YOU KNOW the local beer scene is exploding when even the wine-sippers at the Inquirer make space on the front page for the Everyman's beverage of choice.
The money quote in last Sunday's exhaustive report by Rick Nichols is from Sly Fox Brewery & Eatery owner Pete Giannopoulos, who said, "We can't grow fast enough."
I can't drink it fast enough, either, but you don't hear me complaining. Instead, I'll devote this week's column to catching up.
Mention the town of Emmaus to beer freaks, and they immediately think of Shangy's, the mega-distributor with more than 2,000 brands, including hard-to-find imports. That's fine for beer to go, but where do you go for a cold one after a grueling afternoon of shopping?
The Tap & Table Gastropub (4226 Chestnut St., Emmaus) is a good bet.
Located just down the road from the distributor, TnT pours from six draft lines and three hand-pumped casks. The menu ranges from oysters and mussels to steaks and chops.
Next weekend offers the perfect excuse to make the trek up the Northeast Extension: A minisaison fest featuring the spicy Belgian farmhouse style pouring from all taps. The event, which includes live music, runs Aug. 28-30, starting at 3 p.m. each day.
Oppressive heat notwithstanding, fall is right around the corner, and that means it's Oktoberfest season.
Mark your calendars for the second annual Philly Oktoberfest on Sept. 19 at the 23rd Street Armory in Center City. The festival features oompah music, a German biergarten and samples of malty Oktoberfestbier and spicy pumpkin beers.
Tix are $40, with two sessions at 1 and 6 p.m. VIP entry includes food and early entry. Info: www.phillybeerfests.com.
San Francisco's 21st Amendment arrived in town this summer with a splash from its unusual canned Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer. It's not bad if you like that kind of thing, but I've been grooving this summer instead to its Brew Free! Or Die IPA.
Also sold in cans, it provides both thirst-quenching bitterness (70 international bittering units) and a nice alcohol pop (7 percent alcohol by volume) - a nice way to beat an August heat wave.
Yes, you can drink it straight from the can. But if you pour it into a glass, you'll catch the aroma of its distinctive Amarillo, Ahtanum and Simcoe hops.
Also new in town this summer:
