Tag Archives: Beercats

Happy New Year!

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I hope 2022 is a year filled with lots of brewery visits and good beer!

I know it’s been a while but I’m back. I ended up taking a few months off from brewery visits and beer in general. Shocking I know but I made it through. However, I was able to squeeze in two brewery visits, Bitchin’ Kitten & Old Hights Brewing Company, in the final 10 days of the year and only missed one 2021 Breweries to Visit on the list.

Leading up to Christmas my day drinking buddy was back in town and we were able to find a time to check out Bitchin’ Kitten. Beings we both love cats and beer it was the Purrfect (see what I did there) place to kick back and catch up. Naturally I wore my I Love Cats & Beer hoodie for my first visit to the Kitten. Even though is was my first visit to the brewery it wasn’t my first time enjoying their beer. I was able to try a couple of their beers at an outdoor store tasting back in the Spring of 2021. The brewery only opened their doors a couple of months ago and I like to give new places a bit of time to work out any kinks before I visit.

The brewery is located in the heart of Morrisville, PA and I feel will become an anchor business in the area. Already a distillery opened up down the street and there’s a fun shop, Mandy’s Magick Witch Shop and Healing Center, across the way if you want to do a little shopping before or after beer drinking. As far as parking goes, don’t worry, there’s limited parking on the street out front and a huge parking lot in back of the brewery. The challenge may come finding a place to sit in the brewery beings it’s small and popular.

We happened in on the Thursday before Christmas and the place was hopping. There were two seats at the small bar but we opted to sit out on the beer patio with standing heaters and small fire pits to help keep us warm. Adding to the charm of the patio was Santa going by on the Morrisville Fire Truck. You know this girl was waving and happy to see the big guy! The atmosphere was truly festive!

The patio is dog friendly and has four or five tables and a heater for each table. You can walk to and from the back parking lot via the patio and enter the brewery from the side entrance or walk around to the front. Inside has a rustic, industrial and yet warm feel to it. There’s a mix of high and low top tables plus the small bar. The staff is on their game, friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating. I was impressed with the attention the owners gave to their guests and making sure every thing ran smoothly.

On to the beer! My friend and I both opted for flights. I chose the…

Calt Sidhe: The King of Kats – Dry Irish Stout 4.1% Really one of the smoothest stouts I’ve had in a while and chock full of malty delights.

St. Nick-Claw-Us – Belgian Red Christmas Ale 8% I chose to have it with the sugar rim and it was truly a Christmas treat with strong notes of cherry and other stone fruits that balanced the spices.

English Rose – Mild English Porter 5% This beer was brewed in honor of a foster kitten. Just when I didn’t think I could love this place more I learn they foster cats! You know this Gal is all about animal rescue. #beercats It was a nice robust porter full of roasted goodness, malts and a hint of caramel.

Dewclaw – West Coast Style IPA 6% Yay, a West Coast IPA! So happy when there is a non hazy option. The Dewclaw had the hops you expect but they were nicely balanced by the malts which resulted in an enjoyable but not over powering bitter finish.

The beer list was pretty diverse and in addition offered a New England IPA, a sour, German wheat, a few hard ciders plus hand crafted cocktails. The Kitten also serves food and is meat, vegan and vegetarian friendly. We opted to share the Charcuterie Tray which was beautifully presented, larger than expected and accompanied the beer perfectly.

It was really a fun evening and I look forward to visiting Bitchin’ Kitten soon and watching them grow. They have already built an impressive following and came in 3rd place for Best Taproom in PA after being open only two short months. Bitchin’ Kitten ~ FB ~ IG

Stay tuned to read about my end of year visit to Old Lights Brewing Company.

Tis the Season

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Worried about empty shelves this holiday season? Looking for unique gifts for your beer loving friends and family? Wanting to #shopsmall? This Gal has you covered! Just click on the G.B.G. Store link and get your holiday shopping done! Don’t wait until the last minute…leave time for shipping.

Beer themed earrings, hoodies, hats, magnets, pins, stickers and more available at the GeekyBeerGal Store!

Can we please have Spring before Summer

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I just received an email from a brewery, I shall not name, that Summer Beers are out and We’re ready for Summer. It’s March 19! The jump on seasonal beers seems to be in strict competition with stores decorating for Christmas in September. I want to enjoy my Spring beer styles first, like Starkbiers, before the marketing of summer beer begins. After all Starkbiers have such a wonderful history and shouldn’t be over looked.

Sal

Monks originally started brewing Starkbier to help them through Lent since the monks couldn’t consume any food but could drink. So they brewed a beer that was packed with nutrients and calories. Starkbier translated is strong beer and known as Doppelbock. I would love to see more breweries brewing this style. In 1629 Paulaner monks brewed the first batch – Salvator. Just so happens one of this Gal’s #beercats is named after Paulaner Salvator.

The citizens of Munich heard of this amazing beer but because of laws could not partake. These laws were changed so the monks could share the beer with the people of Munich and thus this was the start of drinking Starkbier during Lent. Germany being Germany created a whole festival around this beer and Starbier Fest was born. Of course, in modern times they now eat during Lent but the tradition of brewing & celebrating Starkbier lives on.

This Gal had the pleasure of traveling to Germany during Starkbier Fest many moons ago. It was an amazing trip which one day I’ll write about. I was drinking Starkbier all over Munich and to this day it’s one of my fav beers and truly my favorite beer season. So I don’t want to see it glossed over. I mean who doesn’t love a German Beer Hall packed to the rafters with folks swinging their liters of beer while singing Joan Jett’s I Love Rock N’ Roll?! If you can picture that then you have a good idea how much fun Starkbier Fest is.

I really didn’t plan on writing about Starkbier or the Fest and I feel enjoy what you want when you want. You want a pumpkin beer in July go for it. I just don’t want to hear how the Fall pumpkin season is here when it’s July 10 or how it’s Summer Beer Season on March 19.

Cheers,
G.B.G.