The Great American Ale Trail - Christian DeBenedetti [141]
KEY BEER
Along with dozens of beers from its namesake region, the 8-tap, 50-bottle list features New Jersey’s Flying Fish (with its Exit 4 American Trippel). Tripel, as it’s usually spelled is a brewing term from Belgium that signifies that a massive dose of grain has been added to the “mash” (a key early stage in the brewing process), resulting in the legendary high-octane golden ale that has made the homeland of Jean Claude Van Damme a must-visit destination for alcoholics worldwide. Too often the abundance of grain translates to a cloying sweetness; not Exit 4, which has ample hop bitterness balancing the fruity, grain-given heft (9.7% ABV). Even better, this one’s the first in a series named for exits on the New Jersey Turnpike (not that you could drive after finishing one).
EULOGY
136 Chestnut St. • Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 413-1918 • eulogybar.com Established: 2002
SCENE & STORY
Built in a narrow old four-story townhouse with a Belgian-flag themed red, black, and yellow paint job, Eulogy has a light, spicy house brew on tap (Busty Blonde, a Belgian pale ale beer brewed by La Binchoise), a decent tap row and long bottle list, reputable moules frites, burgers, and wings. Because of its location, Eulogy makes a smart early afternoon stop after paying respects to the Liberty Bell, but according to the owner himself—an American and former resident of Belgium—it is to be avoided on weekend nights. The bartenders are knowledgeable, but if the place is packed three-deep you won’t get to ask any questions or sample the kegs one by one before you make the choice. On any weekend, this is a first beer of the day sort of bar, one for wiling away an afternoon before heading to quieter quarters.
PHILOSOPHY
Owner Mike Naessens has channeled the Old World with a cozy but not too cramped “brown bar” feel. In particular, his bar seems to be a manifestation of the quizzical nature of Belgians, who love dark humor as much as they love strong beer. With that in mind, make sure to check the upstairs “coffin room.”
KEY BEER
On tap, the tart-sweet Duchesse de Bourgogne, a 6.2% ABV Flanders Red Ale from Brouwerij Verhaeghe is the perfect choice to go with an order of garlic and leek crab cakes.
THE 700 CLUB
700 N. 2nd St. • Philadelphia, PA 19123 (215) 413-3181 • the700.org • Established: 1997
SCENE AND STORY
This Northern Liberties hangout is without a doubt one of the happiest and most cheerful places in Philly to drink craft brews. With its easygoing bar staff, vinyl-spinning DJ, solid tap row and bottle list, and reputation for sweaty late-night weekend dance parties (the Rutger Hauer Power Hour is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month to get you in the mood), it manages to exude good vibes without really trying, and its laid-back clientele is made up of a menagerie of local artists, musicians, and writer types, more often approachable than not.
PHILOSOPHY
Dog friendly. No bouncer, no attitude, no cover. Just good people, good tunes, and usually a soccer game on the tube.
KEY BEER
There are ten drafts and two casks, plus a big old vintage refrigerator full of crafts in bottles. Philadelphia Brewing Company’s Kenzinger Kölsch will keep the party local and, and at just 4.5% ABV, rolling strong.
THE BELGIAN CAFÉ
601 N. 21st St. • Philadelphia, PA 19130 (215) 235-3500 • thebelgiancafe.com • Established: 2007
SCENE & STORY
Blackboard with an ever-changing tap list—check. Wooden bar with an armrest lip and a brass pipe foot rail—check. Elegant back bar and mirrors stacked with glassware—check. Located in the arty, affluent Fairmont neighborhood, this is one of Monk’s Café founder Tom Peters’s many establishments (this one a joint venture with fellow Philly publican Fergus Carey), and it has the deep Belgian beer list and nourishing haute-rustic pub menu to match their legendary appetites. But unlike Monk’s (most of the time, at least), it lacks constant crowds, and with its amber-hued walls,