. It’s a destination now. You can come here and hit so many different places, depending on what you’re looking for.”

Take a trip down Girard and stop into another of Fishtown’s new- er bars: Sancho Pistolas. Sister bar to the Center City darling Jose Pistolas, Sancho’s setting is more intimate with a homerun menu. Their 10 taps are always rotating and the late night happy hour from midnight to 1 AM is the place to be after seeing a show at the Fillmore or Brenda’s.

At this point of your Fishtown pub crawl, you probably need a little pick me up – if so, head up to Front Street Cafe. Opened in 2015, Front Street Cafe’s menu has food that’s perfect for whatever mood you’re in. And you can sip expertly crafted coffee or a draught beer on the back patio.

“With a place like Front Street Cafe that has so much to offer, in a neighborhood like Fishtown, you tend to see a ton of different types of people,” says server Carolyn Marks. “From business pro- fessionals in for lunch, to people with face tattoos – we run the gamut.”

24 draughtlinesmag.com Now it’s time to walk off a few of those beers and head east, down Thompson St. up to Cedar St. to the legendary Fishtown taque- ria, Loco Pez. This cash-only dive bar features décor straight out of your grandparents’ basement and a menu inspired by the taco trucks of Los Angeles. If you’re feeling particularly courageous, try the Gordo Board Taco Challenge that entices brave-souls to eat four pounds of tacos in under nine minutes. The prize? Besides becom- ing Fishtown-famous with your name immortalized on the Gordo Board above the bar, is a free T-shirt! It’s worth it.

Right across the street from Loco Pez sits our last stop, Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen. This relaxed establishment features 14 taps, hand- pumped cask beer and an outdoor deck. The menu features ret- ro-American classics with some soulful, contemporary concepts. The Cubano and Seitan Wings are musts and the outdoor deck is the perfect spot to wrap up a long pub crawl through Fishtown on foot.

Philadelphia is an amazing beer drinking city and neighborhoods like Fishtown continue to improve upon that tradition with an eclectic collection of craft beer bars, all within walking distance of each other. There’s a tap list and a lunch menu for everyone, so take the trek north of Girard to experience for yourself, all this area has to offer.

THE FISHTOWN PUB CRAWL

Evil Genius Beer Company 1727 N. Front St. Bottle Bar East 1308 Frankford Ave. Kensington Quarters 1310 Frankford Ave. Johnny Brenda’s 1201 Frankford Ave. Sancho Pistolas 19 W. Girard Ave. Front Street Cafe 1253 N. Front St. Loco Pez 2401 E. Norris St. Cedar Point Bar & Kitchen 2370 E. Norris St.

draughtlinesmag.comwww.origlio.com 25 Getting a Handle on Things

e’ve all been there… you walk into a crowd- or a particular beer. Detail and a unique de- ed bar and make a beeline for the bartender sign, as well as the use of humor or beautiful Wto order a beer. But a draught list is nowhere in colors, help sell the mystery behind what the sight, so you scan the tap handles before ordering. tap represents, hopefully making people cu- Can a tap handle entice you to try a beer? rious enough to try the beer.”

Brian Thomas, owner and curator of Amaz- With so many beers on tap, an eye-catching ing Tap Handles – The Tap Handle Museum, handle gets a beer noticed. As one brewer said which houses a collection of over 1,000 han- to Thomas, “Once they try my beer, they’re dles, knows a great handle when he sees one. hooked. The hard part is getting them to try “The tap handle should suggest to someone it in the first place.” That’s what a great tap who looks at it that there is a story to tell. should accomplish – that initial hook. That story should be about the brewery, a personal connection to the brewery’s owner Here are some of our favorites…

Shiner Dogfish Head Bock Namaste

With a hand-painted ram’s This tap handle is flat out head on top and Shiner awesome. The skeleton Bock inscribed on the swings freely from the body in brown and red, base of the handle and this handle lets everyone bows as it’s pulled. Just in the room know what’s like the beer, this handle on tap. is bursting with good karma.

26 draughtlinesmag.com Oskar Blues Modelo Dale s Pale Negra Ale No one does Dia de Los In 2002, Oskar Blues began Muertos quite like Modelo, the craft-beer-in-a-can- and this seasonal tap han- craze when they started dle is the epitome of the canning Dale’s Pale Ale. Mexican celebration. Ador- It’s only fitting that the ned with an ornate sugar brewery’s tap handles res- skull and dripping gold, emble their iconic cans. this handle is a visual rep- resentation of the artisan liquid it pours.

Ayinger Samuel Adams Oktober Rebel Juiced Fest-Marzen IPA

Ayinger’s Oktober Fest- The signature of a true reb- Marzen tap handle brings el, this tap handle looks, a taste of Germany to feels and even sounds like local pubs. The figurine a real can of spray paint. atop the handle, dressed The edgy and chaotic gra- head to toe in traditional ffiti design stands out am- Oktoberfest garb (leder- ong the masses. hosen and all), invites you to enjoy a pint of Bavar- ia’s best beer.

draughtlinesmag.com 27 Behind theSuds

Dogfish Head Record Store Day

s the brewery enters its third year as the Offi- cial Beer of Record Store Day, Dogfish Head Ahas released a celebratory brew, Beer to Drink Music To ‘17, a music-inspired tropical blonde ale brewed with kiwi juice and hibiscus flowers. Ad- ditionally, the brewery will release a limited-edi- tion, vinyl LP of songs selected by brewery founder Sam Calagione. Unfortunately, the track list won’t be released until Record Store Day – April 22, 2017. DFH has also teamed up with Crosley Radio, architect of the iconic turntable, to kick off a 29-city tour. Fox & Hound in King of Prussia, Johnny Brenda’s in Fishtown and Jose Pistolas in Center City will be the last stops of this roll- ing gallery, which celebrates indie music, original artwork, Crosley record players and off-centered beers.

Guinness to Build U.S. Facility

orld-renowned Irish brewer Guinness is opening a pilot brewery in Baltimore Coun- Wty, Maryland, bringing the experience of Dublin’s iconic Guinness Open Gate Brewery to the U. S. The facility, anticipated to open this fall, will brew and feature beers created solely for the United States. The St. James Gate facility will still be home to the iconic Guinness Stout.

Evil Genius Aims to Become a Zero Waste Brewery

vil Genius Beer Co., known for such beers as This One Time at Band Camp! Double IPA and Pur- Eple Monkey Dishwasher Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout, has officially opened a new brewery in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. The brewery’s founders want to make a big impact on the region’s beer scene with minimal impact on the environment. “All the wood in the building is re- claimed,” says Evil Genius co-owner Luke Bowen. “And there’s radiant heat under the floor to heat the building, which uses steam from the brewing process. We are aiming to be a zero waste brewery.”

Dock Street Now Available in Cans

hiladelphia’s own Dock Street Brewery now offers a few of their award-winning beers in P16 oz. cans. The first three to be released are Dock Street Golden IPA, and two seasonals; No Exit Double IPA and Jip the Blood, a Berliner Weisse made with blood orange puree. Brewed and pack- aged at their new cannery [adjacent to the brewpub located on Baltimore Avenue in Philadel- phia], Dock Street expects to offer more of their year-round and seasonal brews in cans very soon.

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