Beer of the Week

The beer: Caramel Cookie Bar

The brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, New York

Description (from the website): "Satisfy your sweet tooth! Milk chocolate and gooey caramel wrap around sweet cookie for a smooth taste of your favorite candy bar. Take a break from ordinary and taste something so crave-worthy, one is never enough!"

Would I buy it again? Is it really a surprise that Southern Tier hit again with this imperial stout. They do such a good job making these beers feel distinct from each other. There's caramel here, but also some chocolate. But in terms of flavor, that's it; a lot of imperial stouts struggle with too many flavors, a problem which this beer avoids. I would definitely buy this beer again; just a warning though, at 10%, you probably don't want to have more than one in a night.

Review: Walnut Lane Golf Club (Part 2)

It's time to check out the back nine at Walnut Lane, go here to see the front.

The tenth hole is 340 yards and tumbles dramatically downhill. The hole bends slightly left and narrows as it descends, with dense forest encroaching on both sides. You can use driver here, but unless you have a reliable draw, there isn't much room for error. A long iron or fairway wood is plenty, and is probably preferable. The green here slopes from front to back and is cut off from the fairway by some rough and low mounding, making an aerial approach necessary. So while you can get within 50 yards of this green, the second shot will almost certainly not stop anywhere near the hole. The higher you can get that approach shot, the more likely you'll be able to stop it near the hole.

The tenth hole. It's a little tough to believe this is within Philadelphia city limits.

The tenth green.

The eleventh hole is 140 yards but plays dramatically uphill, with the green perched on the edge of a small cliff leading down into dense forest. Trees also overhang from the left; that left-hand hole location you see in the pictures was all but inaccessible for me with a pitching wedge in hand. Maybe some people can draw their wedges 15 yards, but I can't. The green at least is on the larger side and sloped from right to left. Just don't miss left, and you should be fine.

The eleventh hole.

The eleventh green.

The twelfth hole is 335 yards and wraps around forest and the same deep ravine from the previous hole. The fairway is tilted hard from right to left and climbs up and over a hill, then dips down before rising back up to the green, which is on its own isolated shelf. There's a big dropoff behind, and a very deep bunker to left. This is a really good hole, as you can play safely with a long iron out to the right, leaving yourself a fairly long and potentially semi-blind second, use a fairway wood to try and reach the highest, flattest part of the fairway, or bend a driver around the trees, catching the downslope and getting yourself within 50 yards of the green (albeit you'll have a tough, steeply uphill pitch shot). The green is sloped from back right to front left and has a mild false front (the grass is too long for balls to run fully down the hill, but the idea is there).

The twelfth hole.

The twelfth green.

The thirteenth hole is 135 yards, making it Walnut Lane's shortest hole. It's also kind of weird. It plays straight up a hill to a tiny green tucked between a pair of bunkers in front, the road behind and to the right, and forest left. The green is highest along the center line and falls away on either side. My big issue here is that the margin for error on the tee shot is just so small, even with the hole's modest length. The fence marking the OB line is less than 10 feet from the back edge of the green and the bunkers short necessitate a fully aerial approach. It's just not a comfortable tee shot.

The thirteenth green.

The thirteenth green.

The fourteenth hole is 160 yards and is a fine but pretty unremarkable par 3. It plays over relatively flat ground, the green is pretty flat, and the two bunkers on either side present a fair but pretty typical challenge. Nothing here to write home about.

The fourteenth hole.

The fourteenth green.

The fifteenth hole is a 340-yard par 4 that plays from a high tee down to a fairway that turns hard from left to right. OB in the form of a major road follows the same curve, which makes hitting driver a dangerous proposition. It is very easy to fly through the fairway into oncoming traffic. A long iron or fairway wood is much safer, and will still get you within wedge range. The approach is slightly uphill to a shallow, elevated green with two bunkers left.

The fifteenth hole.

The fifteenth green.

The sixteenth hole is 150 yards and plays gently downhill to the most well-bunkered green on the course. There are three bunkers long and one short left. In addition, this green is sloped hard from back to front, and is incredibly slippery, even if you're putting/chipping up the hill. Like the fourteenth, this hole isn't particularly revolutionary, but it's decent enough.

The sixteenth hole.

The seventeenth hole is a very long par 3, playing 235 yards through a narrow chute of trees to a large green. It does play downhill, which slightly mitigates the distance. Still, for a course this short it does feel a bit more like a short par 4. There's OB left, but beyond that, no real trouble other than overhanging trees.

The seventeenth hole.

The seventeenth green.

The eighteenth hole is 360 yards and plays to a blind fairway up on a plateau. The fairway is reasonably wide, which makes this a rare opportunity to use driver; the driver I hit here was just the second of the day. A bunker cuts into the fairway about 50 yards short of the green, but unless you're a professional golfer or close to it, you really don't have to worry about it on the drive. Far more people hit into on their second or third shots, I suspect. If you hit a good drive, the second shot will be a little wedge to a small green tilted noticeably from right to left. No bunkers around this green, though the left side is quite slippery and golf balls will easily run off. Overall, I think it's a decent finishing hole.

The blind tee shot on 18.

The eighteenth green.

Walnut Lane may only possess two-thirds the length of your standard 18-hole golf course, but don't let that deceive you into thinking there's nothing of interest here. The lack of length certainly does hold it back, but that doesn't stop holes like the fifth, ninth, tenth, and twelfth from being genuinely good holes. Plenty of golf courses don't come close to Walnut Lane in terms of strategic interest. And most golf courses don't have a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant (the equivalent of a Michelin star for restaurants people can actually afford to go to) literally a block away. Dalessandro's is a cheesesteak staple, and a round at Walnut Lane feels incomplete without indulging in a Philadelphia classic.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the drawbacks to Walnut Lane. The weekend walking rate is over $50, and that's kind of a lot for a par 62 golf course that's in typical municipal playing condition. Plus, while its great that such a beginner-friendly golf course exists in Philadelphia for all to enjoy, it does mean that Walnut Lane attracts a wide and ample crowd. I played on a day after a big rain, with no carts allowed on the course. I figured that would make for a recently quick round. No, it took nearly 4.5 hours to finish. And for this course? That's simply not acceptable or any fun at all. 

So then, what's the final verdict? Walnut Lane is a fun course, and if I were guaranteed a 3-hour round, I'd happily play it again. But I just don't see a world where that can practically happen. Which is unfortunate, seeing as it's less than a mile away. I'd play with friends if they wanted, but I wouldn't come here on my own again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: House Stout

Brewed by: Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York

Description (from the website): "House Stout is a seasonal expression crafted in harmony with the rhythms of upstate New York. This classic dry stout is light and smooth, with layers of roasted malt and a hint of smokiness, reminiscent of the classic sugar houses that populate the hills of the Adirondacks. Gently rounded by a touch of sweetness, a result of secondary conditioning using maple syrup sourced locally from the Upstate New York Maple Syrup Collective. House Stout pays tribute to the annual sugaring season, when sap is transformed into one of our region's most sought-after and cherished gifts. Maple conditioning adds nuance and depth, finishing with a lingering maple note that complements the stout’s roasty character. Ommegang House Stout is our ode to the forest, sugar shacks, and timeless craft that makes this season so special."

Would I buy it again? The maple finish adds a lot to this beer, giving a nice subtle bit of welcome sweetness to what would otherwise be a pretty dry and smoky stout. Not that I don't like that sort of beer, but the maple gives it a real drinkability that you don't always see. I would definitely but this beer again. 

Review: Walnut Lane Golf Club (Part 1)

One of the major benefits of moving to Philadelphia back in April was access to an entirely new realm of golf courses. Central Maryland and Pennsylvania were tapped out, and while I've certainly played some courses in the greater Philadelphia region, I've hardly scratched the surface on what Golf Digest referred to as the most underrated golf city in the country. I don't know if the city that can claim both Merion and Pine Valley as its own counts as "underrated," but by any standard, Philadelphia is a great place to play golf.

We start off our Philly golf journey with a humble executive course tucked into the northwest corner of the city, perched above Wissahickon Creek Park. Walnut Lane was built in 1940 by Alexander Findlay, making it one of, if not the last golf course he was involved with over his 45-year golf course design career. It's a par 62 and barely tips over 4,500 yards, so if you're expecting a stern design, look elsewhere. The longest hole here is 370 yards, making Walnut Lane a true beginner-friendly course, open and welcoming to all. But is there anything here to interest the serious golfer? Let's find out.

The first hole is 325 yards and not the most interesting hole in the world. It's dead straight, and beyond the lines of trees closely guarding the fairway, no hazards either. Okay, technically there's OB left of the trees, but the trees are there to keep golf balls from getting that far, so it barely counts. Anyway, while you certainly could hit driver here, the narrowness of the playing corridor strongly precludes that choice. A long iron or fairway wood is the smarter play, and will still get you within wedge distance for your second shot. The green here, like many greens at Walnut Lane, is medium sized and, while not flat, doesn't have anything particularly exciting going on. 

The first hole.

The first green.

The second hole is 195 yards and plays slightly downhill to a green sloped fairly significantly from back to front. There is more OB long and left, but it's pretty tough to get to. Beyond that, there's really not much to this hole.

The second hole.

The second green.

The third hole is 320 yards and thankfully has a little bit more going on. The tee shot is blind, heading up to a plateau fairway that bends left about 250 yards out. If you want to hit driver, you need to either hit a big draw or stick very close to the left tree line. A long iron or fairway wood out to the dogleg itself will leave you with a wedge from a flat stance; going much further will result in a stance with the golf ball noticeably above your feet. The green is, again, not particularly exciting, but the back right to front left slop is definitely not something to be taken lightly either. Long putts will have several feet of break.

The third hole.

The third green.

The fourth hole is a 230-yard par 3 playing downhill, and while that length makes the hole challenging on its own, a few things conspire to make this feel even more difficult. Because the entire hole slopes from left to right, any sort of fade or slice is doomed to bounce well away from the green. If you don't have a draw (or at the very least, confidence in your mid to long irons), you might honestly be better off playing this hole as a short par 4. Lay up 30 to 50 yards short and chip on. The green is sloped significantly from back left to front right. Four is honestly a completely reasonable score here.

The fourth hole.

The fourth green.

The fifth hole is 200 yards and is what I'd call Walnut Lane's first really good hole. This mid-length par 3 crosses a valley, with the small green perched on the far side. Two large bunkers guard the left side, and a large tree protects the right. The green itself is pretty heavily sloped and actually falls away slightly toward the back, making precision very important. With tree branches encroaching from both sides, a little draw is the best shot to hit here. End up short, and you may fall back down the hill significantly. This hole feels a lot like something you'd see at a Donald Ross course, which is a good thing.

The fifth hole.

The sixth hole is 175 yards and is ever so slightly similar to a reverse Redan. The semi-blind green slopes gently from left to right, and there's a deep grass bunker guarding the front-right section. A gentle fade played around that pit is the best shot to play here. This hole would be a little better if the green had a little more bite to it; right now, it's very flat.

The sixth hole.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole is, at 370 yards, the longest hole at Walnut Lane. Hey, for a 4,500-yard course, what do you expect? Happily, this hole is also pretty good. The fairway is tilted significantly from right to left for the first 250 yards, than drops down off the hill into a valley, with the green perched partway up the far side. A good driver, hit down the left side, will catch the slope and bounce well down, leaving you with just a little half-wedge into a very open and inviting green. But you will need to draw your drive around a couple of large trees lurking about a hundred yards from the tee. The safer play is out to the right, leaving a full wedge down the hill from a hanging lie. The hole would be better if the green were more interesting or had any sort of defense, but still, the topography provide a decent amount of strategic interest.

The seventh hole.

The seventh green.

The eighth hole is 150 yards and is ultimately one of the weaker holes here. The single bunker is well short, leaving the green itself pretty undefended, and the green contouring isn't enough to make the hole interesting. Still, I do like how the hole feels very carved out of the woods, something Walnut Lane does quite well. You wouldn't think we were inside Philadelphia city limits, looking at the verdant forest immediately behind this green.

The eighth hole.

The ninth hole is 335 yards and demands accuracy and solid decision-making. The fairway is initially decently wide, but narrows significantly as you progress. It falls off precipitously into trees and a ravine left, which naturally leads your eye right. However, playing too safely will result in a second shot blocked out by a large tree about 75 yards from the green. Technically, you could use driver to get past that tree, but the fairway is not wide that far out. The green itself is closely guarded by two large bunkers, and is sloped significantly from right to left — another great reason to avoid the right side. You are far better off playing a long iron up the left side, then coming in with a full wedge. Even so, this may be the toughest hole on the course.

The ninth hole.

The ninth green.

That's it for this week, next week we'll look at the back nine.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Cheat Day

The brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company, Lakewood, New York

Description (from the website): "This decadent brew is a full-bodied dessert dream, crafted in collaboration with Perry’s Ice Cream to bring their indulgent flavors to life in beer form. Layers of brown sugar sweetness swirl with rich brownie batter, while brownie pieces and cookie dough add deep, doughy complexity to this Imperial Ale. Each sip tastes as good as diving spoon-first into your favorite pint after a long week—it’s Cheat Day! The ultimate pour for those who believe dessert should be savored, not skipped."

Would I buy it again? Does Southern Tier ever miss with their imperial ales? Certainly not with this one. It was very chocolatey and malty, feeling very much like a brownie in beer form. I would absolutely buy this beer again. I might even do it on a warm day. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Gojaira

The brewery: Japas Cervejaria, Louisville, Kentucky and São Paulo, Brazil

Description (from the can): "Meet our monster Gojaira: she is so angry that she won a Dank IPA to make her stop blowing off steam. Distracted people may confuse its aroma with that of a much-debated herb. This aroma is called 'dank,' a combination of resinous, herbal, citrus, and tropical fruit aromas of certain hops. Yes, it's just hops, there's nothing illegal here! Strata, Columbus, Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic mix with a smooth malt base for this delicious trip."

Would I buy it again? I hate doing this because I absolutely love the can (that's why I bought this beer), but oh boy, is this beer bad. The initial taste is okay, but the aftertaste is acrid and bitter. If you've ever had Malört (unfortunately, I have), the aftertaste is extremely similar. It tastes like a sweaty sock smells. It might actually be a top five worst beer. I'll keep the can, but never in my life will I buy this beer again.