Craft beer enthusiast or not, how can anyone say no to a beer loaded with Bakers Chocolate, handmade marshmallow fluff and crumbled graham crackers? Yeah, that’s the Leon Imperial Stout for ya and on Friday, May 3, it was featured alongside six other brews in a Neshaminy Brewing Company Takeover at Bistro on Bridge.
Bistro is on fire hosting monthly craft beer centric events, and Neshaminy may have been their best yet. Clear skies and sunshine on a First Friday didn’t hurt either. If you were fortunate enough to grab a table outside, feel blessed, friend. Nothing beats their al fresco dining and normally my butt is parked on those couches. But this is a Tap Takeover! I don’t want to be outdoors. I want to be inside with other craft beer aficionados and, most certainly, those handles.
The spread from Neshaminy covered numerous styles: Pilsners, Cream Ales, IPAs, Wheat Bocks, Dry Hopped Firkins and a beloved Imperial Stout. There are many people who won’t go near a hoppy beer and those who can’t dive into something dark. Me? I was blessed with quite the palate and appreciation for it all, so I was ready to embrace this list:
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Dry Hopped County Line IPA (Cask)
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Trauger Pilsner
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Tribute Tripel
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Neshaminator
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Leon Russian Imperial Stout
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Croydon Cream Ale
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County Line IPA
Trauger was exactly everything I love about Pilsners: approachable, light in body, refreshing with a crisp finish. The same goes for the Croydon Cream Ale, which is well balanced with malts and highly drinkable. Beers like this are perfect for warm weather and weekends with a wide open schedule.
It wasn’t too long after Zach Hoffmann tapped the Firkin and according to Adam Crockett, who needs no introduction, this was going to taste nothing short of incredible. Well, I had a pint and buddy, I’ve got to tell you … OUT-FIRKIN-STANDING!! You could definitely taste those beloved Simcoe hops that give beers that citrusy backbone. One of my good friends in attendance isn’t even a fan of hops, yet enjoyed this twice! What it’s all about, folks. Exploring and opening up to something new. I’ll get to my teeny tiny issue with Takeover Attendees in a bit.
At this point in the evening, First Friday started showing its true colors. People were most definitely done with their work week and ready to embrace the weekend with a beverage. It made sense at this point to indulge the Leon. I was hoping to ease into it with something maltier and darker, but who knows what this crowd is gonna look like in an hour.
With the Leon, there’s no denying it’s both a Chocolate Stout and an Imperial. The Chocolate is front and center, along with that high ABV. This brew has bite that kicks me in the “you know what.” It’s 11.6% with no shame in hiding it. I can honestly say I didn’t pick up on the fluff or graham crackers; then again, my taste buds were playing in the other end of the flavor pool earlier.
Halfway into the event, shirts and pint glasses arrived on scene straight from the brewery. I just so happened to be in the right place as Adam passed me, carrying them to the front. I nabbed one in the nick of time because those shirts were gone in minutes.
Now, I’m not one of those who go to a takeover expecting freebies or pout if I don’t walk out with a souvenir. Sure, it stinks when they’re gone, but the early bird gets the worm. But I was told once by a bartender, a table wasn’t going to drink the featured brews because they didn’t have free giveaways at the time. Once the beer rep arrived on scene with shirts and stickers, they sang a new tune. Seriously?
Takeovers are about trying rare varieties of beer and earning bragging rights to all your friends who couldn’t make it. I have no idea when I’ll have that Dry Hopped Firkin ever again, but I didn’t need a free mug to get me in the door. Then again, I’ll never say no to free swag and Neshaminy’s are perfect additions to my collection.
As expected, what a great time! The firkin was, hands down, the best cask conditioned ale I’ve had so far, and I was finally able to sample the best from Neshaminy among great company, both Dish Writers and Dish Readers. You gals are awesome (air five)!
To wrap this up, Bistro on Bridge nailed it again and you can bet you’ll see me at the next one. Shall I save you a seat?
Find Bistro on Bridge at 210 Bridge St. in Phoenixville. Upcoming tap takeovers include Evolution Craft Brewing (June 7) and Maine Beer Co. (June 13).
Photographs credited to Kevin Dragone.
