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Tonight: Pittsburgh Brewmasters tasting at the Sharp Edge Brasserie in Peters Twp. Spots are still open. RSVP to info@pghbrewmasters.com.
Thur: Bocktown Tappin’ Thursday. Terapin Rye Squared on draft.
Fri: 5:30 -7:30 Warhol Musuem - Beer Tasting.
Sat: 7-9 Pipers Pub - Duck Rabbit Cask Night. They are going to have the Coffee Porter, primed with honey, on cask. Brewers will be there and Pipers Pub owner, Drew, will be doing cellar tours.
The Brewer’s Ball, which raises funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, is this Friday from 6 - 9 pm on the South Side. Enjoy some great beer and food while supporting a worth cause. For those of you who don’t know about CF, check out my article on Brewing Up a Cure or the CFF website. Cost is $60 and cocktail attire is required.
Paul Philippon is the founder of The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery. They say you can't trust a skinny chef, and I think the same holds true for brewmasters. If that's the case, this beer is good.
I was at 3 Son’s last week for the Founder’s tasting. All of the Founder’s beers were excellent, and I definitely recommend trying any of their beers you find. While there, I got the scoop that Duck-Rabbit beer out of NC will be available as of this week in the Pittsburgh market. I have yet to try any, but it is supposed to be good.
The next TRBC tasting is all set for May 14th. We are doing Spring Beers. See MaltDaddy for details and to RSVP. This is a great one to attend if you love Belgians and/or wheat beers.
The wife and I dropped the little one off at the in-laws for a night this weekend, and headed to the East Liberty in search of good food and beer. Our destination was Point Brugge Cafe, a Belgian-inspired restaurant and bar.
First of all, take the GPS and trust it. It may look like you are headed into a residential neighborhood, but the Cafe is there nestled among the houses. Parking can be tight, but we snagged a street spot just a few steps from the packed restaurant. Our wait was about 90 minutes, which was wonderful considering the great beer selection.
The Point listed this as a Golden Strong, but at 6.6% according to Belgoo it is a little weak for the style. Still a great beer.
I started with a Belgoo Magus Golden Strong, followed up by a Gouden Carolous Hopsinjoor. Prices were a little high, but not obnoxious, with both 8% beers costing $7.50. I definitely recommend both beers, especially the Hopsinjoor which had more hop flavor than is common in Belgians.
If you can find it, you have to try the Hopsinjoor
The food was pricey, but very good. I had the Carbonnade Flamanade ($19), which is a traditional Belgian beef dish. The Belgian Frites ($5) are a must try, and the mussels ($11) were excellent. No closed shells, and no grinding bites of sand.
A cold and long work hours have been keeping my postings down. I wanted to give a shout out to a few events coming up in the next few days.
Thanks to the smoking ban, all hip young beer drinking dads can bring the little one to the bar.
Monday - Meet Victory VP Steve German at these events
Thursday
Friday
As reported by the Harrisburg Picayune, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has reversed course and approved the use of beer vending machines in the commonwealth. The PLCB has abandoned its decades long support of the 3-tier system of distributors, in favor of a new model they hope will bring much needed tax revenue to the state in a time of financial crisis.
Approved Beer Vending Machines
“The Commonwealth is facing a budget short fall of $2.5 billion. The use of beer vending machines will vastly increase beer sales with their ability to reach new markets,” explained PLCB CEO Joe Conti. The vending machines will be placed in obvious locations such as malls and grocery stores, but the real growth markets are expected to be high schools and rehab clinics. Beers from vending machines in these locations will be be priced at a premium due to high expected demand.
“Look, there are already thousands of teenagers drinking in the state. Why shouldn’t we capitalize on something that is going on anyways,” stated Governor Rendell.
Joe Popeleski, head of local 8567 and owner of Pop n’ At beer distributorship, expressed outrage over the decision. “I paid $200K, bribed 2 state reps, and posed for nude photos just to get my liquor license, and now I’m going to lose it all to some vending machine manufactured in Asia.”
Back in the day, my drinking buddies and I used to do the “Friday Nighter”. Tired of the same clubs and bars every weekend, we would pick a hole in the wall out in the burbs . Sure there were some real busts, but also some of the best times.
I would like to add The Pines Tavern to your list of Friday Nighters. This restaurant off of Route 8 in Pine Twp is a nice little find for the beer lover. It is off the beaten path, so bring your GPS.
They have a huge menu and very reasonable prices. The beer list was very respectable, with offerings from New Holland, Voodoo, and some very reasonably priced Belgians (most were $5 for a bottle). They also hold monthly beer dinners for $35/person. You get 3 courses, each paired with a beer. In the summer, dishes are prepared from vegetables and herbs picked straight from the restaurant’s garden.
I had an O’Fallon 5 Day IPA and a New Holland Mad Hatter IPA. The O’Fallon was very drinkable and clean, but lacked any real character. The Mad Hatter was excellent, and recommended if you like IPAs.
Many thanks to Lisa, the Pines’ craft beer guru, for hanging out and talking beer with the wife and I.
The Post-Gazette reports that a new Giant Eagle in Robinson has purchased a restaurant liquor license and applied to the PLCB for permission to sell 6-packs to go. Imagine, actually being able to buy beer in a grocery store. Of course, the application is opposed by the PA Malt Beverage Distributors, who don’t want any new competition.
Out east, Wegmans has already been approved to sell beer, however that decision has been appealed to the state courts.
Interestingly, a bill was recently defeated in Colorado that would have allowed grocery stores to sell beer. What is interesting is that it was opposed by Colorado craft breweries and the Brewers Association. They feared supermarket chains would not carry craft beer, and drive out smaller businesses that support craft brewers. Seems odd logic to me, but let’s see what happens with PA. I have to think this is a good thing for consumers.
My guess is that the increased competition should help with prices. Also, specialty grocers like Whole Foods and Market District would likely devote plenty of shelf space to higher-end craft beers which carry better profit margins. The real question is, can you use your Giant Eagle Advantage card to use beer to save on gas?
I have the beer lineup for the next TRBC tasting at the AHYP club. The theme is California beers paired with California cuisine. I will have a menu sometime next week.
Kaya’s “We Love Beer Week” - Mon to Thur A four-course menu paired with beers, including 3 with dessert. Beers from Great Divide, Unibroue, Lion Stout, and Southampton. The price per person is $50 or $35 without beer. Call 412-261-6565.
Bocktown Birthday Tasting - Tues - 6 pm Happy Birthday to Bocktown owner, Chris Dilla. Sample some of her favorite brews.
Peak Organic Bistro Dinner - Wed to Fri The Pines Tavern is serving a 3-course dinner featuring Peak Organic brews. $33 plus tax and tip. Reserve at 724-625-3252.
Yards Brewing Returns to Pittsburgh - Wed to Fri Meet Owner/founder Tom Kehoe & his Brewer
Wednesday the 25th
Thursday March 26th
Friday March 27th 4:30 to 6:30
Over the Bar Bicycle Cafe - Sat - 5pm An art showing with craft beer from Vecenie’s Distributing. Free Hors d’oeuvres & beer sampling 6-8pm
The Cafe at the Frick Beer Dinner - Thur - 7 pm The four-course spread, which costs $85 per person including tax and tip, will be paired with brews from Voodoo, Troegs, Weyerbacher, Rivertown, and a home brew from the cafe’s chefs. Reserve (prepayment required) at 412-371-0600.
Beer & Cheese Pairing - Sat - 5:30 pm Barley’s & Hop’s, Tim Santoro guides you through imported cheeses paired with craft and import beer. Cost, including crackers and grapes, is $28.50 per person, and reservations must be made by March 26 (412-854-4ALE).
Hop Beer Tasting Hike - Sat - 3pm to 7pm Hike around Settler’s Cabin Park followed by a craft beer tasting of hoppy beers. This hike will involve some steep hills. Minimum age 21. Cost is $44 non-members, $27.50 members.
