Philadelphia Beer Club

From Victory’s website,>

We celebrate the pioneering spirit of old Horace ‘Hop’ Wallop and those who dare mighty adventurous things in this vivid, robust ale. As our annual homage to the hop harvest, expect loads of aromatic splendor and bitter beauty.

8.5% ABV

As in Intercourse, Pennsylvania. For those of you that have never heard of Intercourse, it’s a small town out in Lancaster County, PA.

Lancaster is of course the famous home to the Pennsylvania Dutch (who are from Germany mind you), many of whom are Amish. If you read the linked wikipedia entry, you’ll also note that Intercourse is located in Leacock township.

Now let’s get this straight, the Amish, also know as Amish Mennonites, or simply Mennonites, have a clustering of followers in Intercourse, part of Leacock. Men…intercourse…c*ck…If that isn’t some pun-laden joke waiting to happen, I don’t know what is. Except, I think there is so much potential, it’d be hard to pull it off just right. That’s why I’m not even going to try.

Instead, take a look at the label to Intercourse Brewing Co’s Paradise Pale Ale. Intercourse Brewing…you can’t say the Amish don’t have a sense of humor.

And then a silo, with two bushes, what does that look like to you? And a barn with the doors open? Sounds like intercourse is brewing alright..

5% ABV

Harpoon Summer Beer is a Kolsch style ale. Originating in the Rhineland city of Cologne (Koln), Kolsch ales have the characteristics that many people associate with lager beers. Kolsch is brewed with an ale yeast, but like other northern German light ales, it is straw gold in color and light bodied. The flavor is mild. The hopping levels provide a crisp, dry finish that make this beer particulary refreshing.

5% ABV

Traditional Bavarian dark unfiltered, keg-conditioned wheat ale.

5.3 ABV

Here we have another interesting beer from the fine folk at Dogfish Head in Milton, Delaware. Raison D’Etre is brewed with Belgian beet sugars and green raisins and is sure to be a unique experience. As the bottle says, this beer pours a deep mahogany color that is very opaque, with red tones shining through as you bring it to the light. Producing about 1/2 inch of very light tan head that settles very quickly. The aroma is intriguing, prune and raisin scents are nicely rounded off with gentle roasted malts and a slight smell of alcohol. The flavor of this beer is very different. Tastes of raisins or plums and a very strange sweet flavor surely influence by the beet sugar used in this brew, a bit of malt seems to round off the flavor but it is rather difficult to place the flavors in this ale. Though this beer is 8% ABV the alcohol is rather mute, particularly when distracted with all of the very interesting flavors in this beer. As with many complex ales, more flavors are noticeable when served cool, but I find this beer more drinkable cold. The mouthfeel of this beer is a bit sticky but it is reasonably drinkable and the body isn’t too heavy. Though the flavors of this beer are very unique it goes down quite smoothly but likely will not be drunk very quickly. Certainly not the beer for everyone but if you are looking for something different and don’t oppose fruit flavors you may enjoy this brew. Give it a shot and ride your bike.

8% ABV

Pours a nice dirty blonde color, nontranslucent with no carbonation activty present after pour. Decent two to one finger head with a nice cling to the glass. This beer has hints of wheat added with some citrus smells. Nothing prominent but good mild smells. The taste goes along the same as the smells. Good combinations of citrus and clove tastes as well as. Nice mellow finish to the beer. Overall a good hefeweizen with a nice taste and smell. Very nice beer to have on a hot summer day.

5.5% ABV

Great summer memories are born out of uncomplicated times. We’ve made that the basis for our summer blonde recipe and kept this ale pure and simple. Relax and enjoy this all natural, light, golden beauty; a seasonal offering from the River Horse Brewing Company.

4% ABV