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If you’ve ever thought about brewing your own beer and you live in Philly read on for the good news…

Home Sweet Homebrew is located on 20th and Sansom, right beside Fat Jack’s Comic Books and just over from the Capogiro and Tinto. It’s one of the best blocks in the city for just that reason.

Even if you don’ brew your own beer you should stop in the shop some time to meet Jake and Elwood. The two ginger tabbies have what must be the best job in the city-if you’re a cat. They get to hang out with a really nice and relaxed group of humans (my experience with other homebrewers has been nothing but good) during the day and at night use their finely-honed feline senses to hold at bay the hordes of rodents that would love to get into the shop and chomp on all of the grains in the shop.

The shop itself has all of the things a homebrewer could want. It has hops, grains, malt extracts, cleaning supplies, buckets, carboys, winemaking supplies, caps, corks, spices, kegs, bottles and books. If there’s something they don’t have I’m sure they would be more than happy to order it for you. They also ship everything. But the real selling point is the proprietor George Hummel.

George is an amazing resource not only to any homebrewer, from beginner to expert, but also to the city’s non-homebrewing beer drinkers. Why? Because he’s helped create recipes at Nodding Head and other brewpubs, consulted with Tom and Fergie, and been a driving force behind Philly Beer Week! If you’re an afficionado and been in the city for a while you have most likely drunk from the cup of his knowledge and not known it.

For the experienced homebrewer you should know that George and Nancy started the business back in 1986, have been writing and speaking on the subject since then, and George is a regular contributor to the Mid-Atalantic Area Brewing News, often writing on subjects in Delaware and New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania. This guy knows his stuff.

For the neophyte, fear not! They’re also extremely nice! When I was just getting started I was lucky enough to have some extra cash and I was able to buy a nice set of equipment. George made sure to point out that was not necessary, however, and I could have started brewing for a lot less. He’s more than happy to sell you anything in the store but he won’t try to sell you things that you don’t need. They put together their own ingredient kits instead of relying on other people’s pre-packaged ones. The first recipe I made was one of theirs called Amber Waves and it was absolutely delicious.

If you’ve ever thought about brewing your own beer before, or even if you’re just thinking about it right now, do yourself a favor and go down to the shop and talk to George. It’s a very easy process that just takes some good old-fashioned time. You’ll be surprised with how good the results can be and all the possibilites that exist.

The best thing about this shop is George’s willingness to share his knowledge and that’s why I’ll keep going back. Thanks George!

Home Sweet Homebrew
2008 Sansom Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
phone: (215) 569-9469
Website

For those of you in South Philly you may find
Barry’s Homebrew Outlet to be more convenient. The shop is a bit smaller but still has a large amount of equipment and ingredients available.
Barry’s Homebrew Outlet
101 Snyder Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
215-755-4556

The tamarind barbeque ribs, called Costillitas, have a killer sear and practically drip off the bone. The pineapple salsa adds a tangy bite and the jalapenos add the heat. It’s just fantastic and Karen agreed.

Ribs by themselves would be a weird brunch so I got the eggs benedict with chorizo and a chipotle hollandaise. I’ll just let you marinate on that and tell you that Karen declared “this is the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had.”

For drinks we had a “City Bike,” an “El Dorado” and Prickly Pear Mimosa. All three were perfectly balanced and really interesting. I’ll let you check out the drinks menu to find out what they’re all about. This is probably the fourth time I’ve been in a month and I can’t wait to go back!

Can’t wait to check out their new venture up in Northern Liberties as well.
Cantina Main Site (with all menus)

Cantina Los Caballitos
1651 East Passyunk Ave
South Philly
(215) 755-3550

Sofitel is a french chain of hotels with simple and chic decor. The Sofitel in Philly has floor to ceiling windows looking out on 17th and sansom street (good for people watching)…. The drink menu at La Bourse (Sofitel’s bar and lounge) feautures a nice selection of french aperitifs, as well as single malts, and wine & champagne by the glass. Fancy cheese nips grace each table for snacking. Pomme frites served with a gorgonzola sauce, a cheese plate and a nice assortment of olives are some of snacks served until 1am.

The french speaking staff are always accomodating and pleasant. While sipping on a kir royal my favorite spot to sit is the big comfy couch in the back. The bar can get pretty busy on the weekends but happy hour or late night it la bourse has a chill atmosohere where you can easily carry on a conversation.
When your regular spot just won’t do and you feel like classin’ it up check out La Bourse at Sofitel!

What I found… my favorite hotel bar in the city.

hours: 11am – 2am

I liked his suggestion because it was one particular thing at a particular place that was apparently the pinnacle of “thingness” for that thing. That’s what this blog is all about! Thingness! Also it was a drink i’d never really dug before. It would be challenging to see if i could overcome that in the face of what was apparently the best Manhattan in town.

You know what? I’m not going to keep you in suspense. The drink is great. It’s really effing good and i didn’t even like Manhattans before this. I’ve had three now in the past month and been trying to figure out exactly why so i could write this post.

The key component, according to Jason, is the rye whiskey. Many bars and consumers go with any old whisky, but according to The International Bartender’s Association’s Official Cocktail List the recipe is:

MANHATTAN Pre dinner (martini or cocktail glass )
5.0 cl Rye or Canadian whiskey
2.0 cl Red Vermouth
1 Dash Angostura Bitter
Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into chilled martini or cocktail glass. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

but the Wikipedia Entry also calls exclusively for rye. Looks like either/or is acceptable.

So it shouldn’t be all THAT strange for a place to use rye for their Manhattans right? But i consulted with some of my bartender friends (i have a lot of bartender friends) and they all concurred that Canadian whisky is generally substituted for rye. That could be a byproduct of PLCB (you’re lucky to find one rye in the state stores), or it could even be a local preference (though i don’t think there is a huge Canadian population in Philly). I’m curious to find out if such is the case in other areas of the country.

Then what IS a rye? The Wikipedia entry on rye whiskey says that it is made from a mash that contains at least 51% rye. The rest is usually made up of barley and corn. Seems simple right? Except the entry on Bourbon Whiskey says it is made from a mash that contains at least 51% corn. The rest is usually made up of barley and rye. And Canadian whiskey? Not regulated as far as the amount of rye. They’re all very similar, but different, if you know what i’m sayin. Here’s what Southwark’s collection looks like:

(Photo courtesy of George!)

<–New York Times Article on Rye and its renewed popularity–>

<–Philadelphia Weekly Article on Southwark–>

There’s another factor at work -literally- here. Kip and George, the bartenders. These guys are great. They work really well together and know their stuff. They have a great collection of rye whiskey (probably a dozen) and an even greater collection of friendly regulars. Every time i go in i see somebody i know, meet a friend of a friend or make a new one. Southwark is coincidentally the former name of the neighborhood south of center city. It’s comforting that a neighborhood bar with a neighborhood name has such a neighborhood feel. It’s a local watering hole with bartenders who care enough to do things right and have the cabinet, knowledge, skills and loyal customers to back it up. And it all comes together to make the best Manhattan in Philly.

What i found: Manhattans! The depth and breadth of rye whiskey! A great place to be a regular! (couldn’t find an official site)

Southwark
701 S 4th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 238-1888