On Tap is a regular column featuring our recommendations on the most unique new draft beer offerings from local pubs.
Our Recommendation: Phightin’ Phils Pils
Where: Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant of West Chester, 3 West Gay Street, West Chester, PA
On Monday, April 9, the Phillies played their first home game of the 2012 season. To celebrate the first home stand, Iron Hill West Chester has created a Phillies’ Beer Tap List, with creative names such as the Flyin’ Hawaiian Pineapple Saison and the Rye N Howard Rye IPA. These special beers will be on tap from April 9th to the 15th or until they are kicked.
I stopped by during Monday’s opener to sample the Phightin’ Phils Pils. Manager Jordan DeMaio told me, “We’re all pretty big Phillies fans, this was a way to have some fun with the starting lineup.” He handed me the special beer list, which also included the Hoppy Halladay Double Red Ale and the Charlie Manu-Ale.
As it was early afternoon, I opted to taste the Phightin’ Phils Pils, which comes in at 5% ABV. Brewmaster Mike Rutkowski stopped by (wearing a Red Sox hat!) and described this beer he had labored on.
“It’s a classic German style pils with extra hops to give it a little more spicy hop bite to it – and then, you have the clean dry finish you always get with the pilsner. It made sense to put it on draft right now. I always tell people if I had one beer stranded on an island, it would be a pilsner,” he said.
I took a sip of the beer, and it was definitely light and refreshing. It reminded me of the pilsners my father used to drink – only better. I felt as though I was at the ball field. “Pilsner is probably the one beer most reminiscent of watching a baseball game, isn’t it?” I asked.
Mike nodded in agreement, “Anytime I go to a baseball game I’m looking for a pilsner or some kind of nice light refreshing beer that I can enjoy while watching the game. I can’t be sitting there drinking a nine percent beer while watching a baseball game. (A pils) just goes with everything – a pils and a hot dog or a pils and popcorn.”
“What other beer on the Phils list do you really enjoy?” I asked.
“I’m a big fan of the May ‘Berry’ Wheat. It turned out to be a nice little mixture of blueberry flavor ahead of the spice from the lemon grass, and it has a nice orange characteristic in the background as well – it’s a nice refreshing beer.”
In addition to special brews on tap, Iron Hill is also offering a menu of seven gourmet hot dogs which are also creatively named. Jordan had the chefs whip up The Antonio Bastar-Dog, so I could shoot a photo (seen to right). This particular dog was bacon-wrapped, with pico de gallo, jalapenos and sour cream. Other interesting hot dogs on the menu this week include The Chili Choooooch Dog and The Jim Thominator.
You can check out the special Phillies-themed Beers and hot dogs at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant of West Chester from now through April 15th. More info is available by clicking here.
