One Last Once.

May 8th, 2008

This space is not always about only Victory or Sly Fox or goats, honest, but there are still a couple of bits and pieces I got at the restaurant opening yesterday and then from Ron Barchet this morning that should be on the record here.

For one thing, Ron said today there were 21 beers on tap, not the 20 all of us have been reporting. The Abbey 6 was added at the last minute and poured only from one of the service taps on the rear wall.

For another, since we all may have left the impression that all that taps being active with different beers will be a steady and ongoing thing, he noted that “15 or so” beers would be the norm, plus at least a couple on cask.

Did I mention, I think not, that there is a two station cask setup behind the bar, with a pair of handpumps in each? Bad me. Consider it now said.

I meant to include a picture of some of the historic Pennsylvania beer cans which are displayed on the walls and it slipped by me. Here it is:

Also, there is a story up on the website of the Daily Local News about the Victory opening, with a link to a video of the renovated interior.

And, finally, in the Foxes and Goats category, yes, that is the back of my gray old head (the guy in the red shirt) in the foreground about 2:17 in to the Johnny Goodtimes YouTube video of the Sunday event, thanks for asking.

Jasper the Goat Is a YouTube Star.

May 8th, 2008

An email came into Sly Fox a couple of weeks back as the excitement toward last Sundays’ Goat Races was building. It was a guy in Indiana saying he was getting all worked about it hisownself and asking if there might be YouTube coverage of the afternoon for the geographically deprived.

Well, courtesy of Suzanne Woods (Damn! Jasper the Friendly Goat. Wish I’d thought of that…) and her pal Johnny Goodtimes, this one is for you, my friend….

The Day Victory Re-Opened.

May 7th, 2008

I spent the better part of two-an-a-half hours this afternoon drinking beer with the vivacious and fast-traveling Ms. Suzanne Woods (Suzy to some, SEW to others), delaying her from her appointed rounds of visiting somewhere in the neighborhood of 123 beer spots in the Philly suburbs in a single afternoon.

We did this at the officially-now-open Victory Brewing Restaurant, sitting at the new bar and determining that a) I really can drive, b) her sister really should have come to the Sly Fox Goat Races on Sunday and c) Kerry really is a pretty good bartender. For Downingtown.

This was Kerry’s subtle, possibly subconscious reaction to that last:

Also in the house, for various parts of the afternoon, Bill Covaleski, Ron Barchet, Steve German, Richard Ruch, Lew Bryson, Mark Haynie, Kevin Rowe, Bryan Kolesar and some others I’m surely forgetting.

I’d tell you all about it, but I’m getting paid to do that elsewhere, so you’ll have to wait roughly a month. Bummer.

To hold you over, a whole buncha pix, with brief, possibly cryptic, comments:

What you’ll see when you step inside the door, although maybe with a better caliber of people, who knows.


Say goodbye to where the fabled long bar use to be.

Say hello to the new bar.


This is the fabled growler filler you’ve heard so much about. It’s not working yet. Sorta like Ruch.

And, finally, the Beer Delivery System which will feed 60 taps and 20 beers on draught, three lines for each, one at the main bar and one each at service taps along the rear wall at either end of the bar (this one’s for Scoats).

Questions, Questions…

May 6th, 2008

Two things I’m being asked in light of the Sly Fox Bock Festival on Sunday…

Why can’t they put a beer station on the far side of the parking lot, next to the food station they established this year?

‘Tis illegal, I’m afraid. Their license is only to sell beer on premises, which is defined basically as right adjacent to the brewery. And getting a one-day license to sell beer off premises (i.e, where you suggested) would require that the whole area be fenced off and contained under the stipulations of that license.

Can you name all the winning goats from the first race to the current one?

You bet:

2000 - George (A Maibock Named George)

2001 - Clover

Those two races were held at New Road Brew House.

At Sly Fox:

2002 - Ernie

2003 - Nelly

2004 - Weird Beard (best name ever!)

2005 - Savannah

2006 - Han

2007 - Sundae

2008 - Jasper

Often a bridesmaid, never a bride: Entrekin (two seconds, two thirds).

Question back atcha:

Should Sly Fox celebrate next year’s race as the 10th Anniversary or only count the races run there?

I say….yes. Ten is ten.

Seven Seminal Figures of Philly Craft Beer (a website update).

May 5th, 2008

As I promised several people at the Goat Races yesterday, I have updated www.jackcurtin.com to include a link to the just posted Culture? I Got You Culture Right Here story which is in the current (spring) issue of American Brewer.

This is my version of how Philadelphia’s beer culture grew and developed between the mid-90s and today, with a sidebar story (at the end of the online piece) on the place of the original Dock Street Brewery & Restaurant in that history. In the main story I select the Seven Seminal Figures in the modern day history of Philadelphia’s craft beer scene.

Embarrassingly enough, I couldn’t name all seven when asked, my mind all discombobulated by pints of of Jasper Maibock, Slacker Bock (my favorite of the day) and the Helles Bock and Instigator Bock eis versions. Now it’s up online and I don’t have to remember any longer.

I think you’ll find a surprise or two among my choices. And there are eight of them, really, when you add in the rather important guy featured in the sidebar.

Let me hear what you think.

The Running of the Goats.

May 5th, 2008

I’ve posted the Bock Festival story on the Sly Fox site. Also at the Beer Yard site. Lots of photos at the former location and I’ll see about posting more here.

I was going to do a lengthy commentary here about the family nature of this event and why it’s such an excellent example of the conviviality of beer, but the big guy beat me to it and I got tons of work to do today still, so go read what he said.

“Dat enkel gekke bespreking!”

May 5th, 2008

I’ve posted again at Big Dan’s blog this morning. As we all feared, it appears he’s gotten himself into a bit of a pickle overseas.

Holy Kamolies!

May 4th, 2008

What an incredible day!

The Sly Fox Bock Fest and Goat Race went on today under sunny skies before the largest crowd ever, with 42 goats entered. The race consisted of six heats, a championship round and then a two-goat run-off between the goats who had tied in the championship round.

The Maibock is now named for the winner–Jasper Maibock.

Details on the morrow, both here and on the Sly Fox site and the Beer Yard site, with photos and all that good stuff. Right now I need to decompress.

What an amazing day!

Walking in Big Dan’s Shoes.

May 3rd, 2008

Because I apparently have a subconscious desire to destroy both my reputation and my career, I am, along with a few other hardy souls, guest blogging over at the Northside Blog, better known as Big Dan’s Folly.

The way I see it, it’s an easy way to give him a 50th Birthday present. Two weeks is a long, long time, however. Mischief may ensue.

Report from the Pacific Northwest.

May 3rd, 2008

This will be a long one, gang, but, hey, I didn’t have to write most of it so I’m happy (and some of you might be too).

My pal Carl, the guy with too much time on his hands, sent a report this week on one of his recent visits to Boundary Bay Brewery in Bellingham, Wash. and what happened while he was there:

Went to take a walk yesterday and as sometimes happens, ended up not too far from home at Boundary Bay Brewery. It was late afternoon and thus it was packed. Could not get a seat at the bar so stood and slowly had a Cask Conditioned IPA, it being Thursday which is the day of the week that they bring out a small keg and serve it from the bar.

Eventually, a guy wandered away and I was able to seize the stool that he had been setting upon immediately in front of the keg. Also in direct line with the Seattle Mariners game on the flat screen. The world was OK.

A bit later though, I hear a ringing noise and as the bar quiets down, I am the others watching the TV turn to see none other than Ed Bennett, the owner, standing in the middle of a very busy and very crowded brewpub. You can well imagine the noise level yet Ed was trying to get everyone’s attention. Eventually, the room got quiet enough that Ed could begin to speak. As he did so, it quickly got VERY quiet. This is a phenomenon I have never seen as that place is virtually always busy and not coincidentally, also always very noisy.

Ed was saying that he wished us all to know that this day they were serving a special beer brewed *just* for today (May 1). It was an IPA., but he wished us to know that this stood not for India Pale Ale, but for IVERSON Pale Ale, in honor of Dave Iverson, a long time and now late employee and trusted friend of the Boundary Bay family. He spoke of how Dave had helped many people’s attention to Craft Beer that had not been aware of it and had opened many markets to their beer as well as Craft Beer in general. Not to mention he had apparently been a wonderful friend to all employees, top and bottom and was and would be truly missed.

The brewmaster also spoke a bit on how he had crafted this beer to match Dave’s preferences and that this was a beer that he was sure that Dave would truly like, with slightly lower alcohol content but very hoppy. He mentioned what yeast was used as well but I was on beer 3 so do not remember that detail. It was tasty though as I had a glass to conclude my evening.

There was a couple posters about Dave and also a standing folded paper flyer thing on each table with a drawing of Dave on one side with the title DAVE BEER and a short tribute on the other side. I will write it out since I do not have a scanner and taking a picture might not work.

—————————————-

ON TAP MAY 1ST - DAVE BEER

A PORTION OF PROCEEDS FROM DAVE BEER WILL BE DONATED TO WHATCOM HOSPICE.

On June 9th, 1998 Dave brought a bright, unflappable personality and past experience in beer sales to our team at Boundary Bay. He quickly became a friend to everyone. Dave loved people. Dishwasher, head brewer, or owner were all worthy recipients of his warm smile.

Dave successfully opened the door to many accounts unaware of craft beer. He truly was an important piece of our wholesale foundation in the Whatcom/Skagit area. Dave will have a permanent place in the heart of the BB Family. His “Never say never”/”Don’t say no” attitude helped salvage the Mt. Bar from the Rainier Brewery in Seattle. Once installed at our Ferndale location (To yet be opened - CP), you can be assured that Dave will have his special place at that bar. Cheers, Dave! We love you! May 1, 1973 — Feb. 4, 2008

Dave Iverson sounds like a guy I would have liked to have met.

In an earlier message Carl wrote to me about the annual Brewsday beer fest in Bellingham which was marked by a) thieves making off with over $3000 in beer and brewing equipment and b) being terribly over-crowded. He indicated that beers from Alaskan Brewing were stolen but online news stories say the hoisted brew was from Lazy Boy Brewery in Everett, Wash. Maybe it was both, I dunno.

In any case, he mentioned liking a pair of beer from the North Fork Brewery/Pizzeria/Beer Shrine & Wedding Chapel while he was there, know it would strike a memory chord. When I was out to visit Carl maybe eight, nine years ago we were driving down the road and discovered this place (or maybe he’d been there before, it was a long time ago) and it was very cool. I think it was just called North Folk Brewery & Beer Shrine in those days. The memorabilia collection inside was indeed impressive and the beer was good, but what I remember second most is that it was a two-person operation, run by the husband and wife who started the business, Sandy and Vicki Savage.

He was in the back brewing away while she did it all up front. I remember ordering a Stout and she tilted a glass under the tap and opened it to pour. Then went down the bar to handle something else, walking back to close the tap when the glass was half full and go over to wait on a table. Came back, opened the stout pour again and got another customer a beer, coming back to complete my pour just as the beer reached the rim. All the time we were there, she had never a wasted moment or motion, always getting something done. It was pretty impressive.

What I remember most, though, is that they were originally from Cherry Hill, NJ. From the land of housing developments, traffic circles and strip malls to the wide open spaces is a long, good trip.