OUTSIDE IN

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.

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. 

ASHEVILLE NC BEER

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

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.

PHOENIXVILLE BREWERIES 

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.

TROUBLES END BREWERY COLLEGEVILLE

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.