Prohibition Taproom Events

Celebrate the Repeal of Prohibition at Prohibition Taproom!

This Wednesday, December 5 marks the anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Many bars will be doing something to celebrate, and you should take advantage! I know I will.

Prohibition Taproom is celebrating with Founders Brewing Co. beginning at 5 pm. They'll be serving up beer cocktails that were co-created by Jonathan McIntire of Founders and are made with each of the beers on tap. If you can guess the ingredients in your cocktail, you'll receive 2 free tickets to the American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition at the National Constitution Center.

They'll also have Curmudgeon and Backwoods Bastard (which I had the other night and can tell you alone is worth the visit!) in bottles, and you'll have the chance to hang with Mike Stevens, Founders co-founder, Michael Bell, and Bob Kaiser.

Best of all, there will be a toast at 9 pm with Bolt Cutter, a 15% ABV barely wine that was brewed to celebrate Founders 15th anniversary. Tickets are required for a pour, and go on sale at 5 pm on the 5th.

2nd Annual Holiday Roast with Don Russell, aka Joe Sixpack

Most beer drinkers in the city know Don Russell, aka Joe Sixpack, either through his weekly column in the Philadelphia Daily News, as an Executive Director of Philly Beer Week, from his blog or one of his 3 books, or just from having run in to him at any one of the many events he can be found at.

Don has agreed to be the guest of honor for Prohibition Taproom's 2nd annual holiday roast (last year it was Steve Mashington, and from all accounts, was a crazy good time).

Come join the fun on Tuesday, December 18th at 8 pm as Don is roasted (think Comedy Central-style roast) by Glen Macnow, Bob Warner, Tom Peters (via satellite), Tom Kehoe, Curt Decker, Ron Goldwyn, and more!!

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to Philabundance. Can't make the event but still want to donate to Philabundance? Prohibition Taproom is an official drop off point for food donations from December 1st to the 22nd.

Into the Black

Last Friday was Black Friday and many bars in the area easily used this as an excuse to have dark beer events, many with clever names. The only one I went to was at City Taphouse and the event was called Into the Black. I thought this was an apt name not only for the event, but also for where my tastebuds have been going lately. Not satisfied anymore with just dark beers - stouts and porters - my tastebuds suddenly seem to be wanting bourbon-barrel aged dark beers. I hardly recognize myself! Just a couple of years ago I tried a Lost Abbey Angel's Share. I even wrote about it here. I didn't love it. The taste of the bourbon was too overwhelming. Well, I'm happy to report that no longer seems to be the case. Now, I can't seem to get enough of the taste. Next thing you know, I'll be loving bourbon on its own. Or sour beers. Who knows how far the madness will go.

I've tried a number of fantastic beers over the last week or so. Without further ado, some of my very favorites.

Avery Brewing Uncle Jacob's Stout. This big 17.4% ABV beauty is aged in first-use bourbon barrels for 6 months. Yes, it's boozy but not as much as one might expect. While definitely a sipper, it's still supremely drinkable. Be careful with this one. It will knock you out.

Founder's Kentucky Breakfast Stout. I said to someone at the bar that it was the first time I was enjoying the KBS. They were surprised that I'd never had it before. Me, too! But I can tell you it won't be my last. So delicious! It's aged in oak bourbon barrels for over a year, but you would never know it.

Dock Street Barrel Aged Prince Myshkin's Imperial Stout. Aged for 11 months in oak barrels that previously held pinot noir, the Prince Myshkin is wonderful. Creamy, smooth, and full of roasted chocolate, dark fruit, caramel flavors this is a must-try.

Were there others I enjoyed? You bet. But these were the standouts that I'm still thinking and talking about, and the ones I would encourage you to try if you have the chance.