Brewhaha

Some partially credit the energy surge on South Philly's beer scene to the move of the Bella Vista Beer Distributor into a greatly expanded new location on 11th Street, positioning itself as a significant new wholesale player.

But growth in craft beer's presence has hardly been limited to downtown. Beer has taken a nearly equal place alongside wine on high-end beverage lists in Manayunk, at Cooper's Brick Oven Wine Bar, and in the suburbs, as at Alison Two in Fort Washington. Good beer has also found a surprising place on the lower end at mainstream chains like Uno Chicago Grill, which now pours brew ranging from Ayinger to Dogfish Head and Allagash, and is hosting Beer Week events at six of its locations.

In fact, about half the new events of this year's Beer Week, said Russell, are taking place at suburban venues, from Teresa's Next Door in Wayne to TJ's in Paoli, Capone's in Norristown, and the Spinnerstown Hotel, where aspiring know-it-alls will participate in one of several preliminary rounds for the Philly Beer Geek competition in hopes of winning the $1,000 crown. The finals this year will be held at the Manayunk Brewery.

Last year's winning geek, Steve Robson, bested nine competitors with an impressive command of beer trivia, tasting acumen, and wit, including his description of his "date" with a bottle of Stoudt's Old Abominable Barley Wine.

Who knows? If you can tell a firkin from Fuggles hops, your own lucky beer day - and moment of brew-soaked glory - awaits.

For a complete list of beer week events, go to www.phillybeerweek.org. Contact restaurant critic Craig LaBan at 215-854-2593 or claban@phillynews.com.