Jack Curtin’s LIQUID DIET

Lew Bryson had a nice piece up yesterday about Stephen Beaumont and his receiving the “Raising the Bar” award from Cheers magazine. Definitely worth a read.

Similarly worth you attention is “Anatomy of a Beer Writer,” Stephen’s 100th (!) installment of Beaumont’s Journal in Celebrator Beer News. That’s in the February/March 2009 issue, which marks the 21st Anniversary for CBN.

Stephen has clearly been on the staff a long time; it’s got to be close to 17 years by my calculation T(the headline above is based upon a observation in “Anatomy.”) Another perspective: I started writing for the magazine back in 2001and am somewhere around the 50 bylines mark.

Celebrator is probably already on the stands/shelves on the West Coast at this point and should be arriving in the area early this coming week if it already hasn’t. My writer’s copy came in the mail on Friday. There aren’t many outlets carrying the magazine in these parts (unlike the other brewspapers, CBN charges shipping costs and while they are minimal, most pubs and bars have chosen not to pay them. Best bets: The Beer Yard, Sly Fox Phoenixville and Drafting Room Exton in the ‘burbs and Monk’s/Nodding Head, Standard Tap and South Philly Taproom in the city, all of which receive direct shipments (apologies to anybody I missed, please update me).

The Beer Yard has always gotten a larger than it needs shipment which Matt lets us spread around a bit as a service to local craft beer drinkers (one of those quiet good deeds that nobody knows about), so some of that shipment will end up at Teresa’s for sure, and I usually grab some for other locales that catches my fancy on my travels or which are mentioned in the issue. In this instance, that definitely means Memphis Taproom/Local 44, since, aside from a Philly Beer Week update at the end, my entire Atlantic Ale Trail column is built around their story.

Tags: Beer Writing by jackc
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For those of you who also followed The Dubya Chronicles, the cartoon series by Rob Davis and me which ran from January 20, 2001 through January 20, 2009 (what history will refer to as The Dark Ages, Part Two), be advised that, as of today, the site is featuring a weekly cartoon (or two) from the archives so that you can relive the horror one more once if so inclined.

To replace that weekly effort (no rest for the unwary weary), Rob & I today introduce Outside Looking In, a new cartoon series to run at my other blog, I Have Heard the Mermaids Singing. This one will appear roughly weekly, but on no set day, and will depend on when we have the time and inspiration to comment. It will be archived at Mermaids as well so you can see the whole series whenever.

You might have noticed, depending on how much beer you’ve had already today, that the look of things around here has changed. I was trying to add a requested feature (no luck so far) and, after trying this design, in the process decided I like it enough to keep it.

For now. A foolish consistency and all that….

Tags: Fun Stuff, Website by jackc
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My arrangement with The Beer Yard is that I go in there for a few hours once a week and update Quicken files, and backup those and Excel files, plus do other stuff, including but not restricted to trying to keep Mark from being overly cheerful and helpful with customers as it sometimes scares them. Wednesday is the current default day, but Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are in the mix, depending on what else is happening in my (pause for mordant chuckle) professional life.  Never Fridays, though, since that’s a busy day, the office is small and I just turn out to be an old man in the way.

This week, however, after snow and ice wiped out my Wednesday and meant I couldn’t get there on Thursday as planned (a date planned to coincide with the arrival of a new computer for the store I put together and bought online Monday), so I arranged with Matt that Friday would have to be the day. He called last night though and asked me if it was alright if I didn’t come in at all this week because he had a lot of things to do and need to use the old computer to do them and didn’t want me taking it down to install the new one.

Think about that: the boss calls and asks you not to work. What are you gonna say, no?

So home I stayed and, while there are plenty of things to do, many of them involving actual income-producing projects, it still felt a lot like a free day, you know, a day that I found and which demanded nothing but whatever I wanted it to be. I did do a bit of work in the morning, mostly involving my Jacey Services sideline business, and spent a couple of hours going through the arduous processes of trying to find myself a rescue dog and get approved for same.

I had to go to the bank to put some money in my checking account in the afternoon (the one weakness I see in this whole banking thing is that they want me to back up my checks with funds, taking all the joy out of the process) and then figured that a trip to the Craft Ale House was in order.

And who should be sitting at the bar when I arrive around 2;30? None other than a sheepish Matthew J. Guyer. He bought me beer for my silence and you can see how that worked out. I am unprincipled enough to allow myself to be bribed, not so unprincipled as to actually allow that to having any bearing on what I do next.

Matt at the bar wiped out one of my vows for 2009, to go to CAH and not find anyone there that I knew; my first beer destroyed a second. I figured I could achieve international fame by being the beer guy who never tasted Bell’s HopSlam, but the attraction was too strong. Very good beer and I mean in no way to demean it by saying it’s hardly worth the hysteria. No beer is, comes to that. I had another beer on Matt (Royersford ESB) while we talked beer stuff and then he was off, either to work or another bar, who knows.

A couple of guys were there working on the Nitro tap which was pouring Summit Oatmeal Stout and needed a tester for a fresh pint, so I volunteered to help, nice guy that I am. A guy farther down the bar kept offering to do a pint or take how a growler of HopSlam but they laughed him off, got things fixed and setting down with Hopslams of their own.

A roast pork sandwich and glass of Philadelphia Brewing Joe finished my stay, during which talked with Gary Fry about how things were going. Very well indeed. He’s squeezed out enough funds to add a second fryer to the cooking line for fries and was looking forward to see if that a few more innovations would help with the weekend crowds beginning tonight. There are routinely waits of an hour for a table, apparently. Not that, given the great beer list, anybody’s complaining.

Today’s brief sojourn topped off a week in which I visited three of the western suburbs finest beer bars. I already mentioned my visit to Drafting Room Exton yesterday and on Tuesday I had lunch with my former wife at TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery. There I enjoyed two pints of the Fifth Anniversary British Pale Ale from the handpump and a really excellent cranberry-turkey pannini. On the way home I popped in to Sly Fox Phoenixville for a growler of Burns Scottish Ale, just because I could.

I love my work, especially on days when I don’t have to do it.

Tags: Cafes, Restaurants, Taverns, Craft Beer by jackc
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It’s early yet, and we are in what is traditionally the slowest time of the year for beer sales, but some intriguing trends are emerging from various data being gathered by industry insiders.

Unofficial observations from around the country indicate that smaller regional crafts are faring better than national, more recognizable craft brands in the current economy, except in markets when large labels like Sam Adams and New Belgium (Fat Tire) are still new to the market. Some experts see  this trend as more evidence that craft consumers are constantly seeking “the next big thing” and suggest adding that such an attitude also probably contributes to the growing popularity of seasonal releases which became evident in 2008.

Somewhat conversely, other reports are that high end craft beers from the likes of Dogfish Head, Allagash, Avery, Bells, Rogue and Stone are the fastest growing brands in the industry, delighting wholesales because of their much larger margins. These figures result from opening new markets and expanded distribution in large part, but other factors are playing in. One theory is that the recent, very positive New Yorker story on Sam Calagione is playing a major role in bringing big crafts to the attention of new consumers. Given the magazine’s profile, I note that these are likely primarily wine drinkers, exactly the people Sam has said he’s targeting since DFH first opened.

It would be the height of folly to project anything conclusive based on less than one month’s results, but what seems to be happening is definitely grounds for cautious optimism.

Tags: Beer Industry by jackc
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Or maybe we should call him Citizen Lew.

No, I’m not talking about the  senatorial campaign (that was more like One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest), but about how America’s Most Beloved Beer Writer (© Liquid Diet - the Blog, 2008 ) is beginning to pattern himself after the famous newspaper baron, or as the fancy folks say, magnate.

May I present The Session Beer Project, yet another Lew Bryson website (that’s four, if you’re counting). It’s a virtual empire, it is.

I stand in awe.*

*a little spot just south of bemused.

Tags: Beer Buddies by jackc
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At the checkout counter at Wegmans in Downingtown today, I was chatting with the young woman at the register who, having seen the impressive quality of the foodstuff I was purchasing had apparently decided that, while just a touch too old, I was clearly the man she’d been waiting for, was trying to pick me up. Although I suppose I could have been imagining that.

In any case, when I got around to telling her I was quite disappointed in the bakery selection today since many of the the things I purchase on every visit—bourbon/pecan biscotti, loaf cakes of various sorts—were missing. She said she’d heard they were cutting back on some items and I said that, given the nature of the world in which I live, she could be sure that all of those items would be things that I want.

I do have this persecution complex about some stuff.

I mentioned the new Wegmans due in Collegeville this fall, much closer to me, and she said that “you’ll definitely find every there; it will be one of our Big stores.”

I looked around the rather cavernous facility in which I still get either lost or confused in and stammered “Th..this isn’t a Big store?”

“Oh, no. This is in a shopping center and we had to build within the confines of what was here. Our free-standing stores are our Big ones. Like Collegeville.”

I looked down at the $84 receipt in my hand, considered that I had come in intending to buy biscotti, two cakes, milk and (fresh, not concentrate) OJ, and wondered if I will be able to afford having a Big Wegmans a few minutes from my residence, especially since, by then, beer sales at all local Wegmans will be part of the mix.It will definitely be costly.

Based on what I’ve seen at what is apparently one of their teeny-tiny stores. my first major new expense will be buying a GPS unit in order to find my way through its aisles.

Tags: Personal by jackc
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I was in the neighborhood and stopped by Drafting Room Exton a couple of hours ago. I was a bit taken aback by all the missing tap handles when I walked in the door, but then, looking at the signage above the tower, I realized that there is a big Nugget Nectar Promo there tonight.

The taps were down so the featured beers of the evening could be put on as the time grows nigh. Plus Nick Johnson will be there and, you know, he breaks things, so you put away all the good furniture and trinkets.

I comforted myself with Victory’s Uncle Teddie’s Bitter on the handpump (listed as  Porter on the chalkboard) and Stoudt’s Smooth Hoperator. Aldo had a taste of Brooklyn’s Blunderbuss Old Ale and I gotta tell you, need me some of that sometime when somebody else is driving. Delicious, I thought, based on what was, granted, just a sample glass taste. 8.2% and both the nose and the initial sips tell you that very clearly .

Bernie, the Stockertown sales rep I met at Craft Ale House last week came in while I was there, to borrow some tap markers for the Lancaster Promo, also tonight, at Capone’s. We chatted about various things, most Philly Beer Week related. Then Howard Weintraub arrived and said those magic words, “the first one is always on me.”

All that, plus the pretzel bits in bowls on the bar which I can’t ever have too many of, made for a fine afternoon.

Tags: Fun Stuff, Personal, Philly Beer Week by jackc
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As I knew he would, Lovable Lew had a strong answer to the questions I raised in this post. You can read that response here. For an opposing point of view, go here.

I offer all this to stir some conversation and keep the site rolling. I won’t be around to do that because one of the Search Terms that brought visitors here today was “Jack Curtin Obituary” and that has set me on another path because, if the universe is trying to tell me something, I want to be prepared.

So I’m going to spend the rest of the day drinking up all the beer in the house.

Tags: Personal by jackc
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The fine folks at Memphis Taproom think that a great way to close out Philly Beer Week might be to pick up that vintage tray or bottle you’ve been looking for…or, conversely, looking to sell.

So they’re seetting out to collect some collectors.

Got goodies to offer your fellow fanatics? Sign up now.

Don’t make Brendan (he’s the brawn, Leigh’s the brains) come to your house and ask. He’s very excitable.

Tags: Beer Buddies, Beer Events, Cafes, Restaurants, Taverns, Philly Beer Week by jackc
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Remember how I wrote this?

Curt Decker has a very cool event planned at Nodding Head Brewery & Restaurant for Philly Beer Week, but I can’t tell you what because he wants to reveal the details Decker style, which means you’ll find out when you walk in the door. Hey, it’s worked so far. No, seriously, Curt almost made me drop my glass when he said he’s thinking about sending out emails about Nodding Head events; we shall see.

Well, damned if Mr. Decker didn’t go ahead and leap into the 21st Century with both feet. From an email received this afternoon:

Where- Nodding Head Brewery and Restaurant
When - Wednesday, March 11, 3pm
Ticket price - TBD

OK gang, Here it is. Nodding Head is once again pushing the boundaries of beer events in what may well become the most talked about event of Philly Beer Week 2009.

Join Tomme Arthur (Port Brewing/Lost Abbey), Adam Avery (Avery Brewing), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Rob Tod (Allagash) and a reasonable facsimile (most likely a cardboard cutout) of Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River) as we gather in a most un-Nodding Head-event-like civilized setting.

Two beers from each of the brewers will be paired with hors d’oeuvres. The brewers will have great input into the beer/food pairings. Beers and snacks will be butlered to guests, enabling all to just hang out, mingle and chat.

A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EVENT.

This will be like the Anti-Royal Stumble. The only similarity will be the fact that you won’t have to move an inch to get your next beer. Anyone who’s ever wanted the opportunity to meet or talk to these guys in a non-chaotic setting, this is the event for you.

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, February 11 at 3pm - exactly one month before the event. Tickets may be purchased at Nodding Head, or by phone with a credit card - 215.569.9525.

TICKETS ARE TRANSFERABLE, BUT NON-REFUNDABLE.

Aside from all the Capital Letter Yelling, I do believe he’s figured it out.

Let’s take bets on who spends the most time talking to CardBoard Vinnie.

Tags: Beer Events, Brewpubs, Philly Beer Week by jackc
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