philly beer week's collaborative ale and the brotherly suds

Brian O'Reilly, award-winning brewmaster of Sly Fox Brewery, paired up with the loved-and-local brewers Tom Kehoe of Yards' Brewing Co., Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Co., Brett Kintzer of Stoudt's Brewery and John Trogner of Troegs Brewery on Fri. morning, May 7 at SF's Royersford location to jumpstart the production of the Philly Beer Week's Collaboration Ale—a beer styled as an extra special bitter, an ESB.

As a concoction that represents the "heart of what beer week is about," said O'Reilly, there was, without a doubt, no way that I was going to miss rubbing 'bows with this five-some, even if it was only 8 a.m. (And, just so you know, by the time I left around 10 a.m., they had yet to pop up some beer bottles.)

The combined-effort brew will be first unveiled at Philly Beer Week's Opening Tap event, held Fri., June 4, at Independence Visitor's Center with the city's mayor, Michael Nutter, tapping the premier keg. (I joked that I should tap the keg—move over Nutter, it's my birthday weekend!) 

The brewing collaborative team, tentatively titled Brotherly Suds, took a bit of leg work, dividing two parts of the team to provide the malts, two to provide the hops and one stylized brewing setup, as seen at Sly Fox. The concept of Brotherly Suds is hoped to continue per each Philly Beer Week, too, replacing a new brewery with one that was represented the previous year.

The Opening Tap affair, the first celebratory event held during Philly's week-long, beer-infused festival, will host an impressive slew of lagers and ales besides the collaborative concoction. Samples from over thirty regional brewers will also be hand beside pub-styled foods, live music, and appearances from an adored Ben Franklin imposer and the notorious beer writer, Joe Sixpack.

Philly Beer Week, held Fri., June 4 to Sun., June 13 premieres with over a hundred pint-crazy celebrations sculpted around thousands of traditional-to-obscure beers. For more information, visit the 10-day, beer-glory bash here.

satisfying slurps of spring house brewing company

It started with a satisfying slurp of a frosty pint of a specific Imperial Red Ale. The aggressively-hopped gulp, identified as the Atomic Raygun, easily sings boldly on any draft beer lineup, especially at The Epicurean where B had his first few swigs.

After too sharing his love of his newly-favored beer, one that swims in a well-balanced blend of light orange and outrageous hops, with a crisp, candied finish, I instantly delved into what neighbors Imperial Red's brewing company, Spring House, fronted. Lucky for us, we were soon trekking to their brewhouse situated in Conestoga, Pa to see our new adoration in action.

Spring House Brewing Company, plopped on the brim of Lancaster, was established by the excelled chemist, Matt Keasey, who a few years back, transformed his small hobby into a money maker. 

Now, with half of his offerings brewed in his rustic, finished barn, he invites beer fanatics to the home of his brews on Wednesdays and Fridays, 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. to flood armfuls of growlers from his fresh kegs, or have new visitors marvel in a courtesy tasting of those on tap.

Seven Gates Pale Ale, another variety of Keasey's repertoire, has received a lot of love in a hell of a short time, which is why Appalachian Brewing Company has taken a liken to the full-production of this crowd-pleaser.

During our visit, the rural, inviting space of Spring House happened to be blessed with many brewheads who happened to have the same idea as we had, but although I am impressed with the addicting tastes of the local brewing company, I was bit a disappointed that they had only three varieties on draft last week: Imperial Red Ale, Seven Gates Pale Ale and Beyond the Gates Double IPA.

However, can't say I didn't adore all of the above, I continue to crave for an experience with their Planet Bean Coffee Stout, the Diabolical Doctor Wit and the Goofy Foot Summer Wheat.

spring's sweetest treasure, as seen saving the earth

 

The simple steps that one can do to encourage environmentally-friendly practices almost appear like a no-brainer to any earth dweller who is eager to make an impact. A flick of a switch or a constant habit of recycling are easy additions to your day that can eventually create drastic changes. Better yet, if you skip the plastic at grocery stores and instead sling a reusable bag by your side, Mother Nature's pleased grin just grew miles wide.

Lucky for me, an advocate for going green, my dear island friend (us seen below, with our matching LO-VE tattoos) surprised me with a snail mail treasure today, as an early birthday gift. As seen above, this radiant waste-less bag is adorable and compact, and easy to pop into your purse when you're someone like me, always on the go.

The petite pouch, shaped like a hand-sized strawberry when in minimal form, unravels to a decent-sized tote that easily replaces the use of 3 plastic bags, making your shopping trip that much more brighter.

Also, I have to note that as much as I love apples, hence blog name, strawberries were all the rage was I was a rowdy youngin'. Until age 15, my birthday cake had to be plopped with a hefty portion of spring's sweetest treasure, and thanks to my lovely mama, my celebratory baked goods boosted brightly in the tiny-seeded reds.

bethlehem's bookstore: a prohibition-era speakeasy

 

An unmarked address, an antique bookstore front, a gorgeous brown velvet curtain masking away the world of a gas lamp-lit library-cum-eatery? Yes, such characteristics may be standard fare these days in replicating faux speakeasies in urban settings, yet in Bethlehem?

Tucked under the multi-floored stone structure of the northern town's historic district, just a few concrete slabbed steps down to a stenciled wooden door, lies The Bookstore, an in-the-know dining "club" that pulses with the heart of a Prohibition-era pothouse.

The tone here may be nostalgic, from vintage velvet-lined thrones, dark wood finishes, hearty shelves lined with literary classics and a bartender donned in a classic bow-tie and trimmed vest shaking one's 'tails to pin-pointed perfection, but the cuisine’s flashy fare of cozy, comfort food, with subtle epicured twists, liven diners' steps saucily into the past. 

While you can explore a four-course offering the season's finest for just $35, which may contain offerings of crispy venison with mint ranch and orange zest on a fresh frizee salad, to roasted squab, grilled lamb with green curry vinaigrette and a strawberry-rhubarb cobbler, what we found more alluring was their bar menu.

Swimming through classic mouthfuls of giant dill pickles, saffron-pickled eggs, kettle-cooked chips and pickled watermelon rind, The Bookstore mashes marvels of house-made munchables into their established speakeasy niche. From chickpea popcorn (lightly deep-fried beans sprinkled with herb salt) and cheese-and-fruit toasts, the secretive eatery captivates its visitors with just a few quick, first-course bites.

But, as my superb server couldn't be more blunt, that the bookstore burger was by far the best, as in, she had applied to work within the establishment just because of that gush-worthy option, I had to try it for myself.

A Kobe beef patty, plopped with a generous amount of aged cheddar, smears of bacon jam and bourbon barbecue, the gigantic chomps of this hamburger will now forever reign in my mouth's best bites. The combo-ing tastes and textures, among sweet-and-savory, easily proclaimed excellence in my experienced-burger book.

For B, his smoked, shaved duck club beautifully laid between two slices of toasted multi-grain, plucked amongst leaves of arugula, slices of tomatoes and cherry aioli, may be one of the better simple, yet snazzy sandwiches I have endured.

While the bar menu may be limited, there also is an offering of a hog burger, which will be my prize at our next visit, served with Gruyere and fried egg. The brie grilled cheese with panchetta and grape compote sounds mighty fine, too, and may even swing me slightly away from my burger obsession.

The real test for the smart-and- sophisticated, slightly-swanky spot is the cocktail and beer menu. Pasted inside the brims of olden novels, the contents of which you must wet your whistles stumbles through an extensive beer menu (all of which can be identified fully to the guests by the staff and bartenders), as well as absinthe and bitters-ridden stiff slurps. The punchbowls are a crowd-pleaser, so I hear, although B and I only experienced some 22-ouncers of suggested brews. (Also, to note, [as seen above] the adored bev list is introduced to patrons through an Ernest Hemingway quote.)

The must-visit "bookstore" is owned by youngin' Matt Scheller, who also is a partner in operating Tap and Table, another local gem up north. Both establishments entertain visitors with live music, with the locale appropriately-opting for only hip jazz outputs.

The Bookstore, 336 Adams St., Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 610-867-1100

farmer jane: women changing the way we eat

I recently reviewed a new Gibbs-Smith publication for Venus Zine that, through a feat performed by the admirable and adorable author Temra Costa, brings to the table a plethora of female farmers, chefs, activists, and educators in a crafted edible bible to empower all of us to embrace the delicious grace of close-to-home dining. 

To read my full recap of this just-released stomach-striker, click here. 

(And, by the way, for all you Philly city dwellers, Costa kindly included Judy Wicks of White Dog Cafe in her impressive lineup!)

a burger a day for the month of may

 

(source)

No other time of the year more appropriate than May would house a hunger-crazed holiday like the craved celebration of National Hamburger Month. The month-long event promoting the notorious all-beef slab plopped on toasty, stacked buns just became a bit more mouth-watering, too, as Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant becomes our local professor of prolific patties.

Iron Hill, focused on the food scene's obsessive burger trend with laser-like precision, provides daring diners with a thirty-one day menu pumped with the ultimate burger challenge — to feature an extraordinary meaty, stuffed-bun masterpiece for every day of the month of May.

Acting as a tribute to the “great American hamburger,” the A Burger A Day menu was established to allow Iron Hill patron's to satisfy their burger cravings any day during National Hamburger Month, said Kevin Davies, the brewery's Director of Culinary Operations.

All 13 locations of the local microbrewery, including Phoenixville's popular spot of 130 East Bridge Street, will tantalize tastebuds with the advertised devised menu, with each crafted burger only offered on the day for which it is scribed.

The couture burger celebration sped into May, on this past Saturday offering a “Triple B” concoction of an all-beef patty, Boursin cheese, crisp bacon and a red onion jam. May 4 spouts a variation of the Reuben when Davies and his team plops generous amounts of creamy coleslaw, slices of bacon, Swiss cheese, and the appropriate condiment, Thousand Island dressing.

Truffled mushrooms, juicy tomato and creamy Boursin round out what Iron Hill titles the “Foodie Burger,” offered May 6, while a marvelous mixture of hummus, cucumber, tomato, arugula, mozzarella cheese and balsamic syrup — all atop a bountiful burger — define the Mediterranean offering, advertised for May 9. May 12's “Hang Ten Burger,” packed with Maui onion marmalade, smoked Gouda and the perfect companion, bacon, is sure to have many diners screaming for summer, as will the “Luau Burger,” served May 18, which swims in an array of golden grilled pineapple, shaved ham and squares of Swiss.

If you thought burger freaks did not have enough options to fiend over, Iron Hill confidently concludes their slate of signature burgers with a delicious crop of tricked-out treasures, including May 28's “Kennett Square Burger,” which boasts herb-roasted exotic mushrooms, smoked mozzarella and shallot aioli; May 29's “Chevre Burger,” which crafts gorgeous amounts of goat cheese with roasted peppers and a garlic-rosemary mayonnaise; and May 31's classic “BBQ Burger,” which waves homage to the traditionally-prepared picnic staple of fried onion rings, salty provolone and honey-barbecue sauce.

Also seen published here.

health-conscious creations of babycakes

 

With extreme whiffs of cake batter sweetly intoxicating your exterior scents immediately upon stepping foot into the petite, pink bake shop, smells alone define why Babycakes has, since it's sugary entrance onto the city baking scene, received its excess amount of talk.

Always an advocate for mixing and mashing health-conscious substitutes in your most favored dessert bites, the vegan and gluten-free bakery has become  the master of such marvels, and the intense envy of many looking to do the same.

However, with all the well-known hype, a visit to Babycakes and all its delicious glory, can be a bit overwhelming with many urban dwellers thinking about these sweet treats with an admirable longing like myself, and all packing into the tiniest of sugary shops.

My lady friends and I, patiently pumped into the cutesy cake shop like sardines, selected each a different delicious option to experience, and after the many scrumptious bites, knew our wait was worth it.

I opted for the fresh on-the-shelves Wonder Bun, a variation of their Skinny Bun for gluten-free dietary restrictions that propels agave nectar and cinnamon in a delicate swirl, easily crafted into an addicting sweet bun. My female friends choose a lemon cupcake, a mocha cupcake with the best coffee-infused icing out there and a chocolate truffle. 

All delicious decisions were prepared with pin-point perfection and I'd easily wait in that sassy sardine box time and time again!

Babycakes, 248 Broome St., New York, NY 10002, (212) 677-5047