The Gravity Tap at Bridgid's opens this Saturday!

Brigid's, the original Belgian beer bar in Philly, is also home to the only gravity tap on the east coast. Not sure what a gravity tap is? In simplest terms it's an unpressurized sixtel that sits 3 stories above the bar. A tube runs through the building down to the bar where the beer comes out of the tap. Sound interesting? Want to see it in action? Then you're in luck.

The gravity tap can only be used in the colder months because of the distance the beer has to travel between the sixtel and the tap, and this Saturday, November 20th is the official opening! Tickets are being sold: $25 in advance and $35 at the door will get you unlimited pours of Yards beer from the gravity tap, $2 and $3 for any other Yards beers, and a food buffet. A very good deal, indeed!

The event runs from 2 - 4 PM. To buy your tickets online, click here.

Dave Matthews and rare beers on a Saturday night

A couple of months ago I heard the announcement from the Dave Matthews Band that they weren't going to be touring in 2011. The news disappointed me, to say the least. I've seen them on tour multiple times a year since 1996. I'm up to over 80 concerts at this point. I'd seen them play over the summer at the Susquehanna Center in Camden (seriously one of the best shows I'd seen in a long time. They played so many old songs it was like 1997 again!), but I wanted to see them one last time before their hiatus. I felt like had I known that when I saw them in July I wouldn't see them again until sometime well over a year later I might have done something differently. What that "thing" was, I had no idea but I felt like the show would have been that much more significant to me.

A brief history on my love affair with Dave and the boys. I first heard "Crash" when I was in college. I liked a few of his other songs, "Satellite" and "Ants Marching", but "Crash" caused me to obsess in ways I thought I reserved only for boys that didn't like me back. If I still had my college notebooks you'd be surprised that I managed to graduate; rather than taking notes, I sat in class writing the words to "Crash" over and over and over again. As I listened to more of his music, I realized that many of the songs weren't just good, they were amazing. I love how he can take an ordinary situation and write about it in a way most people would never think to do. I also love that many of his songs are about enjoying life now, because we're only here for a short time so we may as well "eat, drink, and be merry" - words I try to live by. Anyway, since that fateful beginning I have been a loyal Dave fan - even if I don't love everything he comes out with.

Having said that, you can imagine my joy when I heard that more tour dates were announced for 2010. A quick look confirmed that he would be coming through Philly, and I jumped on the fan club site, The Warehouse, to put in my request for tickets as soon the request period opened. A few weeks later I was rewarded with tickets for what would be my last show until he comes back around in 2012.

Last night was the show. It was great - very energetic, including an absolutely incredible "Two Step" to finish off the night. They also played "Christmas Song", which, while I'm a tad annoyed with the fact that I'm already seeing Christmas tree displays and Christmas cards, was exactly what I wanted to hear to get the season kicked off right.

Just as good, in my mind, was how the night started. A Ballast Point Dorado (so rare!) and some Cigar City Rye Porter (excellent!). It's only available at the brewery but some good friends brought some back after a recent trip to Florida.

So while I'll miss Dave and the gang next year, I look forward to the excitement and anticipation news of the 2012 tour is sure to bring. And I know that I'll have some good beers over the next many months to help get me through.

Foobooz 2010 Top 50 Bars in Philadelphia

Last year, shortly after I'd started this blog, I was asked by Foobooz to give my top 10 list of favorite bars in and around Philadelphia for a top 50 list that was being compiled. I was honored to be asked, and astounded when the list came out to see that I'd been one of the people thanked by name for their contribution. I'd only recently gotten in to the beer scene and, given the company I was in, I felt validated.

I was asked again this year for my list, and still felt the same excitement in being asked. The list is hot off the presses (just got posted a few minutes ago) and well worth a read-through. It sparked a lot of discussion in 2009 and is sure to do the same this year.

Although if you have comments I'd ask that you post them on Foobooz's site, I'm curious if you think any bars were left off that should be on and if there are any bars that you feel have no place being on the list.

Cheers!

Philly Tap Finder

If you're anything like me, there are days that you just have to have one particular beer. Maybe it's something you've read about. Maybe it's something you've heard about. Or maybe it's something you've had before and want to have again. Whatever the cause for the object of your obsession, if you live in Philadelphia, it just got a whole lot easier to find what you're looking for.

The recently-launched PhillyTapFinder helps you find your favorite brews by searching on name, bar, characteristic, or style. You can also pull up a list of bars in a particular neighborhood to view their entire draft list.

The site, brought to the lucky denizens of Philadelphia by husband-and-wife team Jared and Kristy, focuses on pre-selected craft beer bars around the city. This helps the two ensure that they can keep up with the often-changing tap handles in our beer-loving city and give beer-seekers an accurate tap list. Users of the site are encouraged to share their Tap Tips (updated draft lists, pictures of draft boards, etc) via email, text, or a form on the site. Tipsters will be rewarded with one point per update; 5 points earns you a bottle opener, while 30 points will get you a PhillyTapFinder t-shirt.

Don't worry if you're out on the go when a craving strikes; the site is browser friendly for the iPhone and BlackBerry.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy all that Philly has to offer (at least when it comes to quenching your thirst). Cheers!

Prism is brewing!

I'm excited to say that our first batch of beer - our fall seasonal, Red Zone - was brewed in the brewery almost 2 weeks ago and will be kegged this coming weekend. It's based on a red ale, and is done with pumpkin pie spices and maple syrup. I actually haven't had the chance to try it yet, but am looking forward to tasting it early next week.

We also brewed our porter last weekend. It's hopless and done with star anise. We'll be kegging that in the next couple of weeks, too.

Many good things to look forward to, and I'm excited to see more of our beers on tap. If you see our beer somewhere (or have somewhere you'd like to see it!) feel free to leave me a comment. I'd love to hear from you!

Red October

It's October and - for the past few years, at least - that means one thing here in Philly: The Phillies are looking to make it to the World Series.

Now, I'm not going to lie. I'm not the biggest sports fan out there. I don't know all the stats, or histories, or even - at times - the names of the players on the team. To be honest, I sometimes forget who we just beat in the NLDS (without looking, right now I know it's the Reds. Ask me tomorrow and I may forget again). But that doesn't mean that I don't love watching the games. I really, really do. Especially out at bars with all the other fans. I even have some key phrases I like to shout at the TV as I'm watching the games to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about: "Wait for your pitch!" "Shake it off!" "Good eye! Good eye!" (Okay, I'm not so sure about that last one, but I know I sometimes say it when a player gets walked.)

The point is this, it's a great time of year. And not just because of baseball. The weather is cooler. The leaves are really starting to put on their show. Maybe best of all - the beers are terrific. I'll always love my IPAs, but I love the heartier beers (and foods) that are making their way on to local menus.

So even if your team isn't still in the hunt, get out there and enjoy yourselves.

Cheers!

Farmhouse Ale Dinner at South Philadelphia Tap Room

This Sunday, the good folks at the South Philadelphia Tap Room are bringing you a Farmhouse Ale Dinner. Only $50 gets you all-you-can-eat (!!) dishes from Chef Scott Schroeder, Nick Marci and Sheri Wade (Southwark), and Gene Giuffi (Cochon). Even better, you get all-you-can drink (!!!) Farmhouse ales from Ommegang, Sly Fox, Saison Dupont, St. Feuillien, and more!

You can buy your tickets online, in person, or by calling 215.271.7787.