June 8, 2011
It may be a little hot today, but the Four Seasons Hotel is adding spray misters to the With Love Beer Garden to help keep you cool.
(Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
Day three of the With Love Beer Garden is today and it’s hot out there. So in a brilliant move, the Four Seasons is bringing in a few spray misters that will be spraying a refreshing mist to help cool down patrons hanging out in the Beer Garden.
You’ll also be able to cool down with some delicious Dock Street brews tonight. “Royal Bohemian Pilsner,” “Man Full of Trouble Porter,” “Pimp My Rye,” “Bubbly Wit,” and “OMG Pale Ale” will be available, in addition to the brewery’s first release of their summer Saison Series.
Tonight’s featured brewer is Dock Street’s Ben Potts; we got a chance to chat with him about which Beer Week events he’s most looking forward to, the city’s rich beer heritage, his favorite beer and food pairings and more. Good stuff.
See everyone out there!
With Love Beer Garden
Where: The Courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, 1 Logan Square
Note: You can enter straight from the corner of 18th and Cherry Streets; you don’t need to go through the hotel
When: Today-June 10, 4-8 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.visitphilly.com
June 8, 2011
Dock Street Head Brewer Ben Potts will be at the With Love Beer Garden tonight.
(Photo courtesy Dock Street)
[This is the third installment in our With Love Beer Garden Q&A series, which we're publishing each day this week in honor of the Philly Beer Week With Love Beer Garden at the Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel's courtyard. Tonight's featured brewer is Ben Potts of Dock Street Brewing Company. Read on to hear him weigh in on Philadelphia's beer heritage, his favorite summer brews and more.]
Dock Street Brewing Company was founded in 1985, one of the first microbreweries in the city and also in the entire country. Dock Street opened its current location in University City in 2007. Head Brewer Ben Potts joined the team that summer after earning medals in the area’s largest homebrewing competitions.
We recently talked with Potts to get the scoop on which Beer Week events he’s most looking forward to, the city’s rich beer heritage, his favorite beer and food pairings and more.
Uwishunu: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. We can’t wait for the Dock Street night at the With Love Beer Garden tonight! In addition to the Beer Garden, what other Beer Week events are you most excited about?
Ben: I’m really looking forward to our music festival Sunday, June 12th. This is something we’ve really been working hard on and last year it was a real blast. I’m also looking forward to the Russian River event at Local 44 on the same day. I just love those beers. Two great reasons to come out to West Philly on Sunday.
Uwishunu: We’ll be there. Dock Street opened in 1985 as one of the nation’s very first microbreweries and opened its current location in University City in 2007. Why do you think the Philadelphia beer scene has thrived so impressively, especially recently in the last decade or so?
Ben: Philadelphia has always been known for great beer, ever since the days of our founding fathers. When porter was the drink of the day, the porter brewed in Philadelphia was world renowned. Later on, after the Industrial Revolution and during the immigration boom of the early 20th century, many Germans flooded to the areas in and surrounding Philadelphia. These Germans brought their beer heritage with them and began making the classic pilsner style that has become the most popular style in the world today, and Philadelphia was a part of that.
And of course, Philadelphia is a town of amazing food and restaurants. I think with great food it is inherent that people will gravitate towards great drink as well. Philadelphians really appreciate flavor. I think it all comes from there, and the people who strive to enjoy AND make these kinds of things. Philadelphia is just blessed to have a lot of those people.
Below, Ben talks about using local ingredients, his favorite Dock Street beers to enjoy in the summertime and more.
June 7, 2011
Tonight is night two of the With Love Beer Garden and Weyerbacher will be the featured brewer. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
[This is the second installment in our With Love Beer Garden Q&A series, which we're publishing each day this week in honor of the Philly Beer Week With Love Beer Garden at the Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel's courtyard. Tonight's featured brewer is Weyerbacher Brewing Company. Read on to hear head brewer Chris Wilson, national sales manager Bob Fauteux and regional sales manager Mike Lubieski, weigh in on Philadelphia's beer heritage, their favorite summer brews and more.]
Weyerbacher Brewing Company was founded in 1995 by Dan and Sue Weirback — Weyerbacher is the original German spelling of the family name. In 16 years, the brewery has grown from 1 to 10 people, and from Dan’s kitchen to a 20,000 square-foot manufacturing facility.
We recently talked with head brewer Chris Wilson, national sales manager Bob Fauteux and regional sales manager Mike Lubieski collectively to get the scoop on Philadelphia’s beer heritage, their favorite summer brews and more.
Uwishunu: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. We can’t wait for the Weyerbacher night at the With Love Beer Garden tonight! Besides the Beer Garden, Philadelphia has plenty of awesome bars and restaurants. What are some of your favorite places in the city to go to grab a beer and a bite?
Weyerbacher: Varga Bar, Perch, Standard Tap and Hulmeville Inn.
Uwishunu: You’re celebrating Weyerbacher’s 16th anniversary this year — congratulations by the way(!) — why do you think the Philadelphia beer scene has thrived so impressively in the past decade and a half?
Weyerbacher: The Philly beer scene has grown because they support a lot of great local breweries, of which we are one. Also, Philly has the most educated consumer of any city. They demand quality everywhere.
Uwishunu: Too true. The Weyerbacher Brewing Company recently claimed a bronze medal in the Brewers Association (BA) World Beer Cup® 2010, a global beer competition that evaluates beers from around the entire world. Do you source ingredients locally for any of those Weyerbacher beers?
Weyerbacher: Wet hops for our Harvest Ale are grown on the company farm. We would try to buy local whenever the possibility permits itself. Our Weyerbacher Sixteen is brewed with local honey.
Note: tonight at the With Love Beer Garden, from 6-7 p.m., Philly Beer Week goes digital with the first-ever Philly Beer Week Tweet Up. Attendees who Tweet their experience (using the official hashtag #withlovebg) and show the Tweet to @PhillyBeerWeek or @VisitPhilly representatives in the garden will be entered to win prizes from host brewery Weyerbacher (@Weyerbacher) and the Four Seasons (@FSPhiladelphia).
With Love Beer Garden
Where: The Courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, 1 Logan Square
Note: You can enter straight from the corner of 18th and Cherry Streets; you don’t need to go through the hotel
When: Today-June 10, 4-8 p.m.
Cost: Pay as you go
More info: www.visitphilly.com
June 7, 2011
The With Love Beer Garden's launch last night was great as people stopped by to hang out and enjoy music, food and some delicious brews. (Photos by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
Last night’s With Love Beer Garden opening night was a smash success. More than 500 people stopped by to bask in the beauty of a gorgeous summer night outside with food, music, beer and great company.
In case you missed out, we’re sharing some highlights so you know what to expect when you make it over to the beer garden; it’s open 4-8 p.m. every day through this Friday, June 10.
The setting
The outdoor courtyard at the Four Seasons Hotel is the perfect setting for the With Love Beer Garden: awesome trees, lush gardens, streams and fountains… it’s awesome. Plus the sun shines through during the 4-8 p.m. time slot making for a truly gorgeous venue. You have to check it out.
The beer
Five beers were on the menu from last night’s featured brewer Victory Brewing Company: our very own Summer Love Ale — which was so popular that the Four Seasons ran out of it by the end of the night — plus Prima Pils, Hop Devil, Headwaters Pale Ale and Golden Monkey.
The food
Menu items — available, freshly grilled, all week — included Philly beef sliders with pork roll, American cheese and grilled onions; shrimp soft taco with grilled shrimp, avocado, jalapeno and pickled cabbage; Port Richmond Kielbasa Sandwich with caramelized onions and polish mustard; Lancaster honey-glazed chicken wings; and Philly soft pretzels with spicy mustard.
Franklin Fountain’s ice cream cart was also stationed at the beer garden, serving a delicious strawberry ice cream made with the Victory Summer Love Ale wort and local organic strawberries. Unbeatable.
Check out a few more photos below.
(more…)
June 6, 2011
The re-release party for Victory's Summer Love Ale will launch the festivities at the With Love Beer Garden today from 4-8 p.m. (Photo by M. Edlow for GPTMC)
The With Love Beer Garden officially opens today!
The beer garden is open 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday this week.
Today’s festivities kick off today at 4 p.m. and include the launch party for the re-release of Victory Summer Love Ale.
Victory Brewing Company Founder and Head Brewer Bill Covaleski is tonight’s featured brewer, so he’ll be on hand to talk about Victory and let you sample some of the brewery’s best beers. Check out our Q&A with Bill for an insider look at some of his favorite bars and restaurants in Philadelphia, why Victory sources ingredients locally and more.
All afternoon and into the evening, we’ll be live-blogging from the With Love Beer Garden to give you the up-to-the-minute scoop on the food, the music, the scene and, of course, the beer.
Hope to see you here!
3:12 p.m.: Ok, we’ve arrived a little early to get set up and get the lay of the land. Stay tuned as we’ll be posting updates right here as the opening approaches.
3:20 p.m.: Awesome! Five beers on the menu tonight from Victory Brewing Company: Summer Love Ale, Prima Pils, Hop Devil, Headwaters Pale Ale and Golden Monkey.
3:28 p.m.: Hey-O! @VisitPhilly is in the house!
3:34 p.m.: Um, did we mention it’s gorgeous out here?
3:38 p.m.: Oh, wow. Just caught a whiff of something amazing smelling from the Four Seasons food offerings. Going to do some reconnaissance now…
3:46 p.m.: Did you know The Four Seasons gets its soil for the lush plantings in this courtyard from compost from its kitchens?
3:50 p.m.: Ok, so we just located the source of delicious smells. Grilled sliders, topped with Taylor pork roll, American cheese and grilled onions. Amazing.
Read on, below.
June 6, 2011
Bill Covaleski founded Victory Brewing Company in 1996. (Photo courtesy Victory Brewing Company)
[This is the first installment in our With Love Beer Garden Featured Brewer Q&A series, which we're publishing each day this week in honor of the Philly Beer Week With Love Beer Garden at the Four Seasons Philadelphia Hotel's courtyard. Tonight's featured brewer is Bill Covaleski of Victory Brewing Company. Read on to hear him weigh in on Philadelphia "beer heroes," making a collaborative beer with Chef Jose Garces and more.]
It’s finally here: the With Love Beer Garden officially opens today with the launch party for the re-release of Victory Summer Love Ale. Victory Brewing Company Founder, President and Head Brewer Bill Covaleski is tonight’s featured brewer, meaning he’ll be on hand at the With Love Beer Garden to say hello and talk to guests about all things Victory.
A Levittown, PA native, Bill founded Victory Brewing Company in 1996 with childhood friend Ron Barchet. Today, Victory Brewing Company’s craft beers can be found in 30 states and three countries. Victory beers have won medals at both The Great American Beer Festival and The Great British Beer Festival.
We recently talked with Bill to get the scoop on Philadelphia “beer heroes,” making a collaborative beer with Chef Jose Garces and more.
Uwishunu: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. We can’t wait to see you at opening night of the With Love Beer Garden! In addition to the Beer Garden, what are some Beer Week events that you are most looking forward to?
Bill: For me, I’m most looking forward to The Chef, The Brewer & The Farmer dinner at Fork Restaurant on June 8. I always love working with Chef Terence because he’s a calm and funny flavor genius. This event is really special because I surprised him with the concept (enhancing Victory beers with herbs and spices that would closer align the beers to his dishes) and he jumped on it. All three parties shared a memorable night of beer-fueled R&D in the Victory kitchen in March so I can assure you these flavors are dialed in and sure to impress even the most jaded foodie palate. This is THE beer dinner of Philly Beer Week.
Uwishunu: Now, you recently celebrated Victory’s 15th anniversary — congratulations by the way(!) — why do you think the Philadelphia beer scene has thrived so impressively in the past decade and a half?
Bill: Two reasons why the Philly beer scene has thrived, and both are related to people, not products. Folks like William Reed, Paul Kimport, Tom Peters, Tom Kehoe, Eddie Friedland and Ron and I just never could accept the fact that Philly was the nation’s #1 Coors Light market in the mid-eighties, so we rolled up our sleeves and changed that by investing our lives in products, and a concept, we believed in. The list of beer heroes is surely longer than I’ve indicated here, but you get the idea.
The second tier of beer heroes are those running restaurants here in Philly that have so enthusiastically embraced area brewers amazing creations. Their dedicated but unpretentious promotion of local beers and products have helped gain a huge following of normally skeptical Philadelphians. This is truly the Brotherly Love (of suds) that this great city was destined to prove existed.
Below, Bill talks about some of his favorite Philadelphia bars and restaurants, a collaborative beer with Chef Jose Garces and more.
June 3, 2011
Keep an eye out for our latest TV spot, which makes it debut this week for our summer campaign. The next few months are packed with things to see, hear, eat, drink and celebrate — and we’ll be helping you navigate your way all summer long.
With Love, Philadelphia XOXO® [Visit Philly]
May 25, 2011
After 25 years of history-making television, Oprah hosts the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show today.
In honor of the award-winning TV mogul, actress, producer and philanthropist, we have a special video to share, above. Oprah names a few things that makes Philadelphia special to her in this vintage “Philadelphia: The Place That Loves You Back” television commercial from our campaign in 1997.
We love you too, Ms. Winfrey. Check out a photo, below, of some of the With Love Letters dedicated to Oprah at a recent rally for her.
May 11, 2011
Everyone loves a great Beer Garden come summertime and it’s no wonder why — take a nice outdoor space, bring along some friends and some gorgeous summer weather, add a few quality beers and snacks and you have a surefire recipe for an excellent afternoon and/or evening out.
Given that, what event is more deserving of its own dedicated beer garden than Philly Beer Week??
And so it is with great pleasure and obvious excitement that we can today announce that we’ve teamed up with our friends at Philly Beer Week and The Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia to launch a brand new pop-up Beer Garden in the Four Seasons Hotel’s awesome outdoor courtyard exclusively for Philly Beer Week 2011.
Called The With Love Beer Garden, it will be taking over the courtyard for the week of June 6-10, opening each day at 4 p.m and going until 8 p.m. with beer, food, a little music, some special programming and more.
The Beer
Each day, a different local brewery will be on hand with some of their featured beers. Beer Garden patrons will be able to “Meet the Brewer,” while enjoying a variety of the featured brewery’s beers at the garden that night. The lineup of brewers will include Victory, Weyerbacher, Dock Street, Sly Fox, Yards and Stoudt’s.
Appropriately enough, we will be launching the With Love Beer Garden on Monday, June 6 with none other than Victory Brewing Company and the re-release party for our mighty Summer Love Ale. Mark your calendars now.
The Food
Four Seasons Executive Chef Ralph Gonzalez will be preparing a special menu for the Beer Garden showcasing his interpretations of cook-out favorites.
Look out for delicious dishes like: a “Philly Beef Slider” with Taylor pork roll, American cheese and grilled onions; Steamed New Jersey Clams with garlic and rooftop parsley; Port Richmond Kielbasa Sandwich with Polish mustard; Lancaster Honey-Glazed Organic Chicken Wings; and Shrimp Soft Tacos with avocado, jalapeño and pickled cabbage.
The Foursquare/Facebook Places Promotion
We’ll be at the With Love Beer Garden every night with a special giveaway for any patron who stops by and checks-in to the With Love Beer Garden on Foursquare or Facebook Places. Hint: the giveaway is a perfect complement to our Summer Love Ale. You’ll want one.
So that’s the With Love Beer Garden in a nutshell. Check out the full schedule of guest brewers below. And stay tuned for a lot more info still to come.
April 30, 2011
Dear Bruins, Prepare to be Orange Crushed… Again. With Love, Philadelphia XOXO
The Flyers kick off the second round of playoffs today at 3 p.m. against the Boston Bruins.
It’s a rematch of last year’s epic seven-game series when the Flyers came back from a three game to zero deficit to win the series in seven games, so it’s sure to be another great match-up.
The game will be aired on NBC. Go Flyers!
Philadelphia Flyers [Official Site]
