Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Best of the Best: City Tap House

Philly Beer Week 2010
by Beer Geek Steve on Jun 24, 2010 in Culture
Best of the Best: City Tap House

On the day the Flyers' Stanley Cup bid came to an anti-climactic halt, Philly beer fans got a chance to sample the best beers in the country, including plenty that don’t distribute in Chicago. In yet another awesome Philly Beer Week event, University City’s City Tap House (3925 Chestnut Street) featured the Best of the Best, in which nine of the top ten craft breweries in the United States, as rated by our friends at Beer Advocate, offered their best of the season. Further proving Philadelphia’s dominance in the realm of beer, local favorites Troegs and Victory made the cut, along with Ommegang, Avery, Stone, Russian River, Great Divide, Great Lakes, and Sierra Nevada.

Tap House beer guru, Andy Farrell, stacked the selection. Pliny the Elder, while not quite as hyped as its Younger brother, was our first stop. From California’s Russian River, this hyper-hopped double IPA is dry and complex, citrusy and bitter, and a worthy start to one hell of a night.  New York’s Belgian specialist, Brewery Ommegang, represented with their funky and spicy limited release, Tripel Perfection.

We washed down our first round with a taste of Avery’s Mephistopheles, an Imperial Stout as serious as they get. Not for the faint of heart, this 15% abv wrecking ball packs as much flavor as it does potency. Also from Avery, out of Boulder, Colorado, came their Fifteen anniversary ale, a unique sour American Wild. California’s Stone Brewing offered Saison du Buff, a collaboration brew with Victory and Dogfish Head (whose exclusion from the top ten was borderline criminal negligence), which brought the many farmhouse flavors of the saison style to a new level.

Round three started with a quick taste of the richly decadent Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti imperial stout by Denver’s Great Divide. We followed this up with Charlie, Fred and Ken’s Ale, a thirtieth anniversary offering from Sierra Nevada, and a Dortmunder Gold lager from Ohio’s Great Lakes Brewing.

From Downingtown’s Victory, a freshly tapped firkin of Storm King imperial stout proved how different a character a beer takes on when warm and naturally carbonated. Already one of our favorites, Storm King tasted a lot smoother and a lot less hoppy than usual, and almost became another brilliant beer altogether.

And our final gem of the evening came from Harrisburg’s Troegs Brewery, who offered the Citra of Brotherly Love wine barrel aged IPA. Brewed specifically for Philly Beer Week, featuring the intensely grapefruit-toned Citra hops, which don’t just bring the acidity of citrus, but a refreshing mango-papaya sweetness as well. This beer represented the city well, and kept our thirst quenched well into overtime.

 

 

About Beer Geek Steve:
Steve spends as much time as his wife will let him tracking down rare beers and trying to analyze the intersection between quality beer, hype, and viral marketing. When he's not reviewing beer for Drink Philly, he writes about his adventures in chasing bottles and taps at his blog, Beer Geek Steve. You can also follow him on Twitter, where he tweets about happenings in the craft beer industry and often locates some of the best barrels in southeast PA.

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Philadelphia Distilling Launching Secret Pop-Up Cocktail Garden for Earth Day, April 11-21

Philadelphia Distilling Launching Secret Pop-Up Cocktail Garden for Earth Day, April 11-21

Philadelphia Distilling is transforming their fourth floor space into a secret garden to celebrate Earth Day, ...read more ›

by Drink Philly Apr 9, 2024
Dizengoff: Inside Look at the New Reimagined Restaurant, Bar, & Cocktails

Dizengoff: Inside Look at the New Reimagined Restaurant, Bar, & Cocktails

Last year, Dizengoff and Abe Fisher decided to join forces and embark on an exciting new chapter. After closin...read more ›

by Drink Philly Mar 5, 2024
The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

The Drink Nation Presents: The Home Bar Project

Have you ever dreamed of having an amazing home bar, filled with bottles you actually use and the tools you need to execute a fine crafted cocktail? E...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Nov 14, 2014
SPONSORED
Spirit Cruises January 2023 Desktop Bottom Rectangle 1
Behind the Bar: Tom Foy of Butcher Bar

Behind the Bar: Tom Foy of Butcher Bar

In this installment of Behind the Bar, we sit down with bartender Tom Foy of Butcher Bar...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 19, 2024
48 Record Bar: An Inside Look at an Audiophile's Listening Room & Cocktail Bar

48 Record Bar: An Inside Look at an Audiophile's Listening Room & Cocktail Bar

48 Record Bar is the newest addition to the growing Listening Room trend in Philadelphia...read more ›

by Drink Philly Feb 19, 2024
The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

The Best Cocktail Bars in Philadelphia

In a city with new bar openings every week, it can be hard to keep up with the everchanging Philly cocktail landscape. Don't worry, we've got you cove...read more ›

by Drink Philly Dec 14, 2023
Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2023

Best Bars for Outdoor Drinking in Philadelphia, 2023

We've got your definitive list of where to drink outside in Philadelphia...read more ›

by Drink Philly May 27, 2023
Pamper Yourself at These Spas with Bars in Philadelphia

Pamper Yourself at These Spas with Bars in Philadelphia

Whether you're going solo or heading out with friends, we've got just the place for your to relax and enjoy a good drink...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Apr 5, 2023
The Best Mocktails, Zero Proof, & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Philadelphia

The Best Mocktails, Zero Proof, & Non-Alcoholic Drinks in Philadelphia

Not drinking alcohol tonight? These bars and restaurants have you covered with inventive, thoughtful, and down...read more ›

by Michelle Cassidy Jan 11, 2023
Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

Inflation Hits PA Wine & Spirits with 4% Price Increase Across 3,500 Products

The PLCB, announced that a 4% price increase would go into effect on 3,554 of its most popular wine and spirit...read more ›

by Jessie Donofrio Jan 9, 2023
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close