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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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Cricket Hill Brewing Company American Ale

Cricket Hill American Ale
In color, it is almost a brown ale. Not a very appealing scent. Malts are the element that jumps out most. Hops are there, but not a very good balance. There's not much in the way of supporting flavors here. It's a straightforward beer and not an exceptional one.
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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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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project Jack D'Or

Pretty Things Beer & Ale Project Jack D'Or
The Audubon Ale House has a pretty decent beer selection. Still, I was constantly intrigued when I would approach their freezer case and see the cool label art of this Massachusetts Saison. Lemony scent. Slightly bitter mouthfeel. Golden color. Effervescent head. Bit of a lingering aftertaste. Overall, quite fine.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's IPA

Oskar Blues Deviant Dale's IPA
When I drank this, I wasn't taking notes. It was directly after a viewing. And the Sixers game where they closed out the Chicago Bulls was playing. Needless to say, I was distracted. I remember it being extremely hoppy. And slightly better than Russian River Damnation. That's saying something, right?
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Ithaca Pale Ale

Ithaca Pale Ale
First thing that scared me about this beer was the pour. The head had disappeared from the top of the glass about 3.2 seconds after the thing was full. Very average beer. Malty scent. Little bit of orange, little bit of caramel. Copper color. Nothing really offensive, nothing particularly wonderful.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Magic Hat Elder Betty

Magic Hat Elder Betty
Another loser for Magic Hat, a high-profile brewery that I believe makes more bad beers than good. Main attraction is elderberry. Fruity for my taste. Don't know what elderberry is. Must be similar to honeydew. That's what this beer tastes like. A honeydew beer. As bad as it sounds.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Williamsburg Alewerks Wheat Ale

Williamsburg Alewerks Wheat Ale
Disappointing offering from brewery that had produced two decent hoppy bottles previous. Not much flavor. What little it has sticks around in form of a nasty aftertaste. Cloudy yellow color. Nonexistent scent. Plenty of wheat flavor (if you can call it that), but nothing there to serve as complement. Avoid.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Round Guys Original Slacker Ale

Round Guys Original Slacker Ale
Since I had no idea who the makers of this were prior to ordering (they're a brewery in Lansdale, Pennsylvania), was prepared to write off at first sip. But it's quality, with some really interesting composition. Drinks like simple ale, but with major rush of chocolate and malt in finish.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stone Brewing Company Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale

Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale
Losing track of amount of times I went to Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting and accidentally picked up a stout/IPA combo. Still, figured anything by Stone would rule. Was right. Heavy, creamy head like a stout, but fierce, bitey flavor that never lets you forget that you're drinking hoppy beer.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy
When comedy of errors becomes tragedy: Ordered Goose Island Matilda at Fox & Hound for two-dollar Tuesday draft deal. Was a bottle. Ordered "Lagunitas Seasonal" instead. Waitress brings me this. Drank it. Tastes like horrid combination of lemonade and the stuff you spray on the duster to clean house.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Fegley's Brew Works Monkey Wrench Saison Ale

Fegley's Brew Works Monkey Wrench Saison Ale
When I first picked up this 22-ouncer, looked at bottom. Filmy substance floating around worried me. Was either packed with flavor or it was skunked. Almost went with Victory Hop Wallop. Leapt faithfully. Beautiful, hazy golden color. Splendid, lemony spicing. Thinner than highest-echelon Belgians, but contains sizeable pop.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale

Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale
When hitting the beer store, first name I'm looking for is Lagunitas. Was starting to fear that I'd tried everything I could get on East Coast. Saw this today. Hallelujah! Beautiful amber color. Perfect balance of hops and malt. Glad I have five more to devour.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA

Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA
Latest from brewery that's turning around my opinion of them. Has major hop flavor and citrusy kick in finish. Might be a bit of a miss because it's supposed to be hybrid IPA/white and I'm getting mostly IPA. Still, despite muddy color, would give most East Coast IPAs trouble.
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Harp Lager

Harp LagerLeaving brother's house on Easter, I was struck with fear! "What if I ran outta beer before epic night of Justified (OnDemand), Game of Thrones, and Mad Men?" Grabbed Harp Lager out of fridge for later consumption. Typical, bland big-box lager. (You can close your mouth now, Gift Horse!)
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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale

Bear Republic Red Rocket Ale
As I write, I'm listening to the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. Are there any beers that would taste bad while taking in such gritty, dirty, devilish audio? I taste hops. I taste oranges. I taste smoky malt. Just spent 30 seconds inhaling it. Another treasure from the CA.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA

Flying Dog Wildeman Farmhouse IPA
Honestly...I want to write about something other than beer. Really, I do. However, the last two extensive posts I've done have been accidentally deleted. Blogger.com, please get your act together. Provide an "Undo" that works. This beer? The immense hops of IPA combined with vibrant, citrusy Belgian spices. Splendid.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Williamsburg Alewerks Tavern Ale

Williamsburg Alewerks Tavern Ale
When I first sipped this one, was expecting something light. Lageresque. Instead, it's smoky, malty, and extremely porterish (second really cool fake word made up for this post!). While part of enjoyment came from low expectations, definitely enjoyed the complexity and depth. Strong, but not overbearing!

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Central Waters Brewing Company Happy Heron Pale Ale

Central Waters Happy Heron Pale Ale
Last we checked in with 'Sconsin's Central Waters, they were offering an IPA that merited lukewarm semi-endorsement. It's official: Have to write them off. This pale has stale scent and hops that are best described as "murky" (held back on funky). Include wack label and it's struggling for air.
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stoudt's Pils

Stoudt's Pils
When I hear commercials by Miller Lite and folks are touting "never watered-down, true pilsner taste," I want to put foot through my radio. Only I'm using foot to apply pressure to brakes. Pretty important. For pilsner taste, see this gem. Golden color. Striking scent. Memorable finish. True class.
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