Posts tagged beer
Meet Alexander Clare
If you’re in tune with either the Lehigh Valley craft beer scene or art scene (or both), chances are you know the name Alexander Clare. If you don’t, you should.
Alex is, quite simply, a very cool and talented guy who who is making his mark in both the art world and the world of craft beer. Most of you have undoubtedly been to the Brew Works or sipped a Brew Works beer at some point in your life, which means Alex has made his mark on you too. He is responsible for most of the Brew Works beer label illustrations, including Space Monkey, Insidious, Monkey Wrench, and Blueberry Belch. You’ll also see his work on the majority of the brewery chalkboards. His work on the Brew Works’ labels has helped them gain nominations for Best Label Art in Best of Philly Beer Scene 2010, as well as honors at the Design, Drink, and Be Merry exhibit at the Reading Goggle Works.
Alex has also recently been competing in the Lehigh Valley Art Wars, a live art event in which artists are given a two hour timeframe to complete a work of art on the spot based on a broad theme. The art is voted on by both audience and jury, and two artists from each event move on to the next round. Sixteen artists have been narrowed down to four for the final event. Alex is one of the finalists who will be competing tonight at Mayfair for the grand prize.
Alex has only lived in the Lehigh Valley for a few years, but he recognizes the same thing here that we do - the potential for remarkable growth on many levels. “I love living in the Lehigh Valley,” explains Alex. “I feel like I’m a part of an exploding scene for both art and craft beer here - like I got in at the ground level and it will just keep growing. It’s exciting to be involved in that.”
We met Alex about a year ago on one of our Molly’s Micro Monday excursions, where you’ll often find him, craft beer in hand, chatting with various folks about beer and art. He’s been a supporter of our website and what we are doing since the beginning. And now, he’ll be playing an active role in it. We’re happy to announce that, in addition to his many other endeavors, Alex has recently joined the LVcraftbeer team!
Check out Alex’s work on his website at www.alexandertheart.com, or better yet, come out to the Art Wars Finale tonight from 8-10 pm at Mayfair and see Alex in action. We’ll be there cheering him on, and we hope you’ll join us!
Art Wars photos courtesy of Elaine Zelker Photography.
Beers for the Rapture
Since the rapture is upon us, we figured we’d better swing by Abe’s for one “final” visit and pick up some goodies to share with our friends and loved ones as the end draws near.
As we say our goodbyes and send everyone off with well-wishes (wherever they may be going) we’ll be toasting our memories with a Pretty Things Field Mouse’s Farewell, a 7% ABV Golden Ale brewed with barley, wheat, oats, and rye.
We’ll follow our Farewell with a Nogne O Dark Horizon 3rd Edition, while we look ahead and ponder the mystery of our unknown fate. This Russian Imperial Stout with a whopping 15.5% ABV is sure to either ease our worries or lead us into a steady spiral of self-doubt.
Next, as we come to accept the impending doom that is soon to follow, we’ll be sipping on a Brouwerij Het Alternatief Bitter Truth, a 10% ABV Belgian Ale.
Once the sky turns dark and lightning crackles in the distance or whatever is supposed to happen, we will move on to an 7.8% ABV Left Hand Fade to Black Smoked Baltic Porter. After all these high ABV beers, I don’t know if we’d even notice a hurricane or swarms of locusts.
When everyone starts being taken one by one, we’ll send them off with a nice pint of Rogue Dead Guy Ale. This 6.5% maibock should take the edge off for those who are afraid of heights. And I mean, they’re going to be dead in like a couple minutes, right? Might as well have one last beer.
Finally, we figure good beer might be allowed in the afterlife, so we wanted to be personally prepared. So what better or more appropriate beer to be packing on a journey up to the clouds than Stone Levitation Ale? It’s a 4.4% amber ale, nice and tame - so just in case we get in trouble for bringing in outside beverages, at least we didn’t have that 15.5% Dark Horizon on us. Although, what if we’re in that group that doesn’t float up to the sky? Crap. Maybe we should’ve picked up some Russian River Damnation.
Weyerbacher Beerscool Dinner Tonight at Starters Riverport in Bethlehem
It’s the third Wednesday of the month and that means it’s time for Beerscool at Starters Riverport! Tonight they’ll be featuring a Weyerbacher Beer Dinner and a rep from the brewery will be on hand to tell you all about their delicious locally brewed beer while you enjoy it! Beer selections include Double Simcoe IPA, Verboten, Blanche, Merry Monks and Blithering Idiot. The menu, prepared by Starters chef Dan Adams, includes some amazing creations: Cheddar-Stilton with peaches and crustini, shrimp and grits, southern fried chicken, yukon gold mashed potatoes, cheddar-stilton mac ‘n cheese, smokey collard greens, and black raspberry ice cream and watermelon ice with whipped cream and mint. YUM!
The dinner starts at 7pm tonight and will run you $30 per person, but it’s well worth it for all of that awesome beer, food, and knowledge! Call 610-625-2300 to reserve your seats.
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!
CRAFT BEER EVENTS IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY
There’s always something to do in the Lehigh Valley if you like craft beer! Our events page can help you plan your week around the craft beer scene. Check it out for special events as well as ongoing weekly and monthly events. We update this page as frequently as possible, but if you see something that we’re missing, be sure to let us know!
Craft Beer Conversion
Despite the exploding craft beer scene throughout the country and the never ending variety of beer styles that now exist, there are still those people out there who claim they “don’t like the taste of beer” or swear by only the standard macros. We know you’ve got at least one of these in your entourage, be it your Appletini-swilling girlfriend or your buddy who doesn’t leave the house without a case of Miller Lite by his side. Chances are, most of these people are simply uneducated about the vast variety of styles and flavors that exist in the beer spectrum. So we’ve compiled a list of a few brews that are most likely to convert even the biggest non-believers to fellow appreciators of the most versatile beverage in the world - BEER.
1. Lindeman’s Framboise (raspberry), Cassis (black currant), Pecheresse (peach), Pomme (apple), Kriek (cherry), or Faro: The fruit varieties are very mild and sweet, and are a great way to introduce non-beery beers to someone who tends to prefer fruity martinis or wine. Each of the varieties listed above are lambic beers with fruit or other infusions added. The Faro is a wild-fermented wheat beer using new and old lambics and candied sugar with a taste similar to a sweet sparkling wine. To learn more about the brewing process for this special variety of beer, click here.
2. Blanche De Bruxelles: Though there are many different witbiers out there, we suggest avoiding the most commercially available - Blue Moon. Blanche De Bruxelles is our favorite witbier, and is unintimidating enough to serve to your friend who typically sticks with Miller Light or Michelob Ultra. This light, refreshing, 4.5% ABV witbier is made with coriander and orange peel which gives it a unique taste without an overpowering fruit flavor. Plus the peeing cherub on the label is a great conversation-starter.
3. Southern Tier Creme Brulee Imperial Milk Stout: This beer’s ABV is up there at 9.6%, but it tastes like a decadent milkshake laced with caramel, vanilla, and coffee flavors. Quite tasty but certainly not a session beer, so if you’re serving this to someone who’s not into beer, don’t expect them to want a whole pint of this stuff. Still, a great way to give a non-beer drinker a taste of the variety of craft beers that are out there.
4. Duchesse De Bourgogne: This Flemish Red Ale has a fruity taste and moderate ABV (6%), but also a bit of complexity and a sour end. Some folks with less tolerant tastebuds may be turned off by the sour finish, but we’ve served this beer to friends and moms who don’t like beer at all, and received a great response. If this beer proves to be a hit for you, we also recommend Monk’s Cafe Flemish Red or Jolly Pumpkin La Roja.
5. Brew Works Valley Golden Ale: This American Blonde Ale has been called a “gateway beer” by some. It cannot be purchased in bottles but you can find it on tap at any of the 3 Brew Works locations. Those with a taste for complex beers full of character may find this beer a little boring, but for those who are used to swilling macros this is a great stepping stone. It’s very mild and drinkable, has a low ABV of 4.7%, and is often recommended to new Brew Works customers who come into the brewpub asking the bartender for a light beer.
One great way to introduce different styles of beer to friends who are not really into the craft beer culture (yet) is to take them to a beer and food pairing or a sampling event. Wegmans Bethlehem and Allentown locations are both hosting a FREE beer and food pairing on Saturday, May 21 from 11am-3pm. Take your friends and show them how great beer can complement any meal. Or - stop by the Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton any Saturday between 12noon and 3pm for a FREE tour and tastings of all their beers. The Brew Works Allentown also holds FREE tours and tastings every Saturday from 12noon - 1:30pm, but you’ll have to contact them in advance to schedule your tour.
