Posts tagged Liberty Street Tavern
HiJinx Brewing Company: Allentown’s New Nano Brewery Startup
We’re always happy to hear about new places opening in the Lehigh Valley that will help to develop our growing craft beer scene. So you can imagine our excitement to learn about HiJinx Brewing Company, a new nano brewery which is set to open in Allentown later this year.
Curt Keck, founder of HiJinx Brewing Company, is no stranger to the world of brewing. He began brewing back in 1995 to satisfy his passion for great beer. After a stint as Assistant to the Brewmaster with the now defunct Allentown-based Old Lehigh Brewing Company (remember Bust A Nut Brown Ale? We do!), Curt served as Senior Brewer at Weyerbacher Brewing Company in Easton until his departure from professional brewing in 1999. In fact, he tells us that Weyerbacher’s Blithering Idiot is a scaled-up version of one of his homebrew recipes.
Curt’s Porter recipe earned him first place at the Drunk Monk Challenge in Chicago in 2009, making it eligible for the Masters Championship of Amateur Brewing where it received a gold medal. More recently, it won first place and was runner-up for Best in Show at the 2011 War of the Worts competition in Montgomeryville, PA. But Curt is no one trick pony, and his Porter is surely not his only award-winning beer. He has also won gold medals at various competitions for his Imperial Stout, ESB, Wit, Brown Ale, Belgian Dark Strong Ale and American Lager. These craft beers will soon be available to the masses through the HiJinx Brewing Company.
HiJinx has obtained local approval and is now pending federal approval with the hopes of opening in November 2011. The HiJinx Brewery will be based in Allentown, near the intersection of Route 22 and Cedar Crest Boulevard. Though now brewing on a 1/2 barrel system (not unlike the system that Sam Calagione used to start Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales), HiJinx will be brewing on a custom 1.5 BBL system once it is operational, with an expected capacity of 100 BBL. (As a side note - a BBL is a barrel of beer equaling 31 gallons, so we’re talking about a lot of beer!) Curt is trying to complete funding of his new system through a kickstarter.com campaign that will begin sometime in mid June.
HiJinx with be self-distributing at first, with 22oz bottles and sixtels, and will focus on getting accounts at craft beer-friendly establishments like The Liberty Street Tavern. Look for his award-winning Porter, ESB, Wit, Stout, Belgian Strong Ale, American Session Ale and IPA to be his first offerings, but keep in mind that Curt is a ‘no limits’ brewer who doesn’t mind taking chances. Recent experiments with new ingredients, new twists on classic styles, and brewing with herbs and spices means there will be a constant rotation of unique beers from HiJinx. Curt’s brewing philosophy is to think of beer like food: “The best food is prepared by a chef in a restaurant and not in a factory,” he says. He is a hands-on brewer and intends to remain that way with HiJinx. Taking pride in every batch and care in every step of the brewing experience in order to produce a quality product is Curt’s goal in brewing.
Curt also acknowledges the growing appreciation for craft beer in the Lehigh Valley and feels the establishments that serve quality beer here will continue to enjoy a steady growth. “There are a few groups in the area that are helping to expand the beer consumers palate through education and exposure,” explains Kurt. “The Lehigh Valley Homebrewers, who have given a number of seminars at various events around the Valley, take various examples of classic styles brewed by their membership, and explain what makes them what they are.” He also mentions other local beer groups such as the Lehigh Valley Beer Society. “These groups will only help to increase the demand for craft beers in this area,” says Curt.
Curt will be representing HiJinx at the PBS39 Microbrew Festival this Saturday. Expected to be available for sampling are Prankster’s Porter, HiJinx ESB, AsA (an American Session Ale), Hop Havoc IPA, Earth, Wit, & Fire, Java Porter, and he may slip Steal Your Face Stout into the mix for a limited tasting. Be sure to stop by the HiJinx booth, say hello to Curt, and tell him you where you heard about HiJinx!
Learn more about HiJinx:
HiJinxbrewing website
Philadelphia Brewing Co. comes to the Liberty Street Tavern in Allentown - tonight!
For the first time locally, Philadelphia Brewing Company’s great selection of beers will be on tap at the Liberty Street Tavern in Allentown. You can stop by tonight from 7:00pm - 11:00 pm for an $8 flight that includes Kennzinger (a Philly favorite!), Pennsylvania Pale Ale, Rowhouse Red, and Fleur de Lehigh. There will also be giveaways - and you know you can always use another beer-branded t-shirt or pint glass.
The Liberty Street Tavern, located at 2246 W Liberty St in Allentown, also has hundreds of bottles to choose from and some great food (try the boardwalk-style fries), so even if you can’t make it tonight, be sure to get in there soon!
Lehigh Valley Beer Society
You didn’t know? The Lehigh Valley has its own beer society. Started and run by local craft beer enthusiasts, the LVBS will resume its activities this Monday, July 19 after a 6-month hiatus. The upcoming meeting will be held at the Liberty Street Tavern at 7pm. New members are always welcome.
So what’s on the agenda? Typically, members gather, mingle and sample 5 different beers, rating each. Reviews of the beers are then posted on the Lehigh Valley Beer Society page of beeradvocate.com. All in all, it’s a great way to sample and learn about different styles, as well as meet other Lehigh Valley residents who share your love of a fine craft brew.
Email lvbeersociety@gmail.com for more information or to RSVP for this Monday’s event at Liberty Street.
