Events for May 2008

Friday Night Sampling: Lancaster Brewing May 02, 2008 - The Beer Yard

Beers from our friends at Lancaster will be a-pouring: Rare Rooster, Hop Hog, Milk Stout and Strawberry Wheat. 5-7 as usual. Mark will be the one in the horse and buggy.

Sly Fox Goat Race & Bock Festival May 04, 2008 - Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery, Phoenixville

Sly Fox's annual Bock Fest has as its centerpiece a multi-heat race in which local goat fanciers race their favorite ruminants against one another. The winning goat has Sly Fox's annual Maibock (tapped for the first time at race's end) named in its honor. Slacker Bock, Helles Bock, Instigator Doppelbock and two Eisbocks arew featured as well as Maibock. German food, German music and more fun that you can shake your Lederhosen at! As close to spring in Bavaria as you can get without leaving the country! Doors open at 11am, goat registration begins at 12:30pm, the races begin at 2pm.

St. Louis Heritage Brewers Festival May 08, 2008 - May 10, 2008

The inaugural session of tHis new festival last year featured seven breweries: Alandale Brewery, Anheuser-Busch, Augusta Brewery, Morgan Street Brewery, O’Fallon Brewery, Schlafly Beer and Square One Brewery. This year, Griesedieck Bros. Brewing Corporation will join the group with a Bavarian-style wheat beer brewed at Augusta Brewery. More than 70 styles of beer will be available. Ticket purchases and more information available on the website.

Ballast Point Debut @ Drafting Room Exton May 08, 2008 - The Drafting Room, Colonial Shopping Center, Exton

Introducing Big Eye IPA (American Centennial hops are used exclusively to bitter, flavor, finish, and dry hop the Big Eye), Wahoo Wheat (Has a unique citrus character that is created by adding a blend of bitter orange, sweet orange and coriander to the boil), Black Marlin Porter (Rich, dark, chocolaty Porter with a distinctive American hop character), Calico Amber (Brewed with distinctive American hops which give not only the crisp bitterness to balance the malt, but also a floral aroma) and Yellowtale Pale Ale (Brewed with 5% wheat and finish hop it with Liberty and Tettnanger hops). 5:30 Tap Time.

Ballast Point Debut @ Drafting Room Spring House May 09, 2008 - The Drafting Room, 900 North Bethlehem Pike, Spring House

Introducing Big Eye IPA (American Centennial hops are used exclusively to bitter, flavor, finish, and dry hop the Big Eye), Wahoo Wheat (Has a unique citrus character that is created by adding a blend of bitter orange, sweet orange and coriander to the boil), Black Marlin Porter (Rich, dark, chocolaty Porter with a distinctive American hop character), Calico Amber (Brewed with distinctive American hops which give not only the crisp bitterness to balance the malt, but also a floral aroma) and Yellowtale Pale Ale (Brewed with 5% wheat and finish hop it with Liberty and Tettnanger hops). 5:30 Tap Time.

Friday Night Sampling: Southampton Publick House May 09, 2008 - The Beer Yard

Oh my, such fun. Double White Ale, Secret Ale and IPA from the guys on Long Island. 5-7pm.

Legacy Brewing Co. @ Di Bruno’s May 09, 2008 - Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

Scott Braver, Legacy’s Brewmaster will be on hand to explore the commitment to unique locally handcrafted beers and ales from their headquarters in Reading PA. Legacy team includes a creative collection of brewers, engineers, a microbiologist and friends in the arts community; all with a passion for innovative products. Taste Legacy’s Midnight Wit, Hedonism Ale and Euphoria, plus three other beers. Di Bruno’s will select 6 cheeses to accompany these delicious beers. Scott and a cheese specialist will talk about the beer and cheese pairings and discuss what goes into making these wonderful products. $45 6-8pm

Northside Patio Grand Opening Party May 10, 2008 - Ortino's Northside, Rt. 29, Zieglersville

Northside's Patio Grand opening Party. will feature specials on Abita Purple haze, Allagash White and more. A Global representative will be there promoting Malheur. Plus a BBQ buffet, live music starting at 6:00 and face painting for the kids. Doors open at 1:00.

Iron Hill / Jose Pistolas Vegetarian Beer Dinner May 13, 2008 - Jose Pistolas, 236 S. 15 St., Phila.

Chris LaPierre of West Chester's Iron Hill location is pairing up with Jose Pistolas for for a vegetarian beer dinner featuring guest chef Eric Anderson of Essene and Jose Pistola's executive chef Brenton Wallace: Welcoming beer: Vienna Lager ; Chilled cucumber and cantelope soup paired with Heywood; a Golden sour ale fermented with 100% Brettanomyces; Saitan Pastilla with puff pastry paired with American Brown Ale; Arugula salad, red onion, toasted pinenuts, with a California Chevre' in a golden balsamic dijon vinagrette paired with Belgian Triple; Roasted root vegetable pan fried fritter, black truffle lentils, forest mushrooms with a porcini reduction paired with Baltic Porter and Saison; Vanilla Peanut butter mousse with an espresso bean cookie paired with Bourbon Aged Wee Heavy IH's strong Scotch Ale,aged in Eagle Rare bourbon barrels. 7pm. $65. Reservations: 215.545.4101

Trappists Unrobed May 14, 2008 - Tria Fermentation School • Medical Arts Building, 1601 Walnut St, Phila

History, intrigue, delicious politics and, of course, incredible beer are woven through the legacy of Belgium's Trappist breweries. We're offering an exclusive opportunity to taste selections from all six Belgian Trappist breweries (yes, including the much sought-after Westvleteren) while hearing tales of the Trappist monks from Belgian beer guru Yvan de Baetes and craft-brew specialist Dan Shelton. Yvan has brewed at Cantillon and DeRanke, is buddies with the Trappist brewers and now makes the acclaimed Zinnebir and Taras Boulba. Find out everything you always wanted know about the Abbey brews that have inspired us all. 6:30=8pm. $60

Drafting Room Firkin Special: Weyerbacher Alpha May 15, 2008 - Drafting Room, Exton & Spring House

Once a month the Drafting Rooms will celebrate beer history with a traditional Firkin Keg Tapping. The kegs are tapped in the traditional way, driving a spigot through the front of the keg with a wooden mallet. Each month will feature a different brewery and their special or unique Firkin creation. The initial keg will be the new Weyerbacher Alpha, a Belgian-style Pale Ale. 6pm Tap Time.

Friday Night Sampling: Erie Brewing May 16, 2008 - The Beer Yard

Erie Brewing president John Hall will be here and pouring Railbender, Mad Anthony Ale, Presque isle Pilsner, Sunshine Witbier and Misery Bay IPA. Hey, the president--is that cool, or what? 5-7pm as usual. And Mark as usual.

Legacy Brewing @ Di Bruno's May 16, 2008 - Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

Scott Braver, Legacy’s Brewmaster will join us to explore the commitment to unique locally handcrafted beers and ales from their headquarters in Reading PA. Legacy team includes a creative collection of brewers, engineers, a microbiologist and our friends in the arts community; all with a passion for innovative products. Taste Legacy’s Midnight Wit, Hedonism Ale and Euphoria, plus three more beers. Di Bruno’s will select 6 cheeses to accompany these delicious beers. Scott and a cheese specialist will talk about the beer and cheese pairings and discuss what goes into making these wonderful products. 6 – 8pm. $45 Reservations: 215.665.1659

Yardley Beer Fest May 17, 2008 - Buttonwood Park, Yardley

Fourteen breweries will be pouring at this first-ever event, some of the proceeds will go to the Yardley-Bucks Disaster Mitigation and Relief Fund, the remainder to organizing community events, according to the Yardley Business Association. One session (previous announcements had said there would be two) 2-7pm. $30 in advance, $35 at door, purchase online here.

Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers Fest May 17, 2008 - Iron Hill Brewery # Restaurant, 30 E. State St., Media

25 regional breweries, 1-5pm Tickets $30 online, $35 at the door. Food not included. Live music all day, proceeds benefit Media Youth Center.

Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival May 17, 2008 - May 18, 2008 - 9th St., Italian market, South Philadelphia

They call it Philadelphia's biggest block party. The 9th Street Italian Market Festival was launched in 1971 as a way for neighbors to celebrate, while introducing the uninitiated to this Philadelphia gem. Originally held in October, the festival ran continuously until 1985 and included activities and entertainment such as a greased pole climb, stages of string bands and other entertainers, and food stands filled with grandma?s secret Italian recipes. In 1990, the festival was moved to May in order to capitalize on the bounty of fresh foods available in the spring. At its height, the festival drew a crowd of an estimated 150,000 attendees.

The festival continued until 1997, when it was suspended due to area construction. Unfortunately, this break in momentum was not overcome and the annual festival existed only in memories. Local merchants and residents were eager to reincarnate the festival and Sorrento Cheese, a company with a long history of community involvement, readily agreed to help underwrite the festival. The newly named Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival is now in its sixth year.

Trappist Cornucopia @ Chick's Cafe May 19, 2008 - ChicK's Cafe, 614 S. 7th St., Philadelphia

Rochefort, Westmalle, Achel, Chimay and Orval are among the delights, 14 Belgian beers in all, including ones from all the Trappist monasteries. Come join world-renowned importer and beer connoisseur, Dan Shelton, for a guided tasting tour of those great beers, plus wines and liquors, cheeses, mussels and other snacks. 7:30pm. $65 per person (price does not include tax or gratuity). Reservations: 215.625.3700 or by email.

Voodoo Brewing @ Di Bruno's May 20, 2008 - Di Bruno Bros., 1730 Chestnut St., Philadelphia

Brewer Matt Allyn, of Voodoo Brewery in Meadville, PA will be talking about his passion and the distinctive beers he makes. Some of the brews included in Allyn’s repertoire are Belgian-style ales; "off-breed wit" style; ales aged on fruit and seasonal IPA’s, along with other unique and creative beers that will be a wonderful pairing for the cheeses we will taste. Matt will talk about what it took for him to get up and running and discuss how he makes these wonderful beers. On of Di Bruno's cheese mongers will be explaining why they chose the 6 cheeses to pair with Voodoos beers. 6 – 8pm. $45 Reservations: 215.665.1659

Radical Beer May 20, 2008 - Tria Fermentation School • Medical Arts Building, 1601 Walnut Street , Phila

In our great beer-drinking city we can take for granted the path that beer has taken to reach its current creative and delicious heights. Randy Mosher, acclaimed beer expert and author of The Brewer's Companion and Radical Brewing, will take your taste buds back in time to explore the pioneers and boundary pushers of brews. History meets humor through the eyes of this pioneer who was called "some kind of homebrewing genius" by the famed beer writer Michael Jackson. This class is for beer geeks, beer novices and homebrewers alike. 6:30-8pm $50

Garrett Oliver/Brooklyn Beer Dinner May 20, 2008 - Osteria, 850 N. Broad St, Phila.

The concept is a 100% pork menu. Beers not specified: Potte Pork Terrine with Artichoke Mostards & Brioce; Snails with Fava Beans & Black Pepper Salami; Wild Ramp Ravioli with Pigs Foot Ragu and Testina Cannellomni w/Chanterelle Musrooms; Split roasted Baby Pig with Patate al Forno; Vintage Black Chocolate Stout Bavarian with Raspberry Salad. $100 per person (includes tax and gratuity), Reservations: 215.763.0920

Friday Night Sampling: Ballast Point May 23, 2008 - The Beer Yard

Point, Set, Match this week, and by that we mean Ballast Point Brewery of San Diego, whose beers will be in the house. No rep will be on hand, but we will be Set to see to it that you enjoy Big Eye IPA, Yellow Tale Pale Ale and Calico Copper. Match a beer with the color of Mark's shirt and win a prize. 5-7pm, when else?

Mondial de la Biere May 28, 2008 - June 01, 2008 - Windsor Station, 1160, De la Gauchetière Street West, Montreal, Canada

The annual The Mondial de la Bière celebrates the culture and heritage of beer in Montreal every Spring. Free admission, tickets for beers must be purchased. Hey, it's four days in Montreal, reason enough to head north. Details on website.

Friday Night Sampling: Heavy Seas May 30, 2008 - The Beer Yard

Heavy Seas is sending us local sales rep James Still to tell us about the beers tonight. We will taste Red Sky, Loose Cannon and Small Craft and learn as we go. Look for lots of questions from Mark. 5-7pm

Appalachian 11th Anniversary Bash May 31, 2008 - Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA

For its 11th Annual Anniversary Bash, Applachian is gonna kick things up a notch, closing off the street and throwing a party to be remembered. Go and enjoy food, friendship, entertainment and brews a plenty. It begins at 2pm with a free pig roast with all the fixings. All ABC draft beers are $3 all day long and there will be beers flowing outside too. The soon to be infamous Outhouse Races will start at 4pm. The outside stage will feature Tom Hamilton's American Babies and Slim Fit. and, later in the evening, the one and only Mike Doughty!

To sign a team up for the Outhouse Races, pick up an application at the Appalachian Brewing Company Harrisburg. You will need three people to complete a team consisting of two runners and one squatter. Naked Outhouses are provided by ABC, but it's up to you and your team to trick them out for the event. Be clever or be gone! You must sign up by May 24th in order to race for the glory and honor of the most coveted trophy in all of Central PA.