OT: Heading out to a new Gastro Pub

[Hyfi]

Opened just last week in Horsham PA is the Iron Abbey Gastro Pub. This is a full out Soccer Pub with all Micros and Belgians along with Belgian and Portuguese menu.

I'm having a tough time deciding what to have since the list is way extensive. Help me decide.

Iron Abbey Beer Menu

We serve some of the finest beer in the world. We carry more 200 beers 24 of them on draft.

****FEATURED BEERS****

3 Monts Biere De Garde
Refreshing summer drink close to a Saison. Better than most white wines.

Chambly Noire
From our friends at the world famous Unibroue come this delicious dark ale. Surprisingly light for a dark beer, this pairs up with almost any food.

Jenlain Biere De Noel
Biere De Garde 6.8 ABV
Unique flavors abound in this one. Tart, earthy, fruits and caramel come together in this unique offering.

Malheur Cuvee Royale
Biere de Champagne/Biere Brut
Light alcohol with traces of apple, lemon and grain. Perfect for special occasions!

N’Ice Chouffe
Belgian Dark Ale 10 ABV
Big flavor with the alcohol taste up front. Perfect fro warming up on chilly nights.

Sly Fox Ichor
A delicious Quad from Phoenixville. Big flavor, but still smooth and gentle on the palate.

****DRAFT****

Hoegaarden
White Ale Belgium 4.9% ABV
This is one of the most popular witbiers out there. Light, crisp, and refreshing,
try it with an orange or a lemon.

Stella Artois
Pale Lager Belgium 5.2% ABV
You gotta love this beer. It’s light enough to drink more than one,
but has enough going on to enjoy each time.

Leffe Blonde
Pale Ale Belgium 6.6 ABV
Light enough to pass for a wheat beer, this will satisfy almost any thirst.

Victory Golden Monkey
Tripel Downingtown, PA 9.5% ABV
A great intro to the style of Belgian tripels,
enjoying more than one will require a designated driver!

Fullers ESB
ESB England 5.9% ABV
One of the best ESBs (Extra Special Bitter) around.
Don’t be scared of the name, it’s not overly bitter.

Rogue Dead Guy
Maibock Oregon, USA 6.5% ABV
A staff favorite. Definitely a good beer anytime, anywhere.

Guinness Stout
Stout Dublin, Ireland 4.2% ABV
It’s okay to drink it even though it’s not March 17th.

Lindeman’s Framboise
Lambic Belgium 4% ABV
Delicious raspberry concoction. Mix it with Hoegaarden for a "Dirty Ho".

Sam Adams Seasonal
To Be Determined

La Fin Du Monde

Dogfish 90 Minute IPA
Double IPA Milton, DE 9% ABV
If it weren’t for it’s high alcohol content, you could drink this one all day.

Russian River

Sly Fox

Chimay Cing Cents
Tripel Belgium 8% ABV
The Holy grail of beer.

Yuengling Lager
Lager Pottsville, PA 4.4% BV
Do we really need to explain this one, do we?

St. Bernardus Abt12
Quadrupel Belgium 10.5% ABV
Definitely a sipper, this full bodied Quad would go great with dinner.

Ommegang 3 Philosophers
Quad Cooperstown, NY 9.8% ABV
Just a little Cherry Lambic separates this from other Quads.

Stoudts Festbier
Oktoberfest Adamstown, PA 4.75% ABV
A microbrewery before microbrewery’s were cool. Still one of the best around.

Weyerbacher

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale
Saison Cherry Hill, NJ 4.6% ABV
A light drinking summer that goes down with barely a second thought.
Worthy of a try.

Sierra Nevada Porter
Chico, CA

Saison Dupont
Saison Belgium 6.5% ABV
Similar to the Flying Fish, this is great for those Spring days.

Yards ESA
Extra Special Ale Philadelphia, PA 6.3% ABV
Our favorite beer from the brewery right around the corner.

Miller Lite or Carlsberg

****MAGNUMS****

Chimay Cinq Cents (white)
Chimay Grande Reserve (Blue)
Chimay Premiere (Red)
Chouffe-bok
Duvel 3l
Moinette Blond
Ommegang Abbey Dubbel
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang 3 philosopers
Russian River Damnation
Sly Fox Incubus
Sly Fox Rte 113 IPA
Stone Arrogant Bastard
Stone Porter
La Terrible
Maudite
La Trappe Quad
Rogue 12PA
Victory V12

****BELGIAN/BELGIAN STYLE ALES****

Belgians ales were initially brewed to compete with German Pilsners during WWII. They’re a little different than other ales, being less bitter and using malts to lend a sweetness to the flavor. Some have natural spice flavors from the yeast and hops, while others have spices added during the brewing process.

Affligem Blonde
Light and citrusy with a hint of rosemary. 7%ABV

Belzebuth Strong Pale Ale
BIG flavored beer that comes in at an eye opening 13% ABV.

Chimay Grande Reserve
Gentle, creamy flavor with a clean finish. 9%ABV

Chouffe Hommelbier

Dogfish Head Raison D’etra
Not a session beer at all, strong and nutty with a sweet, thick mouthfeel.

Duvel
Light with lots of spices. 8.5% ABV

Duvel 3L

Kasteel Donker
A sweet flavor with a tart aroma. 11% ABV

Maredsous 6
Nice fruit flavor with grassy hops. Very drinkable. 6% ABV

Moinette Blond
Light and Flowery, a delicious little known secret. 8.5% ABV

Ommegang Rare Vos
Vary balanced beer with a full body. 6.5 ABV

Orval
Tastes of banana and clove make this one of the world’s best beers. 6.9% ABV

Pauwel Kwak
Hints of spice layer on top of fruits and molasses sugar. 8% ABV

Rochefort 6
Medium body with complex tastes. 4.5% ABV

Rochefort 8
Silky smooth beer than compares favorably with Chimay Blue. 9.2% ABV

Russian River Damnation
Highly carbonated and velvety smooth. An excellent offering. 7% ABV

La Terrible
Very well balanced beer from Unibroue. 10.5% ABV

Maudite
Pepper, spices and wheat compare favorably with fruits. 8% ABV


****DUBBELS****

Dubbles are noted for their rich, malty flavor.
You can notice traits of caramel from the crystal malt or even dark candy sugar.


Aachel 8

Affligem Dubbel
Mild flavors that make this standard very drinkable. 7% ABV

Chimay Premiere
Simple and smooth, one of the most well known Belgians there is. 7% ABV

Corsendonk Brown Ale
Very smooth, a fine example of what a Dubbel should be. 7.5% ABV

Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel
One of the best beers for such a low price. 7.3% ABV

La Trappe Dubbel
Complex and very well balanced. 6.5% ABV

Maredsous 8
Medium bodied and highly carbonated. 8% ABV

Ommegang Abbey Dubbel
Another classic offering from the New York Brewery8.5% ABV

****TRIPELS****

The name Tripel comes from the brewing process, when brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a strandard Trappist beer. This process gives a bright color and a complex flavor. Pale malts and a high alcohol content give these beers a sweet flavor.


Chimay Cinq Cents
Spicy and fruity, a great introduction to the style. 8% ABV

Corsendonk Abbey Pale Ale
Seems like all the flavors come together in this one: sweet, bitter, spicy, and malty. 7.5% ABV

Golden Carolus
Refreshing beer with tastes of wheat, Muscat grapes and sour yeast. 9% ABV

Kasteel Tripel
High alcohol makes this a sipping beer. 11% ABV

La Fin Du Monde
Very light beer with spices abound. Thanks Unibroue! 9% ABV

La Chouffe
A little hopper than most Belgians. 8% ABV

La Trappe Tripel
Darker and more earthy than other triples. 8% ABV

Maredsous 10
Not too sweet, and just a little acidic. 10% ABV

Merry Monks
Lots of fruity yeast, malt and clove with a touch of peppery spice. 9.3% ABV

Sly Fox Incubus
Easy drinking beer despite it’s high alcohol count. 10.3% ABV

Urthel Hibernus Quentum
Mild and sweet but with a kick at the end. 9% ABV

Witkap
Dry and medium bodied. Dangerously addictive!7.5% ABV

****QUADRUPELS****

Darker than the others, the flavor of the Quads are much bolder and
even higher in alcohol. They are full bodied with a rich, malty taste.

La Trappe Quadrupel
Dark fruits, plum and cherries add to the flavor of this beer. 10% ABV

Ommegang 3 Philosophers
A touch of cherry lambic separates this beer from the pack.
Quite possibly the best beer from this amazing brewery. 9.8% ABV

Rochefort 10
High alcohol, but still smooth. 11.3% ABV

Scaldis
Malty and sweet with a touch of alfalfa. 12% ABV

Urthel Samaranth Quadrium Ale
Great beer that’s sweeter than most Quads. 12% ABV

Victory V12
Great American take on the Belgian style. 12% ABV

Weyerbacher Quad
High alcohol, but light taste makes it seem like a tripel. 12.2% ABV


****SAISONS****

This style of beer was traditionally brewed in the harsh winter to be drank during the long Summer months. These beers are not too sweet, but come with a lot of flavor. They make a wonderful alternative to Wheat beers during the dog days of the season.

Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale
Light tasting beer perfect for the Spring or Summer. 4.6% ABV

Saison DuPont
Light taste with a floral bouquet. 6.5% ABV

Ommegang Hennepin
Bit of a sour taste, but still very drinkable. 7.7% ABV


****PILSENERS****

The Pilsner style is light in color and flavor. A spicy bitterness dominates the flavor for a smooth, crisp taste. A lot of these beers make for good “session beers” and are perfect for settling in and watching the game on TV.


Amstel Light Netherlands 3.5% ABV
Brahma Bier Brahma
Budweiser USA 5% ABV
Bud Light USA 4.2% ABV
Carlsberg Denmark 5% ABV
Coors Light USA 4.2% ABV
Czechvar Czech Republic 5% ABV
Corona Extra Mexico 4.6% ABV
Grolsch Netherlands 5% ABV
Heineken Netherlands 5% ABV
Labatt’s Blue leaf Canada 5% ABV
Lowenbrau Germany 5.2% ABV
Miller Lite USA 4.17% ABV
Molson Golden Canada 5% ABV
Molson Canadian Canada 5% ABV
Peroni Italy 4.7% ABV
Pilsner Urquell Czech Republic 4.4% ABV
St. Pauli Girl Germany 4.9% ABV
Skol Brazil 4.7% ABV
Victory Prima Pils Downingtown, PA 5.3% ABV

****PORTERS AND STOUTS****

Porter is said to have been popular with transportation workers of Central London, hence the name. Most traditional British brewing documentation from the 1700’s state that Porter was a blend of three different styles: an old ale (stale or soured), a new ale (brown or pale ale) and a weak one (mild ale). These dark beers are surprisingly smooth for such a heavy and complex taste.

The main difference with Stouts is the roasted barley which lends a unique flavor to the beer. There are many different kinds, including Imperial, Oatmeal, and Irish; all with their own unique characteristics. Don’t be afraid to get more than one and compare.


Baltic Thunder
Chocolate mixed with toasted malt and dark fruit. 8.5% ABV

Beamish Stout
Full flavored, just might make you forget about the “other” Irish stout. 4.1 % ABV

Big Black Voodoo Daddy
Coffee and Chocolate are offset by a little vanilla in this Imperial Stout. 12% ABV

Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Well balanced and creamy. 10.6% ABV

Guinness Pub Cans

Guinness Bottles
The legend itself. 4.2% ABV

Young’s Double Chocolate Stout Pub Can
Highly roasted and smoothly sweet. 5.2% ABV

Sierra Nevada Stout
Well balanced stout with notes of dark chocolate. 5.8% ABV

Sierra Nevada Porter
Earthy taste with coffe. 5.6% ABV

Dogfish Head World Wide Stout
Sweet malt and molasses give way to a chocolate flavor. 18% ABV

Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
Tastes of Vanilla blends with chocolate to hide the high alcohol flavor. 12.2% ABV

Murphy’s Stout
Nice and light with espresso and milk chocolate flavor. 4% ABV

Rogue Shakespeare Stout
Bittersweet taste with chocolate and coffee. 6% ABV

Samuel Smith Imperial Stout
Very drinkable stout with a nice balanced aroma. 7% ABV

Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Smooth and sweet. 5% ABV

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter
Roasted espresso flavors with just a hint of acidity. 5% ABV

Sam Adams Honey Porter
Like the name says, porter flavored with honey. 5.45% ABV

Stone Porter

Yuengling Porter

****ALES****

The first style of beer ever made. Top fermenting Yeast is what separates this from the Lager (which uses bottom fermenting Yeast). These beers are clean and hoppy but differ from region to region. You will note subtle differences between the English Ale and the American Ale.

Abita Turbo Dog New Orleans, LA 6.13% ABV
Anchor Liberty Ale San Francisco 6% ABV
Anchor Steam San Francisco 4.9% ABV
Belhaven Scottish Ale United Kingdom 5.2% ABV
Belhaven Wee Heavy United Kingdom 6.5 % ABV
Dogfish Head Indian Brown Ale Milton, DE 7.2% ABV
Green Flash Hop Head Red California 6% ABV
Newcastle Brown Ale United Kingdom 4.7% ABV
Rogue Dead Guy Ale Oregon 6.5% ABV
Sam Adams Boston Ale Boston, MA 4.94% ABV
Stone Arrogant Bastard California 7.2% ABV
Tetley’s English Ale United Kingdom 5% ABV
Yards ESA Philadelphia, PA 6.3% ABV
Yards Thomas Jefferson Ale Philadelphia, PA 8% ABV


****PALE ALES****

A ramped up version of the Ale, these are crisper and hoppier than the Ale.

Bass Pale Ale United Kingdom, 5% ABV
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Chico, CA 5.6% ABV
Flying Fish Extra Pale Cherry Hill, NJ 4.7% ABV
Fuller’s London Pale Ale United Kingdom
Fullers ESB United Kingdom 5.9% ABV
Old Speckled Hen Pub Can United Kingdom 5.2% ABV
Petrus Aged Pale
Piraat Pale ale Belgium 9% ABV
Samuel Smith Old Brewery Pale Ale United Kingdom 5% ABV
Shipyard Chamberlain Pale Ale Maine 4.9% ABV
Shipyard Export Pale Ale Maine 5% ABV
Shipyard Old Thumper Extra Special Maine 5.9% ABV
Uinta Angler Pale Ale Utah 5.8% ABV
Wolaver’s Organic Pale Ale Vermont 5.8% ABV

****INDIA PALE ALES****

When English settlers went looking for the Indies, they needed to preserve their beer for the long voyage. This meant the addition of a massive amount of hops imparting that bitter flavor and cold, crisp finish. Even though we don’t need as much hops for preservation, the beer tasty enough to stick around. This is the style that Hop-heads dream about.

Dogfish Head 60 Min. IPA Milton, DE 6% ABV
Dogfish Head 90 Min. IPA Milton, DE 9% ABV
Dogfish Head 120 Min. IPA Milton, DE 21% ABV
Green Flash West Coast IPA California 7% ABV
Hops Infusion Easton, PA 6.2% ABV
Longtrail IPA Vermont 5.9% ABV
Magic Hat Lucky Kat Vermont 5.8% ABV
Rogue 12PA Oregon 9.2% ABV
Sly Fox Rte. 113 IPA Phoenixville, PA 7% ABV


****WHEAT BEERS****

These light crisp beers are perfect for the Summer. Notes of coriander, banana, and cloves take the edge for a delicious flavor. There is much debate as to the addition of a lemon or orange wedge to the brew. Some feel it enhances the flavor…while others find it an insult to the brewer’s creation. It’s your decision, we won’t judge.

Ayinger Brau Weisse Germany 5.1% ABV
Blue Moon Colorado 5.4% ABV
Frankziskaner Hefeweizen Germany 5% ABV
Franziskaner Dunkelweizen Germany 5% ABV
Hacker Pschorr Weisse Germany 5.5% ABV
Hoegaarden Belgium 4.9% ABV
Magic Hat Circus Boy Vermont 5% ABV
Paulaner Hefe-weizen Germany 5.5% ABV
Tucher Hefe Weizen Germany 5.35% ABV
Widmer Hefeweizen Oregon 4.7% ABV


****LAGERS****

These beers focus more on the malt flavor than the bitter ales.
Popularized in this area by Yunegling, many are surprised to
find there’s more than one Lager out there.

Ayinger Altbairisch Dunkel Germany 5% ABV
Ayinger Jahrlhundert Germany 5.5% ABV
Dominion Lager Virginia 5.6% ABV
Hacker Pschorr Munich Lager Germany 4.9% ABV - Kronenbourg France
Paulaner Original Munich Lager Germany 4.9% ABV
Sam Adams Boston Lager Boston, MA 4.75% ABV
Spaten Lager Germany 5.2% ABV
Yuengling Lager Pottsville, PA 4.4% ABV



****BOCK BEERS****

These beers are not for the faint of heart. Originally brewed for German Monks
to sustain themselves during fasting, these beers are heavy and pack a wallop.
Usually dark in color, they blend a nice hop bitterness with a robust malt flavor.



Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
This is the beer that other Doppelbocks try to emulate. Still the best. 6.7% ABV

Chouffe-Bok
Smooth and crisp. 6.5% ABV

Moretti Birra La Rossa
Thick, sweet malty taste. 7.2% ABV

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
Sweet caramel maltiness with a little hop kick at the end. 7.9% ABV

Sly Fox Instigator Doppelbock
Very subtle flavors for a smooth, simple taste. 7.3% ABV

Spaten Optimator
More drinkable than other bock beers due to it’s clean finish. 7.2% ABV


****FRUIT BEERS****

These beers are a creation unto themselves, each coming with their own flavor. Some might deemed too sweet for overimbibing, and might best be served with dessert.

Abita Purple Haze - Raspberry flavored wheat beer 4.2% ABV
Lindemans Peche Belgium 4% ABV
Lindeman’s Pomme Belgium 4% ABV
Lindeman’s Kreik Belgium 4% ABV
Lindeman’s framboise Belgium 4% ABV
Magic Hat #9 Vermont 4.6% ABV
Sam Adams Cherry Wheat - An ale with just a touch of peach flavor 4.6% ABV
Woodchuck Cider Springfield, VT 5% ABV


****BARLEY WINES****

Don’t let the name fool you, this is very much a beer; in fact, it’s quite a strong and intense beer at that. Very high in alcohol, the flavors can vary greatly from beer to beer.
Some are sweet, some are more bitter, but always big on flavor.
Definitely more of a sipping beer, we recommend this
one to go along with your steak.


Blithering Idiot Easton, PA 11.1% ABV
J.W. Lees Harvest ale
Old Foghorn San Francisco, CA 8.8% ABV
Old Horizontal Downingtown, PA 11% ABV
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Chico, CA 9.6% ABV

[bobsticks]

Nice selection. I've enjoyed the offerings from Rogue and you can never go wrong with Samuel Smith, especially the Oatmeal. That said, I love Stella Artois for casual times but the beer-o-the-year might be, surprisingly, Samuel Adams Black Lager. If it's available in the "seasonal offerings" I highly recommend you try it.

[Hyfi]

Nice selection. I've enjoyed the offerings from Rogue and you can never go wrong with Samuel Smith, especially the Oatmeal. That said, I love Stella Artois for casual times but the beer-o-the-year might be, surprisingly, Samuel Adams Black Lager. If it's available in the "seasonal offerings" I highly recommend you try it.

I started off with the 90 Minute IPA on tap followed by the

Affligem Blonde
Light and citrusy with a hint of rosemary. 7%ABV

then after some scrumptious Fish & Chips finished off with

St. Bernardus Abt12
Quadrupel Belgium 10.5% ABV

Whew, I feel good! This is definitely going to be habit forming. Almost as good as Lowlanders in London.

[Finch Platte]

My vote's for Rogue Dead Guy, but I wasn't even about to peruse more than 1/2 that list.

Hope you have a DD!

[bobsticks]

Hope you have a DD!

Yeah, I hope you have a DD as well...

...This one's for Swish...

[MindGoneHaywire]

Chimay Grande Reserve is the best beer I've ever had.

For wheat on this list, Paulaner or Hacker-Pschorr.

Surprised they don't have the Samuel Smith's Organic Lager.

[Swish]

Nice selection. I've enjoyed the offerings from Rogue and you can never go wrong with Samuel Smith, especially the Oatmeal. That said, I love Stella Artois for casual times but the beer-o-the-year might be, surprisingly, Samuel Adams Black Lager. If it's available in the "seasonal offerings" I highly recommend you try it.

...about 15 years ago when it was known as 'Longshot Black Lager' and was an award winner at many tastings. Sam Adams ended up buying them out, which kind of ticked me off, but I guess that's the dream of many small businesses; do well and hope some multi-million dollar company buys you out so you can retire and relax.

[Swish]

Opened just last week in Horsham PA is the Iron Abbey Gastro Pub. This is a full out Soccer Pub with all Micros and Belgians along with Belgian and Portuguese menu.

I'm having a tough time deciding what to have since the list is way extensive. Help me decide.

I was just in that area the last two days and will be sure to stop there on my next visit. I'm really partial to the hoppy stuff, so I love the Dogfish Head IPAs, Rogue is nice, Sly Fox does a nice IPA too. Fuller's ESB is another good one. I was at a Fuller's 'Cask Tasting' in a town by the name of Lititz (that's pronounced lit-its for those of you with jaded minds), and the London Pride was as good as I remember whilst enjoying it from a cask in London, and the ESB was excellent as well.

[Hyfi]

I was just in that area the last two days and will be sure to stop there on my next visit. I'm really partial to the hoppy stuff, so I love the Dogfish Head IPAs, Rogue is nice, Sly Fox does a nice IPA too. Fuller's ESB is another good one. I was at a Fuller's 'Cask Tasting' in a town by the name of Lititz (that's pronounced lit-its for those of you with jaded minds), and the London Pride was as good as I remember whilst enjoying it from a cask in London, and the ESB was excellent as well.

I work 5 minutes from the place. Why were you in the area? Maybe next time we could meet up.

[Swish]

I work 5 minutes from the place. Why were you in the area? Maybe next time we could meet up.

...but we were all over Montgomery, Bucks, and Delaware County the last couple days. I'll be going back to visit her down the road, but probably not until summertime. I'll give you a holler next time I head back.

[richmon]

Holy braincell batman, that's an impressive list of elixers, have tried quite a few on that list,
you might try looking up the reviews on www.beeradvocate.com for insight. Beer is so subjective, but my favorites on that list are..
Yards ESA
La Chouffe -especially delicious if on tap
Leffe Blond
Young’s Double Chocolate Stout Pub Can -creamy + chocolatey

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter -
Belhaven Wee Heavy
Frankziskaner Hefeweizen
Franziskaner Dunkelweizen
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
Spaten Optimator

[Hyfi]

Holy braincell batman, that's an impressive list of elixers, have tried quite a few on that list,
you might try looking up the reviews on www.beeradvocate.com for insight. Beer is so subjective, but my favorites on that list are..
Yards ESA
La Chouffe -especially delicious if on tap
Leffe Blond
Young’s Double Chocolate Stout Pub Can -creamy + chocolatey

Samuel Smith Taddy Porter -
Belhaven Wee Heavy
Frankziskaner Hefeweizen
Franziskaner Dunkelweizen
Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock
Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
Spaten Optimator

I hope to work through the whole list in time. This place is very similar to the pub in London, Lowlanders.