Whether you’re a newbie, an expert pub crawler or a self-described beer geek looking for your next round, we’ve got a great mix of information, resources and profiles on tap. Join us as we dish about a 7am happy hour, the perfect food-beer pairings, a belly-busting podcast series and a local woman whose pineapple brew is now distributed nationwide. So what are you waiting for? Grab a glass and fill ‘er up. Cheers!
The Barley Mow Craft Beer House
For six weeks, couple Peter Starr and Claire Edwards of Boyertown criss-crossed the country in a pick-up truck, stopping along the way to taste craft beers and learn about the growing industry.
Bonded by a shared love of craft beer, they returned from their bubbly road trip ready to make their dream come true and start their own business. In March, they opened The Barley Mow Craft Beer House, which has quickly become a popular spot on Penn Avenue in West Reading.
“It gets expensive to buy a case of beer and then not enjoy it. You could buy a variety pack and like one but not another, and then what do you do with it?” Starr says. “There was nothing comparable here that was dedicated to the shopping experience of buying craft beer. That’s the atmosphere we have here.”
The Barley Mow is primarily a retail bottle shop that carries 500-plus craft beers from more than 100 American craft breweries. With four rotating beers on tap at a growler-filling station, customers can enjoy a brew while they shop and taste a beer before buying it, Starr says, as Otis Redding music softly plays in the background and sunlight flickers on the pale yellow walls.
“It’s like a coffee shop with beer,” Starr explains, adding the business is not a bar. “We carry whatever craft beer we can get our hands on. It’s a comfortable place, sophisticated, classy. Craft beer is an art for us. We want people to come in and learn,
explore and expand their palate.”
Customers range from “beer geeks who want a specific type of beer to novices who’ve never had a craft beer and ask for our help,” Edwards says. “And we have some customers in the middle. They are starting to explore and want ideas on what to get next.”
Starr previously worked at Penske, and Edwards worked in the insurance business. They both resigned from their full-time gigs on the same day so they could pour themselves into their new business. “This makes us happy,” Edwards says, pausing to share a beer suggestion with a customer. “The business owners on Penn Avenue have embraced us. It’s cool to have that support.”
The Barley Mow Open 11am-9pm Tues-Th, and 11am-10pm on Fri & Sat. Closed Sun & Mon.More info 719 Penn Avenue West Reading 484.926.2094 barleymowbeer.com
A Perfect Pour
Common Types of Beer Glasses
Source: Barley Mow Craft Beer House
ENGLISH PINT.
Made for accommodating more beer and brews with large crowning heads, such as Lager, IPA, Amber, Blonde, Pale Ale, Milk Stout, Oatmeal Stout and Porter.
PILSNER.
Perfect for taking on the volume and head of the beer and trapping banana aromas in several styles, such as Wheat, Pilsner, Witbier and Hefeweizen.
SNIFTER & TULIP.
Both are ideal for capturing and enhancing aromas of several beer varieties, including Barleywine, Imperial Stout, Scotch Ale, Imperial IPA, Saison and Quadrupel.
Did you know?
The Fleetwood Grille at Simmeria has raised the bar with its Friday morning Happy Hour, which starts at 7am for third-shift employees from East Penn Manufacturing and Carpenter Technology who want to kick off the weekend a bit early.
The Perfect Pair
No matter what you’re in the mood for – jumbo lump crab cakes, aged western beef or chicken wings – The Porch Restaurant and Pub in Myerstown has the perfect beer to pair with your meal.
Established in 2004, The Porch offers more than 130 beer selections and 10 rotating taps, which are available whether customers are eating in the casual fine dining restaurant or the lite-fare pub. If guests are unsure which beer will complement their dinner, chef-owner Joe Edwards and his knowledgeable wait staff will make suggestions.
”When we opened originally, it was just fine dining,” he says. “Then, we opened the pub a year later. I’ve always liked beer, so it’s grown and grown through the years. Our guests trust our servers to pick something to pair their meal with.”
Some perfect pairs at The Porch?
Try the Monocacy Riot Rye, a specialty grain beer, with a well-seasoned steak topped with sautéed onions and shiitake mushrooms. Or order the pub’s mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger and an Imperial Stout beer like Oskar Blue Ten Fidy. “You add bleu cheese, and you have this beautiful looking burger with a beer that cuts through the smokiness of the bacon,” Edwards says. “It’s delicious.”
On the second Monday in September, Edwards hosts one of The Porch’s signature events – a beer pairing dinner that customers line up for each year. “I put so much thought into it,” Edwards says. “We try to outdo it each year. Our customers always have a good time. There is great food, and there is a lot of taste testing.
Another cool way to try a variety of beers is to order The Porch’s $10 beer flight, a wooden tray that holds five beer-tasting glasses, Edwards says. “That’s a lot of fun, especially for customers starting to learn about beer,” he says. “They can select any microbrew on tap, within reason. They really enjoy that.”
Porch Restaurant & Pub890 Tulpehocken Rd.Myerstown717.866.2200porchrestaurant.com
Done Working?
Before you head home after a long day, stop by West Reading Tavern and unwind with a glass of Dun Wurkyn, the restaurant’s house beer for the past 15 years. The beer, a German Marzen Vienna Lager, is brewed by head brewer Bill Moore at Lancaster Brewing Company. Named after a local duck hunting club that would go to the Chesapeake Bay after members and clients were “done working,” it continues to be the most popular beer on the tavern’s menu.
Where to Grab a Growler...
Don’t be scared by the name. A growler is a reusable glass (or metal, in some cases) jug that holds up to a half-gallon of beer. Growlers are filled straight from the tap and sealed with a twist cap, so you’re able to buy and take home fresh-brewed beer from your favorite breweries and pubs. Growlers are available at the following locations
1. The Barley Mow 719 Penn Ave., West Reading2. Brewer’s Bar and Grill 101 S. 3rd St., West Reading3. Kutztown Tavern 272 W. Main St., Kutztown4. PARADISE BY THE SLICE 69 E. PENN AVE., WERNERSVILLE5. Saucony Creek Brewing Company 15032 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown6. West Reading Tavern 606 Penn Ave., West Reading
Also, Third & Spruce Café, 238 S. 3rd Ave. in West Reading, does not sell growlers but will fill them for customers.
Mix It Up!
Need a cheat sheet to get your beer tasting adventure started? Here, Tony Reber, general manager of The Liberty Taproom in Exeter, shares his brew suggestions for our Top Six Picks.
LIGHT BEER
Tangerine Wheat Beer
Made at Lost Coast Brewery in Eureka, Calif., this refreshing citrus ale pairs harvest wheat with natural tangerine flavors, according to the company’s website, lostcoast.com. It’s brewed with a combination of wheat and crystal malts, and finished with Perle hops. “It is a light body but high in flavor,” Reber says. “It is a perfect ‘boat’ beer.”
STOUT
Milk Stout Nitro
Brewed by Left Hand Brewing Company on the banks of the Mighty St. Vrain, this brew is described as super smooth with soft roastiness and mocha notes. Its ingredients, including Rocky Mountain water, malted barley, hops, yeast, flaked oats and lactose, make it “very smooth, almost sweet, with a high lactose note,” Reber says. Best enjoyed at 40-45 degrees F in a pub glass.
IPA
Sculpin India Pale Ale
Ballast Point Brewing Company in San Diego, Calif., brews this beer by hopping an ale at five separate stages. The result is this “gold-medal winning IPA, whose inspired use of hops creates hints of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors, but still packs a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish,” according to the company’s website, ballastpoint.com. Tony says the beer pairs nicely with coconut basmati rice, Jamaican jerk chicken and tropical bread pudding.
Brown Ale
Hazelnut Brown Nectar Ale
With a natural hazelnut flavor and smooth malty finish, this award-winning specialty brew by Rogue in Newport, Ore., is a standout. A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale, it pairs well with beef and pork, according to the company’s website, rouge.com. “It has a certain sweetness, almost sugary. Caramel, dark malt. Medium body,” Reber says.
LAGER
Eliot Ness
“If you are a Yuengling fan, try this. It’s more flavorful and more robust,” Reber says. A Gold Medal winner at the World Beer Championships, this handcrafted Amber Lager from Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland, Ohio, has fragrant malt flavors balanced by crisp noble hops, caramel notes and a slightly sweet finish. “In keeping with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516, the beer is traditionally brewed from all natural ingredients: barley, hops, yeast and water,” according to its bottle label. “No chemicals or preservatives are used.”
BELGIAN WIT
Namaste
Dogfish Head in Milton, Del., makes this special Belgian-style white beer, which is brewed with dried organic orange slices, fresh-cut lemongrass, a bit of coriander and peppercorns. Described as a thirst-quencher, it pairs well with roasted turkey, Caesar salad, pasta with cream sauce and goat cheese.
A Bit of This. A Bit of That.
If you like variety, build your own 6-pack at the following locations:
The Barley Mow 719 Penn Ave., West ReadingBrewer’s Bar and Grill 101 S. 3rd St., West ReadingThe Bridge Inn Pleasantville 3 Covered Bridge Rd., OleyGanly’s Pub 500 Brownsville Rd., Sinking SpringGolden Avalanche Brewing Company at the Kutztown Tavern 272 W. Main St., KutztownThe Liberty Taproom 237 N. Prospect St., ExeterMari’s 6 Pac ‘N’ Mor 835 Hiesters Lane, ReadingMike’s Tavern 135 Exeter St., ReadingNortheast Taproom 1101 N. 12th St., ReadingParadise by the Slice 69 E. Penn Ave., WernersvilleWeis Markets 2759 Papermill Rd., Wyomissing
Berks County Homebrew Club
Colin Presby was a college senior when he first tried a batch of homebrew during a cookout at his chemistry professor’s house. “I was drawn to it,” he says. “Brewing is heavy science with an artistic twist. It’s using science to do something creative. I loved the process.”
In 2010, Presby and Jason Logan co-founded the Berks County Homebrew Club, a casual yet passionate group of homebrewers of all skill levels. Group members promote brewing locally and mentor new brewers, according to Presby, who brewed his first batch in 1989 and is now head brewer at Golden Avalanche at the Kutztown Tavern.
“Brewing the first batch of beer is easy,” he says. “Getting them to brew the second and third is tricky. It takes a while get the hang of it, and we try to help people through that process.”
Meetings are held at 7pm on the second Tuesday of each month at Canal Street Pub in Reading, and anyone interested in homebrewing is welcome. About 35 members regularly attend meetings, though the group’s mailing list includes more than 100 members. “We have an open invite to meetings,” Presby says, adding that there are no dues. “If you’re new, all you have to do is introduce yourself in front of the group the first time you attend.”
The meetings include guest speakers and group discussions about upcoming beer-related events and competitions. Members also bring their homebrews. “We taste each other’s beer and give a critique if the member is interested in critical feedback. We’re there to help each other, not tear each other down. It’s been very positive.”
In addition to meetings, members attend workshops at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, work together on barrel aging projects and participate in beer events, such as the American Homebrewers Association’s annual National Homebrew Day in May.
“Craft beer does not discriminate,” Presby says. “We’re here for everyone who wants to know about homebrewing. We take it seriously, but we like to have fun, too. We’re always growing and learning.”
More info: Facebook.com/BerksHomeBrew and BerksHomeBrew.org
DIY Beer Supplies
Lancaster Homebrew, located in nearby Lancaster County, provides a large selection of beer brewing supplies, including beer ingredient kits, malt extracts, bulk grains, hops, yeasts, fermenting buckets, kegs, bottles and growlers. Free beer brewing classes and free samples are also available. More info: lancasterhomebrew.com
What’s brewing at Golden Avalanche?
Colin Presby, Head Brewer at Golden Avalanche at the Kutztown Tavern, says he loves to think outside of the glass and experiment with new, fun and seasonal brews. This spring, he created a Spring Bock, which he describes as a “6.5 percent abv, Maibock-style lager, medium-bodied, pale, malty with just enough noble hop character.” The seasonal beers, he says, complement the brewery’s popular flagship brands, including Onyx Cream Stout, Olde Brick Alt Hop Hat IPA, Youngallen's Lager, Blonde Lager and Donner Weiss.
Girls can Brew, too!
Sweet! Teresa Bury, a Brewing Operations Specialist at Samuel Adams’ Breinigsville facility, was among the winners of the company’s annual LongShot American Homebrew competition. Selected from more than 1,000 entrants, winners were announced last year at The Great American Beer Festival in Denver. Bury, a Wyomissing resident and an active member of the Berks County Homebrew Club, brewed her Pineapple IPA with four different American hops that showcase grapefruit character balanced with tropical fruit notes from pineapple, which is her favorite fruit. Her beer was brewed, bottled and distributed nationwide this spring as part of Samuel Adams LongShot variety six-pack.
Sneak Peek: Chatty Monks
It was love at first taste when Rob Metzger, one of the owners of Chatty Monks Brewing Company in West Reading, had his first craft beer at age 26. The more varieties he tried, the more he craved new flavors. Soon, he was in the kitchen, working on his own brews.
Through the years, Metzger connected with several other local guys who also enjoyed homebrewing, and they would spend weekends brewing in their self-described beer bunker. “We had an outpouring of support,” he says. “People would ask us where they could buy cases of it, and a light bulb went off.”
Chatty Monks, already generating buzz in Berks County, is set to open this June on Penn Avenue, nearly a year after the guys – including Brian Reedy, Joe Ellis, executive chef Jim Kieffer and head brewer Norm Eaton – began working on a business plan and launched an official Facebook page. Metzger says they’re keeping the ambiance secret, but he promises, “It’s nothing like anything you’ve seen before.”
“The coolest thing is we’re just a bunch of guys who just really enjoy all craft beer,” he says, adding that the staff will all be certified beer servers. “We have an absolute passion for what we do.”
Ready for Another Round?
Tune into the local Beer Busters podcast, recorded in a Spring Township basement and hosted by brothers Dan and Wayne Baker and their cousin Stephanie Heffner. The bi-weekly show mixes all of the right ingredients: beer news, interviews, fun facts, trivia games, interactive beer tastings and belly-busting laughs. It is available on iTunes, Stitcher and beerbusterspodcast.com, which also features reviews and articles about craft beer, breweries and area events.
by Kristin Boyd | photos by Heidi Reuter
