Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Devils Backbone Comes to Philadelphia





Recently I heard that Devils Backbone Brewing Company was coming into the Philadelphia market.I was excited to hear this because I had already heard of the brewery and was curious to try more of their beer. The first beer I ever had from Devils Backbone was a collaboration between Ninkasi and Devils Backbone. The beer was called Devil Went Down to Oregon, it was a Imperial Dark Rye beer on tap at Time Whiskey Bar in Center City, Philadelphia. Then I was introduced to some of their beers at the Philly Beer Fest in January. I was sampled two of their beers at the beer fest and I really enjoyed them. First beer I sampled was the Kilt Flasher and the other beer I tried was the Vienna Lager. I talked to one of the Sales Managers at the Beer Fest and I explained that I was a beer blogger. We discussed the possible events that would be upcoming, one was a beer dinner at a local bar. As the event became closer and I was unable to attend, we discussed the events after the beer dinner. I had a great time attending the events and getting to know the Devils Backbone group/beers. 



Beers from Philly Beer Fest


Alcohol by Volume or ABV of the Brews


Before I explain all the events I attended let's dive into the history and where the brewing company is from. Devils Backbone Brewing Company is located in Lexington and Roseland, Virginia. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania it is a five hour drive if you want to make the trip. Time to dive into the history of Devils Backbone. 



Map of the Region with Devils Backbone Location

Devils Backbone Brewing Company was founded by Steve and Heidi Crandall. The idea of craft beer was introduced to them while on vacation in Cortina, Italy, where they were introduced to a German brew Weihenstephan. The seed had been planted about craft beer and it had started to grow into idea of Devils Backbone. The more they traveled the more the began to realize and notice craft beer exposure and its link to the great outdoors. It was a commonality for most outdoors destinations. The brewpub was part of the fabric of the area. Knowing this helped push the idea for a brewpub in the Nelson County Region in Virginia.  

The name "Devils Backbone" is unique and has a history to the region. They wanted to incorporate the name into modern culture. The name was coined On September 25, 1746, eight years before the French and Indian War, a party of forty set out from Bear Fence Mountain in the Blue Ridge on one of the most legendary land surveys in American history. They had already spent two-weeks charting various wild rivers to find the true “Headspring of the Rappahannock,” its point-of-beginning as decreed by King George.  According to a journal entry from Thomas Lewis, a surveyor of the territory; “Friday, October 3rd … Thence 604 poles to the top of Devils Backbone to a Chestnut Oak we marked 31 miles. This day several of the horses had like to been killed, tumbling over rocks and precipices, and we ourselves were often in utmost danger. This terrible place we called Purgatory …”



Tap List for Tap Takeover at Isaac Newton's in Newtown, PA


Now onto the Launch Week events that I attended while Devils Backbone was visiting the Philadelphia Area. I had the pleasure of meeting the crew of Devils Backbone while they were at Isaac Newton's in Newtown, Pennsylvania. I was introduced to some of the beer representatives from the Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Manhattan areas. It was great getting to introduce myself and getting to know what their favorite beer from Devils Backbone. Devils Backbone did a Tap Takeover at Isaac Newton's with the support from Gretz Beer Company. Who is going to be distributing them in the region. For me, it was a highlight when I was able to talk to Heidi Crandall about beers and favorite styles. Another highlight was when I talked to the brewer Josh and we talked about homebrewing/ favorite styles of beers. I was introduce to the both of the Devils Backbone Philadelphia reps, John and Caitlin. I ran into some of the representatives from Gretz Beer Company and caught up with them.  There was a photobooth and a button maker at the tap takeover. Overall, I thought the Tap Takeover went over really well and a lot of people attended this particular launch week event. 



Devils Backbone Brewing Company and Gretz Beer Company 



Gold Leaf Lager- Golden Lager
4.5% ABV and IBU 17 


Personal Favorite - Black Lager German Style Schwarzbier 
5.1% ABV and IBU 22


UK IPA 19th Century English IPA
6.7 ABV and 60 IBU


Jubilee Launch Week Tap Takeover List 
Isaac Newton's  


Above are some of the brews I tried at the Tap Takeover as part of the Philly Launch Week for Devils Backbone Brewing Company. I was also able to try the Juniper IPA that was made with Juniper berries and gin botanicals. Since I had tried the Kilt Flasher at the Philly Beer Fest as well as the Vienna Lager, I made sure I tried new beers. The interesting thing that I found was that I did not have a bad beer that night. Even as I am not a big India Pale Ale fan, I found that I could enjoy the Juniper IPA and the UK IPA. 


I was able to attend another beer launch week Jubilee event in Royersford, Pennsylvania. There was live music and another tap takeover. It was at the Creekside Sports Bar and Grill. Another event that had a great turnout in my opinion. I ran into a friend and his wife at this event. I began talking about the event at Isaac Newton's, since he worked for Gretz Beer Company. I got myself a Black Lager, since I enjoyed it so much at Isaac's. While I was at the event I made myself a button bottle opener  


Devils Backbone Brewing Company


View of dance floor from the bar at Creekside 


Grabbing a pint of Devils Backbone


There were a few more events in the Launch Week that I wished I had been able to go to but was not able to make. First was the Beer Dinner with Josh French. Beer Dinner with a brewer sounds like something that would have been cool and unique. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this event, but from what I heard about the event and the food was only great things. I later met Josh at the event at Isaac Newton's, so you could say it ended up working out. Then there was another Tap Takeover that had happened at City Tap House in University City.  Another event with live music was the event in Ardmore, PA, which was at the Ardmore Music Hall. The event featured Mo Lowda and the Humble + Rad & Kell. 


From what I saw I think Devils Backbone is going to do pretty well coming into the Philadelphia Market.  Here is a Link to the Philly Launch Week Page: PA Launch. If you are in Delaware and New Jersey make sure you are on the look out for events near you. 

Two Tap Takeover in Delaware in April. Rehoboth April 19th, Trolley Taphouse April 20, Dewey Beach Grill Brewfest April 22nd. 

New Jersey- April 1st, ATLANTIC CITY BEER FEST,  March 29th EGG HARBOR TAP TAKEOVER AND CAPE MAY TAP TAKEOVER


It was great meeting some of the Devils Backbone Family. John, Derik, Kerry, Caitlin, Steff, Heidi, and Josh. Great seeing a Brewing Company from Virginia expanding out its reach into areas where they were not before. I am all for sampling and expanding craft beer. 


Check out some of the events going on in states where Devils Backbone is expanding their reach: 





Check out Devils Backbone Brewing Company out on their website and social media: 









  







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