Sunday, June 15 is Father’s Day, and as I sit at happy hour at Forest and Main on Friday night enjoying a Yakutsk Pale Ale without any explicit Fathers’ Day plans, I am contemplating the question that arises every Father’s Day – how am I going to spend it?  It seems like a simple question to most, but there are several schools of thought. Let me explain.

A father’s initial thought may be – “It’s Father’s Day, I’m a father and I work hard at it all year, so I’m going to go do whatever I want!”  This may include activities that don’t involve your children – such as golfing or sitting at your “local” for an extended period of time.  If that is your conclusion, then it’s a easy decision and you don’t need to read any further.

There is a second school of thought that fathers should spend Father’s Day with those who made them fathers.  I have children, and traditionally, I spend the day with them.  But at the same time, my father is still living, and while I am spending time with my kids, I’m not with my dad – which raises, in the back of my mind, the specter of being a bad son and the Mike & Mechanics song “In Living Years” whispers through my brain.

But part of the reason I don’t do anything solely with my father on this holiday is because he usually spends it with his father / father-in-law (my grandfather) that day.  Typically I am invited to join that celebration at my grandfather’s house, and I do (along with my children) but one could argue that technically, as it relates to me, this is a Grandparents’ Day party.

So, as I finish the last sip of the Yakutsk and leave technicalities to the weekdays, I conclude that a multi-tiered Father’s Day party, including grandfathers, fathers, children, uncles and cousins is a great solution (I mean, when isn’t a party a great solution?) – especially when it’s a sunny day and each father brings a case of their favorite craft brew to the gathering!

So Happy Fathers’ Day to all you craft drinking Fathers out there – whatever you decide to do!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2014 – all rights reserved

I’m not trying to spoil your fun. But be warned – Philly Beer Week 2014 will end this Sunday, June 8.   That doesn’t mean that the party also has to end however.  Summer is quickly coming to the Philadelphia area, and with it many craft beer events.  Here’s a few that are high on my list:

Lansdale Beer Tasting Festival – June 28, 2014

In its fifth year, the hometown of Round Guys Brewing will host over 100 brewers and 300 beers.  Tickets and details here:  http://lansdalebeerfest.com

Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Festival – July 19, 2014

An evening of lions and tigers and brews, oh my!  www.philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/Upcoming-Events/Summer-Ale-Festival.htm

Brews for Books – July 26, 2014

All proceeds go to the Indian Valley Public Library and the Lutheran Community at Telford, and include a VIP pairing dinner and a homebrew competition.  Visit the website for instructions on how to enter the competition and to purchase tickets:  http://www.brewsforbooks.org

Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Across America – August 2, 2014

Sierra Nevada’s traveling festival to show support for the entire craft brewing community.  Of the seven Beer Camp festivals being held around the country, Philadelphia was rightfully chosen as the site of the Mid-Atlantic region festival.  250 fifty breweries from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and New Jersey were invited – as of this date, 76 have already accepted the invitation.  This is the “can’t miss” craft beer event of the Summer of 2014.  Purchase tickets and obtain more information here:  beercamp.sierranevada.com/festival/mid-atlantic_edition

So before you say goodbye to Philly Beer Week, buy tickets for your next event – it’ll make next week a little easier to survive!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2014 – all rights reserved

Philadelphia’s brewing community, both old and new, were in full force tonight at the annual Best of the Philly Beer Scene awards at World Cafe Live.  With the return of “Joan Rivers” and a 60′ red carpet, the event, put together by Philly Beer Scene Magazine Publisher Mat Falco and Creative Director John Clark, was a joyous celebration of all things brew in the greater Philadelphia area.

Hosted by Mike Lawrence, the producer of the film “Beeradelphia,” the Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards show was a homage to representatives from breweries, brewpubs, bars, restaurants, wholesalers, distributors and all other aspects of the brewing industry in the Philadelphia area.  In addition to Philly Beer Scene icons Tom Peters, Fergus Carey, Jim Meiers, and Lew Bryson, up and coming stars like 2014 Brewer of the Year Jeremy Myers of Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, Gerard Olson and Dan Endicott of Forest & Main Brewing Company, and Jean Broillet IV of Tired Hands Brewing were also in attendance.

A few highlights of the night:

– A hilarious short film about the decision to make Mike Lawrence the host of the event, including previous year host Joe Gunn and Band of Brewers 2014 host Curt Decker, was  unfortunately cut shorter due to technical issues. (Stand by for the post on YouTube!)

– Freewill Brewing Company’s “Whit” beer, a Belgian white ale fermented with white cranberries created specially for the event.  Guests were treated to a draft of the brew in a commemorative glass as they entered, and received a corked, caged, and wax-sealed bottle as they left.

– Firkins of brew were available, including:

Iron Hill Ironbound Ale – American Pale Ale

Tired Hands Hop Hands – dry hopped with nelson sauvin

Nodding Head 60 Shilling – Scottish Ale

Earth + Bread Brewery Tweed – Scottish Ale

Dock Street Pimp My Rye – American Double/Imperial IPA

Forest & Main Wojtek – English Porter

As it does every year, the Best of the Philly Beer Scene Awards again proved that the craft beer industry in Philadelphia is not only strong, but cohesive.  The true friendships within the Philly Beer Scene shone through on stage; it has been those relationships that have bolstered not just craft brewing in general, but specifically Philadelphia craft brewing.  Congratulations and thank you to all the nominees and winners!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2014 – all rights reserved

It’s American Craft Beer Week – Seven days of celebrating the exceptional growth of craft brewing in the U.S. and the brewers who are behind it!  Make sure you get yourself to your “local” this week and thank them for all they do for craft beer (and you!)  U.S.A.!…U.S.A.!…U.S.A.!

Cheers!

The Brewholder

Copyright 2014 – all rights reserved

Well, it’s National Beer Day again, so glad tidings to all!  Remember – like some famous person might have once said, “Live your life like everyday was National Beer Day!”  Have a beer (and get a badge on Untappd!)

Cheers!

The Brewholder

copyright 2014 – all rights reserved

Thanks to my “Go To” beer distributor, Ambler Beverage Exchange, I was able to get my hands on this fresh, delicious case of Stone’s Go To IPA, a session IPA that is raising a lot of eyebrows.  Are big beers falling out of favor?  Maybe, maybe not.  But this 4.5% flavorful IPA just released this month is definitely giving them a run for their money!  Check out BeerGeekNation’s review of it here.

Cheers!

The Brewholder