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Beer, beer, beer! Philadelphia is a city overflowing with breweries and fabulous bars and restaurants passionate about serving great beer.

And why not? It’s a city where drinking a pint glass takes you back in time to the birthplace of Independence.

Our Founding Fathers gathered around beer halls and coffee shops to talk about the ideas that laid the foundation for the American Revolution.

Many of the beers in the city are directly related to the beers that Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson drank. Learning about history was never so delicious.

To celebrate Philly’s Beer Heritage, the city is kicking off Philly Beer Week 2008 to draw tourism and promote many of the great beer drinking establishments the city has to offer. Thanks to the good people at the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, we were able to travel there and cover part of the event, now in full swing until March 16.

The first night of our tour set the bar high at Monk’s Cafe when owner Tom Peters, a passionate brewer opened up several bottles of the incredibly delicious golden yellow Cuvee de Monk’s Cafe Cantillon Geueze. Geuze is a beer that is crafted over years by blending older beers with younger ones.

Unlike most beers, whose yeast content is carefully controlled, this Lambic Ale, created in an old Belgian Brewhouse, is exposed to the air to allow for “spontaneous fermentation.” It’s almost alchemy I tells ya. These guys are turning grains into gold.

The native yeast and bacteria in the air fall slowly into the mix resulting in a beautiful yellow beverage with a profound citrus taste.

Several different brews from several years are blended together to control the flavor, much like non-vintage champagnes, whiskeys and wines.

If you’re lucky enough to live near Philadelphia, go this week to Monk’s Café and order yourself a glass of this unique and magical beverage. You won’t be disappointed. Hurry before the stock runs out.

Later in our tour we headed up to Nodding Head to sample their homemade collection of Lagers, Ales, Stouts and Porters. That’s a fancy way of saying beer.

When you walk up to the second floor of this eclectic brewery, you’ll notice a floor to ceiling glass case of bobble head dolls with every popular culture character you can imagine. Notice the head of George W Bush has been ripped off.

Join Marc Felion and me, Fausto Fernós as we talk with the handsome brewer Timothy Stumpf who works at Ironhill Brewery in Pheonxiville, just outside of Philly.

At Ironhill, variety is the spice that makes the place. For a reasonable price you can try over a dozen four ounce glasses of all their in-house brews, most of them made by the talented Tim Stumpf. Tim started brewing at the age of 21 and ten years later finds himself as one of Philly’s formidable brewers. I loved his Iron Hill Light Lager, a light beer with a refreshing taste and floral overtones. Marc loved the Irish Dry Stout whose nutty roasted taste reminds him of roasted coffee or chocolate.

Earlier in the day we talked to Beer Blogging babe Susanne Woods, The Beer Lass who blogs about her experience as marketing director for Sly Fox Brewing Company.

Their rich Black Raspberry Preserve is simply one of the best fruit infused beers I’ve ever tasted. I wish I was drinking one right now.

Susanne also organizes a beer drinking event for women only to prove that woman can appreciate beer as much as any man can. Sounds like a fun time ladies and lesbians are welcome!

Join us tomorrow for more Willy Pheer Beak fun. I mean Philly Beer Week. I guess my head is still buzzing from the great weekend we had in Philadephia. Go Philly Beer Week!

Check out our photo gallery from Philly Beer Week 2008 (more coming soon)
and Jason Smith’s pics from the Meet & Greet at Triumph!

The podcast that puts the spirit back into 1776- Feast of Fools.

Featured Book:
Joe Sixpack’s Philly Beer Guide by Don Russell: Get it on Amazon

Featured Music:
Eric Himan - Everywhere All at Once: iTunes | Amazon | CD Baby
The New Autonomous Folksingers - Pitcher of Beer: MySpace | Site
Brobdingnagian Bards - The Holy Grail: iTunes | Amazon | Site
Jeff Mallon - Buzzkill: iTunes | CD Baby | Site

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