Posts tagged craft beer
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
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.
CHEDDAR BUFFALO MONSTER CHILI - A Tribute to Bethlehem’s Chili Festival
In honor of today’s annual Bethlehem Chili Fest (also known as Spring on Fourth, What’s on Third?), we thought we’d hand over our favorite homemade chili recipe, which of course, includes beer. No messin’ around here folks, this is one big-ass bowl of beer and bison deliciousness. So about 3 weeks from now when you’ve recovered from the gastrointestinal duress you are sure to endure today, try this on for size. For now, let it whet your whistle for the chili feast at hand. 
CHEDDAR BUFFALO MONSTER CHILI
Serves 4
Time to prepare: approx. 15 min prep, 5 hours to cook
2 lbs ground bison meat (we use Great Range all-natural bison meat, which can be found at Wegmans)
2 - 8oz. cans cannellini beans (other beans may be substituted)
4 Roma plum tomatoes, diced
2 white onions, diced
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp. sea salt
dash of pepper
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. fresh cilantro (dried cilantro may be used)
Cayenne red pepper to taste
Louisiana Red Chile Hot Sauce to taste
1/2 lb. Adams Reserve white sharp cheddar, cubed
1 cup Terrapin Brewery Big Hoppy Monster Imperial Red Ale
There is no need to cook the meat in advance in this recipe. Rinse beans. Add all ingredients, including cheese, to a crock pot and cook on high for 1 hour. If mixture seems too watery, add 1 tsp. of masa harina to thicken. Switch to the low setting and cook an additional 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Reader Poll: What are Your Favorite Winter Seasonals?
As the holidays draw nearer and the days get colder, the pumpkin and harvest beers start to fade from the shelves and we welcome the warming, hearty brews of the holiday season. Winter and holiday beers are some of our favorites - indulgent barleywines and spicy ales that tickle the tastebuds as we celebrate the season with friends and loved ones. Before we give you our opinion on what we think are the most enticing beers of the season, we’d like to know your thoughts. What are your favorite winter and holiday beers? CLICK HERE to tell us.
OctoberPreneurFest - Meet and Mingle with Beer Entrepreneurs!
This Monday, October 18th, the Lehigh Entrepreneurs Network brings you OctoberPreneurFest, giving you the opportunity to meet and mingle with entrepreneurs in the beer industry. If you like to homebrew, are thinking about starting a brewery, or just enjoy talking about beer, come out and meet others who share your passion. The event will take place in the Steelgarden Lounge in the Bethlehem Brew Works from 6-8pm, and will include tastings, light refreshments, and prizes.Click here to register for the event (the password is beer). The first 50 registrants receive free tastings. We hope to see you there!
Craft Beer at the Keystone Pub
If you haven’t been to the Keystone Pub lately (or ever), it’s about time for you to stop by. Keystone is one more great place to go to check out the Lehigh Valley craft beer scene. Located on Easton Avenue in Bethlehem, they’ve got a quality craft beer selection and offer a $3.50 all-day Saturday microbrew special.
Just to wet your whistle, below is what you’ll find currently at the Keystone to satisfy your craft beer thirst.
Draft:
Dogfish Head 60 Minute
Stoudt’s Gold
Stoudt’s Oktoberfest
Victory Hop Devil
Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale
Yard’s Pale Ale
Bottles:
Abita Purple Haze
Atwater Dirty Blonde
Bell’s Kalamazoo Stout
Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
Brooklyn Lager
Buffalo Bill’s Blueberry
Buffalo Bill’s Orange Blossom
Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre
Founders Breakfast Stout
Flying Dog Raging Bitch
Flying Fish Exit 4
Flying Fish Exit 6 (25oz)
Jack’s Pumpkin Spice Ale
Lancaster Hop Hog
Lancaster Strawberry Wheat
Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat
Magic Hat #9
Magic Hat Hex
Magic Hat HI.P.A.
Magic Hat Odd Notion
Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Terrapin Brown India Pale Ale
Tomorrow’s Saturday, so what better time to check out the Keystone and have some $3.50 craft brews? Maybe we’ll see you there!
How to Avoid Swill Beer at Fest
It’s that time again - the time when waves of townies and tourists roam the streets of Bethlehem with ale in hand. In the past few days, however, there has been controversy over the exact regulations of the beer laws surrounding Fest. Yesterday, State Liquor Control Enforcement shut down sales of to-go mug fills from local establishments for the first time in 12 years. Many weren’t happy about this change, and after a meeting at the Hotel Bethlehem with local bar and restaurant owners and Liquor Control, the ban was lifted - sort of. Until Monday, you will still be able to fill your mugs at bars and venture into the streets. Once Liquor Control officials are back in the office Monday and discuss the issue further - who knows.
What we do know is that if you are at Musikfest, you want to drink beer. And that if you enjoy craft beer like us, the beer selection you can purchase with your Fest tickets is less th
an satisfactory. Though many folks are content with drinking whatever macro brew swill Musikfest is pouring, we want you to know you do have a choice. There is an abundance of craft beer available right outside of festival grounds to quench your thirst, and even more if you are willing to take a bit of a hike in your quest for a quality brew (your car is parked 14 blocks away anyway, right?)
Below you will find our top 6 recommendations (in no particular order) on where to go during Fest if you don’t want to settle for less than you deserve by succumbing to the siren song of the beer tents.
If you want a craft beer during Musikfest, The Brew Works is the obvious first stop. The Brew Works will fill your mug, normally at or below Musikfest prices with quality house made brew. All the Fegley’s flagship beers will be on tap including Fegley’s Golden Ale (a good thirst quenching starter for your friend who has never had craft beer before), ESB, Wit and Steel Worker’s Stout. Slated seasonals include Blueberry Belch, Blastberry Wheat (an unfiltered wheat beer fermented with blueberries, raspberries and cherries), 900 IPA, Hefeweizen and Zomerbier (a Belgian summer ale). Also, don’t forget that the Steelgaarden Lounge below the Brew Works also stocks a large selection of Belgian ales and lambics along with the drafts, and is typically less crowded than upstairs during Musikfest hours.
Across the street from Ripper’s, Starfish is not only offering free music every night of Fest (you MUST go see the Talking Heads cover band tonight), but also five craft beer drafts: Stone IPA, Ommegang Hennepin, Harpoon Summer Ale, Weyerbacher Merry Monks and Stoudt’s American Pale Ale. The prices here can be a little steep but they also have a decent craft beer bottle selection.
Don’t let Joe’s divey facade keep you from venturing in for craft beer. Joe stocks bottles of some of our favorite go-to American IPA’s: Victory Hop Devil, Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. You might leave here smelling like a hamburger that’s been left in an ashtray, but Joe is usually behind the bar serving your IPA, which makes it all worthwhile.
Tika’s is right in the heart of the Main Street Fest scene at the corner of Main and Market. Though it’s more of a family restaurant sort of place, you can find Hop Devil on draft here - sure to come in handy if you’ve just watched that unicycle guy across the street for the umpteenth year in a row and need some craft beer - quick.
Located on Linden Street between Broad and Union, the Gute is a bit of a hike, but that works to your advantage if you want to escape the masses for a bit during Fest and enjoy a craft beer and some quality inexpensive pub food. Normally on draft here you will find at least 2 varieties of Victory beer along with Yards IPA, and a good craft beer bottle list to boot. If you’re hungry, go for the Gute Burger. It’s one of the best burgers in the area and wont leave you with that lingering regret you feel after spending your life savings on a shish kabob at Fest.
Many of you seasoned Lehigh Valley beer connoisseurs already know of the craft beer wonderland that is Abe’s. Abe’s is located at 13th and Broad, so if you’re already at Fest this may not be your best option, but we would be remiss if we did not add this to the list. Abe’s is not a bar, but rather a take-out craft beer heaven located right here in the Lehigh Valley. The exterior of the building may lead you to believe they sell only Old E 40’s and 12 packs of Natty Ice, but once you enter your fears will quickly dissolve. Abe stocks rack after rack of hard-to-find imports and rare styles categorized by country, and also offers a fixed price mix-and-match six pack of a variety of (mostly) American microbrews. Customers from New York and Philadelphia drive to PA to visit Abe’s and stock up on craft beers they cannot find locally, but we have the advantage of having this haven right in Bethlehem. Stop here on your way in to Fest if you are heading to a local party (your friends on Main Street don’t really want you to drink ALL their beer). This is also a great place to take your out-of-town guests who are into craft beer - believe us, they will be jealous you can shop here any time you want.
In addition to our 6 choices above, you can also find craft beer at a number of places on the South Side. A couple of our favorites include Starters Riverport, (located right over the Fahy Bridge behind the Banana Factory) which offers an impressive selection of craft beer drafts; and the Bookstore Speakeasy, which may be tiny but offers a unique atmosphere, quality drafts and password discounts every day of Musikfest.
Happy Festing to all, and to all a good beer!
The End of History - or the Beginning?
If you follow beer news, you’ve surely heard alot this week about The End of History. The crazy folks at BrewDog have created an ice-distilled, 55%ABV beer that costs in the neighborhood of $800 and is served in a dead squirrel. We’ve seen alot of discussion about this throughout the week, with some heralding the brewers as amazingly crafty, and others calling their newest creation nothing but a cheap gimmick. We want to hear your thoughts on the subject. Is BrewDog somehow cheapening the craft beer category or are they pioneers?
