Tap Check: Nodding Head Update (Kind of) and Yards Cape of Good Hope

Welcome to Tap Check, an occasional update on local beers in and around Philadelphia.

The Internet was all abuzz this morning with a Reddit poster purporting to be SPTR and Sardine Bar owner John Longacre, stating that Nodding Head Brewery was coming to 17th and Snyder, a large warehouse building that Longacre owns. Longacre told several news outlets that it wasn’t true. We knew that, because I came up with the same theory a several months ago. But there are some grains of truth in the connection between Longacre and Nodding Head head-man Curt Decker. Exact details are coming soon.

This Saturday, Yards Brewing is releasing one of my favorite beers of the year. Cape of Good Hope is Yards’ West Coast Double IPA. Each year the recipe changes, but it always worth seeking out. This year’s Cape of Good Hope is made with Ella, Lemondrop, Ahtanum, Motueka, Citra, Chinook and whole flower Columbus hops. It’s being described as having notes of citrus, melon and pine. Can’t wait till Saturday? There’s a sneak peek event tonight at Good Dog. Get there at 5 p.m. for the tapping.

Also of note from Yards Brewing, tickets to Smoke ‘Em If You’ve Got ‘Em are on sale. The brewery’s smoked beer fest are on is set for Sunday, September 13th.

Tonight at Iron Hill West Chester, the brewpub is tapping its Watermelon Wit. Worth seeking out if you’re addicted to 21st Amendment’s Hell or High Watermelon like several people I know.

Spotted in the coolers at the Foodery Rittenhouse, Vault’s nitro cans. We picked up a couple of cans of their Rye Pale Ale. And what do you know, that’s some pretty authentic nitro tasting beer.

Weyerbacher has already released its Imperial Pumpkin beer. It’s already pouring in their Easton tasting room but will be showing up shortly at bars and in stores. Yep, it’s still July and there are pumpkin beers out there. We can’t do anything but shrug.

In the last Tap Check, we mentioned DelCo’s 2SP Brewing was hoping to be up and operational by the end of July. Right now they’re just waiting on their transport license. The brewery will have six core beers, and five specialty brews ready to pour when they get the go ahead.

Did you know the Port Richmond Thriftway has 14 coolers full of bottles of domestic craft and imported beer? There is more than 600 varieties in total. Check out the full list here.

Brewpub and Tasting Room Happenings

A fire in the chimney of the Iron Hill Brewery in Media has the brewpub closed till further notice. NO injuries in the fire.

This week’s award for most out there beer has to go to Tired Hands Brewing. Yesterday the Ardmore brewpub tapped Pineapple Milkshake IPA, an IPA brewed with lactose sugar and oats. The beer is conditioned “atop a copious amount of pineapple purée.”

Crime & Punishment has been open less than a month in Brewerytown, but they’re already expanding their offerings. Tonight they tap a new Farmhouse ale.

Victory’s 7th annual BrewBQ competition happens Saturday, August 1st at Plantation Field in Unionville, PA. Admission is free but there will be items to purchase with straight cash.

Mount Holly, New Jersey’s Spellbound Brewing has 230 riders signed up for its Spellbound Century bike ride, happening this Saturday. Registration is $40 and contributions will help sponsor local programs for adults and children. At the conclusion there will be beer, pizza, water ice and more.

Are you a FIFA ’15 video superstar? Join the Philadelphia Union’s Michael Lahoud on Sunday, August 2nd for a charity xBox FIFA15 tournament at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company. There will be $1,000 in prizes. Benefits go to the Schools for Salone and the Mike Lahoud and Kei Kamara School in Sierra Leone.

The rules governing tasting rooms in New Jersey are bizarre (must be educational, no food) but that hasn’t stopped breweries from creating chill spaces. Check out the patio at Cape May Brewing.

Mark your calendar, Thursday, August 6th is IPA Day. Expect lots of hoppy happenings.

See you next time at Tap Check.

Want to be featured in the next Tap Check, let us know what’s coming down the pipes by emailing tips@foobooz.com.