Every year in May & June the city of Philadelphia goes wild for craft beer. In an event billed as the largest beer celebration of its kind, the city of Philadelphia becomes a destination for craft beer lovers from around the world, as well as some fairly famous brewers. As if that’s not enough, I’m not going way out on a limb to say some of the most special and unique beers you’ll ever get to try are brewed and imported specifically for Philly Beer Week.
Needless to say, this is a beer event you don’t want to miss, especially since it’s right in your back yard! And in case you’re worried, the festival itself includes literally 1000+ separate festivals, beer dinners, tastings, brewery tours and educational events. From bars to breweries, Philly Beer Week is loaded with events. Also, in fine Philly tradition, Philly Beer “Week” actually lasts for 10-days…so there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for a schedule of events, check out phillybeerweek.org.
What better way to celebrate Philly Beer Week 2013 than to invite our pal Don Russell, aka Joe Sixpack on to the show. Don is the Founder and Executive Director of Philly Beer Week, so who better to talk about all of the great events. Don is a beer writer and has written three beer books, including my favorite, “What The Hell Am I Drinking?” Don is also known by his Byline “Joe Sixpack” as he writes a weekly beer column for the Philadelphia Daily News where he won GABF Beer Writer of the Year in 2006.
We sampled a really special and rare beer today…the Dock St / Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia co brewed OP Yum. This beer uses Oats, Pomegranate and obviously tastes yummy, but put them all together and you get a little play on the word Opium. OP Yum is a 5% ABV 30 IBU slightly tart and dry finish and a really refreshing beer. This beer is the 2nd brew in a series of four beers brewed by Dock St to be exclusively served at the Four Seasons Philadelphia. On June 6th (at Four Seasons Beer Garden, 5-8pm) as part of Philly Beer Week, Dock ST & Four Seasons will release the next beer in the series, Crackle & Squeeze--a farmhouse beer using Sicilian pink peppercorns, black pepper and Meyer Lemon juice.
We had a great time talking with Don about the history of Philly Beer Week, and it was cool to hear how it all got started. It was also a lot of fun getting Don’s insight on Philly Beer Week events…and be SURE to check into Opening Tap as tickets ARE still available!
Thank you to Don Russell (aka Joe Sixpack), Nancy, John & Jake for yet another
fun Friday.
The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together. As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.
A tart and tasty collaboration from Dock St. Brewing and the Four Seasons Hotel on the show today.
ReplyDeleteAnd a genuine thrill to talk to the man who is literally the father (and executive director)of Philly Beer Week, from the Phila. Daily News, 'Joe Sixpack' aka Don Russell!
Our thanks to Don for being on the show, thanks always to Bill from MyBeerBuzz.com, and most of all thanks to you for listening!
Best,
John
webster@wilknewsradio.com
Really cool beer show today. It was good info for anyone heading down to Philly Beer week. Cheers to Joe Sixpack. Eric
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to say I had not heard about the Philadelphia Beer Week until today. I wish I knew there was such a great beer event so close. Marking my calendar now. Good info. Ryan W
ReplyDeleteThanks for last Friday. I sampled maybe 6 Weyerbacher beers at Krugels. We had so much fun with you guys. Marcus
ReplyDeleteI hit PBW every year and it's an amazing collection of great beer. Thanks for the heads up on Opening Tap. My friends told me it was sold out so I'll be buying tickets today. Cheers to Don. Jeremy from Norristown
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun to hear you guys all talk today. Great minds drink alike. Cheers to Philly Beer Week. Aaron
ReplyDeleteI've been dieing to try OP Yum. As soon as I heard the topic I knew you guys would have it on the air. Nice! Amy
ReplyDeleteGreat heads up to PBW. Nice show and Cheers to Joe Sixpack. I read his column all the time. Jerry L
ReplyDeleteDon is a beer icon in Philly. Nice to hear him in NEPA too. Ian
ReplyDeleteBus Trip to PBW?
ReplyDeleteJim
Thanks everyone...and not this year Jim but you never know. There are literally 1000 events over the course of 10 days so we'd have to fill the bus up with gas a few times. ;)
ReplyDeleteNice event on Friday. We had a lot of fun and we too sampled a lot of Weyerbacher beer. It was nice meeting Chris Wilson and based on the turn out I'd say there were a few hundred people there. GREAT PARTY! Ron
ReplyDeleteI think I won the cake eating contest last Friday. A really fun party and Krugel's was packed. I also plan to head down to Opening Tap too. Jenna
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 3rd Anniversary & the PA B Award. We had a lot of fun last Friday and now you planted a seed with me for Philly Beer Week. Opening Tap here I come. Scott R
ReplyDeleteI streamed the show from home (in Philly) today. Don is a great guest and I always hit four or five events at least for PBW. I too heard Opening Tap was sold out so thank for the news. I'll pass it on. Jax
ReplyDeleteOpening Tap is a great event. Got my tickets!
ReplyDeleteJan
I think I need to head to Opening Tap. I looked up Brothery Love and Mannekin Penn on your site and I want to try them. Kevin Yo
ReplyDeleteOpening Tap is a lot of fun. I go every year to get my picture with the Hammer of Glory. Dean
ReplyDeleteI heard Don was going to be on today so I streamed too from Conshy. I'm glad Opening Tap isn't sold out. Count me in. Ray W
ReplyDeleteNice to hear PBW details in NEPA. I plan to go. Thom
ReplyDeleteI can't stream the show live so I love that you have a video. I'm watching it now. Great PBW details. Mary
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. We too had a great time last Friday and yes you can watch back the video of our show every week on wilknewsradio.com or mybeerbuzz.com. We also post a video archive of ALL of our shows at fridaybeerbuzz.com
ReplyDeleteA big thank you also goes out to Don Russell (aka Joe Sixpack form the Philadelphia Daily News) for joining us on the air today to talk Philly Beer Week. Don is the founder of PBW and the Executive Director so he's the best sour of PBW info. Be sure to check out phillybeerweek.org for the details too. We owe a big thank you also to Jennie Hatton for organizing the show today and to Rosemarie at Dock St for sending the beer up our way.
ReplyDeletePBW Here I come!
ReplyDelete