apple picking at frecon farms

Frecon Farms has always had a sweet spot in my heart. Situated in my hometown, apples were a major part of my diet — well, that and the fact that I worked my mid- to late-teens across town in another prosperous apple-focused company, at Bauman's Apple Butter.

So, ever since B and I started dating, I've raved about all things apples, apple butter, apple cider. I mean, the word "apples" are in my blog's name — you get it. But, we've never actually went apple-picking, which happens to be a popular sport around Berks County, especially for any Boyertownian.

Taking all of the above into consideration, B and I hit Frecon's on the first day of their  pick-your-own season — which debuted two weeks earlier this year due to the warm winter we had along the East Coast. Since it was the fresh end of pick-your-own, only McIntosh, Gala and Jonathans were deemed pickable in the vast orchards, but we had no beef with that, and each made out like bandits.

Scenes from our fall-infused excursion are viewable below.

Learn all you need to know on picking your own at Frecon Farms of Boyertown, Pa. by clicking here. You can also PYO pumpkins — which, I'm gearing up to do just that very soon.

chit-chatting with mark weinmann of great lakes brewing company

In the midst of Oktoberfest season, we have been flooding the air waves with interviews of beer-savvy individuals. Recently, I chit-chatted with Great Lakes Brewing Co.'s Mark Weinmann and you can dive into the full Q&A HERE.

We explore the eco-conscious background of the Cleveland-based brewery, how they're celebrating their upcoming 25th anniversary and who they may be brewing a collaboration beer with, and also, why you should already get excited about their Christmas Ale (which is slated to hit the markets soon).

recapping historic kennett's 15th annual brewfest

Living in the Greater Philadelphia area, a notable craft beer destination that hosts a thriving, up-and-coming lineup of start-up breweries, you’ll easily find a new friend over a pint of craft beer. While staying close-to-home for beer exploration is simple enough in this area, sometimes you want to broaden your horizons, and Historic Kennett Square’s annual Brewfest was (and always is) the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Continue the full tasting report by clicking HERE. 2012's top picks include: Evil Genius Brewing Co.’s Trick or Treat Chocolate Pumpkin Porter, Manayunk Brewing Co.’s Yunkin Punkin, McKenzie Brew House’s Saison Vautour, Hill Farmstead’s Vera Mae and Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co.’s Leon Russian Imperial S’mores Stout.

summer recap: zombie-infused feast unfolds at zahav

This summer, James Beard award-winning Chef Michael Solomonov hosted his annual“Down the Shore” soiree, where he—for 2012—transformed his restaurant, Zahav, into a night of the living dead party with blood thirsty guests and more importantly, an incredible lineup of Philadelphia acclaimed chefs. 

I recapped this forever-memborable bloody bash over on OpenTable (click here to read the full scoop), where I may have forgotten to mention that the deadly affair concluded with zombie "burlesque" dancers (read: strippers; yes you read that correctly).

While I apologize for not snapping shots of them (I'm lying), I will leave you with some glimpses from the living dead party below.

plcb rebrands shop designs, tasting bar now included

If you live in Pennsylvania, or you've hit up a liquor store while visiting friends in my dear Keystone State, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) shop designs are antiquated and we are surely in need of a recess from them. 

However, great news: The PLCB has heard our pleas. As part of its ongoing efforts to reform state liquor stores, the agency has re-launched approximately 18 stores throughout the commonwealth that now flaunt spacious, swanky interiors.

Read the full scoop on the new features — all of which is making booze shopping a bit brighter — in my  article I just scribed up for Drink Philly, available by clicking here.

dish tripping through los angeles, california

Call me a country-wide traveler as of late, but I was lucky to hit the West Coast (for the first-time ever, by the way) to explore the fine eats and drinks of Los Angeles, California. 

Full stop-by-stop, bite-by-bite adventure (which was mostly tackled in 24 hours!) is available here.

LA visits included: The Standard, The Roger Room, Sweet Lady Jane, ink (Top Chef's Mike V's haunt!), Pinkberry, The Terrace Café in Venice Beach &  Napa Valley Grille.

More peeks after the jump from our whirlwind WC adventure below. Also, it's important to note that next California go-around, I am not missing the cupcake ATM.

summer recap: philly's forum of the (brewing) gods

While we have just sped into September 2012 (fall's a-coming—hallelujah), I'm itching to take a lil' breath and get reflective of what threw down these past warm-weathered months.

Perhaps I shall begin at when I caught some of the US of A's Brewing Gods file into a beer-savvy forum early June, as part of Philadelphia's Annual Beer Week celebration. Of course, I'd be giddy over catching any creditable brewmaster chit-chat about what he (or she) does best. But, at this particular forum, Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Co. was part of the festivities. (Did you know, he's an “it” advocate for better beer? Truth!) 

Click here to read the full skinny about what Greg and his brewing god-like comrades discussed during the summer beer talk. For the record, the mid-week round-table featured a role call of Colby Chandler of San Diego’s Ballast Point;  Mark Edelson of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant;  Rosemarie Certo of Philadelphia’s Dock Street;  Paul Kavulak of Nebraska Brewing Company;  and of course, Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company.

Fair warning: There was a hilarious bit during the few hours about marijuana-infused brews. (Say, what?)