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If you followed beer at all then you would know that Boston Beer purchased the old Latrobe brewery in Easton PA. No plans for brewery tours yet but if you are in the area Wyerbacher is literally down the road. The Tap had 2 Wyerbacher brews on when we were there earlier this week. So now Boston Beer is being brewed right here in PA and technically is local because the local economy is being supported.
too many non-locals or folks from the burbs with expense accounts who think Sam Adams is a great beer.not an ok beer with a LOT of hype. So the tap goes where the money is cant blame them. Remember years ago visting a friend who owner a bar in pittsburgh explained the Iron City brewery was were Adams was made under contract.
Taste is subjective. Some like Sam Adams and some don't. The whole contract brewing was in part because the Boston facility could not keep up with the demands. I'm well aware of the contract brewing and so on. The whole idea behind purchasing the brewery in PA was simple: a functionl brewery with functional equipment was far cheaper to buy than to build a new facility and helps aleviate the need for contract brewing. There are a number of smaller breweries that imo are way more over-hyped and put out very inconsistant beer. Knock it all you want but if anything boston beer is consistant.
Same with the tap. In going now for nearly 9 years we've consistantly had decent food, good beer, and service that didn't want to make us scream.
One of the owners of the Tap is a friend of one of the brewmasters at Sam Adams. The Tap only serves local brews, so now that Sam Adams is brewed locally, there is a legitimate reason to serve it at the Tap. I wouldn't call it a sellout. I mean, it's not Land Shark.
I also heard something about how Jim Coch, who either owns or run Sam Adams, made some shrewd investments/contracts in the hops marketplace. Without Coch's supply of hops, a lot of small local brewers wouldn't have the material to brew.
Sam Adams is a decent beer, I don't know exactly how it'd be associated with the "expense account set" because it's certainly a lot more reasonably priced than the product of smaller batched places. Sure the flavors of its lines are not very challenging, but that makes it a good social beer. Not every brew has to be some meditative taste-bud contemplation, and some folks are capable of holding a conversation over things other than the unique properties of the beer we're drinking. Say, the size of our expense accounts or something.
9 years and never a surly server--new or one who's been there for a long time. And we aren't "regulars" in there nor are we friends with anyone there. We're polite when we go there or anywhere we go. My opinion on it? It isn't the service that's changed, its the patrons.
If you knew or remembered that one of the owners was the brewmaster at the Sam Adams Brewpub (now nodding head), that they are serving Sam Adams doesn't seem too far fetched. And, personal taste is exactly that.
Standard Tap was originally the Bull's Head Tavern, and rumor has it that George Washington frequented the pub. If that's the case, perhaps SAM ADAMS himself visited there, along with his cousin, John, who was naturally George's Vice-President.
Mary Dankanis
It's like you either have to be a beer snob or ironically drink freakin' cheap + crappy PBR in this neighborhood. Get a grip. I agree with Cheesesteak that Sam Adams is a good social beer; it's usually a safe bet that everyone at the party will be pleased when you bring it. Their seasonal offerings are accessable and yes, tasty. But I guess being a M******* skews my opinion...
The real question is... who wins in a street brawl-- the sam adams protesters or the fois gras protesters??
m-hole to m-hole, tasty, high five; but you got to admit Harpoon's got Sam beat in the Boston market. Never went wrong with Harpoon, except for one Harpoon festival I went to on the pier which coincided with some sort of "fleet week" or tall ships event.
I'll admit Yards generally has a more interesting flavor (actually, maybe comparable in quality to what Harpoon puts out), but in a taste test, I frankly don't know if I could tell the difference between Sam Adams and PBC's standard range. Just decent mellow beer.
So are you hoping for a Phillies/Sox World Series too?
I actually prefer Sam's Octoberfest to Harpoon's, but I do like H's summer brew. I used to drink the IPA a lot, but haven't been into them the last couple of years (in general, not specifically Harpoon's). Have you had Buzzard's Bay? Their brewery is one of the more forgiving aspects my of growing up/going to college in SE Mass.
expense account crowd comes from my experience as a bartender,8 years, guys from an office out on a bender with the boss /salemanage type buying always wanted S A and were incredulious when you told em we dont have it.
Technically, the Latrobe Brewery is in Latrobe, PA, and a company called City Brewery owns it, but is producing Sam Adams under contract, instead of the now Anheusered Rolling Rock (which is now brewed in dirty Newark). Latrobe is also a local 260 miles towards the sunset. But if you followed beer at all, you would know that.
Yes, po, some people are "raised" so to speak on Sam Adams and can travel quite extensively convinced of the brand's ubiquity, whether their work covers their beer expenses or not.
Tasty, I'd definitely like to see a Sox/Phillies match up, but I'm not counting on it (Boston sports cynicism always trumps wishful thinking). Never heard of Buzzards Bay brewery, looks like they started producing just when I left the area, but most of my family is on the South Shore so maybe I'll check them out next time I'm up there. Funny, a high school friend had a "private beach" (read 10x10' plot of glass-jagged rocky ground with a trailer on it) in Westport we crashed at a lot.
When I lived in Boston, Harpoon IPA was my fave on tap (might've been my first beer in a bar), and we drank a lot of Magic Hat, and I really liked Catamount (which apparently was bought up by Harpoon).
I walked in to ST on Saturday, saw that Weyerbacher's Autumnfest was...$7. Seven f-ing dollars. I mean, this is a sessionable, 5 % abv beer that should be served by the pint. And it is not hoppy, so it is hard to imagine the shortage has jacked up the price. This ripping people off for what should be reasonably priced brews has been Standard at the ST for a couple of months now.
I just don't get it. They still have $3 Kenzinger, but I was so ****** at seeing the $7 Weyerbacher I walked out. Saw it on tap at another place fot $5 yesterday. Much more reasonable.
Wyerbacher is very overpriced. I get bottles but have not and will not run any on tap because of what it would translate to in terms of charging for it. Some of the beer is very good but some of it is very hit or miss. The Imperial pumpkin was a huge disappointment. I've heard very mixed things about the harvest as well. Hopefully the prices will come down for next year.
$12, while high for a shot of Patron, does seem within the higher end of the reasonable limit for top shelf liquors. $8-12 tends to be the going rate for the good stuff.
Btw, checked out the Institute and I think you all should be going there in greater numbers.
When the heck were you there? And thanks. Glad you enjoyed.
The average for Patron is around $10. Single shots we do for $9 and for rocks we add $1.00. I've seen it as high as $12 in center city/olde city though. Not sure what other places in NL are selling it for.
Hi, this is william from the Tap. I'm happy people are paying attention to the beer list, we think about it a lot.
Paul and I opened the Tap in 1999 with the goal of showcasing and supporting local breweries. It isn't a gimmick, it is a philosophy we believe in. I have never understood beer bars that proudly proclaim "NO CRAP ON TAP", but are happy to serve it in a bottle or can.
(And we don't serve PBR in any form BTW)
We had a similar decision about our local only policy when Dock St reappeared in the area. We wouldn't carry it because it is brewed in Utica, NY. The owner insisted it was a Philly brand, but where it is made IS important to us. When Dock St. opened the brewpub in West Philly, we started carrying their beers from there (and they are really, really good).
As to my relationship with Sam Adams: I worked as a brewer for Sam Adams, for 5 years at the pub in Philly. During that time I occasionally went to the Stroh brewery in Fogelsville for the BrewMasters of America meetings. The brewers I met from there were justifiably proud of both their brewery and the Boston Lager which they had just begun to produce under contract with Sam Adams. It was probably the only beer produced by traditional methods, and not brewed "high gravity"-- which is essentially brewing concentrated strong beer that is diluted at packaging.
Besides Sam Adams and Strohs, most of the "beer" made there was cheap swill, malt liquor and alco-pops (Hard lemonade and malt coolers). Despite this, the brewers racked up many awards at the GABF for the relative quality of the American style lagers they produced.
These guys were more than competent. They had passion and standards above what was asked of them. It was ominous to me when Pabst acquired the brewery ( maybe 2001? ) and eventually they decided to shut down production. That brewery was minuscule to the big brewers; and I'm sure it meant even less to the accountants who pulled the plug.
Jim Koch, founder of Boston Beer, is perhaps the only person who could have saved this brewery from demise. I am glad that he did.
Supporting the local economy is part of our mission at the Tap. Sam Adams' purchase of this brewery is keeping hundreds of people working and doing what they do best. This is the second traditional brewery that they have bought, the first was the Hudepohl-Schoenling in Cincinnati. Also a very traditional brewery that would be considered obsolete and likely shut down by the largest breweries.
As to the beer... well they say that you can't argue taste. I disagree, Sam Adams makes some great beers and I am proud to serve them. If you don't like a beer, that's fine, that is why there are more than one offered. I think the negative bias is common in those who don't believe anything that is readily available can be great. I don't often hear objective criticism of the beer, just dismissive comments about the brand.
Very well said, Mr. Reed, well said. I didn't know Dock St. had a larger operation in Utica. If I'm getting Dock. St. stuff in bottles in Philly, is that coming from a plant in Philly or no? I just got acquainted with some of there stuff at the Bela Vista opening this weekend and had the impression they were 100% local (the spokesguy never made any such claim, though he did talk up the pub, my understanding came from skimming local press).
Heather, my spouse was the one telling you "for future reference" how to make a shot. j/k.
Seriously, we were the bedraggled couple who got there Saturday just when the Phils game was starting. Actually, that was a couple of minutes before I think you walked in. We were the two at the bar. We would've been more social but I hadn't accurately guessed where the Dragon Boat races were going to be, so we had just been on 7 mile forced march, after a night of drinking from first friday to home. So, I was pretty tired and low key and didn't feel like revealing the "You may know me as CTI" stuff. We would have stuck for the rest of the game, and maybe cracked open one of your boardgames, but my spouse was fading so we opted to head home after I finished her beer.
I saw you had Gritty's Black Fly on tap. The next day I tried Gritty's anniversary IPA at the bela vista thing ... at least I think he told me it was an IPA. Really interesting with an unusual malty character to it.
At least I know what you look like. The "future reference" chick about crapped a brick as did her friend when they found out I owned the place. It was classic. I was honest with them--"I'm a beer geek. I suck at mixed drinks and shots."
Now I'm not quite sure how to take "no crap on tap" and "proud to serve in a bottle or can" especially with the PBR comment. I'll assume its not directed at me or my bar especially given how I am the first person to defend the Tap--in almost every nasty thread that's popped up about it.
If I had a tap list and a bottle list that was 100% craft I would be alienating many good people in my community. The only crap I refuse to carry is malt liquor. And that was because of the constant litering of 40 bottles from the old bar--the **** things would wind up on my doorstep 2 blocks away.
My community is very diverse. There are people who have lived here for 2 and even 3 generations. Those were not the "problem" customers and most would only come to the bar during the day when the old owner had it. It would be disrespectful to them to create a bar where they could not enjoy the beer they'd been drinking for years. I am not a beer snob. While I don't drink macro's I also don't think poorly of people who do. Its judgemental and its wrong. Its not about paying the bills, its about having a bar that has something for everyone whatever they drink. My community has history and has many proud residents--some of whom will not come to my bar no matter what I do because they cannot accept the changes. That's fine. I am proud that at any given time I can have beer geeks who have traveled from other parts of the city and even as far as West Chester, people who have lived in the community for many many years who drink bud or whatever, and younger residents enjoying everything from PBR to a West Coast IPA--all at the same time and all participating in conversations about politics or sports or whatever. Its pretty cool. Honestly I don't like being referred to as a "beer bar" Its a community bar-- a corner bar in a really wonderful neighborhood rich with history. It why we put up pictures of the bar before we renovated it. It was a problem bar but it also had many good memories for many people in the community. We worked very hard to strike a balance.
There are many bars in this city that serve an amazing selection of craft beer but also serve maco bottles and some that have one or 2 on tap. I don't think poorly of them. There also are bars that serve 100% craft--I don't think poorly of them. Taking a stab at a bar or bars for accomidating a variety of tastes is wrong.
Nothing personal, but you are a solipsistic freak. William's post had nothing to do with you or your bar. He was simply explaining the philosophy behind the choices he made for his bar. There was nothing in content or tone that could be seen as taking a stab at you or your bar.
I am offended. I own a bar. I serve craft. I serve macro's. Its my philosophy, if you will, to do so, otherwise I would alienate many good people in my community. What works for one place doesn't necessarily work for another. There is no reason to comment negatively about what other people do to make their places sucessful.
I have long respected the all draught all local philosophy of the Tap and JB's. This city is very geared towards Belgian Beer and towards the offerings of breweries from all over the country. I also have never understood the nasty comments about the Tap that appear on this board. For nearly 9 years its been a favorite spot of mine and my husband's.
Am I offended enough to stop going to the Tap? No. That would be petty on my part. I'm in disagreement with an opinion, not the place.
I apologize for any offense, and I appreciate you for your positive posts about the Tap and Brendas. What is the name of your bar? I would love to check it out.
I have absolutely no problem with you, or anyone else serving beer from the big guys. My comment was on the absurdity of bars that themselves make the statement that those beers are crap, and that they would never serve them... on draft. That is what I was referencing. I've seen that sign at several bars in the area, and I was always puzzled it.
Our policy was always based on supporting local breweries, not necessarily micro or craft breweries. We carried Yuengling for many years, and it is certainly not a craft brewery.
My comment about PBR was in response to someone posting the rumor that we sold overpriced cans of it. We also had PBR, on draft for $3, when it was brewed at the same brewery in Fogelsville, PA. It is swill, but it was our swill.
Is the former Stroh's brewery now contracting to SA or is the old Latrobe (former rolling rock) brewery? I know the former Iron City brewery was a big brewer for SA after IC shut down.
I think my grandfather still has a Stroh's sign over the old kegerator (which used to have only Rolling Rock stocked.)
re Utica: was it the Matt brewery that made Sam Adams? Looks like they had a fire there this spring: Utica NY - Brewery Fire
re: Yards on Delware Ave opening: Tom Kehoe (at the NLNA center event a couple weeks ago) told me he thought they would be brewing/distributing beer out of that facility very shortly--within a few weeks. Public tours would be available sometime after that...
People seem to get lost in what really determines a quality beer. Why punish Sam Adams because they have been successful? Without Sam many of these other small breweries would not have the opportunities that they have today. Fact is, quality beer is achieved by brewing small batches, using high quality ingredients, and using traditional brewing methods. This is evidenced by the number of awards they have won for their beers. Beer is perishable and that is why they like to serve locally brewed beer that is very fresh at the Tap. If you ask me, I say we are lucky to have another great brewery down the road and am happy that the guys at the Tap are taking advantage of that
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