Posts tagged event
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!
The Best Places to Have a Beer After the Allentown Fair
The “Great” Allentown Fair. The Fair is the kind of event where you check out the carnies, the goats, rabbits and cows, the gut-busting food, and some of the most freakish people from all walks of life and leave asking yourself, “What the hell was that?” Unfortunately, unlike Bethlehem’s mega-fests, the Allentown Fair is pretty much a dry event, unless you want to drink Coors with a pack of cougars at the Main Gate, or whatever they call it now. That’s why after you’ve had your fill of the Fair, you’ll surely want to throw back a quality beer at one of the local drinking holes.
To find craft beer you’ll have to venture a block or two from the Fairgrounds, but that will give you the opportunity to walk off that funnel cake and pee where there isn’t a line that resembles the entrance to the gates of hell. For ideal access to all the places to get the good stuff, park North of Liberty Street near Gates 6, 7, or 8 and follow our guide below for the best post-Fair craft beer pub crawl on the West Side of Allentown. These are your sure bets for good beers and even better locals.
(Bars listed by proximity to The Fair)
RINGER’S ROOST
Located literally a stones throw from Gate 7 and 8, Ringers is a family-owned establishment that has been around as long as we can remember. Although their craft tap selection is pretty sparse (Sierra Nevada Pale ale, Magic Hat #9, and a few taps of Sam Adams), Ringers has a excellent variety of rotating bottles. Recent sightings include Chimay Blue, Stone IPA, Victory Golden Monkey, and Bell’s Two Hearted, as well as a mix of Stoudt’s, Yards, Smuttynose and Troegs. Although also known for their food, sadly the kitchen closes during the Fair and their normal Happy Hour specials temporarily cease to exist. Tons of locals hang here too, and if you stop back after the Fair we recommend their Taco Tuesdays.
Near the corner of 19th and Tilghman, Greg’s is not even a blip on the radar in the Allentown craft beer scene, though they made it into our list because we spotted Stoudt’s Oktoberfest on tap here a few days back. This smoking bar offers a large horseshoe bar and pool table, though we could do without the license plates and cow skull decor mixed with a splattering of Bud pinup posters (ok those weren’t that bad, except for the fact they had Bud in them). The place was dead when we stopped there except for a mix of a few hammered yocals chugging Busch Pounders or pondering life over a shot of Jim Beam. Might be worth a quick stop if you have to park on 19th street North of Tilghman.
Don’t let the sports bar category fool you. Volpe’s, a long time family-owned bar located a half block west of 19th and Tilghman not only serves up every conceivable sports event on about 12 flat screens, but is also a hidden gem for craft beer. Though the draft selection is meager (#9 being the only craft beer currently on tap) Volpe’s has been known to get rare kegs such as Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA. Volpe’s bottle selection, on the other hand, is worth a stop. As of Monday, Avery Karma and White Rascal, Lefthand Good Juju, Southern Tier Phin and Matt’s Extraordinary Ale, Bell’s Oberon and Two Hearted Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Dogfish Head 60 and 90 Minute IPA, Anderson Valley Summer Solstice, and Smuttynose Weizen were available. Aside from the brew and sports, Volpe’s offers a decent menu that goes late night, in case that hot dog at the Fair leaves you wanting more. Be aware, however, that Volpe’s is a smoking bar that allows cigars, and people smoke em’ if they got em’ here.
JACK CALLAGHAN’S ALE HOUSE
On Tilghman Street between 20th and 21st, Callahan’s offers a large selection of craft beer drafts, daily food specials, and for those who would rather spend their hard earned cash on beer, FREE fresh popcorn. The food is decent, the bartenders are knowledgeable about what’s on draft, and kegs kick often so the supply of beer is generally fresh.
STOOGES
3 blocks West of Gate 6 is a bar we know little about. Our first and only visit here ended in failure as they were closed for renovations. They advertise $3.00 Victory drafts. Who knows what will be pouring when they reopen September 2nd, but it might be worth checking out on your walk to Liberty Street Tavern.
LIBERTY STREET TAVERN
Liberty Street Tavern may be last on this list, but it is surely our pick for the best craft beer bar on Allentown’s West Side. Located at 23rd and Liberty, this place is worth the walk. With 10 or more rotating craft beer drafts (some pretty damn rare) served in appropriate glassware, Liberty Street is the place to spend that $10.00 you almost used in an attempt win the enormous stuffed Stewie at the Fair. With decent pricing, superior craft beer selection, and knowledgeable staff, Liberty Street is perfect for a nightcap after the horrors you have surely witnessed at the Fair. Most of our visits here have been while Muhlenberg College was not in session, so we cannot say what the vibe is like during the school year, but so far we’ve come across interesting locals on our visits (many are fellow craft beer enthusiasts). In addition to the excellent draft selection, Liberty boasts a variety of 300 different bottles. We’ve never actually counted the selection in their 6+ coolers, but there seems to be something for everyone and they offer $1.00 off mix and match six packs on Fridays. Kegs kick quickly and are re-tapped almost immediately, so you never quite know what new treats will be available. Recent additions have included Troegs Mad Elf and Sierra Nevada 30th Anniversary Black Barleywine. The food menu includes everything from specialty pizza and house made chips with salsa to Muffeletta sandwiches. Liberty Street is also a smoking bar, but has one of the best ventilation systems we’ve ever come across.
Although the Fair may come and go, these local establishments are always pouring quality beer to West End locals. Support craft beer and local bars by stopping in for a pint or four during and after the Great Allentown Fair - and don’t forget to tell them who sent you!
Beerscool
Tomorrow is the 3rd Wednesday of the month, and do you know what that means? It’s time for Beerscool! Because beer IS cool, but nothing is cooler than sampling new craft beers paired with a 4-course meal. The always awesome staff at Starters Riverport runs this monthly event where beer lovers unite, gain knowledge, and have a great time with other beer afficionados. Chef Danny Adams serves up a tasty 4-course meal paired with beers selected from Starters secret stash - beers given to them, found in travel, or saved for a special occasion. The event begins at 7pm and ends when everyone has had their fill of beer, food, and fun!
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.
Sam Adams Gives Beer Lovers a Choice
For the sixth year in a row, Sam Adams gives beer lovers across the country the opportunity to cast their vote on what will become the newest Sam Adams Brewmaster’s Collection beer. Last year, over 68,000 pariticipants voted at over 1,300 samplings. The winner? Sam Adams Noble Pils. This year, the two competing brews are a Belgian style IPA and an American Rye. The voting events will be held nationwide until September 30th at bars, restaurants, and off-premise retail locations. The winning beer will be announced in October and will be available in the Sam Adams Brewmaster’s Collection in January 2011.
Sadly, the Lehigh Valley will not host any of these events, but if you feel like making the trek, you can find samplings in other locations in PA. Click here for the schedule. >
