Here at VFH Central our
favorite pastime is going out to eat and drink. Exotic locations and local
haunts, anywhere with a primo beer menu or stunning views, or great happy hour
prices on food would be our destination. Like oases in an unforgiving desert we
can map out our progress in life by the bar stools we’ve warmed.
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| our favorite pastime |
Sadly, this pandemic
has not only taken its toll on our travels, but on all our activities closer to
home. Although we can’t let this virus control our lives, we’re smart enough to
know indoor activities can more readily spread COVID. So, indoor eating and
drinking is out.
BEER HERE
Thankfully we live in a mecca for craft beer and many of the area establishments have created outdoor, socially distanced spaces, so with the warm weather we haven’t had to go thirsty.
Nearby Phoenixville,
just five miles away from our place in Collegeville, has been compared to
Asheville North Carolina as a beer destination, which is “heady” praise.
Along the busy two-block
stretch of Bridge Street in his former rust belt burg are several craft
breweries and beer emporiums and a distillery. Some, like Iron Hill have been
there forever, others like Stable 12, Crowded Castle and Conshohocken Brewing
have opened in the last five years. A place like Root Down has two locations;
the main beer hall in the center of town and a beer garden set up in
conjunction with Uncle B’s BBQ at the far end of town.
UNCLE B'S BBQ PHOENIXVILLE
UNCLE B'S BBQ PHOENIXVILLE
It’s a lively scene and
remains so during this pandemic. Bridge Street is closed off from Thursday
afternoon until Monday morning so the brewpubs and restaurants can set up
tables in the street to allow open air dining and drinking and still have
proper social distancing. One would be hard-pressed to have a drink at all the
establishments along this relatively short stretch.
Also, there are several
other craft breweries in the surrounding area. Places like Sly Fox (which is
conveniently located in the same strip mall as my gym), Stick Man Brewery in
Royersford, Tuned Up Brewery in Spring City are all very close, making this
area of the world a little bit of heaven. The craft beer scene in Pennsylvania is
strong.
TROUBLES END?
Recently even
Collegeville got a craft brewery.
Previously we had to drive to one of the
aforementioned brewpubs. Now we can just walk down the street to Troubles End Brewery.
Although they had the great misfortune to first open their doors the week
before the pandemic hit, they have kept their business afloat by offering superb
take-out food and beer and with the warmer weather set up an outdoor eating
area. Picnic tables are set up from their entrance all the way down to the
Perkiomen Trail which is popular with runners and bikers.
Because of the pandemic
they couldn’t brew beer for a time and were limited to 20 guest beers on tap
and several more in cans and bottles. Last week they finally released their
first brew called Sea Change. It’s a bitter, keeping with Troubles End honest approach
to beer and not simply focusing on fruity Double IPAs, although Troubles End did
carry cans of the rare Heady Topper from Vermont during the summer for you hop
heads!
Troubles End has become
a regular Saturday afternoon stop for us and we plan our day around their happy
hour. It starts at 4 pm and it’s $2.00 off beers, excluding specials like Pliny
the Elder (now on tap) or any canned beers. Coupled with good food like
pickle-brine chicken wings or turkey burgers, Troubles End is worth the walk
for us.
So popular is the place
that last week we went there after we had lunch at the Railroad Street Bar in
nearby Linfield in their sunny courtyard. THAT place makes the greatest gourmet
grilled cheese sandwiches and also boasts a fantastic array of beers. While at
the RR we picked up one of their political signs for our meager front lawn.
RAILROAD STREET BAR
Perhaps Troubles End is aptly named and that a vaccine and
subsequent treatment will soon be found for the COVID. We are not sure what adjustments this local brewery and all the other area establishments will make as the colder weather creeps into the northeast, but never fear we will persevere and find a way to enjoy our lives and our favorite pastime. We may freeze our butts off, but we'll be out there....literally.
Thanks for reading. Be safe out there.
