Beer Week 50 Word Special: Via Marconi Sports Bar & Restaurant

The following beers were consumed at Via Marconi Sports Bar & Restaurant during a Beer Week visit.

Dogfish Head Robert Johnson's Hellhound on My Ale
Beer was named after the legendary blues musician who alledgedly sold his soul to the Devil for the ability to play a mean guitar. Awesome. Perfect balance of hops and malt. Love the glass it was served in! A heavy, freaking goblet! Type of simple, effective beer Dogfish frequently avoids.

Dogfish Head Pearl Jam Twenty Faithfull Ale
Wasn't a Pearl Jam man. Or, I should say, I didn't think they won the Pearl Jam vs. Nirvana battle that divided America in the early 90s until Cobain exited stage left. They were OK. Like this weak, slightly winish beer. Maybe if it had been named after Kurt's band.

Port Brewing Mongo Double IPA
As I was drinking, wondered if it was a double IPA. Hops seemed too understated if it was (it was). Pours color between golden and amber. While it's somewhat light for my linking, it has an interesting makeup: California citrus kick emerges in finish rather than on surface.

Best of the Bunch: Dogfish Head Robert Johnson's Hellhound on My Ale
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The Pizza Project
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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
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Viven Imperial IPA

Viven Imperial IPA
Had this beer at TJ's the other night as well. Was one of two double IPAs I tried that night. Other one was a bit better. That being said, I don't remember the name of the superior one. This was still good though. Try it if you get a chance!
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The Pizza Project
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Growler Wars: Free Will vs. Long Trail

Two growlers. Two beers. Two frosted glasses. One winner.

Free Will Brewing Company 7 Course Red
I first had this beer at Chap's Taproom in Norristown (will do separate blog later) and, quite frankly, was blown away. It's got a reddish color. Almost brown. The malts shoot up the nose quickly as its brought up for the first sip. There's a dry, piney flavor that gives the beer an extra bit of character. Despite the full, complex flavors, it's smoothly textured. Smoky and almost stoutish, the beer just does not seem like the work of two guys from Perkasie. This is seasoned-veteran beer. A truly delicious specimen.

Long Trail Brewing Company Double IPA
Let's get the intangibles out of the way: It's a little bit of a cloudy golden color. The beer remains bubbly despite a ten-minute interval spent sipping the Free Will joint. Lively, full head. The scent is spectacular. Vibrant. Fruity. Citrusy. Floral. Truly one of the best aromas I've ever experienced in a beer. There is a very nice balance of hops and orangey flavor. Almost feels like a little bit of strawberry in the finish. If I were to have one complaint (and it would be nit-picky), I would say that it seems a tad bit light for a double IPA. Another application of hops and this beer might be completely next-level. While I have had a mixed experience with Long Trail, this is a completely legit IPA.

The Winner
Make no mistake about it: These are two exceptional beers. However, as a winner, I have to go with Free Will. The only (and I mean, only) reason I am going with Free Will is I don't believe Long Trail quite meets the grade of a double IPA. The hops are a little subtle for that genre of beer. So I am going to downgrade it slightly for not quite meeting its stated objective. While I believe 7 Course Red is the slightly better beer, the truth is, if you should see either of these beers on a tap near you, you should go ahead and make a purchase.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Great Divide Hercules Double IPA

Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
This is, quite simply, an awesome beer by one of the nation's most underrated craft beermakers. Made in Colorado, the beverage features vibrant hop flavor, serious citrus kick, low-level strawberry notes, pungent, flowery scent, and dry texture that sticks around after consumption. Packs major punch at 10% ABV.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale

Lagunitas Sucks Holiday Ale
When I first heard of this beer, I thought it would be interesting to try a dark beer from Lagunitas, masters of extremely hoppy pale beverages. So imagine my surprise when what I got was another exquisitely brewed, hop-filled, golden IPA. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Maximus IPA

Lagunitas Maximus IPA
For 2011's last beer purchase, wanted to pick up an IPA. Figured, "Why not make it a Double?" Then thought, "Why not make it one by the best brewery currently working in America?" Doesn't disappoint. Intense, beefy hop flavor. Scent of citrus and sugar. Majestic copper color. Perfect beer experience.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: River Horse Brewing Company Hop-a-lot-amus

River Horse Brewing Company Hop-a-lot-amus
Something about this double IPA from the Lambertville, New Jersey, brewing establishment keeps it from entering the upper tier of hop-filled beers. There's tons of hops, but the mixture doesn't result in a distinctive pop. It's a little murky and static. Needs a flavor to offset the ample hops.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA

Firestone Walker Double Jack IPA
Tried this the other night when a friend brought it to a Halloween party. Like Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA only with double the hops. Duh! That's what a double IPA usually is. So if Union Jack is great, it makes sense that Double Jack is twice as enjoyable.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Breckenridge Brewery 471 IPA

Breckenridge Brewery 471 IPA
This double-hopped IPA is advertised as one that has only seen light because its brewers decided that it's a little more "special" than the average all-year release. In this case, I must say that the brewers are correct. The release features explosive hop taste with session-beer enjoyability.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale

Lagunitas Hop Stoopid Ale
First beer I've had from the Petaluma, California brewery that didn't blow me away with how delicious it is. Purchased in a 22-ouncer, the hops seemed a little mellow for a double IPA. There's a pleasant, fragrant nose, but the bold flavors don't completely translate. Not bland. Just underwhelming.

King of the Case: Flying Dog Brewery

Wherein I will buy a variety case and decide what the best beer in it is.

Flying Dog Brewery

Doggie Style Classic Pale Ale
A crisp ale with a vibrant flavor. The golden beer offers a hoppy zest that does not overwhelm. A smooth beverage with no aftertaste of which to speak.