Go Out and Drink

The Green Parrot, restaurant and pub, has something for everyone: happy hour specials include discounted beers, wines, cocktails, and appetizers all week.

Tuesday’s Quizzo crowd filled up the tabletops and most of the seats at the bar.  The atmosphere was fun and light-hearted.

To start, I had a $6 flight that included Stone IPA, High Noon Saloon Rudolph Red Nosed Ale, Weyerbacher Winter Ale, and Dogfish Head Chicory Stout.

I shared my flight with a self-proclaimed craft beer expert, and his opinion is that Stone IPA is never a disappointment.  He loves the flavors and the consistency.

My palate is still a little sensitive to a high hoppy taste, so all I needed were a few sips.*

The Dogfish Head Chicory Stout** was a pleasant surprise: it had a sweet coffee taste and a beautiful dark color. 

The highlight of my night was a mesmerizing chalice glass of Flying Fish Exit 4.  With a 9.5% ABV and a smooth Belgian taste, I had to be sure to drink only one.

Besides the craft beers, you can order Stella Artois, Smithwick’s, Boddington, Yuengling, Bass, Guinness, and Magner’s.  In all, the pub has 24 taps.

Bob Lutz, the beer master of the pub, knows his customers and his business, so he makes successful draft selections. 

Lutz is a man with a business model that works.  He understands the rifts that the Craft Beer World is creating, and he shifting with them.

Although his Newtown-Yardley cliental still demands a lot of Miller Lite, Lutz maintains about eight rotating taps of craft beer. He aims to give his craft beer customers beers with higher ABVs, and he tries to serve them in the proper glass. 

Treat yourself to a night out and a few drinks.  

My advice is to make the first drink a craft beer.

And, rumor has it…

…The Green Parrot is the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day.

*Beer Tasting Lesson: always smell the beer first and take at least two sips.

**History Lesson: The Chicory Stout was one of the first beers Dogfish brewed back in 1995 when they opened.

Introduction: Past, Present, Future

(Part I: Past)

I have always described myself as a beer drinker.

I drink the same thing at every party, bar, wedding, baby shower, and funeral.

Miller. Lite. 

I love Miller Lite’s sexy-blue label and light-golden color.

I love it’s bubbly-water taste.

I love that it doesn’t make me throw-up.

I prefer it in a bottle, but a $2.50-draft special will do. 

Drinking Miller Lite has become my craft, but it is far from being a craft beer.

(Part II: Present)

Most recently, the Craft Beer World has caught my attention.

The craft beer drinkers, self-proclaimed experts, and bar/restaurant owners that I have talked to over the last month fascinate me.

The conversations I’ve had about craft beer have made me realize that there is great depth to this up-and-coming community in Bucks County.

I was intimidated and overwhelmed at first.

But now, I am intrigued and curious.

(Part III: Future)

I have noticed that there are a few divides between those who drink craft beer and those who don’t.

I have also noticed that a lot of restaurants and bars are attempting to tap (pun intended) into craft beer because a craft-beer cliental is a good-paying cliental.

As I begin to explore the cultural similarities and differences between those who drink craft beer and those who don’t, I begin to realize that there is a need for a middle group: a group that blurs the lines.

My Mom's Name is Sandy!

(I can't wait to buy her a six-pack!)

'FU Sandy' Beer Will Benefit Jersey Storm Victims

Friday, January 18, 2013, by Aaron Kagan

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A new beer called FU Sandy from the Flying Fish Brewing Company is expected to generate $50,000 for an as-yet-unnamed New Jersey charity working on Hurricane Sandy relief. The beer, due out in February, is a cross between a wheat ale and a pale ale. It also contains "experimental hop ADHA 483," which was donated by the American Dwarf Hop Association. It's never been used in a beer before,says Beer Street Journal. The brewery, which is based in Somerdale, NJ,announced its plans in December, allowing its fans to vote via social media as to which recipient would take home the donation.

Q&A - Craft Beer

What is the Definition of Craft Beer?

A few months ago, I would have answered the above question with a simple, elementary reply: “a craft beer is a beer that is unique and not owned by a big company.”

According to the American Brewers Association, a craft beer must be produced in a microbrewery that is "small (less than 6 million barrels of beer a year), independent (the craft brewer owns at least 75% of the company), and traditional (malt beer makes up at least 50% of production).” 

Because the industry, the market, and the consumer-base are growing, the connotative meaning of craft beer is changing.

Specialty beers, import beers, and franchised craft beers are getting grouped in with 'true' craft beers. Many local bars and restaurants list Anheuser-Busch Beers on their craft beer lists.

The general public and the craft beer community have different opinions, interests, and definitions when it comes to craft beer.

As I attempt to transition from general public member to craft beer community member, I will blog.

Questions to Ponder in the Meantime: 

“How does the general public’s definition of craft beer compare to the craft beer community’s definition of craft beer?”*

"Do Anheuser-Busch beers count as craft beers?"*

(*Comments should reflect intelligence and thoughtfulness; constructive criticism is welcomed; unnecessary negativity will be removed at blogger’s discretion).

Next Post: Monday, Jan. 21
©2013