Rich Pawlak

Monk's has declined to participate in any Book and The Cook events, owing to a dispute with the organizers, and so has not been a stop on the Tours these past 2 years. Previously, it was our initial, lunch stop.

Debarking at The Standard Tap, with driver Chris Holst (cdh on eGullet) assessing legal possibilities in traffic. The downstairs bar at The Standard The upstairs "Quiet Bar" at Standard, quiet no longer. Tour Operator Contemplates the 2004 Bataan Death March of Beer Yet another Tour-goer enraptured my the latest Bryson pronouncements. Fun tap handles at The Standard, including the spiky mace, from the short-lived, now-defunct, Savage Brewing Co. of Phila., and the softball trophy figure tap handle of Legacy Brewing's (Reading, PA) Duke of Ale. The always impressive tap-only lineup at The Standard Tap Our stop at the Yards Brewery, located in the restored Weisbrod & Hess brewery in Lower Kensington next stop: The Grey Lodge, the perennial favorite of Tour-goers every year The Grey Lodge lineup, which also included an amazing Whiskey-barrel-aged Scotch Ale from Sly Fox Brewing Co. Bryson et mob at the Grey Lodge Owner Mike Scotese (Scoats) of the Grey Lodge, with always helpful assistant Pat McGinley. He looks likes he's praying we leave soon. But no one ever wants to leave this place when it's time; it makes the greatest impression year after year, I swear. The stupor finally sets in at the concluding Beer Dinner at Independence Brewpub, or that's just how driver Mike Lazar (c.) always looks. You decide. Grilled Smoked Pork Filet with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Frizzled Onions at the Beer Dinner The most impressive beer-food pairing of the day was this Grilled Salmon over Wilted Spinach with Pineapple Salsa, paired with Independence's floral, fruity, puckery IPA. An astonishing match, and this dish is on the menu there everyday. Run, don't walk to try this pairing. Tour-goers at dinner; in the last pic, Lew Bryson chats with Independence brewer Tim Roberts.

This year's Tours were a lot of fun, with great weather, utterly pleasant tour-goers (from as far away as Kansas, Pittsburgh, upstate NY, Delaware and Maryland), and terrific food and hospitality, covered briefly in today's Philadelphia InquirerFood Section. Between myself and perennial Tour-goer Mike Gates and his nephew, Dave Cook, here are some pics to give you some idea: Debarking from the vans at our initial stop for lunch at Ludwig's Garten. Yes, we even had someone on crutches (!) who felt the overwhelming need to drink beer. She received the Big Brass Ones Award that day. Bellying up and tasting those first beers before lunch Charlie "Mummer" Mayer displaying his obvious passion for the day Some of the 25 taps at Ludwig's Garten The rathskeller bar at Ludwig's, which smelled funky last Saturday, so we high-tailed it to their airier second bar Beer writer Lew Bryson speaking at lunch I'd love to show you our next stop, McGillin's Old Ale House, but on March 13, it was overrun with early St Paddy's Day revelers, and looked and smelled like a college-age mosh pit. I hope to have pics of our March 20 visit to McGillin's soon. Some brave folks wandered in for a bit, but most stayed back at Ludwig's for an additional glass of German joy. We arrive at Mcmenamin's Tavern in Mt. Airy More of the crowd The tap lineup at McMenamin's, which also included that day, 2002 Samichlaus! (from l. to r.) Tavern owner PJ McMenamin, and Lew Bryson's big old butt.

Damn. Sure does take away that 4 Bells argument.

I'm sure they just don't bring it out for YOU.

Beer floats, as we have previously discussed here are an utterly fantastic surprise dessert for a beer dinner or any dinner gathering, actually.

There are plenty of decent beer writers in town, and this is the big city, so I expect the caliber of beer writing to be proportionate. With the wealth of knowledge in this city, Laban could do better homework, period.

The first Golden Age of Beer in Philadelphia Tour this year went very well, a very nice crowd of newbies and some repeaters, and some absolutely incredible beers along the way. I will be posting pics and story soon over on the Beer Forum

Yes , he has done several sidebars and articles,and all of them have been lacking in real understanding of the local beer community, but, more importantly, beer flavor and flavor profiles. All I know is that he's pissed off brewers and beer writers alike. And beer fans that were on my Beer Tour!

Well, goody, Laban responds to criticism, and gives eGullet a plug to boot! Now I wonder if he'll address his woeful beer writing, which was the number one topic of discussion on my annual Beer Tour this past Saturday. He's apparently ruffled a few feathers, but also exposed himself as a beer neophyte in a city of serious beer geeks.

Oh quite true, very little vestige of anything diner-ish, save the one room with counter and stools and booths, and still, relatively un-diner like.

My Polish grandmother's FAVORITE! Here's two other sodas that I've only ever seen in NE PA: Kickapoo Joy Juice (another grapefruity soda) Iron Beer (like Dr, Pepper, but different).

Mastoris (the family name) Diner is the biggest damn diner I've ever experienced, and their food quality alone is worth the trip. The portions for EVERYTHING are enormous, so be forewarned. A dish that contains boneless chicken breasts, for example, will contain at least 3, maybe 4. Paul Bunyan food for sure, and generally expertly cooked. Service staff is top notch, too, well trained and responsive and anticipatory, remarkable in a place of this size and breadth. We probably eat here at least twice a month, a good 25-30 min. drive from our house. Soups are almost always terrific, burgers brobdignagian, and pasta dishes are more like family-style platters. Most of their seafood os also quite good, as are their lamb dishes. Make sure to read the family history placemats; the patriarch of the Mastoris family, Al, has just passed away, so they may be changed since my last visit. If this isnt the best diner in which I've ever eaten (Jenny's Diner on Rte 30, near Lancaster, PA, comes very close), it's in the Top 3.

I stopped into FEDERICI'S in Freehold today, and had a small pie, utterly thin and crispy, almost like lavash bread with toppings; I ahd forgotten how pizzas of this style peculiar to Monmouth County can be a little soupy, but otherwise this was a fine pie, with excellent sauce, appropriate cheese, and very fennel-rich sausage. A real treat.

I wouldn't mind, Rich, but it's just a matter of timing--I'm probably going to be volunteering for beer day at the Penn Museum on the 20th, and I'm going to be occupied this weekend doing something else. Thanks for offering Jimbo, but fortunately, Chris Holst, whom many of us know from DDC and Pizza Club, and the Chef's beer topic, has volunteered to drive this Saturday, and one of this week's tour-goers has volunteered to drive next week! I feel pretty lucky. Looks like we'll make it through another year, and may even have to do a THIRD Tour to accomodate the overflow waiting lists; I'll keep you posted.

Penang is a good show. And the food is exotic and bursts with wild flavors. Try some Roti Tellur (stuffed crepes), Satays, Mee Siam (fine, spicy noodles) Beef or Chicken Randang, Mango Chicken, Spicy Fried Squid, and Kang Kung Bellakang. Spectacular dishes. Of the restaurants you mentioned, Lee How Fook has the best food, especially their hot pot dishes, but little atmosphere. Depends on what you're shooting for, but Penang has the most lively vibe, and is very un-Chinatown in appearance.

Another comparison that serves no purpose. Different styles. Rick

Grab a bottle of Victory Storm King Stout, and then tell me what you think.

Thanks, Rosie! And Kim! And everyone else. But tell me, Rosie, about this Istanbul place!

One should not opine if one has never been to Old Forge.

Thanks all, I have by due diligence to do! I assume 7 Hills is Turkish; and where the HELL is Sophie's Bistro (exactly)?

We're meeting another couple on Friday night, and looking for some suggestions in New Brunswick. Something casual, moderate in price with decent food and drink. Not Old Bay or Harvest Moon, to which we've been previously with mixed results. Thanks!

The ORIGINAL CONEY ISLAND Texas Weiners on Cedar Ave in downtown Scranton, under the railroad trestle. Like stepping back a century, and the dogs are good. As are the Texas Weiners at TEXAS LUNCH, Pittston Ave and Birch St., in South Scranton. VINCE THE PIZZA PRINCE www.vincetheprince.com the fanatically-followed cult pizza, just a few blocks away at 500 Pittston Ave.

I think maybe Old Forge in warmer weather, after we've plumbed more of Philly, and at least attempted a trip to Brroklyn for DeFara's and Garibali's and that place Spumoni Gardens that Lisa Alois is enamored with.

WTG, Jenny! My fave pizza of the lot is the place NOW called Arcaro's, in Taylor. When I was a child (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), it was called Tomeo's, but only the name has changed. The last time I visited Arcaro's though, I found the pizza undercooked. It is a soupier version, though, but when it's ON, it's the damn finest pizza of the bunch. For me, Maxie's is the best I've had in years; I forgot about Salerno's, also very good. A&G sets the standard, but is somewhat different from Maxie's.