Human Robot - The Beer Thrillers

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

B. Kline — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:21:29 +0000

Human Robot Shutting Down Schuylkill Banks and Opening New Taphouses

Human Robot Beer is shutting down their Schuykill Banks location (on May 31st) and are opening new (two to be exact) taphouses. Crime and Punishment just recently closed and it looks like the vacancy will quickly be filled by Human Robot Beer. Human Robot Brewery will move its Schuylkill Banks tasting room to the recently vacated space of Crime and Punishment Brewing Co. at 2711 W. Girard Ave. in Brewerytown. Human Robot also has plans to open a new spot in New Hope, Bucks County.

Human Robot Beer’s Announcement

The Announcement

The following is Human Robot Beer’s announcement on Instagram:

When one door closes, TWO more open!
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While we are sad to announce that we will be leaving our @humanrobotschuylkillbanks location on May 31st, we are VERY excited to share that we will be opening TWO new tasting rooms in the very near future.
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@humanrobotgirard is thrilled to announce our move into the former Crime & Punishment location at 2711 W. Girard ave. We are truly honored to uphold the legacy established by Mike P, Wambs, and their amazing team over the last decade. One of our very first “meetings” took place in this space, and it holds a special place in our hearts. We cherish the memories we’ve made there over so many exceptional beers and look forward to creating even more with all of you. Our hope is to get it reopened as soon as possible. Our buddy Poe will be joining us as well, follow @poessidepiece and please follow our new social for updates!
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@doublesNH is our new concept in New Hope, PA located at 12 W. Mechanic St. This will be a slightly different spin on what we have traditionally done. For one, we are bringing in a partner, @keithashore , to help with design and art and some special extras to be announced. This is being built from the ground up, so it will take a little longer, but look for us hopefully come July. Again, follow the socials there and we will update when we can!
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Thanks for being on this journey with us and supporting us every step of the way. More info to come!
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#brewerytown #newhope #humanrobot #pilsnerpirates #milktube

–Human Robot Beer – Instagram Post

See Also: Crime and Punishment Announce Upcoming Closing
Crime and Punishment’s Last Day is this Weekend

Human Robot Brewery Expands: New Locations in Brewerytown and New Hope

Crime and Punishment’s Brewery

Human Robot Brewery is making major moves in 2025, relocating its Schuylkill Banks tasting room to Brewerytown and launching a new concept in New Hope. Here’s what beer lovers need to know about these exciting changes.

Human Robot Brewery Takes Over Crime & Punishment’s Former Space

Human Robot Brewery will soon be calling 2711 W. Girard Avenue in Brewerytown its new home. This location, previously occupied by Crime & Punishment Brewing Co. for a decade, will become Human Robot Girard, replacing the brewery’s current Schuylkill Banks outpost, which will close on May 31, 2025. The move comes after Human Robot finalized a $760,000 purchase of the building, although the deal did not include Crime & Punishment’s business or brewing licenses.

The new taproom will retain much of the character and furnishings of Crime & Punishment, with only the brewing equipment being removed to make way for additional seating. Outdoor seating will also be available, and all former Crime & Punishment staff have been offered positions at the new Human Robot location.

What to Expect at Human Robot Girard

Patrons can look forward to the brewery’s signature lagers, pilsners, and innovative brews, including the popular Milktube pours. The food menu will feature sandwiches from Poe’s Side Piece, an offshoot of Poe’s Sandwich Joint, which is already a staple at Human Robot’s flagship in West Kensington. The brewery aims to honor the legacy of Crime & Punishment while bringing its own unique flair to the neighborhood.

Expansion Continues: New Hope Location Set for Summer

In addition to its Brewerytown plans, Human Robot is preparing to open a new tasting room called Doubles at 12 W. Mechanic Street in New Hope, marking its first venture into Bucks County. This ground-up project is expected to debut in July 2025 and will offer a slightly different experience compared to the brewery’s other locations. The New Hope outpost will bring the total number of Human Robot locations to five, including existing taprooms in Kensington, Jenkintown, and East Passyunk.

Human Robot’s Growth and Legacy

Founded in 2020 by Ken Correll, Chris Roller, and Jake Atkinson, Human Robot Brewery has quickly become a Philadelphia favorite, known for its experimental approach and dedication to quality. Head brewer Andrew Foss has helped popularize the use of Czech Lukr faucets, renowned for producing a thick, creamy foam on their beers.

The End of an Era for Crime & Punishment

Crime & Punishment Brewing Co., established in 2015, became a beloved fixture in Brewerytown, crafting nearly 500 unique beers over its ten-year run. The brewery closed its doors in April 2025, leaving behind a legacy of community and creativity that Human Robot aims to honor as it steps into the space.

With these strategic expansions, Human Robot Brewery continues to cement its reputation as one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic craft beer brands, promising new experiences for fans in both Brewerytown and New Hope.

For More Information on Human Robot

The following comes via Untappd.

Human Robot Beer is a micro brewery from Philadelphia, PA. They have 350 unique beers and over 94,000 ratings, with a global average rating of 4.05 (as of 4.22.25). Their Untappd description reads: “[Blank]”

You can follow them at these social media platforms:

Human Robot Beer – Official Website
Human Robot Beer – Facebook
Human Robot Beer – Instagram
Human Robot Beer – Untappd

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Human Robot Announces RoboMania Promo Battle

B. Kline — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 00:59:14 +0000

Human Robot Announces RoboMania Promo Battle on April 5th

RoboMania at Human Robot

Human Robot Beer has announced on their Instagram, in celebration of WrestleMania XL (40) being in Philadelphia, that they are hosting “RoboMania” a ‘promo battle’. In partnership with The Full Pint, they will be hosting the event at Human Robot Beer on April 5th at 4PM.

The event organized and ran by The Full Pint will be held at the 5th Street Alleyway of Human Robot location.

The Announcement

To celebrate #wrestlemania40 in Philly (less than two weeks away), we will be holding ROBOMANIA PROMO BATTLE at the 5th Street Alleyway of Human Robot. Hang out with the good brothers and sisters of Human Robot and The Full Pint, come dressed in your best wrestling gear and get ready to cut your best promo. Event begins 4PM on Friday 4/5, whatcha gonna do???

The Full Pint / Human Robot Instagram

WrestleMania XL

WrestleMania XL (40) will be in Philadelphia on Saturday – April 7th, and Sunday – April 8th. Both nights it starts at 7PM and potential end-time is midnight. The events will take place at the Lincoln Financial Center. (The Linc.) Night One is being headlined by Roman Reigns and The Rock (The Bloodline) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Night Two is being main evented by Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes.

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New Belgium Teams Up with Magic the Gathering for Vastwood Seer IPA

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Beer Review: Peace Among Worlds (Cushwa Brewing Company)

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Beer Review: Moon of Vega (Equilibrium Brewery)

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Beer Review: Back to Reality (Three 3s Brewing Co)

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Beer Review: Scrooge IPA (Iron Hill Brewing)

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Matrix Monday

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Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

B. Kline — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:45:45 +0000

Lagers versus Bocks – Whats the difference?

Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

In the ever-expanding universe of craft beer, the distinctions between beer styles can sometimes blur, leaving enthusiasts both intrigued and perplexed. Among the myriad styles, “lager” and “bock” are terms often encountered, each representing not just different beer types but also embodying unique histories, brewing techniques, and flavor profiles. Let’s dive into the effervescent journey of understanding what sets lagers apart from bocks, and why each holds a special place in the hearts of beer lovers.

Lager: The Cool, Crisp Connoisseur’s Choice

A delicious frothy Lager.

At its core, the term “lager” refers to a broad category of beers that share a common fermentation and conditioning process. Lagers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast strains, which, true to their name, sink to the bottom of the fermenter. This yeast thrives in cooler fermentation temperatures, ranging from 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a method that imparts lagers with their hallmark clean, crisp taste. Lagering, the process from which this beer style gets its name, involves storing the beer at cold temperatures for several weeks to months, allowing it to mature, clarify, and develop a smooth finish.

The world of lagers is rich and diverse, spanning the light and refreshing pilsners, the amber-hued Vienna lagers, and the dark, malty dunkels. Each style showcases the versatility of lagers, capable of offering a spectrum of flavors from subtle and delicate to robust and complex. Despite their differences, lagers generally share a common thread of crispness, making them immensely drinkable and universally appealing.

Bock: A Malty Marvel with a Kick

A delicious Bock beer.

Bock, on the other hand, is a specific style within the larger lager family, distinguished by its strong, malty backbone and higher alcohol content. Originating from the German town of Einbeck in the 14th century, bock was traditionally brewed for special occasions, earning its reputation as a beer of celebration. The style has evolved over the centuries, giving rise to several variants, including the lighter maibock or helles bock for spring, the stronger and darker doppelbock, and the celebratory, seasonally brewed Oktoberfestbier.

Characterized by its rich malt flavors, bock beers can range from light amber to deep brown hues, offering notes of caramel, nuts, bread, and dark fruits. Despite their malt dominance, bocks maintain a lager’s characteristic smoothness and clean finish, thanks to the cold fermentation and lagering processes. The higher alcohol content, typically ranging from 6% to 7.5% ABV, provides a warming sensation, making bocks especially popular in the colder months.

Celebrating Diversity in Every Sip

Understanding the differences between lager and bock enriches the craft beer experience, highlighting the importance of brewing traditions and the creativity of brewers in shaping the flavors we love. While lagers offer a refreshing gateway into the world of beer, bocks invite enthusiasts to explore deeper, more intense flavors. Both styles, with their distinct characteristics, contribute to the vibrant tapestry of craft beer, offering something for every palate and occasion.

As the craft beer movement continues to evolve, the exploration of lager and bock beers remains a testament to the rich heritage and innovative spirit of brewing. Whether you’re reaching for a light, effervescent lager on a hot summer day or savoring the malty richness of a bock by a crackling fire, the journey through the world of beer is endlessly rewarding, one sip at a time.

Contrasting Bocks and Lagers

Bocks and lagers represent intriguing chapters in the vast anthology of beer styles, each distinct in its characteristics and brewing traditions. Lagers, as a foundational category, are celebrated for their crisp, clean taste derived from cold fermentation processes using bottom-fermenting yeast. This broad category encompasses a diverse range of beers, from the pale and refreshing pilsners to the dark and malty dunkels, all unified by their smooth finish and refined clarity. The versatility of lagers is a testament to the adaptability of the lagering process, allowing for a spectrum of flavors within the same foundational brewing technique.

Bocks, on the other hand, are a specialized offshoot within the larger lager family, distinguished primarily by their stronger malt profile and higher alcohol content. Originating from Germany, bocks are traditionally richer and more robust, offering a hearty spectrum of flavors such as caramel, chocolate, and dark fruits. These beers are typically brewed for seasonal or celebratory purposes, with variations including the lighter maibock in spring, the dark and rich doppelbock, and the festive Oktoberfest varieties. Despite their diversity, all bocks share a common lineage with lagers, benefiting from the smooth, clean finish that is characteristic of cold fermentation and extended aging processes.

The key differences between bocks and lagers lie in their flavor profiles and brewing intentions. While lagers are often appreciated for their refreshing and approachable nature, bocks invite a deeper exploration into the complexities of malt and the warming embrace of higher alcohol volumes. This distinction not only highlights the broad spectrum of beer styles available to enthusiasts but also underscores the rich traditions and innovative approaches that define the craft of brewing. Whether one prefers the crisp simplicity of a lager or the bold, malty depths of a bock, both styles offer unique pathways to appreciating the art and science of beer.

Fan Favorite Bock Beers

Bock beers, with their rich malt flavors and warming alcohol content, have earned a revered spot among beer aficionados worldwide. Here are some popular Bock beers that showcase the range and depth of this traditional style:

Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock: Hailing from Germany, this doppelbock is often considered a benchmark for the style. With its deep mahogany color, it offers a complex array of flavors, including dark fruits, chocolate, and a hint of caramel. Its creamy texture and balanced sweetness make it a perennial favorite.
Weihenstephaner Korbinian: Another exemplary German doppelbock, the Weihenstephaner Korbinian boasts a rich, full-bodied experience with notes of dark bread, chocolate, and dried fruits. Brewed by the world’s oldest brewery, it’s a testament to centuries of brewing excellence.
Troegenator Double Bock: Brewed by Tröegs Independent Brewing in Pennsylvania, USA, this American take on the traditional doppelbock style delivers a powerful malt character with hints of caramel and dried fruits. Its robust profile and smooth finish have garnered a loyal following.
Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock: This beer has a storied history as the original doppelbock, which has inspired countless other brewers. It presents a rich tapestry of malt flavors, including caramel, toasted bread, and a slight hint of hops for balance. It’s a classic example of the style, deeply rooted in Bavarian brewing tradition.
Spaten Optimator: A staple among doppelbock enthusiasts, Spaten Optimator delivers deep, malty flavors with notes of chocolate and dark fruits. It’s a well-rounded beer that captures the essence of the bock tradition, offering a hearty and satisfying experience.
Einbecker Ur-Bock Dunkel: Einbecker Brewery claims a historical connection to the origin of the bock style, and their Ur-Bock Dunkel is a tribute to this legacy. It’s a darker, malt-forward beer with a smooth finish, showcasing the traditional flavors that have made bocks beloved by beer lovers.
Shiner Bock: Brewed in Texas by the Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner Bock offers a more accessible and lighter take on the bock style. Its popularity has made it a gateway for many into the world of bocks, featuring a gentle malt sweetness and a clean finish.

These bocks represent just a sampling of the rich variety available within this beer style. Each brewery brings its own unique interpretation to the table, offering beer enthusiasts a wide range of flavors and experiences to explore.

Fan Favorite Lagers

Lager beers are celebrated for their crisp, refreshing qualities and are among the most widely consumed types of beer globally. Here’s a list of some popular Lager beers that span a range of styles within the Lager category:

Pilsner Urquell: Brewed in the Czech Republic, Pilsner Urquell is the original Pilsner beer, offering a clear, golden color and a balance of hoppy bitterness and malty sweetness. Its crisp finish and floral hop aroma set the standard for the Pilsner style.
Budweiser: Known as “The King of Beers,” Budweiser is an American Lager that has become a global brand. It’s known for its light, clean taste and is brewed using a mix of American and European hop varieties.
Yuengling Traditional Lager: As America’s oldest brewery, Yuengling produces this iconic Amber Lager. It boasts a rich amber color and a medium-bodied flavor with a balance of malt and hops.
Heineken: This Dutch Lager is one of the most internationally recognized beer brands. It offers a mildly bitter taste and a clear, golden color, making it a staple Lager in many parts of the world.
Beck’s: Originating from Germany, Beck’s is a classic German Pilsner known for its green bottle and distinctive hop-forward flavor. It’s a crisp, refreshing beer with a slightly bitter finish.
Corona Extra: A top-selling Mexican Lager, Corona Extra is famous for its light, crisp taste and is often served with a lime wedge to add citrus flavor. It’s a popular choice for casual drinking occasions.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager: This Vienna-style Lager from the Boston Beer Company has helped pioneer the American craft beer movement. It features a complex balance of caramel malt sweetness and spicy hop flavors.
Modelo Especial: Another well-loved Mexican Lager, Modelo Especial is a rich, full-flavored pilsner-style beer that offers a crisp and refreshing taste with a hint of orange blossom and honey.
Stella Artois: A Belgian Pilsner with a heritage dating back to 1366, Stella Artois is known for its floral hop aroma, well-balanced malt sweetness, and a soft dry finish.
Asahi Super Dry: From Japan, Asahi Super Dry is brewed using a unique yeast that produces a clean, crisp taste with a quick finish. It’s a rice Lager that has gained international popularity for its refreshing flavor.

These Lagers represent a broad spectrum of the Lager family, from traditional Pilsners and American Lagers to international favorites. Each offers a unique taste experience, reflecting the diversity and global appeal of Lager beers.

Milko Pours

Craft beer milk pours represent a unique and visually captivating method of serving beer, particularly embraced within the craft beer community for styles that benefit from a rich, creamy texture. This technique involves pouring the beer in such a way that the glass initially fills with a dense, foamy head, resembling milk in its smoothness and consistency. The spectacle of the foam settling into the liquid beer not only offers an appealing presentation but also enhances the drinking experience by emphasizing the beer’s aroma and mouthfeel. Milk pours are especially popular with nitro beers and creamy stouts, including milk stouts, where the nitrogenation or the addition of lactose adds to the silky, luxurious body of the beer, making each sip a decadent experience.

The art of the milk pour in craft beer goes beyond mere aesthetics; it is a testament to the brewer’s skill in creating a beer that can maintain such a texture and to the server’s prowess in executing the pour perfectly. This method accentuates the sensory attributes of the beer, from its visual appeal to its tactile sensation and taste, creating a more engaging and enjoyable beer-drinking experience. As craft beer enthusiasts continue to seek out new and unique beer experiences, the milk pour stands out as a distinctive practice that highlights the creativity and innovation inherent in the craft beer culture, making it a cherished ritual for both brewers and beer lovers alike.

What is Bock Beer? Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich
What is Lager Beer? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style
What is the Difference Between Bock and Lager Beer? Unraveling the Brews: The Distinctive Worlds of Lager and Bock

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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What is a Lager? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style

B. Kline — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:00:04 +0000

A delicious frothy Lager.

What is a Lager? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style

Lager is more than just a type of beer; it’s a testament to the evolution of brewing and a symbol of beer’s global appeal. From the crisp, golden pilsners that grace summer barbecues to the rich, malty depths of a traditional bock enjoyed in the colder months, lagers offer a range that can intrigue the palette of any beer lover. But what exactly makes a beer a lager, and how does it differ from its ale counterpart? Let’s dive into the cool, refreshing world of lagers to find out.

The Basics of Lager

At its core, the term “lager” refers to the method of fermenting and storing beer. Derived from the German word “lagern,” which means “to store,” lagers are characterized by their fermentation process. Unlike ales, which are fermented at warmer temperatures using top-fermenting yeast, lagers are produced with bottom-fermenting yeast that works its magic at cooler temperatures, typically between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7-13 degrees Celsius). This cooler fermentation process is slower and results in a beer that is cleaner, crisper, and more subtle in flavor than its ale counterparts.

The Lager Family

Despite a common misconception that lagers are all light and bland, the lager family boasts a surprising diversity of styles and flavors. These range from light and crisp to dark and complex, proving that there’s a lager out there for every type of beer enthusiast. Here are some of the main styles within the lager category:

Pilsner: Originating from the Czech Republic, pilsners are golden, hoppy, and have a crisp finish. They set the standard for what many recognize as the quintessential lager flavor.
Dunkel: Meaning “dark” in German, dunkels are smooth, malty, and feature caramel and chocolate notes, offering a richer lager experience.
Helles: A lighter, malt-oriented beer from Germany, helles lagers are soft and subtle with a clean, refreshing finish.
Bock: Stronger than your average lager, bocks are known for their robust maltiness and can range in color from light to dark. Variations like maibocks, doppelbocks, and eisbocks offer a spectrum of flavors and strengths.
Märzen/Oktoberfest: Traditionally brewed in March and aged through the summer, these amber lagers are malty, medium-bodied, and the stars of Munich’s Oktoberfest.

Serving and Enjoying Lagers

Lagers are versatile when it comes to food pairings and serving options. Generally, they are best served cold, around 38-45 degrees Fahrenheit (3-7 degrees Celsius), to highlight their refreshing qualities. Glassware can vary based on the specific type of lager, from traditional steins and mugs to tall, slender pilsner glasses that showcase the beer’s color and carbonation.

When it comes to food, the clean, crisp profile of a lager makes it an excellent companion to a wide range of dishes. Lighter lagers pair wonderfully with delicate flavors like seafood and salads, while the more robust dark lagers can stand up to hearty meals, including grilled meats and rich stews.

Beyond the Basics

The world of lagers is as rich and diverse as it is accessible. Beyond the well-known mass-market lagers, craft breweries around the globe are pushing the boundaries of what a lager can be, experimenting with new ingredients, aging processes, and hybrid styles. These innovative brews are part of a larger lager renaissance, inviting beer drinkers to rediscover and reevaluate the potential of this often-overlooked category.

In essence, lagers embody the tradition, craftsmanship, and innovation that define the art of brewing. Whether you’re enjoying a classic pilsner on a hot summer day or savoring the complexity of a doppelbock by the fireside, lagers offer a world of flavors waiting to be explored.

Some Popular Lager Based Breweries and Brands

Lagers at Human Robot

Some popular lager based breweries and brands:

Human Robot Beer
Forest and Main Brewing
Yuengling Brewery
Anchor Bock
Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell
Lagunitas Pils
New Belgium Fat Tire
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Peroni
Pilsner Urquell
Shiner Bock
Sprecher Mai Bock

Craft Beer Enthusiasts’ Lager Picks

Among the vast sea of lagers, several brands stand out for their quality and distinctiveness, including Anchor Bock, Augustiner Bräu Lagerbier Hell, and Pilsner Urquell, to name just a few. These brands offer a glimpse into the rich diversity and heritage of lager brewing, showcasing why this beer style continues to captivate the hearts of beer lovers around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer aficionado or a casual drinker, the world of lagers holds endless possibilities for exploration and enjoyment.

Diving into the Lager vs. Ale Debate

At its core, lager is distinguished by its bottom-fermenting yeast, settling at the bottom of the fermenter, in stark contrast to ale’s top-fermenting nature. Lager yeast thrives in cooler conditions, between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit, a factor that not only allows for a cleaner taste with fewer by-products but also permits longer aging periods or “lagering” at cool temperatures. This process yields a beer that’s smoother and crisper than its ale counterparts. Historically speaking, lagers are relatively new to the scene, with the pivotal discovery in the 1500s that storing beer in cold conditions with cold-resistant yeast resulted in a refreshingly crisp beverage. This revelation led to the birth of lagers as we know them, including the hoppy German pilsners that emerged in the 19th century and other varieties that have only added to the lager legacy.

Exploring the Lager Landscape

Lager styles are as varied as they are fascinating. From the dark, malty depths of a Dunkel, offering flavors of nuts, bread, coffee, and chocolate, to the golden, hop-forward crispness of a Pilsner, there’s a lager out there for every palate. The Schwarzbier brings a dark chestnut hue and a tapestry of complex flavors, including roasted malt and bitter chocolate, while the Helles shines with its soft malt flavor and golden sparkle. Not to be overlooked, the amber lagers, like the Oktoberfest and Vienna lagers, balance sweetness and crispness in a way that’s uniquely satisfying. And for those seeking something stronger, the bock variations present a malty, warming experience with alcohol content that can soar up to 13%.

Serving and Savoring Lager

When it comes to serving lagers, the colder, the better is generally the rule, with bocks being a notable exception, often enjoyed closer to room temperature. The choice of glass can enhance the drinking experience, from mugs and pint glasses for darker lagers and mass-produced varieties to pilsner glasses and traditional steins for the lighter or amber options. As for pairings, lagers are incredibly food-friendly. Amber lagers shine alongside pub classics and hearty dishes, while the lighter pilsners are a perfect match for salads, light pastas, and German specialties. Bocks, with their robust flavors, are excellent with spicy dishes and decadent chocolate desserts.

Lagers

Lagers represent a broad and beloved category of beer, distinguished primarily by their fermentation process. Unlike ales, which are fermented at warmer temperatures with top-fermenting yeast, lagers are produced using bottom-fermenting yeast that thrives in cooler conditions, typically between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This method, known as cold fermentation, results in a beer that is cleaner, crisper, and more refined in flavor. The term “lager” itself is derived from the German word “lagern,” meaning “to store,” which refers to the traditional practice of storing these beers in cool cellars or caves for extended periods to mature, further enhancing their smoothness and drinkability.

The lager family encompasses a diverse array of styles, proving that lagers are not limited to the light and fizzy beers often associated with mass-market offerings. From the hop-forward and golden-hued pilsners to the dark and malty dunkels, and from the robust, malt-driven bocks to the smooth and celebratory märzens and Oktoberfest beers, there’s a lager style to suit every palate. This diversity allows lagers to showcase a wide spectrum of flavors, from delicate and subtle to rich and complex, challenging the misconception that all lagers are inherently bland.

Serving and enjoying lagers is as varied as the styles themselves, with different types of lagers complementing different foods and occasions. Generally served cold, lagers are versatile in their food pairings, capable of harmonizing with a broad range of dishes from light salads to hearty stews. Their refreshing nature makes lagers particularly appealing as a beverage of choice for many, offering a crisp and satisfying experience. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast or new to the world of craft beer, exploring the rich variety of lagers available can provide a rewarding journey through the traditions and innovations that have shaped the world’s most popular beer style.

What is Bock Beer? Exploring the Bock Beer Style: A Journey from Einbeck to Munich
What is Lager Beer? Exploring the World’s Most Popular Beer Style
What is the Difference Between Bock and Lager Beer?

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

What Regions Drank The Most

B. Kline — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 15:55:00 +0000

Untappd’s logo and user interface (photo courtesy of Untappd – Drink Socially)

End of the Year

Its the end of the year, and what that usually entails is a whole slew of “end of the year lists”. Top 10 this… top 38 that… top 69 (heeheehee) this and that…. Top 314.181928102810 Pies, etc.

We are going to post a few this year. In the past we’ve kinda shied away from posting these sorts of articles, because the metrics and information is kind of… biased in a way. Its basically just reading off Untappd’s information and lists and going with it. For example, recently Breweries in PA did a final end of the year Top 10 Pennsylvania Breweries listing article, using Untappd’s information, and well… it was received as well as you can imagine. Mainly because they didn’t put in any filters or restrictions or limits to it. So just before the list was posted, Country Club Brewing Company (see an article about them here: Country Club Brewing Company Announces Opening) had their grand opening. They had roughly 1,000 check – ins on the Untappd app, and being a grand opening most of them were very favorable (mostly four caps or better). So needless to say this put a lot of readers and breweries themselves up in arms about it. It actually listed them at number three (out of ten). (The other thing that irked most was that Other Half Brewing Company was listed, when they have several non – Pennsylvanian locations.)

But… I’m gonna go out on a limb and use Untappd to post some of these lists. If nothing else we can look back at them as just data charts and analyze them for the statistics. At best, they prompt some conversation and discussion (and we all know how well that goes on the internet). So first up, let’s take a look at The Top 10 Regions for Most Check – Ins.

The Top 10 Most Checked-In Regions of 2022

So how drunk do you think your area and region is? Do you think your state had the most check ins? Well lets find out!

Remember, all of this information is correlated by Untappd and is dependent on their app. So its just analyzing, and adding up all of the check ins on their app. I will post a link back to Untappd’s full article afterwards. But first, let’s get to the list:

10. North Carolina (United States of America) – 1,762,020 Check Ins
9. Florida (United States of America) – 1,768,811 Check Ins
8. Ohio (United States of America) – 1,844,993 Check Ins
7. Illinois (United States of America) – 1,905,864 Check Ins
6. Bayern (Munich, Germany) – 1,999,890 Check Ins
5. Massachusetts (United States of America) – 2,393,759 Check Ins
4. Pennsylvania (United States of America) – 2,582,779 Check Ins
3. Vlaanderen (Belgium) – 2,903,569 Check Ins
2. New York (United States of America) – 3,902,956 Check Ins
1. California (United States of America) – 4,695,384 Check Ins

(All statistics as of December 9th, 2022. All statistics are from January 1st – December 9th 2022).

Congratulations Pennsylvania

Since we’re based out of Central PA (Harrisburg / Hershey / Hummelstown area, to be even more precise really), I’m going to highlight Pennsylvania and talk about how impressive it is to be number four on the list. Not sure how GOOD of an impressive thing it is, but it is impressive. Everyone always talks about Wisconsin and Milwaukee being the ‘alcoholics capital’ of the United States (and the world), but they don’t even hit this top 10 list. Now, that can be for many reasons – lack of check ins, lack of using the app, drinking liquor instead of beer, etc. But if you watch Red Letter Media you would think they got us beat on beer too (plus they have New Glarius Brewing Company, so why not?).

But, fourth place is nothing to sneeze at – in the sense of volume of check ins. Given that New York and California easily has Pennsylvania beat on population, its quite impressive. 2.5 million check ins is also a lot of check ins.

Good job Drunkies!

Untappd’s Article

For more information, you can check out Untappd’s article and blog where they break down the data a bit more, and discuss their own choices and links to curated travel guides to each of these regions.

The Top 10 Most Checked-In Regions of 2022 (Untappd Blog)

Typically they list a few breweries key to each state / region after their usage in the above list. For Pennsylvania they discuss Human Robot and Dancing Gnome breweries. (Read our article about Human Robot’s Milko Pour here: Human Robot – The Milk Tube.)

So they picked a brewery at each end of the state – Human Robot for Philadelphia and Dancing Gnome for Pittsburgh. But there are a ton of great and fantastic breweries spread out throughout the state – many of them here in the middle of the state along the Susquehanna. Breweries like Troegs Independent Craft Brewing, Boneshire Brew Works, Tattered Flag Brewery and Distillery, Selin’s Grove Brew Pub, Shy Bear Brewing, Ever Grain Brewing Company, Mellow Mink Brewing, and so many more (and those are just the ones more in the Central PA area and located closer to the Susquehanna). (Check out our article about Brewery Tour and Brewery Visit to Mellow Mink: Brewery Visit – Mellow Mink.)

Thanks For Reading

Thank you everyone for checking out the article. We enjoy having you come to the site! In the next few days I’ll be posting a few more lists and variants and such. So be sure to stop back out each day for that.

Like I said in our previous post, lots still going on here at the blog despite it being the end of the year. I’m also heading back to work in a few days time, so things will be picking up work wise as well. So it’ll be holidays, work, baby Scarlet, and the blog. Busy. Busy. Busy. But, like I did say on the last post, Josh and I were invited out to Central PA Pour to do a podcast, which was an absolute blast. We filmed and recorded that on the 18th, and that will be going live just before New Years. So look for that. Should be entertaining and fun. We had a blast.

Cheers All!

-B. Kline

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

Prototype Brewery Invitational

B. Kline — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 23:17:00 +0000

Prototype Brewery Invitational – 4.30.22

A Brewfest Two Years in the Making

In a lot of ways, this is a brewfest two years in the making. Its also kind of a brewfest filling a void that got left open two years ago.

See, there was this little thing called… “covid” or as we knew it better then – “coronavirus” two years ago, and that pretty much put a lockdown on everything in the brewery industry. As a result, the Prototype Brewery Invitational in 2020 got put on hold, hiatus, seemingly cancelled, until now. Also as a result of that (as part of many factors), the Harrisburg Beer Week also came to a close.

So now we fast forward to 2022, and in one week we are finally getting the long awaited Prototype Brewery Invitational.

Prototype Brewery and Meadery

The Prototype Brewery and Meadery has been in ‘start up’ mode for two (two plus) years now. Partly the love and brain child of Kevin Keller (also the event organizer for this), of Evil Genius credit and fame. The brewfest is partly celebration of all their friends that they are hoping to do collaborations in the future with (and ones Kevin has done work with in the past) and sort of a kick off to whenever they finally open. (No date yet.)

Prototype Brewery and Meadery has been pouring at events for a bit of time now, most notably was recently at the Cushwa 5th Anniversary. Kevin Keller is good people, and I love the idea of both a brewery and meadery in one, so I am eagerly awaiting their opening.

The Brewfest

List of Breweries for the Brewfest

This is absolutely looking like a killer brewfest lineup! Check out this lineup from their ticket page:

Abomination Brewing Company

Against the Grain Brewery

Aslin Beer Company

Beat Street Beer Project

Boneshire Brew Works

Bottle Logic Brewing

Burnish Beer Co.

Cellar Works Brewing

Chatty Monks Brewing

Cinderlands Beer Co

Civil Society Brewing

Collusion Tap Works

Cushwa Brewing Company

Dancing Gnome Beer

Dewey Beer Company

Dream State Brewing

Ever Grain Brewing Co.

Fourscore Beer Co.

Funguys Brewing

Great Notion Brewing

Grist House

Hidden River Brewing Company

Hidden Springs Ale Works

Hitchhiker Brewing

Imprint Beer Company

Ingenious Brewing Company

Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.

Narrow Gauge Brewing Company

New Trail Brewing Company

North Country Brewing Company

Ology Brewing Company

Other Half Brewing Company

Pilger Ruh Brewing

Rotunda Brewing Company

Short Throw Brewing Co.

Species X Beer Project

Tripping Animals Brewing Co.

Vitamin Sea Brewing

Wolf Brewing Co.

Yah Brew

That is a killer lineup! Other Half, Tripping Animals, Vitamin Sea, Ology, Great Notion, Civil Society, Grist House, Hitchhiker, Bottle Logic, Aslin, Cushwa, Fourscore, Dewey, Against the Grain…. …..some absolute amazing breweries.

Me and my buddy Drew have our tickets, and we got the VIP tickets to be in an extra hour. (I fully suggest going this route if any are available.)

Tickets

Tickets for the brewfest come in three types:

DD (15$)
General Admission (1PM – 4PM) (55$)
VIP (12PM – 4PM) (75$)

Additional information on each:

General Admission: GA will grant you access to samples from over 40 breweries from around the nation from 1-4pm. I’m addition, there will be live music, food vendors and plenty of brewery swag (While supplies last). A special edition tasting glass will be included in this package.
VIP: Early Entry tickets will grant you access to the sampling, music, food vendors and brewery swag an hour early from 12-4p. Select breweries will have limited beers that will be available exclusively during this hour. Have a certain brewery you absolutely need to sample beer from? Here is your opportunity!

Location

The brewfest will be at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg. This is a great venue for brewfests. Harrisburg Beer Week has done their Little Big Beer Fest there in the past, and other events have been there before. Its a lovely venue. Parking isn’t horrible, but its not the best. I obviously highly highly highly highly recommend Uber or Lyft or getting dropped off, but if you do have a DD, there should be enough parking.

Some general rules and FAQ:

– Each ticket is permitted one entry.

– Must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Must have valid proof of ID.

– Must 21+ to attend

– No ticket or event wristband sharing is allowed.

– We ask that you please do not arrive before 11am

– No backpack or large bags allowed in venue

– No Pets allowed

– No refunds on any ticket sales

– Event is rain or shine

– Tickets are not transferable

– Parking Information TBA

To get your tickets you can go to their Eventbrite page here: Prototype Brewery Invitational – Tickets.

They have hinted that in the upcoming days before the brewfest that they will be posting a beer tap list for each brewery. Can’t wait to see what these amazing breweries will be pouring!

(Post notice: I just saw that their ticket page list of breweries isn’t inclusive of some of the later additions, or they just missed putting some on it. But the logo pictures I have at the top of the heading show all of the 46 breweries that will be there. Some more notable breweries are Heist Brewing, Human Robot, and Hop Butcher!)

For More Information

For more information on the brewfest and to stay connected, check out the following pages:

Thanks For Reading

Are you going to the brewfest? If so what breweries are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments! I think I’m gonna be wearing my Mandalorian RAR shirt, so see if you can find me and we can clink some glasses together.

Cheers all!

-B. Kline

Human Robot Expanding to Jenkintown

BKline — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 21:30:00 +0000

Human Robot’s logo

Finally the cat is out of the bag

And so it’s official now – the cat is finally out of the bag (proper) – Human Robot is expanding into Jenkintown. Today around 1PM Human Robot announced their expansion into Jenkintown via Facebook and other social medias.

We’ve been holding our mechanical breath waiting for today 11 22 21.The Sentient Androids are proud to announce to you the acquisition of @humanrobotjenkintown Look for The Haus to open 2 22 22
humanrobot Facebook page

Expansion

Photos courtesy of Human Robot’s Facebook page

So its officially official now and the cat is out of the bag. Human Robot is expanding to Jenkintown. Jenkintown is about a 33 minute drive from their current location in Philadelphia. (North 5th Street to York Road.)

You can see that here on Google maps:

Google Maps – Human Robot (current location to new location)

It is great seeing breweries expanding and thriving, especially in these tough times. While the pandemic is over, there is still lots of factors that are rough for the industry right now (fluctuating costs of ingredients, foods, metals and aluminum for cans and other equipment), as well as staffing shortages and things like that.

So its great to see small breweries growing and expanding. Providing more for their communities and the communities giving back. We would like to congratulate Human Robot on their expansion and wish them the best of luck and can’t wait to come out and visit them on 2.22.22! Save the date!

Small Brewery Sunday

Make sure not to miss out on the giveaway we are launching later tonight (edited here to add in links), to help promote Small Brewery Sunday. Check it out here:

Small Brewery Sunday Giveaway 2021

Thanks For Reading

As always everyone, thanks for reading. Check out the giveaway and join in. And make sure to check out Human Robot. Also, check out our latest travel blog posts, they were a lot of fun!

Cheers!

-B. Kline

Human Robot: The First Milk Tube Race in the World: USA vs. The World – Oktoberfest Invitational Beer Fest

BKline — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:59:00 +0000

Human Robot presents: “USA vs. The World” An Oktoberfest Celebration, including the World’s first Milk Tube Race

Oktoberfest

Ahhhh, its that time of the year again! Oktoberfest time! And many breweries across the country (and the world) are starting to do their big celebrations. Most being in September and October. Human Robot in Philadelphia Pennsylvania is doing their own unique take on an Oktoberfest on September 18th, 2021.

Obviously, most know Oktoberfest for Germany’s Oktoberfest, the largest in the world, or even Cincinnati’s Oktoberfest due to their strong German heritage and traditions. But, Human Robot wants to take that concept of Oktoberfest, and ramp it up, and throw in the Czech pouring tradition of the “milko” or “milk tube”, which has become the latest craze and fad in the craft beer industry.

The Milko aka Milk Tube

“Milktube” by Human Robot

So what exactly is the “milko” or the “milk tube” or the “milko pour”? Why does it look like a badly tapped keg and poured beer at a frat party? Pilsner Urquell has a wonderful article on their site / blog about the milko pour: “The History of the Milko Pour“. Its a one minute read, but very informative, I highly recommend checking it out and reading it (obviously after reading this…. or go there, read that, then come back here, either way.)

Quoting from their article:

Mlíko, which is the Czech word for ‘milk’, is one of the classic Pilsner Urquell pours. It’s probably unlike anything you’ve ever seen or tasted.
……
The Mlíko is a special treat. It’s not the kind of beer you’d order again and again while you’re at the pub with friends. In traditional Czech pubs in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was served as a dessert, or as an elegant drink for women who weren’t big beer drinkers. Sometimes the bartender would give a Mlíko as a nightcap after the bill was paid.
…….

To pour a Mlíko, the Tapster opens the tap just slightly, letting the glass fill to the top with foam. Some of this foam settles, becoming beer – you get a full glass but you only pay for a half.
The History of the Milko Pour – Pilsner Urquell

It has certainly become the ‘in’ fad right now in the craft beer world. First, you had New England IPAs, then Milkshake IPAs and heavy fruited smoothies, then hard seltzers, now, its the milko pour!

Several breweries across Pennsylvania have latched onto it and started doing it. Most notably Human Robot. Breweries in PA did an article discussing the technique and some of the breweries that do it in PA, another notable brewery (and local to the blog here) is Wolf Brewing out of Mechanicsburg PA.

Human Robot

Human Robot has become notable for being one of the first breweries in the area and first in Pennsylvania to be doing the ‘milko pour’. So with all the popularity and the craze going on, it’s perfect timing to do their Oktoberfest Celebration, and to include the milk tube as a big part of the festivities.

Human Robot has been a premier brewery in the Philadelphia beer scene since their opening in 2019. Well known for their fantastic beers, wonderful brewery, and fantastic ownership and staff.

An Oktoberfest Celebration

Human Robot is celebrating their Oktoberfest on September 18th, 2021. Hopefully this will become an annual tradition. The press release for the event reads:

Human Robot is set to host the inaugural USA vs. The World Oktoberfest Invitational on Sept. 18th, 2021 at Sunflower Philly, featuring breweries from around the globe doing their best take on classic German styles of beer. The beer fest will feature the host brewery’s celebrated lagers as well as a Sitchfaß of Oktoberfest beer, which will be available in limited supply during the event in addition to elusive offerings from notable American & European breweries.

Live music will be provided by local favorites Snacktime Philly, Grave Bathers for metal-flair, and DJ The Touched spinning a twist on tradition with German house and metal. Not only will there be a sampling of some of the best lager beers made in the US and Europe, the event will feature friendly competitions including The World’s First Milk Tube Race!

USA vs. the World offers FREE admission, though guests can attend and purchase beer tokens on a pay-as-you-go basis for $7 a piece. Discounted token packages plus limited edition Beer Steins can be purchased online ahead of the event and are available now at humanrobot.com. Food trucks will also be available pay-as-you-go with a diverse selection of tasty German culinary favorites to pair with all that great beer.

Breweries include: 2nd District, Bonn Place, Burial, Folksbier, Human Robot, The Seed, Threes, Von Trapp, Ettal Dunkel, Hofstetten’s Kuebelbier, Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Maerzen, Mythos Spezial Maerzenstyle plus more to be announced. Check Instagram for updates.
Press Release for Human Robot’s Oktoberfest Celebration

This looks like an amazing event. Food trucks, milk tube race, breweries that are hard to get and all kinds of fun activities. What could be better? Add in that its Human Robot, so you know the event will go smoothly and be lots of fun, and will have amazing brews on hand. This definitely sounds like one event you don’t want to miss.

“We are stoked to have such a high calibur lineup of breweries joining us for our first Oktoberfest. Our friends in the industry are sending us incredible beer from all over the world – some new ones, some old favorites – and we can’t wait for everyone to come try them at Sunflower. Philly is a lager town and we want to keep that tradition going. We’ll have Tin Hoagie, Polotmovy, Czech 10 and our new Oktoberfest at USA vs. the World. We’ve got a mix of everything for you that day – oompa music plus metal, you know? You won’t want to miss it.”
Jake Atkinson (co-owner of Human Robot)

About Human Robot and this article

A word about this article – this is a sponsored article from Human Robot via House of Hobbs Brewery Marketing. The Beer Thrillers was contacted by House of Hobbs Brewery Marketing to do a press release for this event. The information provided above was given by the brewery through the marketing for the press release and for the purposes of this article.

For more information on Human Robot:

Established in 2019 by three industry veterans—Kenny Correll, Chris Roller, and Jake Atkinson – Human Robot brews both traditional European-style beers as well as experimental, flavor-bending, IPAs, stouts, and “splash” ales, with fruitful aromas, full mouthfeel, and tons of flavor. Human Robot is making waves in the Philadelphia beer scene and has been rated in the top-10 Pennsylvania breweries on Untapped. Human Robot, located at 1710 N. 5th Street in Philadelphia, PA, is a destination for day-drinking as well as lively night-time activity. Human Robot has also quickly become one of the most-frequented meeting spots for industry comradery. The brewery often collaborates with Sunflower Philly, a venue and park located across the street from the taproom, offering a large variety of bands throughout the summer months. Human Robot offers outdoor seating on its wooden deck, referred to as “the Pirate Ship” and is available for semi-private events.
About Human Robot – Press Release

For More Information:
INSTAGRAM @humanrobot
WEBSITE www.humanrobot.com
1710 N. 5th St. Phila, PA

Extra Links / The Beer Thrillers

Thank you for checking us out here at the blog. Be sure to like and subscribe to our social media pages. (Links provided on the side and below.) I would like to thank Human Robot and House of Hobbs Brewery Marketing for reaching out to us to do this article. If you would like to contact us for writing and other information, you can use our Contact Us page and I will respond as promptly as I am able to.

There is a lot of exciting stuff coming down the pipe lines here at The Beer Thrillers. Podcasts, streaming, videos, more and more articles, beer reviews, brewery reviews, book reviews, hikes, and so much more planned. So be sure to be on the lookout and make sure you check everything out!

There is quite a few other celebrations in the area coming up. On October 2nd – Boneshire Brew Works is hosting their annual Pigtoberfest. Make sure you check that out, and on October 3rd – Rubber Soul Brewery is doing their “Year One Anniversary Bash“. Be sure to check that out as well.

Links:

Thank You For Reading

Thank you for reading everyone. Enjoy the upcoming Oktoberfest season! Cheers!

-B. Kline

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

Brews and Bands for Bart

BKline — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 22:00:00 +0000

Brews and Bands for Bart

Block Party of the Summer

How do you recognize one of the baddest and coolest party throwers around? By throwing one of the biggest and baddest bashes ever in his honor! Thats just what’s in store this Saturday at Tattered Flag. We’ve discussed Bartley Kaminski here on the blog before, in numerous different ways, but recently with his passing, and with the event here and various events in the distant past.

This event has been planned out for quite a while now, but has really blown up with Bart’s passing. Tons of breweries adding their names to the list, and lots of other additions, and add – ons and groups adding to it and showing up in various ways to help the cause. It looks to be one hell of a bash, and one hell of a way to salute, and remember Bart and to throw one final rad party in his honor and memory.

Bartley Kaminiski

We talked about Bart before here, and talked about his passing previously here: Farewell to Bartley Francis Kaminski. He founded Kollision Media, Hop Hedz Gear, and has been referred to as “The Willy Wonka of Beer Events”. I could go on and on about him here. He was just a great guy, the life of the party without being too much, and everyone who knew him, or even just met him at one event or the other has amazing memories or stories to tell about him. My buddy talks about Bart’s green – suit or green – man appearance at the Atlantic City Brewfest all the time. There was very rarely an event in the Central PA area where you didn’t see a Hop Hedz Gear stand or Bart himself. And I guarantee you there was at least one person walking around in a tee shirt or hoodie that he made.

I can’t do him justice here discussing his amazing life, but we can do him justice by having one heck of a party in his honor.

Brews and Bands for Bart

The final brewery list for Brews and Bands for Bart posted today (Wednesday 8.11.21)

Look at that line-up! And word is there might be more additions to come and stuff, even though this is the “finalized” list. And I’m sure some might have their own little additions or add ons or secret hidden stashes too.

Here is a full list with all of their Untappd links:

Word is also Lancaster Brewing Company, North Country Brewing, and maybe one or two more will be unofficially added. That is one hell of a lineup right there! With breweries from out of state like Tripping Animals (Florida) and much more.

And let us not forget the bands part of this event as well!

The music lineup for Brews and Bands for Bart at Tattered Flag this Saturday (8.14.21)

Also, as posted by Hop Hedz Gear on social media:

In addition to the 40+ breweries that will be attending the fest, we would like to thank our group of vendors who will be a part of the event! Thanks so Whimsical Wonders By Kris, Thicc Bois Glassware, D&S Cigar Lounge, Dutch Country Soft Pretzels, and Feathers Feed and Jerky. Be sure to stop by these booths, as all sales will have a portion of proceeds donated to the cause!

When, Where, How

When is this amazing block party bash? This Saturday, from noon to 4PM. Where is it? At Tattered Flag Brewery on South Union Street in Middletown, Pennsylvania (Dauphin County). How do you get tickets? Check out Hop Hedz Gear, or go here: https://shop.hophedzgear.com/products/brews-and-bands-for-bart

(UPDATE: Tickets have sold out. On the day of, they will have roughly 100 tickets for purchase at the door. This will be the only way to attend the event now.)

Tattered Flag and Breweries of PA Collab

“Hard Pills to Swallow” Tattered Flag and Breweries in PA Collab

Make sure to check out the Breweries in PA tent to find the special Hard Pills to Swallow Tattered Flag collaboration that they made just for the event. It is also available in cans, and you can purchase it through the statewide shipping “Supply Drop” that Tattered Flag offers.

More Information, Facebook Event Page, and Beer Thriller Links

For more information, you can read the event page description here:

“

“As you may know, in late February, Bart Kaminski was diagnosed with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Sarcomatoid DIfferentiation. A rare form of cancer that quickly spread to his adrenal gland, lymph nodes and surrounding bone marrow.To support Bart’s growing medical expenses, we are throwing a unique brewfest! It will take place on Saturday, Aug. 14 in the block in front of Tattered Flag Brewery and Still Works in Middletown. The event is $40 (in advance) or $45 the day of the event and that gets you a pint can glass and unlimited samplings. Food will be available for purchase.This event is co-sponsored by The Beer Busters Podcast who will be recording live at the event.We are going to have a fantastic line-up of bands! Noon – 12:45 p.m. – Shannon Bobb acoustic
1:00 – 2:15 p.m. – Colt Wilbur Band
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. – The Martini Bros.Breweries will be announced every few days. Here are the breweries that have already been announced:Artiface Ales & Mead
Big Dog
Boneshire
Breweries Of PA (TF Collab)
Chatty Monks
Dancing Gnome
Englewood
Evergrain
Fahnestock & Baer
Four Score
Funk
Human Robot
Lovedrafts
Levante
Lions Head
Liquid Noise
Mad Chef
Moo Duck
Naked Brewing
Our Town
Pilger Ruh
Pour Man’s
Raney Cellars
REHAB
Root Down
Rotunda
Samuel Adams
Seven Sirens
Shy Bear
St. Boniface
Stickman Brews
Stolen Sun
Tattered Flag
Tripping Animals
Troegs
Wingcraft
Wolf
Workhorse
Yards
Zeroday

Please help us do everything we can to support Bart!

Location: Tattered Flag Brewery
1 S Union Street, Middletown

The Capital Region’s first co-branded and co-located Craft Brewery & Craft Distillery.
@tatteredflagbsw
www.tatteredflagbsw.com“

The Event Page can be visited here: Brews and Bands for Bart Event Page.

Some previous links to articles on The Beer Thrillers where we discuss Bart Kaminski:

Some Tattered Flag related articles:

Thank you everyone for reading! And hopefully see you all out and hope everyone finds it in them to contribute and donate. It really does go to a good cause and will help the family immensely. Cheers all!

-B. Kline

Beer Review: Up The Creek Extreme Ale (Thomas Creek Brewery)

BKline — Sun, 11 Oct 2020 02:32:26 +0000

Thomas Creek’s Up The Creek Extreme Ale

I always enjoy getting to review (and obviously drink) beers from out of state, ones that I most likely wouldn’t come in contact with. Don’t get me wrong, I love drinking and reviewing local beers and getting them some publicity, and I also love traveling and visiting breweries (just yesterday I was in Wellsboro Pennsylvania, visited the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and visited the restaurant and brewery – The Wellsboro House), but its also nice getting beers to review, from family, co-workers, and friends. (Hint…. hint…. for any friends, family, etc reading this…. )

A co-worker, Jam, was coming back from South Carolina, and he stopped at a bottle / can shop and grabbed a few beers for me and other co-workers. From Jam, I received a bottle of ‘Up The Creek Extreme Ale’, a can of Sidestepper (Charles Town Fermentary), a can of Pixels (Seminar Brewing), and a can of of a Red Ale / IPA by a collaboration with a radio station (the name eludes me and I left it in my friend’s fridge; but it had a tiger on it, thus why Jam got it for me due to me liking the Bengals). So this is the first of the South Carolina series of brews I’ll be reviewing. (I’ll be doing Sidestepper soon, because I just recently drank that; haven’t gotten to drink the others yet, will probably do the Pixels beer while streaming with D. Scott over at Knights of Nostalgia).

Quickly, before I go too much further, I want to throw a quick shout out to Josh; who is jumping back into the reviewing game (don’t call it a comeback son, he never left). He will have his first review since his Beer Review of Adroit Theory’s COLONIZATION back on November 11th, 2019. Stay tuned, I’m sure you won’t want to miss his newest beer review!

Also, in industry news, Howling Henry’s in Hummelstown just opened this week, as well as Rubber Soul, and Spigot Brewing in Ford City has announced they will be closing.

Now…. onto the review!

Up The Creek Extreme Ale (IPA) by Thomas Creek Brewery

Beer: Up The Creek Extreme Ale
Brewery: Thomas Creek Brewery
Style: IPA – Imperial / Double
ABV: 12.5%
IBU: 143
Untappd Description: Up The Creek is a hoppy behemoth of a beer with its 12.5% ABV well hidden under heavy layers of malt. The hops come through powerfully in the mouth, with rich roasted malt, sweet caramel, and a burst of vinous fruit. The finish is malty sweet and fruity, while the hops dissipate. Use caution or you’ll be Up The Creek!

Ok…. so firstly, let me just say, this is the highest IBU we’ve reviewed here on the blog. Probably by a pretty far margin. The highest IBU I’ve ever had, according to the Untappd records of beers I drank is – Gyroscopes and Infrared by Broken Goblet. It was 174 IBU. After that it was the Mean Manalishi Double IPA by Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, clocking in 168 IBU, and in third place is Mango Bomb by Pizza Boy – clocking in at 162 IBU. Up The Creek Extreme Ale is number 7 on my list (according to Untappd), and if you count home brews (at a home brew event I had one that would be number 5 on my list; called Idiot Parade by McCarthy Brewing.)

IBU is a term for IPAs that means: “International Bitterness Units are a chemical/instrumental measurement of the number of bittering compounds, specifically isomerized and oxidized alpha acids, polyphenols, and a few other select bittering chemicals, that make your beer taste bitter. (Last Call for IBUs: Fact, Fiction and What They Mean in Your Beer – May 3, 2017). Overall, its a term that’s not being used as much in the industry anymore, and many brewers aren’t even bothering with testing it or listing it when listing their beers on platforms like Untappd or Beer Advocate. But its still a valuable tool and measurement when it is listed, and I still like to keep track of it, and include it when doing the beer reviews here. Its just not the be – all – end – all it used to be in terms of understanding IPAs (especially since New England IPAs seem to be more mainstream now, actually, being made more than regular old school West Coast style IPAs).

This is an old fashioned high octane ‘pushing the envelope’ West Coast style IPA. Appearance and look for this is on the malty end of IPAs (West Coast IPAs). It has a brown / amber hue, slightly transparent, but mostly opaque. Malt colored and malt looking like a malt bomb through and through. Caramel colored. It has a very rich, frothy, foamy head to it, thick, creamy looking with lots of bubbles.

Aroma is caramel, sweet roasted malt, and then pungent face-punching, nose walloping, hop explosion (can’t even call it aroma, its about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the gonads). You get the idea that this is going to be bitter just by the hop nose to it, and the malt sweetness does nothing to cover it past that initial whiff of the malt.

This doesn’t quite live up to the description provided by Untappd. The Untappd description gives you the impression there’s a bit of hype to this, that there’s more complexity to this than there really is. It starts off with the barest of traces of sweet, or caramel, malt. And then takes a very heavy swan dive off the cliff into a sea of hops. A sea of bitterness, of super hop flavor, super hop bitterness, super hop everything. Overpoweringly so. Too much so. A blend and cornucopia of hops, that doesn’t let you really even distinguish and unique hop flavors or notes. Its just straight hop bitterness in such an overwhelming display of raw power and hop (bitterness) that it doesn’t leave you tasting much of anything else. The malt taste is so minuscule and minimal you don’t taste any of it as soon as you get your first taste of the hops. Unlike the description, the hops don’t really ‘dissipate’, they stay there, punching you like a… like a… like a hop drinking punching bag…. yea… like that! There is definitely no dissipation here. I also don’t really get any ‘fruity’ ending to this. Maybe subtle stone fruit notes… but I think its so awash from the hop bitterness that its too hard to tell, and its too hard to differentiate between hop notes and fruit (stone or otherwise) notes. I think its all just a blend, and whatever notes are supposed to be in there, are so overpowered by the hop bitterness, that its too impossible to tell or to be able to pull them out and take note of them or actually savor them. Now… all of this is to say its not a bad beer; its just not… a great beer. And particularly not my style as much anymore. I do like West Coast style IPAs, and the New England IPA craze hasn’t diminished that; its just… this is too much. Too bitter, too hoppy, not enough actual flavor to it, and too hard to differentiate and tell the various hop notes apart from each other. I’m sure theres lots of ‘ultra’ or ‘uber’ hop heads or hop nerds or beer nerds out there who will love this, and all the better for it and for them, this just isn’t particularly my favorite or something I would outright pursue again.

My Untappd Rating: ***.50
Global Untappd Rating: 3.60 (as of 10.10.20)

Be sure to check out some of our recent beer reviews:

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Peace, cheers, and prost!

-B. Kline

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