Sam's a Damn Fine 'Fest

Jim Koch is a helluva nice guy. I know, because I've spent time with him in pubs from Denver to Philadelphia. He's also a damned good marketing man who knows good beer. I know this because I've had every beer he's ever made, and there hasn't been a single one that didn't measure up to the style guide. My favorite marketing pitch is the one for Sam Adams Light. You know, the one that says that SA Light won a Gold Medal in some German Beer Competition. And there was no Light Beer category.That's a kicka$$ advert. And though I'm not a Light beer fan, I could handle a few SA Lights without looking for the water fountain.


For sure, there are many Sam's Brews I prefer above other Sam's Brews, but Jim's beers never disappoint. His brewers are top-drawer, his product is affordable and his beers are remarkably consistent. Pop the top on any Sam's and you're guaranteed two things--quality and consistency.

And I'm not tooting Jim's horn just because he sends me twenty-four cases of beer a year, either. Because he doesn't. I just said that to see if you were paying attention. Unless Joe Skelly is at my elbow or Lenny or Moshe is in front of me, I have to pay for every Sam Adams brew I get, barring presents.

Like the one the missus came home with two days ago--a case of Sam Adams Octoberfest. At this time of the waning year, O-fests are my go-to brews and I'm delighted to report that not a single one I've had so far failed to measure up. That includes styles from locally-brewed Hoffman (Climax) Oktoberfest, to Flying Dog Dogtoberfest, to Flying Fish's Octoberfish to Sly-Fox's hoppy version to--well, too many to recount. The only O-fests I haven't enjoyed this fall? Ones that I haven't tried yet. I look forward to Mike Sella's (Uno's) and Augie Lightfoot's (JJ Bittings) respective versions

Most people don't realize that the largest American-owned brewery (after the sale of AB to InBev) is none other than Jim Koch's Boston Beer Co., makers of Sam Adams. And "mass-produced" Sam Adams Octoberfest is a damned fine brew, comparable to many in my end-of-summer repertoire. This beer is beautiful to look at, has a distinct malty nose and is smooth as silk in the mouth. In Jim Koch's special glass created for his Boston Lager, it tastes even better. It's a classic Marzen that is definitely worth your time.

There is one thing about it that bothers me, though. The spelling of Oktoberfest with a "C" on the label rankles my sensibilities. I know it's the Americanized version of the word. But the "K" just seems so much more authentic when you're quaffing and watching handsome gals in dirndls heft five huge mugs per hand. I'm going to have to mention that to Jim the next time we throw a few down together.

But "C" or "K," SA Octoberfest is worth the trip to wherever you need to go to get it.

Ein Prosit! Der Gemutlichkeit!

Not the Best of Times...

Off-Night at Killmeyer's? Let's hope…

Everybody's entitled to have an off-night, I suppose. But in the world of service or entertainment, you're only as good as your last gig. And my experience last night at one of my favorite places--Killmeyer's Old Bavaria Inn on Staten Island--did not leave me longing for a return.

For starters, many of the beers offered on the "Spring '09" beer menu were unavailable, as were some on the more extensive menu. When I go to a place like Killmeyer's, the German beer is the main reason. Though my first beer was available--a Spaten Optimator-- many others weren't. If I wanted a Blue Moon Honeymoon, I could get it cheaper on this side of the Arthur Kill.

Besides being disappointing, it can sometimes make me forget my manners. I asked the waitress what Oktoberfest beers were available. She came back with this information from the bartender: "Oktoberfest beer isn't in the country yet."

Huh? I confess that I wasn't as refined as I probably should have been when I replied, "He's full of sh!t." Fortunately, I knew the waitress from a previous visit, so I doubt she was offended in any way. Her smile and attitude, in fact, were the brightest parts of the visit.

But here was an obvious case of a barkeep trying to BS a customer. Barkeeps not only need to be truthful, they need to be aware that some of their customers may actually know beer. If Oktoberfest beer isn't in the country yet, I must have been drinking and reviewing Ersatz-Marzen these past weeks.

Then there was the disappointment with the food menu. Online, Killmeyer's offers Crab Cakes--a major draw for two members of my party. But on this night they were, like many of the beers, MIA. Instead, there was something called Crab Nuggets. Not bad, I was told, but not Crab Cakes, either. That meant that two of my party had to switch gears, despite being lured to Killmeyer's by my promise of Crab Cakes being on the menu. My reputation as being knowledgeable about the places I visit and review took a serious hit.

It took another hit when, after promising my party that there would be hamburgers on the menu, I was told that while they were available, they weren't allowed to be served in the dining area.

Huh? They could be served outside or at the bar, we were advised, but not here sitting down under Franz's (a stuffed moose) gaze. The logic of that misguided policy defies common sense—not to mention Winter, and the waitress allowed that it frequently costs her customers.

And while I'm on the subject of losing customers, let me say that had this been my first visit to Killmeyer's, it would certainly have been my last. When I visit places that don't satisfy, I don't write about them and pass them on to my readership. "Better left alone" is my reviewing philosophy in cases like that. But in this case, Killmeyer's has performed admirably in the past, and as such, deserves an "off-night" pass. My party did enjoy the food they ordered, though the regular beer snafus didn't do much to complement what they ate.

However, if he's promoting Killmeyer's as "a family place that has everything from escargot to hot dogs," Ken Tirado needs to ditch that Bizarre Burger Doctrine ASAP. He also needs to insure that what is advertised on both the beer and food menus is--with rare exception--actually available.

Ditto Oktoberfest beers in late August.

Don't Forget...

"We found that light to moderate drinkers were 28 percent less likely to develop Alzheimers than non-drinkers, 25 per cent less likely to develop vascular dementia, and 26 per cent less likely to develop any dementia," Anstey said in a statement.

I'll drink to that. As our Greek philosophers advised, moderation is key.

Click below.

 

Moderate drinking late in life can ward off dementia: study | Lifestyle | Reuters

The Epps Boys hard at work

Crime, Punisherment and Beer

The Punisher bashes into McGillin's

By Kurt Epps—The PubScout

8/26/2009

My favorite Philly pub—McGillin's Old Ale House—hosted the third of its Author Series last night, and judging by the crowd that packed the place, the idea is a homerun. It was The PubScout's first such session, so there is nothing to which last night's festivities can be compared. My guess, however, is that the featured author on this night—Duane Swierczynski—had a lot to do with the size of the crowd.

Let's face it. Duane Swierczynski's name is not (yet) synonymous (nor pronounceable) with Raymond Chandler, Steven King, or even Shakespeare. And I doubt seriously whether those who came to Philly's oldest pub last night were there because they had read Duane's (Swierczynski's too tough to type any more) first foray into the world of beer writing with his Big Book O' Beer. I penned a most favorable review of that classic more than half a decade ago, and that book, which resides in a place of honor in my house, was the reason I made the trek to McGillin's.

My assessment was that most in the house, however—like my two sons--were fans of Duane's connection to comic book characters like Frank Castle—a.k.a. The Punisher. Duane has also written other characters for Marvel—Cable, Wolverine and Deadpool. The author admits he is attracted to the "darker" characters, though, in his public persona at least, he's the complete opposite of "dark." Creative, quick-witted, amiable and funny, Duane broke into comics by writing crime novels. His rather cherubic appearance is misleading, but, conceding that The Punisher movies might not have been the pinnacle of greatness, he confesses that he thoroughly enjoyed them all. He also admitted that he became a writer so he wouldn't have to speak in front of audiences, though it was clear he connected with the one at McGillin's last night.

He is married to the former Meredith Paul from Wilkes-Barre, who allows that she knew how to spell her new last name long before she could pronounce it. She, 14, and Duane, 17 were pen pals in 1989 until they came face to face at a high school jazz band concert in 1995. They married in 1997 and have two children—7 and 6. Duane dedicated The Big Book O' Beer to his daughter Sarah.

So, besides the Author Series, why was Duane at McGillin's? Some of his stories use the iconic tavern, though it takes on the pub name of Interesting Times. The art work, however, leaves no doubt that McGillin's is the place. Duane sat signing books next to the mullioned window that The Punisher crashed through in one of his stories. Duane also had a special deal: if you bought one of his comics, you got a McGillin's special anniversary 1860 IPA on him. That beer is a good one, by the way. Made by Stoudt's, it's not overly hoppy, and owner Chris Mullins the Youger says it's an IPA for those who are just getting into the style. The beer will be available in bottles and for takeout soon.

Typical of his engaging and self-deprecating style, Duane publicly admitted, "Hey, the beer only costs me two bucks, but it's the thought…."

If you missed the event, fear not. You can still get Duane's work at Brave New Worlds, whose reps were on hand. Check out pics here.

Marvel and comic book fans in general who also happen to be fans of good beer should also check out The Big Book O' Beer. I took my copy to McGillin's and had Duane sign it. Now it goes back to its place of honor in my Loo Library.

Don't laugh. That place, like McGillin's, is my sacred sanctuary. But my sons won't let me put The Punisher in there.

They say one punisher per bathroom is enough.

©Kurt E. Epps 2009 All Rights reserved

Gals, scratch Malaysia off your O-Fest list

It appears that the "Religion of Peace" doesn't exactly embrace Ben Franklin's famous quote about beer being "proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

 

Beer-Drinking Muslim Model's Caning Delayed - Asia | Travel | Map - FOXNews.com

Festa di Ottobre at Basil T's Toms River

In what has to be a first in NJ, Basil T's (Toms River) two Greek brothers, both named Pete, have advertised their spectacular German Oktoberfest Event on their Facebook Page--in Italian.

Why are two brothers both named Pete? Something to do with their mother and a shipment of ouzo....

No matter. it's an Oktoberfest like no other, and the smart money reserves a seat or ten.

Check out Steve Farley's menu, Dave Hoffman's beers--and the Italian words--here.

Ein Prosit!