True Life: I Lived in a College Town

Manayunk: where dreams of hovering over the line of adulthood and college life are quickly squashed with the reality of Philadelphia wage tax. Fear not my beer brethren (and sistren), there is hope for this neighborhood of steadfast locals and college transients: Manayunk Brewing Company and Restaurant. One of the few independent brewing companies in the city of Philadelphia, the Brew Pub certainly emits a ray of light through the darkness while traversing for parking up and down the alleged two-way side streets.

If only those wandering, unseasonably clad students knew that the Brew Pub was only a few years older than they. Arising from the ashes of the former Krooks Mill, came Manayunk Brewing Company and Restaurant. Perfect for its collegiate and young professional frequents, the Brew Pub’s outdoor seating and live cover bands beautifully balance the eight libations that are always on tap while offering a fine dining experience in the adjoining other half. From Stouts and IPAs to Blondes and Wits, brewers hone in on flavor profiles. Freshly brewed and rarely aged, the Brew Pub pours its seasonal specialties and flagships before the keg can celebrate a calendar year of being. In the spirit of the 4^th of July, the Brew Pub loves America and American hops. The Brew Pub’s lagers are heated with lots of hops, pils, munic, and caramunic malts to bring a distinct life for those who can sip these delights without making the Bitter Beer Face. Special THANK YOU to Doug Marchakitus, Head Brewer, for Manayunk Brewing Company and Restaurant. For more Brew Pub news, head to www.manayunkbrewery.com or follow them on Twitter at @ManayunkBrewery.

Featured Beer: Schuylkill Punch

Classification: Raspberry Lager

ABV: 6.0%

IBU: 14

Summary: Tart and sweet. Little extra labor for the fermenting and filtering systems by adding fruit puree of fresh black and red raspberries contribute to the color and distinct flavor and body. Perfect for covers of alt rock bands. No really, here is my friend Rosie’s Facebook status from just last night, “The band at Brew Pub is playing 311... Yeeeeah!”

As Hugh Hood said, “There is nothing better than a cold beer on a beautiful afternoon with nothing else to look forward to than more of the same.” Let’s raise a glass for a view over the water (even if it is the Schuylkill). Let’s raise a glass for one more playing of Wonderwall and Shout. Let’s raise a glass for Manayunk Brew Pub. Slainte!

So it's a small history lesson...

Since I have volunteered my family’s dirty laundry for the airing, I feel as though I should begin this blog with some of my favorite hometown flavors. Located right in my native land (and directly behind my high school for that matter), Victory Brewing Company of Downingtown, PA has brought many choice flavors to this beer enthusiast’s palate. For that matter, Victory brought new life to Chester County.

With nearly a dozen beers available year round, Victory offers a special seasonal selection. Contrary to the early weather patterns of Spring, Whirlwind Witbier is perfectly in season and one of my favorites. With the perfect proportion of malts and wheat, Whirlwind is light but is a full forced gale of flavor. Whirlwind sits perfectly with most seafood or a salad. Hey, how ‘bout a seafood salad!? (If anyone is familiar with my college roommate Scott Donovan, or if you are Scott Donovan, you will hopefully find that funny) Shockingly, Witbier has special qualities that keep it refreshing even when at room temperature. So go ahead, fall asleep outside with your beer next to you, and pick up where you left off when you arise. Nothing soothes fried, fair Irish skin like bottles of aloe and witbier.

Downingtown is a growing area that manages maintains its suburban charm. This particular section of Chester County was chosen for Victory’s facility because of its easy access to the Brandywine River- perfect for yielding a great product. Funny, I think my parents my chosen Downingtown for the same reason. The special process and ingredients of Victory’s brewing give way to what they describe as “great smoothness, complexity, and maltiness.” Also funny, these same qualities can be found in my four siblings and me.

There was a time in my pre-teenage angst that I swore that I would never return to the ‘burbs for my adult life. Now, there is not an area that I would rather be in than the outer reaches of Philadelphia. Chester County and the Brandywine River Valley possess an oldtown charm, a simplicity, and a history that draw me back. Similarly, Victory comes with the tastes of that charm, is made with that simplicity, and boasts of that history. Although it does not date back to the day of William Penn in the 17^th century, Victory’s oldest brews and bottles are HopDevil and Festbier; they continue to drive sales and travel around this country (29 states) and the world to be served in restaurants. Insisting on using simple, classic ingredients- 100% whole flower hops (seen above) and 100% German malts - perpetuates that oldtown feel and “house character.” (Hm…somewhere in there I felt a little like Papa John)

Thank you, Victory Brewing Company for providing Downingtown with 180 jobs. Thank you for providing families with an opportunity to dine in an affordable establishment with five-star products. Thank you Bill and Ron for using your friendship to fashion and sustain a relationship with Downingtown, a place that I find solace in calling home.

Raise your Whirlwhind Witbier with pride, Chester County. Happy Spring…Slainte!

For all things Victory, click here! A very special THANK YOU to Karen Noonan who played an incredible role in providing the information for this post. You have given great hope to this novice blogger's writings.

Failte!

Beer has always held a special place in my parents' refrigerator. We existed like many other Chester/Delaware County, PA families- Irish, Catholic (“Catlick,” if from the area), more-children-than-the-national-average, attended private education, living and dying by the Phillies schedule, blue collar father, and pink collar mother. My father would sit at dinner with his can of beer and I would sit to his right hoping to catch at least a sniff. "Bub...stop that," my mother (who will be endearingly referred to as either "Sue" or "my Sue") would exclaim.

Let me pause to explain Bub. Unfortunately, Bub’s origins are not that exciting.

"Bub...stop that," Sue would exclaim. I knew this mysterious, kind of bubbly, pale yellow liquid was more than met the eye. After a can or two of this elixir, my dad went from bouncing with energy to sleeping awkwardly with a hand down his pants. This magic potion brought my mom from her fair skin to a rosie-cheeked lass with a cackle-y laugh. I knew I must have a sip.

Fast forward 15 or so years. I am not here to write about my childhood alcoholism, or my parents’ for that reason. I am not trying to promote the luxury of getting so drunk you offend yourself the next morning. Rather, I am here to appreciate and to celebrate beer. I want to talk about and to hear about favorite tastes, favorite breweries, favorite bars, best selections, best events, and your best memories made with beer. I am not trying to say I know everything…or even anything…about beer, I am forever learning and looking for a new experience. By entering this page you have volunteered to take part in my life in a small way. There will be a lot of themes (as I love a theme).

In this writing, I want to prove that it can be socially acceptable to have a beer taste on a beer budget.

Raise your glass; let us share a moment or two. Slainte!