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
--

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: 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!
--

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: Stillwater Stateside Saison

Stillwater Stateside Saison
Been a while since I tried this beer at TJ's. All I remember is I really liked it. And that I wished it had come in a bigger glass. And that it made me want to drink more beer from Stillwater. And that I forgot to take notes.
--

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: 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?
--

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: Russian River Damnation

Russian River Damnation
Spy 12-ouncers of this in stores for $8. Saw it on tap at Philadelphia's St. Stephen's Green. Had to try it. It's a very good beer. But it's not worth $8 retail for a short bottle. For that, it would have to be UNPARALLELED! Maybe come with an E pill?
--

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: 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.
--

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: 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.
--

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: Goose Island Honkers Ale

Goose Island Honker's Ale
I've had a few English bitter-style beers. They never really appeal. The version by this Chicago-based brewery is no exception. There's a little pop if you really focus, but the malts are too subtle. Have to chalk it up to the genre. Too understated. Always seems flat.
--

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: Southern Tier Iniquity

Southern Tier Iniquity
I was hesitant to try this beer since I've had mixed results with both black IPAs and products by New York's Southern Tier Brewing Company. But hops and stout flavor mix flawlessly. Picked up healthy amount of grapefruit and plenty of chocolate. A chocolate grapefruit. Sounds gross. But it works!
--

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 200 Words or Less: Victory Brewing Company Saison du BUFF

Victory Saison Du BUFF
Was at Whole Foods - near childrens' play area of all places - when I spied cases of this collaborative beer with Stone and Dogfish Head being stored. Asked personnel if they new when it would be available. They didn't. Checked website two days later. There it was, not only in bottles, but also ON DRAFT! Grabbing my growler, I headed out for a fill-up! The growler guy was a real winner. Here, I thought there was just one version of the beer, but it turns out that the esteemed breweries collaborated on the recipe, and then all three were able to go off and use the ingredients in the way they saw fit. After tasting this, I would be very excited to taste the Stone and Dogfish Head versions - Stone being a brewer that I would see as superior to Victory and Dogfish Head being one that I would probably describe as inferior by a slim margin. Victory's features some seriously dry, piney notes; a rustic, wheaty, almost flowery scent; and a picture-perfect golden color. Drinks like a light (yet complex), smooth specimen, but packs a fairly serious punch.
--


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: 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.
--

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: Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale

Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale
First barleywine I had was at event by now-defunct General Lafayette. Took sip. Threw away. Second was at Wegman's: Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot. Ordered accidentally. Made wife swap beers. Had flight of this today. Thought "Not bad." Not sure that would make it decent barleywine. But there you have it.
--

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: Brewery Ommegang Hennepin

Brewery Ommegang Hennepin
An absolutely classic beer from the upstate New York brewery. Everything's right about it, from the color to the scent to the flavor. There's something that resembles banana. A major hit of citrus as well. It's a complex beer, but it's also simplistic and refreshing. A perfect specimen.
--

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: Kona Brewing Company Fire Rock Pale Ale

Kona Brewing Company Fire Rock Pale Ale
Hit Chap's Taproom for afternoon beers (why do beers taste better in the daylight?). Favorite bartender, Mark, said the beer had gotten a bad review. Decided to give it a shot. Anonymous bad reviewer was right. Imperceptible hops. Bland flavor. Boring beer. Bet it tastes good in Hawaii though.

--

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: Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale

Rogue John John Dead Guy Ale
Since I've never been a fan of hard liquor, I was shocked when I took a pull of this version of Rogue's Dead Guy and bourbon taste was noticeably present. Aged in whiskey barrels, it made me wonder if I'd be able to stomach the real thing. Complex sipping beer.

--

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: Peroni Nastro Azzurro

Peroni Nastro Azzurro
Can still remember how delicious this tasted while drinking it at 2 a.m. at an outdoor cafe in Rome. As I downed it at Bertucci's in Audubon, it didn't have the same luster. Had a decent pilsner taste. Went fine with the chicken piccata. And the glass was theft-worthy.

--

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: Lancaster Rumspringa Golden Bock

Lancaster Rumspringa Golden Bock
Honey's a main ingredient of this beer from the Amish Country brewers. Liked it for the most part although thought it walked up to the line of being too sweet but remained well balanced. However, as I got farther down the glass, it tasted more bland. Drink while cold!

--

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: Dogfish Head Pangaea

Dogfish Head Pangaea
When I read that this "experimental" beer featured ingredients from all seven continents, I actually wasn't intrigued. More like concerned. Feared it might succumb to the Delaware brewery's reputation for extreme high-mindedness. Luckily, this one didn't shoot for bizarre. Classically strong Belgian with a bit of a minty kick.

--

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