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Beer (rec.drink.beer) Discussing various aspects of that fine beverage referred to as beer. Including interesting beers and beer styles, opinions on tastes and ingredients, reviews of brewpubs and breweries & suggestions about where to shop. |
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"Steve Jackson" > wrote in
news:aiZte.3398$1q2.778@trnddc01: > "Scott Kaczorowski" > wrote in message > ... > >> JWMcDaddy seemed to me to be implying that sheer selection >> (ie, importation from either coast) was high on his list >> of attributes he feels important for Best Beer City in the >> US. >> >> I disagree. > > Me too. I outlined that elsewhere, And better than I could have. Which is why I skipped the usual baiting. > One of my favorite pubs in the UK, located way out in the > hinterlands of Plymouth, Isn't that the damndest thing? In the middle of 6,000 sheep, hand- built stone walls...and all of a sudden, there's one of those iconic red phone booths and a pub. I love England. I love everything about it. I love the people, who are polite but not friendly (suits me fine). I love the fact that you can get to countryside by driving 10 minutes in any direction. I love... But most of all I love The Culture. You (all) can certainly take me to task for my blatherings on Pils and variations thereof, but I adore the 5 or so flavors of dry- hopped, cask-conditioned, Yorkshire-squared Special Bitter to be had in beautiful old English pubs. I was in a largish pub in <mumble> but it didn't feel largish. I'd gone for a walk and stumbled upon this place. It was notable first off because one of the staff tending bar was a woman (rare in my experience, your bar staff may vary). But it was a series of cozy little booths. I'd brought a book (on the WWII US carrier war in the Pacific, FWIW) and got me a pint (Second point of note: it was unusually gifted with hop aroma - I could smell it as she was pulling it (er, you know what I mean)), found me a booth, and...had an enjoyable couple of hours. In the local reality, the booths were really more serpentine than cubbyholes, and people would come in, order pints, look for a place to sit, see me reading, and look for someplace else. The place was crowded, but there was nobody within 6 feet of me. Which is funny, because I didn't want company. I even waved people into seats next to me. "You're reading. Cheers." Maybe reading is rude behaviour in a pub. I really don't know. But God bless the British. > Atmosphere trumps selection any day, for me. Of course we could easily tear that down. If the local gothic Abbey was converted to a pub and served only Corona... >>> and Ommegang. >> >> Really sucks. > > Actually, yeah. Tremendously over-rated. Oh....I dunno. They make enjoyable beers IMO. I'm not sure they claim (?) to live up to their Belgian counterparts. Sucks? C'mon. >>> PDX *is* a damn fine beer city. >> >> I thought it was an airport. Even as such, the selection >> is very good and the environment is certainly better'n >> your typical ??X. > > Portland definitely has places that win on the beer > selection/quality scale as well as the atmosphere scale. > I'd be quite content planting down at the Horse Brass, > Laurelwood (during non-kiddie-infestation hours) or Rose > and Raindrop any day. You'll all be glad to know that I'm ready to be killed now. I forgot all about the Horse Brass. OTOH, the smoke (a literal haze every time I've been there) is ****ed up, so maybe it's not such a travesty after all... Scott |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... > It certainly is. Portland would be the other obvious choice and > slightly ahead of Seattle IMO. I would put Anchorage in the > top ten along with the Philly area (or maybe Lancaster). If we're going to start this dick-waving again (and why not), I'd scrag Lancaster right away, despite it being my birthright and beloved homeland. Pittsburgh has it beat hollow. Baltimore kicks its ass. And Harrisburg is shockingly well-watered these days. Lancaster got off to a good start, but I'll be damned if it hasn't slacked off. Be glad to hear reasons I'm wrong on this. -- Lew Bryson "As for talking shit in this NG, Lew, you're the undisputed king, and that's no SHITE." -- Bob Skilnik, 1/31/02 www.lewbryson.com |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message ... > "JW Steve" > wrote in message > ... > > It certainly is. Portland would be the other obvious choice and > > slightly ahead of Seattle IMO. I would put Anchorage in the > > top ten along with the Philly area (or maybe Lancaster). > > If we're going to start this dick-waving again (and why not), I'd scrag > Lancaster right away, despite it being my birthright and beloved homeland. > Pittsburgh has it beat hollow. Baltimore kicks its ass. And Harrisburg is > shockingly well-watered these days. Lancaster got off to a good start, but > I'll be damned if it hasn't slacked off. Be glad to hear reasons I'm wrong > on this. > > -- > Lew Bryson > Yah, well, I was really searching for southeast PA generally. A place with Victory and Stoudts within a stone's throw of each other deserves a mention. That's what I was srtuggling with because I don't think Philly is the right answer. Do you think Pitt and Balt kick that general area's ass or are you saying Lancaster proper? I just had the Troegs from out of Harrisburg (or is it York), not too shabby. I just bought a house down in Lititz, so I'll be gettting some more opportunity to sample some of the local brews (appreciate any suggestions of stuff that's relativel new). The biggest thing that sucks about that area is the blue laws that force you to buy cases. Contrasted with NYC, where practically every bodega is brimming with sixes of micros and belgian bombers, it's a big minus for the area. -Steve |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... > "Lew Bryson" > wrote in message >> "JW Steve" > wrote in message >> > top ten along with the Philly area (or maybe Lancaster). >> >> If we're going to start this dick-waving again (and why not), I'd scrag >> Lancaster right away, despite it being my birthright and beloved >> homeland. >> Pittsburgh has it beat hollow. Baltimore kicks its ass. And Harrisburg is >> shockingly well-watered these days. Lancaster got off to a good start, >> but >> I'll be damned if it hasn't slacked off. Be glad to hear reasons I'm >> wrong >> on this. > > Yah, well, I was really searching for southeast PA generally. A place > with > Victory and Stoudts within a stone's throw of each other deserves a > mention. > That's what I was srtuggling with because I don't think Philly is the > right > answer. Do you think Pitt and Balt kick that general area's ass or are > you > saying Lancaster proper? Lanco proper just ain't in it. Philly and near suburbs beats Baltimore -- cool though Charm City is -- but Pittsburgh...tough call. I truly think Da Burgh is one of the most underrated beer towns going. Philly probably has it on the basis of a better import scene, but Sharp Edge gives Monk's a run for their money. > I just had the Troegs from out of Harrisburg (or is it York), not too > shabby. > I just bought a house down in Lititz, so I'll be gettting some more > opportunity > to sample some of the local brews (appreciate any suggestions of stuff > that's relativel new). The biggest thing that sucks about that > area is the blue laws that force you to buy cases. Contrasted with NYC, > where practically every bodega is brimming with sixes of micros and > belgian bombers, it's a big minus for the area. Lititz, nice, love to live there. Always liked that town, pretty country north of there, too. Troegs is damned good, and just getting better (Harrisburg; brewing's never caught on in York). Don't call the case law a blue law, though: the wholesalers inflicted that on themselves back in Repeal days. Stupid, and they regret it now, but the anti-alcohol forces had nothing to do with that one. Flip side of the case law, of course, is that the draft beer scene's pretty good, particularly since PA law says you have to clean draft lines EVERY WEEK, and log it. One of our few good booze laws, and one every state should have. I've had bar owners elsewhere proudly tell me that they clean every month. I do know a place in CT, though, that cleans every DAY. Amazing. New local beers...Lancaster's beers are changing for the better, and Stoudt's has re-tooled the whole line-up, love it. Legacy, out of Reading, is making a knock-out red ale called Hedonism, and a downright delish Reading Pils. -- Lew Bryson God Bless America. "They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759. |
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JW Steve wrote:
> "dgs" > wrote in message > ... > >>JW Steve wrote: >> >>>[...] Seattle might >>>be the best city in the U.S. for great beer and food. Although >>>the latter is pretty expensive. >> >>It is? Good eats in Seatown can be pricey, especially at the >>swankier upper-end joints, but it's possible to get good eats >>here without breaking the bank ... much as it is in, say, San >>Francisco, L.A., or NYC. > > Probably true, but the high end is higher than New York for > the most part. Even out in the burbs, places were pretty > pricey. Eh? Even Seattle's old-money Canlis doesn't quite hit the nosebleed levels of the likes of bygones Lutece, Lespinasse, and Le Cirque. We don't have anything charging what Nobu does for Japanese. Add V Steakhouse, Oceana, and no shortage of other high-end joints. NYC may not have the crazy-expensive places in such profusion any more, but NYC high end is still pretty gosh-durned high. Best 'burban joints I can think of are Cafe Juanita and the Herb Farm, and I'll grant you Herb Farm's status as high-end, but not really any more so than (getting away from NYC a bit) the Inn at Little Washington in Virginia. >>But NYC has Peter Luger's, and it's still one of the very best >>steak joints in the known universe. > > Indeed, although the Metropolitan grill ain't too shabby either. This is true. I make do with JaK's, a neighborhood steak joint within walking distance, so I can slug down a couple-three beers with dinner. >>[...] The >>120 Minute gets more than a bit cloying after a while, no matter >>how many IBUs lie under that malt blast. > > > Not a problem for me. I certainly wouldn't make a session beer, but > I have no complaints because it's what I expect from a beer like > that. I s'pose if you leave in in a cellar for a while, it might do something like a JWLees Harvest Ale and get better. That sugar edge doesn't do it for me otherwise. Yet I like Schneider's Aventinus Eis Weizenbock and the Austrian-brewed Samiclaus. Go figure. > [...] Not sure how much of it gets distributed beyond > DE, but every time I go there they have a bunch of massive beers > on tap. There a pretty solid range of Dogfish Head available in Seattle: 60/90/120 Minute, Indian Brown, Pale, Aprihop, Raison, occasional sightings of Midas Touch, and WWS. I imagine that there are some brewpub-only goodies available in DE. That's as it should be. -- dgs "What, and join in your mad squid kettle games?" -- Lew Bryson |
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"Scott Kaczorowski" > wrote in message ... > > Decline...I guess I have to agree. > > > But things have tapered off and yet we can still get that > GoodBeer, no? It hasn't gone away. If it had gone away, > then > it was pointless to begin with. > Right on, even if we're on the decline we're far better off before the advent of GoodBeer. > > Hey Bruce: Show us your tits. > I'm showing them right now, and I'm loving it. |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message ... > > "Scott Kaczorowski" > wrote in > message > ... >> "Bruce Reistle" > wrote in >> ink.net: >> > <snip> > > The reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I > put my meager > reasoning ability to work in midtown manhattan as a patent > litigator. Good, > interesting work, life she's good. As for the wife, I > have lots of new pics > and she's more endowed than ever. Although, that has > something to do > with our 2 month old son. Sounds like you've been busy. Who's the father? But seriously, I'm glad you pried your fat ass off the couch and did something constructive. You're not one of those evil lawyers, are you? > > I personally think the beer scene is better than ever. > The cream has > risen and continued to kick ass. Some genius made some > distribution > deal where the best beers on the right coast get > distributed to my local > watering holes (Victory, Stoudts, DFH, Magic Hat, et al.) > These guys > know WTF they are doing I'll tell you what. In some respects I agree. The Great Beer Shakeout has left us with some good stuff. I'm just amazed that companies like Pyramid and Breckenridge survived. > > I can believe a single incident with the 90 minute could > leave one > unimpressed. I have the luxury of bellying up to the bar > at their > place in Rehobeth once a year and getting it fresh from > the tap. > You probably only got about 5 minutes worth after sitting > in a > keg in some bar. I got about 89 minutes worth when they > poured it fresh. Plus they have 120 minute, which is > mighy > fine in its own right. 90 rocks. I'll pass on the 120. And I'm not one of those people that make a habit of laying beers down. > > That brings us to victory and the prima, which is quite > possibly > the perfect beer. My locale is now flooded with the > stuff. > Finally, I've been pondering the best city for beer > question > and I'm stumped. It could very well be Seattle, but they > don't get right coast beers. Out here, I can get most of > the good > shite from the left coast, but I don't think the converse > is true. > As crazy as it sounds, the answer could be New York. > Agreed about Prima -- I ****in' love it. And Houston is now Victory positive. > Bruce, good to hear from you. So did you hang with > Beercommie when you were in DC or what? > > -Steve Not that I know of. |
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"dgs" > wrote in message ... > JW Steve wrote: > > > "dgs" > wrote in message > > ... > > > >>JW Steve wrote: > >> <snip> >>> more, but NYC high end is still pretty gosh-durned high. Well, I guess I can't defend it other than to say it was a sense I got eating at all the recommended places in Seattle last time I was out there for business. The Met Grill for example, is more expensive than the comparable places in NY like Delmonicos, Del Frisco's, Sparks, etc. Sure there are outliers in NY and maybe my mistake is comparing the outliers of Seattle with the staple high-ends of NY. <snip> > This is true. I make do with JaK's, a neighborhood steak joint within > walking distance, so I can slug down a couple-three beers with dinner. Funny, the one in Issaquah (sp?)? I ate there last time I was out that way. I was actually thinking of that place as sort of expensive for appearing to be a laid back bar and grill. <snip> > I s'pose if you leave in in a cellar for a while, it might do > something like a JWLees Harvest Ale and get better. That sugar > edge doesn't do it for me otherwise. Yet I like Schneider's > Aventinus Eis Weizenbock and the Austrian-brewed Samiclaus. Go > figure. To each his own. > > [...] Not sure how much of it gets distributed beyond > > DE, but every time I go there they have a bunch of massive beers > > on tap. > > There a pretty solid range of Dogfish Head available in Seattle: > 60/90/120 Minute, Indian Brown, Pale, Aprihop, Raison, occasional > sightings of Midas Touch, and WWS. I imagine that there are some > brewpub-only goodies available in DE. That's as it should be. Indeed, although that's a pretty good selection of their beers. -Steve |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message news <snip> > Lititz, nice, love to live there. Always liked that town, pretty country > north of there, too. Troegs is damned good, and just getting better > (Harrisburg; brewing's never caught on in York). We're pretty excited about it. It's more like a weekend/vacation place to be near the folks and have a place to make living in an apartment in Brooklyn more bearable for the boy. > Don't call the case law a > blue law, though: the wholesalers inflicted that on themselves back in > Repeal days. Stupid, and they regret it now, but the anti-alcohol forces had > nothing to do with that one. Cool, you're a bastion of knowledge. > Flip side of the case law, of course, is that > the draft beer scene's pretty good, particularly since PA law says you have > to clean draft lines EVERY WEEK, and log it. That's funny, I picture all those dive bars cleaning their pabst blue ribbon lines. > One of our few good booze laws, > and one every state should have. I've had bar owners elsewhere proudly tell > me that they clean every month. I do know a place in CT, though, that cleans > every DAY. Amazing. That's pretty crazy. > New local beers...Lancaster's beers are changing for the better, and > Stoudt's has re-tooled the whole line-up, love it. I've noticed both of those, I always hit those when I get back. Stoudt's playing around with some hops these days, not a bad deal. > Legacy, out of Reading, > is making a knock-out red ale called Hedonism, and a downright delish > Reading Pils. Cool, I'll have to look around for those, I haven't seen anything from them yet. -Steve |
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[On discussing GoodBeer towns...]
OK, so Houston is not one of the best beer towns. BUT, I went to the Gingerman yesterday and they had more good beer than I could drink: DF 90, SNIPA, SN Harvest, Foghorn, Urthel Quad, and plenty more. Since we're dick-waving, can I at least offer a (counterclockwise) whirly-bird, just for a few seconds? |
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JW Steve wrote:
> "dgs" > wrote in message > ... > >>JW Steve wrote: >> >> >>>"dgs" > wrote in message ... >>> >>> >>>>JW Steve wrote: >>>> > > <snip> > >>>>more, but NYC high end is still pretty gosh-durned high. > > > [...] Sure there are outliers in NY and > maybe my mistake is comparing the outliers of Seattle with > the staple high-ends of NY. Seems that way to me. I'd compare the Met Grill to Smith & Wollensky's or Luger at the price points, but dammit, no matter what it costs at Luger, that is a helluva slab o' Porterhouse. What you have in NYC that's good is a plethora of decent bars, sure, and a helluva wide range of good joints for eatin'; I'd kill to see our local Ipanema churrasco joint rise to the level of Plataforma in Midtown, but that ain't gonna happen. When I want animal protein in ridiculous quantities in NYC, I know just where to go there. Also, I've never done at a dim sum joint in Seattle what I did in NYC's Chinatown: share a table with a couple of Israelis, all of us chowing down on pork dumplings. Go figure that one out. What still lacks in NYC are bonafide killer brewpubs. Y'all just don't have an Elysian, a Big Time, or even my neighborhood joint, Elliott Bay. Given $ per square foot considerations in NYC, it's not too hard to figure out why, but still. > <snip> > >>This is true. I make do with JaK's, a neighborhood steak joint within >>walking distance, so I can slug down a couple-three beers with dinner. > > > Funny, the one in Issaquah (sp?)? I ate there last time I was out that > way. I was actually thinking of that place as sort of expensive > for appearing to be a laid back bar and grill. Issaquah? Ick. 'Burbs. Nope, my local JaK's is just up the street from my local brewpub, Elliott Bay Brewing. West Seattle, baby. Part of what I call the "perpetual vacation." I get home in the evenings and I'm exactly where I want to be. Add the Beveridge Place Pub, one of the best damn locals in any city anywhere, and ... life's not at all hideous. The BPP is the kind of place that will quietly finish off the last keg of Guinness, pull it, and put on Hale's Dublin Stout instead. If the distributor asks, they'll just shrug their shoulders and say, "we wanted to pour something else." A few Thursdays ago, there was a keg of Uerige Doppelsticke perched in a little rack on the bar, dispensing its nectar by gravity. Tomorrow, there will be a dry-hopped Fish IPA in that rack. I don't think I'll have much to complain about. To be fair to Issaquah, our local Rogue Brewhouse is out there, and with the return of ace brewer Arlen Harris to the kettles, I might have reason to go out there again... except for their prices, which are more like NYC's than other brewpubs in Seattle. >>>[...] Not sure how much of it gets distributed beyond >>>DE, but every time I go there they have a bunch of massive beers >>>on tap. >> >>There a pretty solid range of Dogfish Head available in Seattle: >>60/90/120 Minute, Indian Brown, Pale, Aprihop, Raison, occasional >>sightings of Midas Touch, and WWS. I imagine that there are some >>brewpub-only goodies available in DE. That's as it should be. > > > Indeed, although that's a pretty good selection of their beers. It's not so different with the Victory lineup out here. Are there more right-coast beers I'd like to see out here? Sure, but our market is pretty crowded as it is. Throw in beers from elsewhere in the country, and then factor all the Belgian and other imports, and we're lacking so very little. -- dgs "What, and join in your mad squid kettle games?" -- Lew Bryson |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... > Yes, it's high on the list, but it's not the only consideration. I might > talk about atmosphere if I thought it was a big distinguishing > characteristic. It all comes down to preference. For me, atmosphere - which doesn't mean a place is stunning or horribly unique, just a place I enjoy plopping down my ass for a while and drinking a few - trumps some other considerations and is one of those things that helps me winnow my personal lists of favorite places down. > Practically every city has some cool places with great atmosphere and > they pretty much define the city's beer scene. Many cities only have > one or two. Just because of its shear size NYC probably has as many > as anywhere else, including Portland. True. Although, proportionally, NYC still seems thin to me. But, as I think (hope) I mentioned a couple posts back, it seems like there are more and more places. I know every trip I make back every year or two, there are new places that weren't there before, or places that have gotten much better. >> Portland definitely has places that win on the beer selection/quality > scale >> as well as the atmosphere scale. I'd be quite content planting down at >> the >> Horse Brass, Laurelwood (during non-kiddie-infestation hours) or Rose and >> Raindrop any day > > Win compared to what? Not in a competitive sense. Just in terms of what works for me. > The HB and R&R are solid bars, but do they > blow away others in your mind? No, but I'm not asking them to blow away anything else. The "blow away" list in my book is incredibly thin. In fact, I can think of probably two, at least off the top of my head, and neither is on this continent. But HB and R&R are simply places I rather like on a number of counts, and places I could spend plenty a night drinking in and be perfectly happy. So, it ticks the right checks on my list. I don't much care if they beat anything else, either on my list or anyone else's. > Hell, I've been to both of them and can't > say I even remember a distinguishing chracteristic about either. R&R somehow manages to combine classic English boozer with Gilded Age hotel lobby, at least in my impression. HB is a little less distinguished, but I just like the mood of the place. Oftentimes, that's what a good atmosphere comes down to for me: mood. Lucky Baldwins in Pasadena, one of my favorites out here, really doesn't have anything to distinguish itself. But it has a mood that I and a lot of people I know really like. Unfortunately, I can't make it any less abstract than that when describing the appeal. >> > Yeah? I got me a friend who used to bad-mouth soCal in public >> > up, down, and counter-clockwise. Now, he lives here and he has >> > said: "I was wrong. I'm never leaving." >> >> Who the **** would ever say such a thing? >> >> Oh, wait. > > Is it you Giggy? Are you out in Cali now? Yep, it be me. I've been out here a bit longer than three years. I still surprise myself in admitting how much I like it out here. _Steve |
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"dgs" > wrote in message
... > What still lacks in NYC are bonafide killer brewpubs. Y'all just > don't have an Elysian, a Big Time, or even my neighborhood joint, > Elliott Bay. Given $ per square foot considerations in NYC, it's > not too hard to figure out why, but still. You know, I hadn't thought of that factor. I've long wondered why NY doesn't have a lot going in the way of brewpubs, and that would definitely make sense. I mean, Heartland's OK, I was a bit underwhelemd by Chelsea (of course, I was well north of extremely ****ed by the time I made it there during my one visit), but there's nothing great there. Of course, it's not like I live in a city with any brewpubs I'd write home about. Best ones in the region lie down in San Diego County, where, at least by SoCal standards, real estate's also a good deal cheaper. -Steve |
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"Steve Jackson" > wrote in message news:uEque.2267$HU.688@trnddc03... > "JW Steve" > wrote in message > ... > > > Yes, it's high on the list, but it's not the only consideration. I might > > talk about atmosphere if I thought it was a big distinguishing > > characteristic. > > It all comes down to preference. For me, atmosphere - which doesn't mean a > place is stunning or horribly unique, just a place I enjoy plopping down my > ass for a while and drinking a few - trumps some other considerations and is > one of those things that helps me winnow my personal lists of favorite > places down. > No argument there, although I have a difficult time thinking of many places I wasn't content to plop my ass down and have some beers, but maybe that's just me. I'm not sure how you could judge NYC, though. There are literally hundreds of bars in just the village alone. Many of them are very cool and have a decent selection, perfect for plopping down your ass for awhile. Some of our favorites are bars that are probably only known to locals and a few lucky tourists. You find a gem like C3 tucked away in the Washington Square Hotel. It has no sign indicating there is a lounge, and you have to walk through the restaurant to get to it, but if you find it, you'll be glad you did. I've been pleasantly suprised on countless occasions walking into a new bar and seeing a great selection of beers, and a place that's cool to hang out. > > Practically every city has some cool places with great atmosphere and > > they pretty much define the city's beer scene. Many cities only have > > one or two. Just because of its shear size NYC probably has as many > > as anywhere else, including Portland. > > True. Although, proportionally, NYC still seems thin to me. I used to feel the same way. Eh, fark it. I don't really care. I like it here and I've been around, contrary to kf boy's claims. This city gets a bad rap as far as I'm concerned, and I'm really more of a small town PA guy at heart. -Steve <snippety> |
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"dgs" > wrote in message ... <snip> > What still lacks in NYC are bonafide killer brewpubs. Y'all just > don't have an Elysian, a Big Time, or even my neighborhood joint, > Elliott Bay. Given $ per square foot considerations in NYC, it's > not too hard to figure out why, but still. Definitely true. I blame midwestern tourists. Any place big enough to be a bona-fide brewpub would have to cater to the lowest common denomenator just to pay the rent (see, e.g., Heartland.) > > <snip> > > > >>This is true. I make do with JaK's, a neighborhood steak joint within > >>walking distance, so I can slug down a couple-three beers with dinner. > > > > > > Funny, the one in Issaquah (sp?)? I ate there last time I was out that > > way. I was actually thinking of that place as sort of expensive > > for appearing to be a laid back bar and grill. > <snip the perpetual vacation> Sounds cool. I am working on a case in the Western District of Washington, if it goes to trial I may be out there for a month or two, I'll have to get some recommendations next time. <snip> > It's not so different with the Victory lineup out here. Are there > more right-coast beers I'd like to see out here? Sure, but our market > is pretty crowded as it is. Throw in beers from elsewhere in the > country, and then factor all the Belgian and other imports, and we're > lacking so very little. Well, then maybe I have to reconsider, I had no idea that DFH and Victory were getting that kind of distribution out there. Can we just agree that Florida sucks nutsack for beer and leave it at that? -Steve |
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"Bruce Reistle" > wrote in message ink.net... > > "JW Steve" > wrote in message > ... > > > > "Scott Kaczorowski" > wrote in > > message > > ... > >> "Bruce Reistle" > wrote in > >> ink.net: > >> > > <snip> > Sounds like you've been busy. Who's the father? > > But seriously, I'm glad you pried your fat ass off the couch > and did something constructive. You're not one of those > evil lawyers, are you? > Nah, I'm doing patent law. It's only remotely touchy if someone has a bet the company lawsuit where the whole thing is on the line. We generally work for enormous companies in what is essentially a licensing negotiation. Lots of posturing, but it rarely goes to trial. <snip> > > Agreed about Prima -- I ****in' love it. And Houston is now > Victory positive. > Wow, that's effing awesome. It's about time most of the country got that beer. Looks like those guys are making out okay. Cool. Talent like that should be rewarded. -Steve |
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"Steve Jackson" > wrote in message
news:UNque.2275$HU.1822@trnddc03... > sense. I mean, Heartland's OK, I was a bit underwhelemd by Chelsea (of > course, I was well north of extremely ****ed by the time I made it there > during my one visit), but there's nothing great there. Word in their defense, a strong word: Chris Sheehan is a bleedin' genius at dark beers. If any of you remember the dark beer dominance of 20 Tank in the mid-90s...he brewed there. Man knows how to brew stouts and porters, and I will not hear him dissed. -- Lew Bryson "GOOD or SHITE?" -- Michael Jackson, "Thriller", 1982 www.lewbryson.com |
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"Bruce Reistle" > wrote in message
news:Ecpue.8027 > [On discussing GoodBeer towns...] > > OK, so Houston is not one of the best beer towns. BUT, I went to the > Gingerman yesterday and they had more good beer than I could drink: DF 90, > SNIPA, SN Harvest, Foghorn, Urthel Quad, and plenty more. > > Since we're dick-waving, can I at least offer a (counterclockwise) > whirly-bird, just for a few seconds? Since you put it so nicely, sure. -- Lew Bryson "As for talking shit in this NG, Lew, you're the undisputed king, and that's no SHITE." -- Bob Skilnik, 1/31/02 www.lewbryson.com |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... > "Steve Jackson" > wrote in message >> True. Although, proportionally, NYC still seems thin to me. > > I used to feel the same way. Eh, fark it. I don't really care. I like it > here and I've been around, contrary to kf boy's claims. This city > gets a bad rap as far as I'm concerned, and I'm really more of > a small town PA guy at heart. NYC has taken off in the past two years, and although it's still shy on really outstanding brewpubs (as, I might add, are many Eastern cities: WTF? Anybody wanna fight me on that one?), the beer bar scene is kicking ass and taking names. -- Lew Bryson "I do not at all resent criticism, even when, for the sake of emphasis, it for a time parts company with reality." -- Winston S. Churchill www.lewbryson.com |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in
m: > > NYC has taken off in the past two years, and although it's still shy > on really outstanding brewpubs (as, I might add, are many Eastern > cities: WTF? Anybody wanna fight me on that one?) Sure. Here in DC we've got the spectacular Dominion brewpub. Franklin's has impressed me in the East 'burbs. Uh, Founders in Old Town--really like what Bill Madden has done down there. Um, is DuClaw too far north to count as DC? Uh, other than that . . . Swee****er is hit or miss, but has some definite winners . . . Cap City, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch, John Harvard's . . . uh . . . never mind. Not gonna fight after all. You win. -- ************************************************** *************** Dan Iwerks thinks that the beer you're drinking probably sucks. The fundamental problem with Solipsism is it makes me responsible for the fact that you're a complete idiot. ************************************************** *************** |
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"Dan Iwerks" <dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom> wrote in message
> "Lew Bryson" > wrote in >> >> NYC has taken off in the past two years, and although it's still shy >> on really outstanding brewpubs (as, I might add, are many Eastern >> cities: WTF? Anybody wanna fight me on that one?) > > Sure. Here in DC we've got the spectacular Dominion brewpub. Franklin's > has impressed me in the East 'burbs. Uh, Founders in Old Town--really > like what Bill Madden has done down there. Um, is DuClaw too far north > to count as DC? Uh, other than that . . . Swee****er is hit or miss, but > has some definite winners . . . Cap City, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch, > John Harvard's . . . uh . . . never mind. Not gonna fight after all. > You win. Word. I wrote the book, I KNEW I won. IN the District? Cap City is the only home-grown you got, and while it's all props to them for what they're doing, and I love hanging out across from Union Station..."really outstanding"? Uh-uh. You leave the 'burbs to the 'burbs. Philly ain't no serious brewpub town without 'em, either. Or Pittsburgh. Boston, Portland...maybe. -- Lew Bryson "As for talking shit in this NG, Lew, you're the undisputed king, and that's no SHITE." -- Bob Skilnik, 1/31/02 www.lewbryson.com |
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Lew Bryson > wrote:
: : Word. I wrote the book, I KNEW I won. IN the District? Cap City is the only : home-grown you got, and while it's all props to them for what they're doing, : and I love hanging out across from Union Station..."really outstanding"? : Uh-uh. You leave the 'burbs to the 'burbs. Philly ain't no serious brewpub : town without 'em, either. Or Pittsburgh. : Maybe but from a distance of 2500 miles and 9 years I sometimes long for the good old days when Khyber Pass and Sugar Mom's were great places to go because they had 10 or so taps and you could get a pint out of a keg of Yard's with a sack full of hops marinating in it so it changed every day. Those were also the days when a Belgian festival with 15 or so beers was a rare treat such as the one where you and I met at Copa 2 about 10 years ago. Something like that would fail to excite me today but back then, WOW!! I think there is so much good beer around now and so much more great beer than there was back then that maybe we've all become a bit jaded -- speaking for myself, I'll admit that -- I'm a damn beer snob. Yay for me!!! -- Bill AT DOT reply to bbenzel adelphia net |
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Lew Bryson wrote:
> "Dan Iwerks" <dan_iwerksatyahoodottcom> wrote in message > >>"Lew Bryson" > wrote in >> >>>NYC has taken off in the past two years, and although it's still shy >>>on really outstanding brewpubs (as, I might add, are many Eastern >>>cities: WTF? Anybody wanna fight me on that one?) >> >>Sure. Here in DC we've got the spectacular Dominion brewpub. Franklin's >>has impressed me in the East 'burbs. Uh, Founders in Old Town--really >>like what Bill Madden has done down there. Um, is DuClaw too far north >>to count as DC? Uh, other than that . . . Swee****er is hit or miss, but >>has some definite winners . . . Cap City, Rock Bottom, Gordon Biersch, >>John Harvard's . . . uh . . . never mind. Not gonna fight after all. >>You win. > > > Word. I wrote the book, I KNEW I won. IN the District? Cap City is the only > home-grown you got, and while it's all props to them for what they're doing, > and I love hanging out across from Union Station..."really outstanding"? > Uh-uh. You leave the 'burbs to the 'burbs. Philly ain't no serious brewpub > town without 'em, either. Or Pittsburgh. Penn Brewery and Church Brew Works are nothing to shake a stick at, and there was Valhalla (no great losss). Not that that makes Pittsburgh a "serious brewpub town" but the 'burbs are just getting you John Harvard and Rock Bottom... or are you counting Red Star in Greensburg as a 'burb. Bill |
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"Bill Benzel" > wrote in message
... > Maybe but from a distance of 2500 miles and 9 years I sometimes long for > the good old days when Khyber Pass and Sugar Mom's were great places to > go because they had 10 or so taps and you could get a pint out of a keg > of Yard's with a sack full of hops marinating in it so it changed every > day. Oh, NO QUESTION, but we're just talking about brewpubs. Philly is one of the best beer towns around, I'll tell the world, but brewpubs are a component of that, and if we had about four balls-out ones, we'd be even better. -- Lew Bryson God Bless America. "They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759. |
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"Bill Bradley" > wrote in message
news:45Due.8394 > Lew Bryson wrote: >> Uh-uh. You leave the 'burbs to the 'burbs. Philly ain't no serious >> brewpub town without 'em, either. Or Pittsburgh. > > Penn Brewery and Church Brew Works are nothing to shake a stick at, and > there was Valhalla (no great losss). Not that that makes Pittsburgh a > "serious brewpub town" but the 'burbs are just getting you John Harvard > and Rock Bottom... or are you counting Red Star in Greensburg as a 'burb. All respect to Penn and the Church -- and I have said great truthful things about them -- they are only two brewpubs in a pretty good-sized city. I didn't really mean to imply that the suburbs of Pittsburgh made it a serious brewpub town, even though I think very highly indeed of what Andrew does out at John Harvard's. Sorry, I could have been clearer. I was only talking about Philly when I was talking suburbs, as in Victory and Iron Hill. -- Lew Bryson "As for talking shit in this NG, Lew, you're the undisputed king, and that's no SHITE." -- Bob Skilnik, 1/31/02 www.lewbryson.com |
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Lew Bryson wrote:
> "Bill Benzel" > wrote in message > ... >> Maybe but from a distance of 2500 miles and 9 years I sometimes long >> for the good old days when Khyber Pass and Sugar Mom's were great >> places to go because they had 10 or so taps and you could get a pint >> out of a keg of Yard's with a sack full of hops marinating in it so >> it changed every day. > > Oh, NO QUESTION, but we're just talking about brewpubs. Philly is one > of the best beer towns around, I'll tell the world, but brewpubs are > a component of that, and if we had about four balls-out ones, we'd be > even better. So why don't we?? And why, if you drive 5-10 miles east of Philly, does it majorly suck (except for my fridge, of course)?? -- John |
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"O.B. Juan" > wrote in message
news:wlIue.6421$PZ6.1276@trndny08... > Lew Bryson wrote: >> "Bill Benzel" > wrote in message >> ... >>> Maybe but from a distance of 2500 miles and 9 years I sometimes long >>> for the good old days when Khyber Pass and Sugar Mom's were great >>> places to go because they had 10 or so taps and you could get a pint >>> out of a keg of Yard's with a sack full of hops marinating in it so >>> it changed every day. >> >> Oh, NO QUESTION, but we're just talking about brewpubs. Philly is one >> of the best beer towns around, I'll tell the world, but brewpubs are >> a component of that, and if we had about four balls-out ones, we'd be >> even better. > > So why don't we?? And why, if you drive 5-10 miles east of Philly, does > it majorly suck (except for my fridge, of course)?? Okay, young padewan, here's why. We don't have them because beer bars are doing really well, the city does NOT have a great nurturing business climate (though it's arguably getting better), and because the near-simultaneous collapse of Red Bell, Independence, Dock Street, and Poor Henry's has left the impression in every money-man's mind that brewpubs are a disaster. There's also The Yuengling Factor: Microbrew? Who needs Microbrew? We got Yuengling. Why does south Jersey suck SO BAD, beerwise? Okay, I'll admit that baffles me. What baffles me even more, though, is the presence of some really good beer stores in that suckiness. What's up, man? -- Lew Bryson "GOOD or SHITE?" -- Michael Jackson, "Thriller", 1982 www.lewbryson.com |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in
: > > "Steve Jackson" > wrote in > message news:aiZte.3398$1q2.778@trnddc01... >> Portland definitely has places that win on the beer >> selection/quality scale >> as well as the atmosphere scale. I'd be quite content >> planting down at the Horse Brass, Laurelwood (during >> non-kiddie-infestation hours) or Rose and Raindrop any day > > Win compared to what? The HB and R&R are solid bars, but > do they blow away others in your mind? Hell, I've been to > both of them and can't say I even remember a distinguishing > chracteristic about either. You don't remember the cigarette smoke? It MUST be piped in... You don't remember the regulars at the bar literally demanding that every third pint be comp'ed? (Hey Frane: Where is you at?) The last time I was there, the smoke was so bad and the regulars were demanding so much attention from the barkeep, that we left after one pint instead of three. My theory is that the places that actually encourage smoking draw out those who would normally drink at home. But then I forget that you think smoking is a civil liberty... > The Hangar in Juneau with a killer > selection and a view looking out at the float planes > landing in front of 15,000 foot mountains. I'd drink Bud with that kind of view. Any pictures? "Serious" as Super Kid would say. I'll send you Alesmithsomething in return. I had basically demanded that this year we go to Bimini flying Chalk's (Grumman Mallard amphibions). Until I learned that Bimini is little more than golf-heaven for stupid old ****s. > Then there is > Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson, with the six foot > stuffed Grizzly that some guy killed with his bare hands. Bullshit. What, choke a griz to death? The big doggie would have whirled around (two layers of fur, bit of loose skin 'round the neck...) and torn his ****ing head off. Bullshit. Didn't happen. Break his legs? Hit him repeatedly in he stomach where the muscles are few? Result is the same - big doggie wins. I once killed an 18ft white off the backside of Catalina with my bare hands. ****er took my USDiver mask that I cared for very much (whatever happened to purge valves, BTW?) but I cut him up for steaks and shat him out a long time ago. Stuff it and display it. "Oooh. Look what *I* did." Might as well wear Birks... But the real question is: Is the beer any good? > These places got character and it doesn't come wearing > Burgenstock with socks on (well maybe a little bit in > Jackson). Birks. ****. I guess if you have toenail fungus and have to air out... Men should never do the following: 1) Wear sandals. 2) Wear perfume. 3) Drive like my dead grandma. 4) Have to proclaim that they are a real man. 5) Claim that advertising has nothing to do with the brand of beer they drink. Scott |
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"Bruce Reistle" > wrote in
ink.net: > [On discussing GoodBeer towns...] > > OK, so Houston is not one of the best beer towns. I imagine that any large city presents the opportunity to have a good beer or two. > BUT, I > went to the Gingerman yesterday and they had more good beer > than I could drink: DF 90, SNIPA, SN Harvest, Foghorn, > Urthel Quad, and plenty more. A good way to put it, and one that I had not thought of. By this definition, the Yardhouse in Long Beach is a worthy destination. Out of 175 beers on tap, I'd say 10 are worth my time. The view, the food...make up for the lack of R8 on tap, IMO. > Since we're dick-waving, can I at least offer a > (counterclockwise) whirly-bird, just for a few seconds? If I can't give a homeless dude a coupla bucks or refuse to cross against the red...then - no. Scott |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... > No argument there, although I have a difficult time thinking of many > places I wasn't content to plop my ass down and have some beers, > but maybe that's just me. I've run into some, although there are few places that I wouldn't be willing to give at least one visit. But there are definitely places that have good beer that I just don't like to go back to because the atmosphere sucks. Oggi's - a quite good San Diego brewpub that's opened up a few satellites - in Mission Viejo is a classic example; really good beer, but crappy, soulless suburban beer hall with way too many rugrats running rampant. > I'm not sure how you could judge NYC, though. Well, not living there, I obviously don't have a full lay of the land, but a few trips under the guidance of beer geeks who've lived there for quite some time has given me a better-than-tourist impression. And from what you and others have said, it sounds like the place is definitely on the uptick. And on the atmosphere scale, I've yet to find anyplace there I don't enjoy. -STeve |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message
m... > "Steve Jackson" > wrote in message > news:UNque.2275$HU.1822@trnddc03... >> sense. I mean, Heartland's OK, I was a bit underwhelemd by Chelsea (of >> course, I was well north of extremely ****ed by the time I made it there >> during my one visit), but there's nothing great there. > > Word in their defense, a strong word: Chris Sheehan is a bleedin' genius > at dark beers. If any of you remember the dark beer dominance of 20 Tank > in the mid-90s...he brewed there. Man knows how to brew stouts and > porters, and I will not hear him dissed. Like I said, I was extremely ****ed (in the English sense) when I was there. I barely remember the place - although the harrowing cab ride upon our exit has left a firm impression - and I remember a pale ale or IPA that just didn't wind my crank. At that time, my taste buds may have been as good as Bob Klein's, though, so who knows. I've heard others speak highly of the place. I'm willing to be proven wrong. How long's he been brewing there, btw? My impressions are based on a visit c. February 2002. -Steve |
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"Scott Kaczorowski" > wrote in message ... <snip> > But then I forget that you think smoking is a civil > liberty... > No more so than drinking or being a fat ass and burdening the health care system that way. I more just a proponent of coherent treatment of similar behaviors. Certainly we don't have to rehash that again, though. > > The Hangar in Juneau with a killer > > selection and a view looking out at the float planes > > landing in front of 15,000 foot mountains. > > I'd drink Bud with that kind of view. > > Any pictures? "Serious" as Super Kid would say. I'll send > you Alesmithsomething in return. Unfrotunately, no. I wasn't much of a shutterbug back then. > I had basically demanded that this year we go to Bimini > flying Chalk's (Grumman Mallard amphibions). Until I learned > that Bimini is little more than golf-heaven for stupid old > ****s. > > > Then there is > > Million Dollar Cowboy Bar in Jackson, with the six foot > > stuffed Grizzly that some guy killed with his bare hands. > > Bullshit. What, choke a griz to death? The big doggie would > have whirled around (two layers of fur, bit of loose skin > 'round the neck...) and torn his ****ing head off. Bullshit. > Didn't happen. Break his legs? Hit him repeatedly in he > stomach where the muscles are few? Result is the same - big > doggie wins. The story goes, he bit it's jugular until he passed out, then he beat it to death with a stick and dragged it back to town. Could be a fable, but that's what the sign says. > I once killed an 18ft white off the backside of Catalina with > my bare hands. ****er took my USDiver mask that I cared for > very much (whatever happened to purge valves, BTW?) but I cut > him up for steaks and shat him out a long time ago. Well done. > Stuff it and display it. "Oooh. Look what *I* did." Might > as well wear Birks... Not sure it was him. Hell, if I owned a bar and the guy came dragging the thing in to town with that story, I'd be tempted to display it. > But the real question is: Is the beer any good? > I had no compaints. > > These places got character and it doesn't come wearing > > Burgenstock with socks on (well maybe a little bit in > > Jackson). > > Birks. ****. I guess if you have toenail fungus and have to > air out... > > Men should never do the following: > > 1) Wear sandals. > 2) Wear perfume. > 3) Drive like my dead grandma. > 4) Have to proclaim that they are a real man. > 5) Claim that advertising has nothing to do with the brand > of beer they drink. > Agreed as long as 2 includes Petuila or however the eff you spell it. -Steve |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message m... > "Bruce Reistle" > wrote in message > news:Ecpue.8027 > > [On discussing GoodBeer towns...] > > > > OK, so Houston is not one of the best beer towns. BUT, I went to the > > Gingerman yesterday and they had more good beer than I could drink: DF 90, > > SNIPA, SN Harvest, Foghorn, Urthel Quad, and plenty more. > > > > Since we're dick-waving, can I at least offer a (counterclockwise) > > whirly-bird, just for a few seconds? > > Since you put it so nicely, sure. > Post it to alt.binaries.dick.tricks. If that group doesn't exist, I'm not sure why we have USENET at all. -Steve |
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"Steve Jackson" > wrote in message
news:MHWue.158$J12.90@trnddc05... > "Lew Bryson" > wrote in message >> Word in their [Chelsea's] defense, a strong word: Chris Sheehan is a >> bleedin' genius at dark beers. If any of you remember the dark beer >> dominance of 20 Tank in the mid-90s...he brewed there. Man knows how to >> brew stouts and porters, and I will not hear him dissed. > > Like I said, I was extremely ****ed (in the English sense) when I was > there. I barely remember the place - although the harrowing cab ride upon > our exit has left a firm impression - and I remember a pale ale or IPA > that just didn't wind my crank. At that time, my taste buds may have been > as good as Bob Klein's, though, so who knows. Okay, just for that, all is forgiven. > How long's he been brewing there, btw? My impressions are based on a visit > c. February 2002. Well...had to look at the book. 1997. -- Lew Bryson "GOOD or SHITE?" -- Michael Jackson, "Thriller", 1982 www.lewbryson.com |
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"JW Steve" > wrote in message
... >> > Since we're dick-waving, can I at least offer a (counterclockwise) >> > whirly-bird, just for a few seconds? >> >> Since you put it so nicely, sure. > > Post it to alt.binaries.dick.tricks. If that group doesn't exist, > I'm not sure why we have USENET at all. Best laugh of the week. Umm...and true, too. -- Lew Bryson Their clothes are weird, their music sucks and they drink malternatives. And now you tell me they probably don't think Sierra Nevada is cool? This is what the passage of years does to you: It makes everyone around you more stupid. -- Michael Stewart 6/24/02 www.lewbryson.com |
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Lew Bryson wrote:
> "O.B. Juan" > wrote in message > news:wlIue.6421$PZ6.1276@trndny08... >> Lew Bryson wrote: >>> "Bill Benzel" > wrote in message >>> ... >>>> Maybe but from a distance of 2500 miles and 9 years I sometimes >>>> long for the good old days when Khyber Pass and Sugar Mom's were >>>> great places to go because they had 10 or so taps and you could >>>> get a pint out of a keg of Yard's with a sack full of hops >>>> marinating in it so it changed every day. >>> >>> Oh, NO QUESTION, but we're just talking about brewpubs. Philly is >>> one of the best beer towns around, I'll tell the world, but >>> brewpubs are a component of that, and if we had about four >>> balls-out ones, we'd be even better. >> >> So why don't we?? And why, if you drive 5-10 miles east of Philly, >> does it majorly suck (except for my fridge, of course)?? > > Okay, young padewan, here's why. We don't have them because beer bars > are doing really well, the city does NOT have a great nurturing > business climate (though it's arguably getting better), and because > the near-simultaneous collapse of Red Bell, Independence, Dock > Street, and Poor Henry's has left the impression in every money-man's > mind that brewpubs are a disaster. There's also The Yuengling Factor: > Microbrew? Who needs Microbrew? We got Yuengling. > > Why does south Jersey suck SO BAD, beerwise? Okay, I'll admit that > baffles me. What baffles me even more, though, is the presence of > some really good beer stores in that suckiness. What's up, man? Just a hunch, but it could be the chain restaurant mentality. Drive down Rt 73 or 70 and you'll see every chain known to mankind, with hour plus waits on weekend nights. Mass produced beer is the equivalent of chain restaurants. -- John |
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"O.B. Juan" > wrote in message
news:_u%ue.70$cz6.56@trndny07... > Just a hunch, but it could be the chain restaurant mentality. Drive down > Rt 73 or 70 and you'll see every chain known to mankind, with hour plus > waits on weekend nights. Mass produced beer is the equivalent of chain > restaurants. Nah, we got that kind of crap round here in Bucks County ("Red Lobster, voted Best of Bucks five years in a row!! The best pizza? DOMINO'S!!!!" Some great places to eat here in Newtown, but the damned Appleby's is so busy they had to put on an addition. Feh.), but we still have some damned good beer. Keep thinking. Or move. Y'know? The south Jersey beer wasteland phenomenon has baffled beervolk for years. -- Lew Bryson God Bless America. "They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin, 1759. |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message
news > Lanco proper just ain't in it. Philly and near suburbs beats Baltimore -- > cool though Charm City is -- but Pittsburgh...tough call. I truly think Da > Burgh is one of the most underrated beer towns going. Philly probably has > it on the basis of a better import scene, but Sharp Edge gives Monk's a > run for their money. Took your advice and hit Grey Lodge after having lunch the cheese steak place down on Torresdale last Wednesday. Selection was nice, but not thrilling - still worthy of a visit for any dedicated beer geek. Overnighted in Breinigsville on the trip north and made two major mistakes. First was doing almost a full day of wine tasting in Lehigh Valley. . . Well, that was a waste. Second mistake was getting to Bethlehem Brew Works too early to catch SteelGaarten. Got to walk through and admire the bottle selection, but had to settle for BBW's house beers. The pale ale was unremarkable, and the weizen had some serious QA issues with lots of non-weizenbier things happening in the nose. The kid behind the bar was trying, but. . . Thanks again for the pointers to the cheese steak place that shall remain nameless and Grey Lodge. We owe you a few pints next time we head up to PA. |
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"Lew Bryson" > wrote in message
m... > Word in their defense, a strong word: Chris Sheehan is a bleedin' genius > at dark beers. If any of you remember the dark beer dominance of 20 Tank > in the mid-90s...he brewed there. Man knows how to brew stouts and > porters, and I will not hear him dissed. Lived just up the road from 20-Tank while they were open, and wile Chris' beers were definitely solid, 20-Tank didn't really hit their stride until James Costa stepped in. It's a shame they ran into the lease issue there, because although the beers were never going to be barn burners, it was a great place to hang out before a show at Slim's. |
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Lew Bryson wrote:
> "O.B. Juan" > wrote in message > news:_u%ue.70$cz6.56@trndny07... >> Just a hunch, but it could be the chain restaurant mentality. Drive >> down Rt 73 or 70 and you'll see every chain known to mankind, with >> hour plus waits on weekend nights. Mass produced beer is the >> equivalent of chain restaurants. > > Nah, we got that kind of crap round here in Bucks County ("Red > Lobster, voted Best of Bucks five years in a row!! The best pizza? > DOMINO'S!!!!" Some great places to eat here in Newtown, but the > damned Appleby's is so busy they had to put on an addition. Feh.), > but we still have some damned good beer. > > Keep thinking. Or move. Y'know? The south Jersey beer wasteland > phenomenon has baffled beervolk for years. I'll keep thinking, and hop over the river every now and then to satisfy my needs. -- John |
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