He Shoots, He Scores!

This past weekend I was able to go down to my parents and spend some time with my family. We had a lot of special events planned. First, it was my brother Dave’s 31st birthday. I found the perfect gift, a Sam Adams Utopia glass and a bottle of Mikkeller Santa’s Little Helper. Why was this a perfect gift for Dave? Well as any fan of the Simpsons knows, Santa’s Little Helper was the name of the dog in the dog race. I was also the recipient of a gift of beer, courtesy of my Aunt Betty. Aunt Betty lives in Texas and was impressed with my beer list so she sent up some special beers that I hadn’t had before. My favorites were St. Arnold Fancy Lawnmower and Real Ale Full Moon Pale Rye Ale. And finally (and really most importantly), we got to meet our new nephew Jason Samuel Porch, the first child of my cousin Brian and his wife Angie. Jenn and I took turns holding him, although after a while Jenn just told me “No!”

Saturday we went to see a hockey game over at the Wachovia Center. The Flyers were playing the Bruins (and lost 4-3 in overtime), and Dave had bought me a ticket as a present for being his Best man last November. I was excited to go to the game, and to try out a new brewery, Red Bell. The brewery was only open to those who went to games. Unfortunately, it had closed and was replaced by a low-end Irish bar. It wasn’t a total disappointment; I got to try Yeungling Finnegan’s Wake Red Lager and A-B Bare Knuckle stout. We then went to the Triumph brewpub on Chestnut street, and I was impressed with the Roggenbock. Next we went to the Eulogy Belgian Tavern and met up with Dick and Jen, my cousin and his girlfriend who live in Philly. I shared some mussels with Christine, introduced everyone to Kasteel Rouge (a wonderful Belgian brown ale fermented with cherries), and then tried Urthel Samaranth which definitely kicked me on tail. The bar was small, quaint, and exactly what I was looking for. We closed out the evening by going to a wonderful ice cream place around the corner.

It is a start of a new year, and I got to explore a new part of one of my favorite towns with family and friends. I can’t wait to make it back into town. - 4508

"I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet, tasty beer." - Homer Simpson