Back from NJ and Philly

[Wolf359]

It was a good trip, even though my patience was thoroughly tested several times. But the variety of beers just blew me away.
Here's how it went -
Sly Fox in Phoenixville
Rock Bottom in King of Prussia
The Drafting Room in Exton
Eulogy Belgian Tavern in Philly
Independence Brewpub in Philly
O'Neals Pub in Philly
Standard Tap in Philly
Basil T's in Toms River
The Ship Inn in Milford
Long Valley Brewpub in Long Valley
Krogh's Brewpub in Sparta
Triumph Brewpub in Princeton
It was fairly eventful beer drinking when I had alone time. The best find of the entire trip was a little shop in south Philly called The Foodery. They actually sold mix and match sixers, allowing me to sample beers from Victory, Dogfish Head, Magic Hat, Brooklyn, Troegs, and many others. Several of the pubs I went to also featured cask ales, of which I had some 60 Minute IPA, Hop Devil, and some really nice bitters and milds. Upon reviewing my notes I've tried 112 new brews in 10 days.

[threecb]

Wow! Nice trip! You've been to some places that I haven't been to. But I've been to a couple of them quite recently, like Triumph. Tom has some good beers on now.

And I assume your patience was tried while driving in the area?;)

[chazwicke]

Excellent work! What did you think of the Ship Inn? I really like that place as it reminds me of a real British Pub.

[Wolf359]

The driving was challenging to say the least, I just couldn't figure out the whole U turns and left turns from the right side thing, and the roundabouts were tough as well. Also the twisty, mist covered, deer infested back roads in Jersey almost got the best of me! The Ship Inn was just plain great. I had an imperial pint of their cask Bitter along with Stilton and bacon covered potato skins, it was delightfully sinful. The view from the restaurant was top notch - a nice creek with ducks, geese, trout, etc. This is also where I purchased a bottle of Coniston Bluebird Bitter which turned out to be one of the best beers I've ever had.

[MeridianFC]

Thanks for the report. I'll be up in Philly in two weeks myself.

Anyplace for cask you'd recommend that's in Philly proper?

[Wolf359]

The Standard Tap had 2 hand pumps going when I was there, one was Yards Extra Special Ale, the other was Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. They had just tapped the ESA twenty minutes prior to, it was quite fresh and full of flavor. Their food was outstanding, and the service(sitting at the bar) was the best we had on the enitre trip. The place wasn't in the best part of town, nor do they open before 4 or 5 PM, I'd reccomend taking a taxi to and from.

We also had cask Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA at place in south Philly called O'Neals. It looked as though both bars rotated their tap handles pretty frequently, so no telling what may be on when you get there. If I remember correctly the Independence Brewpub also had a hand pump going, with an oatmeal stout being poured. I know that Monk's Cafe also has one hand pump, but we never made it that far.

[sallad]

i've only had the 60min ipa from the cask once... oh, how i hope its still pouring at the standard tap tonight!!

[Theakston]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Thanks for the report. I'll be up in Philly in two weeks myself.

Anyplace for cask you'd recommend that's in Philly proper?

You probably want to stick around central phillie. Best bet would be a tour of
Monks (Belgian)
Fergies (Oirish - Yards on Hand pump)
Nodding Head (brewpub - not sure of casks)
Ludwig's (German - probably no cask)
all within staggering distance of each other and close to the subway to / from the stadium. We wound up at Fergies after the game last year and it had a fair crowd of assorted brits. They had Youngs SLA last year too!

The main soccer pub is the Dark Horse - last year they had a pregame block party but only boddies and stella was flowing.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Wolf359
The driving was challenging to say the least, I just couldn't figure out the whole U turns and left turns from the right side thing, and the roundabouts were tough as well. Also the twisty, mist covered, deer infested back roads in Jersey almost got the best of me! The Ship Inn was just plain great. I had an imperial pint of their cask Bitter along with Stilton and bacon covered potato skins, it was delightfully sinful. The view from the restaurant was top notch - a nice creek with ducks, geese, trout, etc. This is also where I purchased a bottle of Coniston Bluebird Bitter which turned out to be one of the best beers I've ever had.

Conniston is one of my favorites although many on this board may be suprised by that :D . I also really enjoy the Ship Inn and I am a fan of Blue Stilton. I hate those turn about thingys too. Thanks for the review.