Beer Week 50 Word Special: Capone's Restaurant

The following beers were consumed at Norristown's Capone's Restaurant during a Philly Beer Week visit.

Weyerbacher Last Chance IPA
A beer befitting the winner of Beer Scene Magazine's brewer of the year (even if I don't like them because they picked Lew Bryson over me for Writer of the Year). Citrusy. Subtly hopped. Pleasingly crisp. Dry, piney notes. Thick, persistent head. Simulates the West Coast style well.

Avery Brewing Company Maharaja Double IPA
An amber, almost brown color. Features a powerful hop scent and taste. There's a bit of caramel in there, a nice helping of grapefruit. There's a bit of an aftertaste, but not a bad one, one you don't mind sticking around. Smoothly textured, it's another winner from the Colorado masters.

The Lost Abbey Carnevale
Had once sampled this Saison on not one, but two consecutive trips to Fairmount's St. Stephen's Green. Was that good. Make it a third time. Despite alarmingly quick head dissipation, Belgian-style spicing pops. Has an easy-drinking summer feel and a bit of minty flavor in the finish.

Nebraska Brewing Company Hop God
Was listed as a combination Belgian Tripel and West Coast IPA, a description that grabbed my attention immediately. Ended up being a bit of a letdown to me. Pickled up more Tripel than IPA. Spicing registers, but it wasn't potent enough to live up to the hype.

Best of the Bunch: Avery Maharaja
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Avery Karma Belgian-Style Pale Ale

Avery Karma Belgian-Style Pale Ale
Very crisp, complex offering from Boulder, Colorado brewer. Features very decent amount of Belgian spicing and a copious taste of coriander and orange. Also a plus? Its 5.4 percent ABV leaves it eligible for prolonged consumption without extreme inebriation. Should be said: This company does great label art.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Beer, Video Games, Hipsters, BARCADE!

For myself and my friends, there was a time where every Thursday was "Guys Night." We would gather in Jersey and, from there, the town was laid out before us like an ocean leading to the star-strewn horizon. If we wanted to get our crunk on, we would head to South Street's Fluid Nightclub. If we wanted a touch of hipster, it was Northern Liberties' 700 Club for a little old-school rap party. If the college crowd was desired, it was straight to the now-defunct Who's on Third! A little pool, some elbow-to-elbow, and a jukebox with an intriguing roster of artists? Olde City's Sugar Mom's, so nice to see you!

These days, things have changed.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas IPA

Lagunitas IPA
The best brewery currently churning out beer in the states? Stone could make a decent case. Rogue has myriad wonderful selections. Yards holds it down from a Philly perspective. North Coast? Avery? Great Lakes? All deserving dark horse candidates. I'd have to go with Lagunitas though. Their IPA? Simply majestic.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
The full pie: http://thepizzaproject.blogspot.com/

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Avery Brewing Company White Rascal

Avery Brewing Company White Rascal
Belgian-style white ales are not always my favorite, but then again Colorado's Avery Brewing Company simply does not make a bad beer. This one's got a pungent citrusy kick and an unfiltered yeasty flavor with just the right amount of smooth aftertaste. Dig the coriander and orange peel spices!