Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Dogfish Head Ta Henket

Dogfish Head Ta Henket
Waitress at bar didn't like us at first. We weren't ordering food. Got appetizers. She warmed up. So much so that she gave us samples of this one. And provided this nugget: "You know those urinal cakes they have in the men's room? It tastes like those smell." No joke.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
Single slice: http://www.facebook.com/ThePizzaProject
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Dogfish Head Tweason'ale

Dogfish Head Tweason'ale
So I was at Pizzeria Uno in Maple Shade, N.J. Saw this on tap. Ordered it. Waitress said I should try sample. Discovered why. Thing tasted like mouthwash with pepper in it. Horrible. 'Cause it's gluten-free? Here's an idea: Can't have gluten? Don't drink beer. This thing was disgusting.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Unibroue Maudite

Unibroue Maudite
Didn't feel like I had too much to drink last night. So why was I tired at work? Why'd it seem like everyone was speaking Chinese? Why'd I wake up with socks on? Hit me while walking the dog. Capped off beer dinner with this hardcore Belgian strong. Not wise.

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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: Flying Fish Red Fish

Flying Fish Red Fish
Look at this! Here's a beer so new we seem to be reviewing it before Beer Advocate (maybe I just couldn't find their review?). Anywho, I was recently nonplussed by the pedestrian nature of Flying Fish's variety pack, but this was enjoyable. Dark and hoppy, yet smooth and easily digestible.

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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: Troegs Troegenator Double Bock

Troegs Troegenator Double Bock
Bit of a letdown. At Whole Foods' Cold Point Pub, I bought a ticket for a beer. Went up to get it. Got stuck behind dude getting growler. The growler kicks. Whole negotiation ensues. Serious rigamorole. What are you gonna do? Some tasty hints of caramel, but nothing transcendent.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown Ale

Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown Ale
Yesterday, we went to one of our favorite local watering holes and ended up waiting an inexplicable 15 minutes before getting a server. It meant we would only have time for one beer and unfortunately I chose this one. Promised taste of caramel, chocolate, maple syrup, and more. Delivered nothing.

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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
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Booze ... in 50 Words or Less: Stillwater Folklore Belgian Stout

Stillwater Folklore Belgian Stout
When my two favorite types of beer blend into one, it's a good thing. This is no exception. Smooth, coffee-flavored stout with Belgian-style spices combine for refreshing yet substantial taste. Bit of a chocolate, dried-fruit thing going on. Finish is a tad smoky. In a nice way.
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The Pizza Project
Just a nibble: http://twitter.com/ThePizzaProject
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Cigar City Jai Alai IPA

Cigar City Jai Alai IPA
I don't believe that Florida is considered to be a beer hotbed. Retirees? Yes. Hurricanes? Yes. Smug basketball players? Definitely. Beer? Don't think so. But then there is this Tampa-based gem, which contains a significant hoppy punch and traces of balancing grapefruit. Powerful yet crisp enough for session drinking.

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

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Lagunitas Bavarian-Style Doppel Weizen

Lagunitas Bavarian-Style Doppel Weizen
Took a sip of this robust beverage by (in my opinion) the best brewery going right now. Was blown away. Had (duh!) double the power of your usual wheat with an extra element that resembled banana. Gave my wife a pull. She's sort of like, "Eh." I'm getting a divorce.

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The Pizza Project
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Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Anchor Christmas Ale (2011)

Anchor Christmas Ale (2011)
When I first heard that our preferred bar, Chap's Taproom, had this venerated holiday beer on draft, I made an appointment to visit. I certainly enjoyed it. But it wasn't as spectacular as I remembered. A nice winter warmer with subtle spruce flavoring. Maybe I built it up too much?

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The Pizza Project
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TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery: A Good Place for a Date and an Argument about Occupy Philly

It is not often that myself and the wife get to go out on a date. Sure, we go out to eat. But usually our time is spent less savoring the flavors of lovely food and beverage and more making sure that the potty-training Saucy Jr. makes it to the bathroom if he has to take a pee or ensuring that he doesn't take a nice, long swill of IPA while we are distracted with other thoughts. But tonight was different (thank you, Aunt Who We Will Not Name to Preserve Our Anonymity) so we headed over to Paoli's TJ's Restaurant and Drinkery for a bite to eat and a couple nice cold ones.

Before we became parents, this used to be a real hot spot for us, and a look at what they are offering on draft quickly indicates why. With the space I have here, I could not do justice to the list so here are just some of the luminaries: Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale, Saison Dupont, Bear Republic Red Rocket, Victory Braumeister Pils, and Bell's Two Hearted Ale. The bottle list is just as stunning, with well over 100 different options. On this night, myself and the wife chose to go with three incredible beers.

Booze...in 50 Words or Less: Stone Brewing Company IPA

Stone Brewing Company IPA
There was no preparing me for the majesty of trying this product on draft on the day of its tapping at Chap's Taproom. Taste is crisp, color clear, hop flavor ample. Could drink all day, wake in the morning, and thank the beer gods for my hangover. It's without peer.

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The Pizza Project
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New Jersey's Pour House is Enjoyable, not Award-Worthy

In the June/July edition of the very entertaining magazine, Beer Scene, the publication named Westmont's The Pour House as the "Best Classic Bar" in the states of New Jersey and Delaware. Being that I was in the area yesterday, I decided to stop by and find out if their choice held water. The answer unfortunately was both "Yes" and "No."

First, the Yes. There is simply no denying that this place has a very impressive beer list. The following is just a sample of some of the luminaries they are featuring in bottles: Avery. Hitachino. Stone. North Coast. Ommegang. I imagine you could sit here for days and you wouldn't run out of interesting beers to sample. You would probably have to get your stomach pumped, but that is another matter altogether. The draft list also has plenty to savor. As of this writing, they have, among others, Anderson Valley Bootlinger Weiss, Green Flash West Coast IPA, and Stone Ruination IPA. You get the idea: It's a quality lineup. In the interest of full disclosure, the beers I had during my stay were a stellar Weyerbacher Verboten, a Sly Fox Chester County Brown Ale (more on that later), and bottles of Lagunitas Dogtown Pale Ale and Yards Thomas Jefferson Tavern Ale (both wonderful).