Philly Beer Camp- August 2

 

Sierra Nevada has packed the sleeping bag, readied the tent, topped off the gas tank, filled the cooler with great beers and is slowly making its way across the country with this year’s Beer Camp, which stops in Philadelphia on Aug. 2.

The brewery has also invited every craft brewery in the country - more than 2,700 - to participate in the event that will culminate in Mills River, NC, where the business is opening its second facility. The festival has a total of seven stops along the way and began at the current facility in Chico, Calif. on July 19. Proceeds from each stop go to the brewers’ guilds of the host states.

Not only is this a tour celebrating great craft beers, craft beer culture, and brewery relationships, it also has produced 12 brand new brews as collaborations between Sierra Nevada and several participating breweries that have been released in a celebratory Beer Camp 12-Pack. Here is just a small sampling of some of the beers and breweries who have collaborated with Sierra Nevada on this project: Allagash Brewing Company, Myron’s Walk Belgian-Style Pale Ale; Ballast Point Brewing Company, Electric Ray India Pale Lager; Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Torpedo Pilsner; Ninkasi Brewing Company, Double Latte Coffee Milk Stout; Russian River Brewing Company, Yvan the Great Belgian-Style Blonde; 3 Floyds Brewing Co., Chico King Pale Ale; and of course Philly’s very own Victory Brewing Company, Alt Route Altbier.

The excitement around Beer Camp and what comes with is very palpable within the craft beer industry, and with so many breweries participating in it it’s easy to see why. The stop in Philly is also great for some of our local breweries who will join the event.

Local breweries Berwick Brewing Company, Susquehanna Brewing Company, Old Forge Brewing Company, and Barley Creek Brewing Company will make appearances alongside numerous other breweries, proudly representing the growing craft beer culture within our area.

Beer Camp is not only great to attend if you are a craft beer fanatic - after all, many great breweries will be attending this event and some may be quite difficult to find outside of it - but there is much more to Beer Camp than tasting delicious beer. It is really a celebration and has been organized by one of the true pioneers of craft beer, Ken Grossman.

Ken Grossman has seen the craft beer landscape drastically change since opening the doors at Sierra Nevada in 1980. Back then the idea of craft beer was a mere novelty when compared to the sheer dominance of mass-produced beer that flooded store shelves; since that time the dynamic has certainly changed.

Beer Camp is as much a celebration and a tip of the cap to the man who waved the craft beer flag before many of us even knew of craft beer as it is a celebration to all the men and women who have paved the way for us to drink good beer and have it readily available.

Beer Camp is a must-attend event for all of those who love craft beer and want to honor the industry that has truly shown what craftsmanship is all about.

Beer Camp will be at Penn Treaty Park (1341 North Delaware Ave., Philadelphia) on Aug. 2 from noon to 5 p.m. The event is 21 and over and tickets are $65. Designated driver tickets are also available for $30.

For more information about Beer Camp visit beercamp.sierranevada.com

All American Ales

In recent decades, America has gone from a sad beer landscape with only a handful of similar bland-tasting beers to a vibrant and thriving beer scene. The ingenuity and forward thinking of America’s brewers have created a beer scene that the rest of the world now looks upon not with disdain, but with envy.

In this current landscape, nothing truly says “America” more than an American craft beer, and you can also enjoy your apple pie and hot dogs with any number of these great beers! This year, while celebrating the Fourth of July at backyard barbeques, the pool, or amidst firework displays, enjoy some of these fantastic craft beers that are truly American through and through!

Anchor Brewing Company, Anchor Liberty Ale: This is a beer rich with history and also one that many argue changed the American beer landscape. Liberty Ale was first brewed in 1975 to celebrate the bicentennial of Paul Revere’s historic ride. As the first modern American IPA brewed after prohibition and the first modern American single-hop ale and dry-hopped ale, Anchor’s Liberty Ale is the original craft brewed ale and the historic beer that started a revolution. It is also a beer that has stood the test of time and is still just as enjoyable today!

Yards Brewing Co., Thomas Jefferson’s Tavern Ale: This is history in a glass and is based upon our founding father and avid homebrewer Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe! This strong golden ale tips the scales at 8 percent ABV as well. Not only is this beer highly drinkable, it also shows the foresight that Jefferson had even in good beer – truly a drink to toast to the past and future of America!

21st Amendment Brewery, Brew Free! Or Die IPA: The artwork alone for this beer will spark a patriotic movement within you; Abraham Lincoln is pictured breaking free from Mount Rushmore! However, the true movement is the delicious and balanced IPA within the can – yes, can – that will leave you inspired to enjoy another one. The fact that that this fantastic IPA comes in a can makes it seem even more American in spirit and should motivate you to bring a few along to any outdoor summer activities!

Avery Brewing Company, Ale to the Chief: This Imperial Pale Ale, or rather Presidential Pale Ale, as Avery calls it, is unique in that it is brewed every four years to commemorate the President’s inauguration. A beer that celebrates our democracy is certainly one worth drinking, and as with all of Avery’s beers, this is no exception – very balanced, but best enjoyed fresh. Thankfully, we don’t have too long to go until the next batch is brewed up!

Cigar City Brewing, Homefront IPA: Another wonderful and balanced beer from a fantastic brewery, or in this case, breweries. This is a collaboration beer between several breweries that is released every Memorial Day, with a large amount of proceeds going to charity. This beer is unique in that it was actually aged with wooden baseball bats – now that is American! Also, in 2014, a minimum of $150,000 from the sale of this beer will be donated to Operation Homefront, an organization providing emergency financial and other assistance to our service members and wounded warriors, making it even more American!

The craft beer movement occurring right now in America is something worth celebrating, and while enjoying craft beers is certainly an American way to celebrate, so is celebrating safely! So grab yourself some great American craft beer and toast to those who have made this country the wonderful place that it is today. Cheers!