Events for March 2004

ASN Belgium 2004 March 04, 2004 - March 10, 2004 - Belgium

The Ale Street News Spring tour to Belgium and the 24 hours of beer festival.  6 days of beer drinking in paradise, who could ask for anything more?

Beer Yard Friday Night Sampling March 05, 2004 - The Beer Yard

The regular Friday Night Beer Tasting at the Beer Yard features the beers of Wild Goose this week: IPA, Amber, Oatmeal Stout & Porter. 5-7 pm

Main Line Brew Fest 2004 Gala Beer Dinner March 06, 2004 - Desmond Great Valley Hotel & Conference Center

Following the sixth annual Main Line Brew Fest in the afternoon is this equally popular beer dinner which features a Silent and Live Auction.  6:30 pm $80.00 per person ($800.00 for tables of ten). Advance Tickets required.

The Desmond offers a Brew Fest Package, including an overnight room, admission to the Brew Fest, the Beer Dinner and Sunday Brunch, for $189 per person (plust tax/double occupancy).

For more information: call 610.296.9800 or use the website link above.

Main Line Brew Fest 2004 March 06, 2004 - Desmond Great Valley Hotel & Conference Center

The first beer festival of the local season and one of the most popular. Open tastings, tutored tastings and seminars will be conducted, along with cooking demonstrations.

Here's the just updated list of participating breweries:

Appalachian Brewing Company, Bethlehem Brew Works, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, General Lafayette Inn & Brewery, John Harvard's Brew House, Flying Fish Brewing Company, Golden Avalanche Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Legacy Brewing Company, Matt Brewing Company, McKenzie Brew House, Ortlieb's Brewery & Grille, Red Bell Beer Company, Rock Bottom Brewing Company, Sly Fox Brewing Company, Troegs Brewing Company, Weeping Radish, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Yard's Brewing Company, Valley Forge Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company

Tickets available in advance and at the door. $35 per person. Noon-4 pm

St. Victorious Beer Dinner March 10, 2004 - Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown

Victory's annual celebration of forthcoming spring begins with HopDevil IPA as the Welcoming Beer and proceeds through this fine menu:
Smoked Trout Salad
Mixed baby greens tossed with a sun-dried tomato and shallot vinaigrette, topped with smoked rainbow trout. Served with Prima Pils

Rigatoni with Duck and Wild Mushroom Ragout
Duck and wild mushrooms stewed in a hearty tomato ragout served atop fresh made rigatoni pasta.
Served with Dark Lager

Venison Brasciole
Farm-raised venison cutlets rolled with broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and garlic, oven braised until tender, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes.
Served with St. Victorious Doppelbock

Sourdough Bread Pudding
Sourdough bread cubes baked in a rich vanilla custard and topped with a Storm King Stout hard sauce.
Served with Storm King Stout

Visit the Victory website (link above) or call 610.873.0881 for reservations or more information.

Beer Yard Friday Night Sampling. March 12, 2004 - The Beer Yard

Weyerbacher Brewing will be here to celebrate its Big Beers and to introduce a new brew: Black Hole. See our "New Arrivals" list for a description of this unusual beer and then join us 5-7 pm to give it a try.

Meet The Brewer (Brian O'Reilly, Sly Fox)) March 12, 2004 - Grey Lodge Pub

Brian O'Reilly is bringing a a cask of whisky barrel aged Gang Aft Agley Scotch Ale, the beer that was the hit of Sly Fox's Robbie Burns Birthday Bash in January. The may be the last chance to taste this one, so don't miss it. 6 pm tapping.

The Book & The Cook March 12, 2004 - March 21, 2004 - Philadelphia Area Restaurants

The Philadelphia region's annual celebration of food and drink reachs the 20-year mark in 2004. During a ten day-span, over 60 of the world's leading cookbook authors will team with the culinary staffs of a like number of restaurants to create special meals based on their latest writings. Each day features anywhere from 5 to 10 restaurant events where you can enjoy a unique meal (usually prixe fixe), meet and chat with the guest author to learn how you can prepare their recipes at home and , if you wish, purchase the author's cookbook which they will gladly sign with their personal regards.

Golden Age of Philadelphia Beer Tour March 13, 2004 - Some of Philadelphia's best beer bars

This annual beer excursion has become so popular that there are now two tours, one on each Saturday of The Book & The Cook.  The tour departs from the Center City MArriott Hotel (13th & Market).

 Things kick off with special buffet luncheon at Ludwig's Garten and your selection of a beer from Ludwig's German taps. Then a walk around the corner to McGillin's Old Ale House, the city's oldest continually operating tavern, for more food and beer.

The vans move on to Mt. Airy and McMenamin's Tavern and then to Standard Tap in Northern Liberties, before a visit to Yards Brewing Company in Kensington, where founder and brewer Tom Kehoe provides a tour. Last stop before dinner is at the cult-favorite Grey Lodge Pub in Kensington. I There is food and beer at each stop, all part of the ticket price.

The day winds up with a three-course dinner at the Independence Brewpub at Reading Terminal, featuring rhe beers of brewer Tim Roberts.

Beer writer Lew Bryson is a special guest on the Golden Age Tour, providing beer insights, historical anecdotes and the loudest laugh in captiviy to the fun.

Noon -8 pm. $95.00 per person.

Reservations: Richard Pawlak at ESTERRICK@aol.com (these sell out quickly, especially the first one, so act now if you're interested)

A The Book and The Cook Event

Stephen Beaumont Dinner March 16, 2004 - Monk's Cafe

Last year, our Canadian pal Stephen talked Tom Peters and chef Adam Glickman into a chocolate, cheese and beer dinner. Now Tom asks "what will Stephen come up with for his first dinner of 2004? Perhaps an all Quebecois dinner, or maybe a Francophile dinner? I will update this listing ASAP." And he will, too. In the meantime, an advertisement in the March 5 Philadelphia Daily News appears to indicate that this is a "Porter @ Stouts" meal. Stay tuned. 7 pm

Eric Tucker Vegan Dinner March 18, 2004 - Nodding Head, Philadelphia

Since 1994, San Francisco's Millennium restaurant has created a sumptuous vegan experience. Chef Eric Tucker brings a collection of his mind-blowing vegan fare, spanning influences from the Pacific Rim to the Deep South, to pair
with beers by Nodding Head brewer Brandon Greenwood. Nodding Head chef Andrew Maloney offers the perfect kitchen for impassioned vegan cuisine. Time and price not yet announced.

A The Book & the Cook Event

Garrett Oliver Beer Dinner March 18, 2004 - Iron HIll, North Wales

Brooklyn Brewery's brewmaster, author of The Brewmaster's table, will pair beers with food for a sumptuous dinner at Iton Hill's newest and just-opened pub. $75 per person (price includes a copy of the book).

A The Book & the Cook Event

Brewery Collectibles Show March 19, 2004 - March 20, 2004 - Ortlieb's Brewery & Grill, Sunnybrook

The 52nd semi-annual Brewery Advertising & Collectibles Show where you can buy, sell, & trade at what is considered the premiere breweriana event in the United States. Cans, Bottles, Coasters, Labels, Neons, Signs, Tap knobs, Trays, Steins & lots more, plus all those Bill Moore-brewed beers on tap.
Friday: 2 - 8 pm
Saturday:  9 am - 2 pm

Flying Fish Cask Night (Coffee Porter) March 19, 2004 - Grey Lodge Pub

One of those rare casks of Flying Fish Coffee Porter will pour, offering, in the words of the inimitable Scoats, "your chance to try two of the major food groups-caffeine and alcohol-in one tasty beverage." This was a major hit at the Grey LodgeGroundhog Day event an this time it's on cask. Not to be missed.

Friday Night Beer Tasting: Dogfish Head & Randall the Enamel Animal March 19, 2004 - The Beer Yard

Maybe the most amazing Friday Night Tasting of all! The incomperable Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will be on hand to pour 60, 90 and 120-minute IPA and he's bringing the one, the only "Randall the Enamel Animal" along. See the story in our "Store Notes" section about this hop-a-lific invention if you're not familiar with it. Randall has already been seen in Washington, DC and other parts of the U.S. but never in the Philadelphia area.

There's more! Aprihop 2004 will also make its Philadelphia debut that night. You gotta be here! 5-7 pm

Golden Age of Beer in Philadelphia Tour March 20, 2004 - Some of Philadelphia's best beer bars

This annual beer excursion has become so popular that there are now two tours, one on each Saturday of The Book & The Cook (this is the second one).

 The tour departs from the Center City MArriott Hotel (13th & Market) and things kick off with special buffet luncheon at Ludwig's Garten and your selection of a beer from Ludwig's German taps. Then a walk around the corner to McGillin's Old Ale House, the city's oldest continually operating tavern, for more food and beer.

The vans move on to Mt. Airy and McMenamin's Tavern and then to Standard Tap in Northern Liberties, before a visit to Yards Brewing Company in Kensington, where founder and brewer Tom Kehoe provides a tour. Last stop before dinner is at the cult-favorite Grey Lodge Pub in Kensington. I There is food and beer at each stop, all part of the ticket price.

The day winds up with a three-course dinner at the Independence Brewpub at Reading Terminal, featuring rhe beers of brewer Tim Roberts.

Beer writer Lew Bryson is a special guest on the Golden Age Tour, providing beer insights, historical anecdotes and the loudest laugh in captiviy to the fun.

Noon -8 pm. $95.00 per person.

Reservations: Richard Pawlak at ESTERRICK@aol.com (these sell out quickly, especially the first one, so act now if you're interested)

A The Book and The Cook Event

Michael Jackson Tutored Tastings March 20, 2004 - University of Pennsylvania Museum

The world's most famous beer writer, Michael Jackson, leads a trio tasting sessions which pair contemporary microbrews with foods that complement them. Each tutored session will be followed by a general tasting of additional microbrews from the US and around the world complemented with foods from Museum Catering Company. Three seatings. Advance reservations required. Tickets at the Annenberg Center after February 1, 2004. $45 per session ($40 for Museum members)

Michael Jackson Organic Belgian Beer Dinner March 21, 2004 - Monk's Cafe

the traditional Sunday night dinner, hosted by the world's bes known beer writer, which closes out The Book & The Cook for beer geeks, even though it isn't officially a part of the ten-day event. From the Monk's website: "We will pair organic Belgian ales with locally grown and raised organic produce, poultry and meat. Just think how healthy you'll feel after this meal!"  6 pm

Dogfish Head Beer is from Mars, Wine is from Venus Dinner March 21, 2004 - Dogfish Head Brewery & Eats, Rehoboth Beach

Finally.. the age old question will be answered... "Which pairs better with food, beer or wine?" And where else but at Dogfish Head? Each dinner course will paired with an appropriate beer and and an appropriate wine... then diners will make the winning call.  Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Marnie Old, sommelier from Philadelphia take the stage and face off!

First Course
White Cheddar and Ale Bisque
Topped with Diced Smoked Scallops
Served with Shelter Pale Ale & Wolf Blass  "President's Selection"   Chardonnay 2001  

Second Course
Carpaccio Spring Roll
chilled cuban style Spring Roll with
Red Oak leaf lettuce and Jicama

Third Course
Salad
Baby spinach and grape profusion
with port wine lemongrass vinaigrette
Served with by Au Courant & Brouilly Chateau de la Chaize   2001  

Fourth Course
Panko encrusted Eggplant Tower
Crisped eggplant discs stuffed with herb encrusted goat cheese surfing  a tomato marmalade and grilled Romaine hearts
Served with "randallized" 90 minute IPA & Rosso di Montalcino Caparzo 2000  

Fifth Course
Demi-lune cheesecake with fresh fruit and caramel drizzle
Served with Moscato d'Asti Ceretto "Stefano" 2001

6:30 pm. $49 per person
For reservations, call 302.226.BREW
or email fred@dogfish.com

Beer Yard Friday Night Sampling March 26, 2004 - The Beer Yard

The regular Friday Night Beer Tasting at the Beer Yard will feature five of Bert Grant's beers from Yakima Brewing & Malting Company this week. Join us from  5-7 pm

The Taming of the Brew March 27, 2004 - Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg

The Taming of the Brew is an event which benefits the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble and will feature beers from several microbreweries.  7-11 pm. Call 570-784-0714 for tickets and information.

Dogfish Head Beer Dinner March 30, 2004 - Novelty Restaurant, Philadelphia

Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione will pour beers to complement Chef David Thorpe’s Contemporary American Cuisine. 7pm.  $40 plus gratuity. For more information, keep checking the Novelty website using the link above.