Philadelphia Brewing Co.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Brewing Co. has been brewing beer in the Kensington section of Philadelphia for nearly seven and a half years. Their line of ales became available in March of this year.
ABV: 5.5
ABW: 4.4
Color: 18
Bitterness: 25
Original gravity: 1052
Russet red color. Gently sweet (especially on the nose) and creamy, with layered notes of butterscotch, caramel toffee and black cherry. Toasted malt and rye grit emerge on the palate and contribute texture and balance, with a lovely dried citrus and spice finish to balance the sweetness. So much character for a beer of 5% ABV. Thirst quenching enough to drink on its own, but also a versatile food beer. For these reasons, it’s worth keeping a couple bottles in the fridge.
Unlike many, if not most, “red” ales, this one actually has a blush of deep crimson to it, albeit within a generally brownish hue. The nose is attractive, too, with a rich cherry-like fruitiness and background notes of brown spice and faint pumpernickel bread. On the palate, the fruit comes forth first in a berry-toffee maltiness, but that’s quickly overtaken and overwhelmed by a bitter, nutty and a touch tannic hop that develops into a similarly styled finish. I’d be happy serving this with burgers off the backyard grill, but would like greater malt balance if I’m to sip it solo on the front stoop.
John Hansell is an equal-opportunity drinker. He writes about beer, wine and spirits. He is the creator, publisher & editor of Malt Advocate, a magazine for the whisky enthusiast.
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.
