Beer of the Week

The beer: Just Like Himmel

The brewery: New Ridge Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description: No description for this one, but it's a Vienna lager. Annoying, but seeing as the brewery burned down at the end of January and they're currently rebuilding, I think we can forgive them this time around.

Would I buy it again? I went through quite the range of emotions when I first found New Ridge Brewing Co. on Google Maps. 

"Oh nice, a brewery that's like a mile away. That's a nice easy walk. Let's see what they've got on tap ... oh, they're closed. They had a big fire."

So, when my girlfriend and I went to a free concert at a nearby park and saw that New Ridge were serving beer, I had to buy some. Clearly from the image I was not prepared for beer reviewing. But the beer was great, which is fitting, because Just Like Himmel won gold in the Vienna lager category at the Beer World Cup. It was malty and had a lot of heft, but was still perfectly pleasant to drink outside on a warm evening. I would happily buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Eraserhood

Brewed by: Love City Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "Our signature hazy IPA is a love letter to our neighborhood, the Eraserhood. Off-beat and vibrant, this IPA is triple dry-hopped. Huge flavors of mango and pineapple with a smooth, round body. Moderate malt backbone and juicy finish."

Would I buy it again? Like the amber lager last week, Eraserhood represents a pretty typical offering in the genre of hazy IPAs. It's quite fruity in a pleasant way, which helps take the edge off the hops. I don't know about that malt backbone, but this is on the juicy side of IPAs rather than the bitter side. What really sells this beer, though, is the ABV: 7.2%, making it by far the strongest beer on Love City's menu. Not that I didn't appreciate it, because it is good for an IPA, but I do need a reason to buy IPAs (especially multiple times). Strength is a great way to ensure I do.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Small Paradise

Brewed by: Love City Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "Small Paradise is a Czech-style Amber lager we brewed this beer with our good friends from 2SP Brewing Company from DelCo. Small Paradise is a slow fermented traditional lager fermented with Czech yeast, malt and hops. Complex yet crushable, this amber lager boasts notes of sourdough, caramel, and dark fruits complemented by a refreshing dryness and floral Saaz hops."

Would I buy it again? This beer was about as amber lager as amber lagers get. It was nice and malty, drinkable but with plenty of substance. Not too hoppy, either. I don't think it'll win any awards, but as a beer to actually drink, it's tough to beat. I'd buy it again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Dunkel Bock

The brewery: Wissahickon Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "Dark German Lager brewed with a blend of light and dark Munich Malts, and mashed with 40# of Philly Soft Pretzels. Hopped with Columbus, Chinook, and Simcoe. Naturally carbonated and lagered for 5 weeks in the horizontal tank."

Would I buy it again? This is the first beer of what will likely be many from Wissahickon Brewing Company, as their East Falls location is a mere 20-minute walk from my new apartment. And while convenient location can paper over many faults, I really wanted this beer to be good. And happily, I thought it was great. There's a real deep flavor to this; while it doesn't taste exactly like soft pretzels (at least, not like that Aldus Pretzel Wheat), they do help make this beer especially bready and malty, and I really enjoyed drinking it. I'd definitely buy this again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Long Jawns

The brewery: Yards Brewing Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "When it's cold as a kegerator outside, you need a smooth and delicious winter lager to warm up your insides. So button up your trapdoor, and get ready to hibernate, because it's gonna be a Long Jawn winter."

Would I buy it again? Sometimes the winter lagers mix in a few too many spices, straying from the maltiness that mark a good lager. This is not one of those. There are certainly hints of those spices (ginger, cinnamon, etc.), but they're not overpowering. The lager remains at the forefront here, which is to the beer's benefit. I would definitely buy this again. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Early Dismissal

The brewery: Our Town Brewery, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Balanced German-style lager.  Think Oktoberfest with some additional ABV to help keep you warm this winter.  No fruit.  No spice.  Call off work and fill your pint glass."

Would I buy it again? They did some great work with the hops here, because I definitely thought this beer was spiced when I was drinking it. It's malty, but it also has those warm, almost citrusy notes. If this was brewed according to Reinheitsgebot, then absolutely very well done on the part of Our Town. I definitely enjoyed drinking this beer and I'd absolutely buy it again. 

Beer of the Week

The beer: Bock Lesnar

The brewery: Rough Edges Brewing, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "This full-bodied beer has a rich and toasty malt profile with a smooth amber hue, perfect for the colder months. Inspired by strength, it has bold flavor in every sip. This brew took home the championship belt at the 2025 Brewsgiving Festival in Pottsville, PA."

Would I buy it again? It's been a while since we've seen Rough Edges on here, but I was in Waynesboro for Thanksgiving dinner (not on Thanksgiving day, obviously) and had some time to kill. And I'm glad I did, because while this may not officially be a doppelbock, it's pretty much as good as. Same taste, same feel, same satisfaction. I love these kinds of beers, and as long as it's around, I'd buy more.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Naked Elf

The brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Gone are the cherries, honey and chocolate malt that dress up our holiday favorite Mad Elf, leaving “him” stark-raving nude. It’s all about the bare necessities – malt and yeast – to lend notes of cinnamon, allspice, clove and tangy fruity esters to this classic Belgian-style ale."

Would I buy it again? I've told this story before, but I was not initially a fan of Mad Elf, which was a shame considering how much I enjoy most of their other beers. I did eventually get past that distaste and I do enjoy Mad Elf now, but still, I like it despite the cherry, not because of it. This has no cherry, and while it may be weaker, alcohol wise, the other Mad Elf tastes are fully present and even more forward here. So whisper this in hushed tones — I think I prefer this to the standard Mad Elf. Not by a wide margin, but subtly so. I wish this came in six packs on its own, because I would definitely buy that.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Patagonia Provisions Kernza® Lager

The brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "This is the start of a new brewing project in our small-batch beers. In partnership with Patagonia Provisions, a portion of select beer’s malt bills will use the regenerative perennial grain Kernza®. The plant’s deep roots, high yield and long life are positively impacting both agriculture and the environment. The clothing company’s side focus on cuisine has a goal to benefit soil and a sustainable food chain. 

Our first-ever time using the wheatgrass grain is in a Helles lager. As 15% of the grain bill, Kernza® combines with organic Pilsner malt to build a crisp backbone. Lightly hopped with organic Perle hops, this wildly drinkable lager has notes of rustic crackers, bright wildflowers and a touch of grassiness."

Would I buy it again? Doesn't everyone love a beer with a copyright symbol in the name? Yeah, yeah, reserved, I know. The point stands. 

This is still Troegs, though, a brewery who is extremely good at making both beer and lagers specifically. It's a good light beer, pleasant and easy to drink. The only issue is that they have so many beers in that niche that this one sort of falls through the cracks. I wouldn't say no to getting it again, but there are more interesting choices.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Gingerbread Cookie Stout  

The brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Description (from the website): "Gingerbread is a holiday tradition that begs for a robust dark beer. Loaded with oats, roasted barley and chocolate malts, we’ve elevated this pastry stout to suit your baking rituals. Additions of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla and clove help hone in on grandma’s time-honored recipe. While others may crumble, Gingerbread Cookie Stout is more than icing on the cake!"

Would I buy it again? I haven't always loved ginger-forward beers, but befitting a beer from my favorite brewery, this one balances the ginger and the breadiness extremely well. It does taste pleasantly like a gingerbread cookie. I hope they keep making this one, because I'll keep buying it.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Mad Dreams

The brewery: Tröegs Brewing Company, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Description (from Untappd): "Born many moons ago, a semi-secret ritual is ready to mix up your celebrations. Mad Dreams, the 50-50 fusion of Mad Elf and DreamWeaver Wheat, combines the complementary notes of cherries and honey with subtle clove and bready wheat. It’s a holiday blend that's 100% delicious."

Would I buy it again? Winter may be gone, but that's no reason to stop drinking winter beer. And Mad Dreams, a representative from Troegs' Winter 2024 variety pack, is an amazing beer to celebrate the changing of the seasons. It's got the Mad Elf cherries and honey flavor, but since this is ultimately a wheat beer, it still has some lightness to it. I think it almost makes more sense now than in the winter. Yes, I would buy this again.

Review: Mayapple Golf Club (Part 2)

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

The tenth hole is a mid-length par 4 that's pretty straightforward. There are fairway bunkers left, but with all the world to miss right, those bunkers hardly present much threat. The second shot will be a wedge or short iron up to a semiblind green where the only real bad miss is one long. Other than that, the green is wide open.

The tenth hole.

Approaching the tenth green.

The tenth green.

The eleventh hole is 160 yards and plays to a large, shallow green that, kind of like the fourth, is slightly elevated above its surroundings. There's also a bunker short left, just like at the fourth. At least the green is different, though in general the eleventh is kind of just repeating what the fourth hole already did.

The eleventh hole.

The twelfth hole is 370 yards and is quite possibly the friendliest driving hole in existence. Technically the fairway isn't that wide, of course, this isn't St. Andrews, but there is just nothing for you to worry about on your drive. The green is a little bit better defended; while it is quite large there are bunkers left and behind, so the wedge second shot isn't a complete cakewalk. Still, this is a very easy hole.

The twelfth hole.

Approaching the twelfth green.

The twelfth green.

The thirteenth hole is 385 yards, and it's certainly more interesting than the previous par 4s on the back nine. The fairway bends hard right around mounding about 250 yards out; if you take on the mounding, you can cut a lot of distance off this hole, leaving just a partial wedge on the second shot. Play safely, and the small green here is a much less inviting target.

The thirteenth hole.

The thirteenth green.

The fourteenth hole is a 420-yard par 4, which is decently long. Unfortunately, that's about all this hole has to offer, as the hole is completely bunkerless. There are some pine trees close in to the right side of the fairway which you obviously want to steer clear of, but considering the green is tilted to be more receptive from approach shots from the left, there's really no reason to come anywhere close to that right side.

The fourteenth hole.

Approaching the fourteenth green.

The fourteenth green.

The fifteenth hole runs parallel to the previous hole and, while it's 35 yards shorter, is a much tougher hole. For one, there's O.B. running down the left side, but even beyond that, there are two fairway bunkers very much in play. If you want to go with an aggressive driver, a draw threaded between them is very much the play. Otherwise, a 3 wood or long iron to the wide portion of the fairway out to the right is safe, though it will leave a tough second shot, as this green is on the small side, tilted more than most of the greens at Mayapple, and has three bunkers around it, two right and one left. 

The fifteenth hole.

Approaching the fifteenth green.

The fifteenth green.

The sixteenth hole is quite a short hole at 320 yards, though I wouldn't exactly call it drivable. You could try, I suppose, but with dense trees left of the fairway yielding to a pond by the green, any sort of hook will result in a penalty. A fairway wood or long iron is the smarter choice here, and does a lot to take a big number out of the equation. This could be a birdie hole, but I think the risk is not worth the reward; better to take par and go.

Also, there's a long bunker right of the fairway, but for reasons unknown to science, the cart path runs between it and the fairway. Not much of a hazard, in my opinion, but what do I know?

The sixteenth hole.

Approaching the sixteenth green.

The sixteenth green.

The seventeenth hole is the shortest hole at Mayapple, playing 140 yards over a pond. Obviously, that's kind of the dominant feature here. I'm sure a lot of people end up where my brother and I did, on the right front corner of the green (or just off it). It's a safe spot, and getting up and down from there isn't too difficult. Unless you need to make up some shots on your opponent quickly as the round draws to a close, there's no reason to challenge this flag. Play for the par, and you'll be much happier for it.

The seventeenth hole.

The seventeenth green.

The eighteenth hole is 420 yards, just like the fourteenth, but this hole is actually mildly interesting. Mildly. The fairway is quite wide, but there's a large bunker left and O.B. in the form of the driving range right, so you don't have unlimited space. A good drive will leave a shortish iron up the hill to a semiblind green with a bunker behind, oddly enough. I don't imagine it gets too much action, but it is at least present and gives you something to think about.

The eighteenth hole.

Approaching the eighteenth green.

The eighteenth green.

It's another strike against central Pennsylvania public golf, because Mayapple is very much not a quirky or interesting course. No, it falls pretty solidly on the boring side of things, which I suppose is better than being bad. And it's certainly more interesting than Rich Valley, its neighbor a few miles north. That is a very, very low bar to clear, but it does manage it.

Unfortunately, Mayapple really loses when it comes to price; it cost $50 per person to walk, and even for a weekend, that is way too much for what Mayapple offers. Penn National costs about the same, and those courses are way, way more interesting and better maintained than Mayapple. Halve the price and I'd consider playing here again, but until then, you're better off playing elsewhere.

Review: Mayapple Golf Club (Part 1)

I don't know what it is about the Carlisle-Harrisburg I-81 urban area, but man, the public golf scene is not great. There are plenty of courses, but they're all kind of bad. Or boring. Or boring and bad.

Mayapple Golf Club, located just east of Carlisle, is probably not going to be an exception to this rule. But it is a golf course closer than an hour away that I haven't played before, and so I am duty bound to check it out. Maybe it'll be more interesting than it looks on Google Maps. You never know, satellite imagery doesn't capture land movement. Maybe this will be a secretly quirky and fun golf course? Let's find out.

The first hole, unfortunately, is pretty much exactly what I feared Mayapple would be like. Flat and not particularly interesting. There are three fairway bunkers on this mid-length par 4, but they frame the fairway, serving more as punishment for wayward tee shots than any significant strategic purpose. The green is also on the flat side, with bunkers left and front right vaguely favoring an approach from the left side of the fairway.

The first hole.

Approaching the first green.

The first green.

The second hole is a pretty long par 3 at 220 yards, though it does at least play downhill. There's a bunker right that's best avoided, and if you go long you may find yourself in some bushes or mulch. The green is sloped from back to front, making it receptive to the long iron or even fairway wood necessary to reach the green.

The second hole.

The second green.

The third hole is a fairly short par 5, playing just under 500 yards. The playing corridor is wide, but there is technically O.B. on both sides and two bunkers right of the fairway, as well as a small one left that longer drivers may need to worry about. If you're not a long hitter, than the second shot is complicated by a long bunker 50-75 yards out from the green. But if you have the length to reach in two, you really should, as there is literally no trouble around this green. Complete green light here, making the third an excellent birdie or even eagle opportunity.

The third hole.

Approaching the third green.

The third green.

The fourth hole is a shortish par 3 at 160 yards, and this one isn't actually too bad a hole despite playing over almost perfectly level ground. The green is propped up a couple feet from its surroundings, and that really makes a big difference in how you approach it (or more specifically, how you deal with chip and pitch shots from around it). There's also a bunker left which is much more in play than the bunker on the second hole was, which helps as well. Definitely not a great hole, but easily the most interesting one at Mayapple so far.

The fourth hole.

The fourth green.

The fifth hole is 530 yards, making it the longest hole at Mayapple. From the pictures it looks fairly innocuous, but the routing here is quite wonky: the fifth tee is literally right next to the fourth tee. Basically, you tee off on the fourth, go to the green, and then come right back to where you started to play the fifth. I have no idea why they didn't just move the tee up and make this hole a par 4 to avoid this silliness. No, I do know, but it's a bad reason. Mayapple is a par 70. Rather than accept the course as a par 69, they do things like this, forcing golfers to double back on themselves to reach the standard par. "Oh, but they'll all have carts, they won't notice or care," the designer was probably thinking. Well, not everyone rides, and I notice and care.

Anyway, the hole is pretty straightforward, with the only feature of note being an out-of-place bunker 10 yards left of the green sitting quite literally in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't come into play at all; it is seemingly there for no good reason. If it's supposed to be greenside, it isn't. 

The fifth hole.

Approaching the fifth green.

The fifth green.

Much like the fourth, the sixth is not exactly a triumph of strategic design, but it is at least moderately interesting. The tee shot on this 375-yard par 4 plays slightly downhill to a fairway with a valley cutting across. You need a fairly long drive to get across that valley; if you don't make the carry, you'll have a blind second shot. And this green, for the first time, has some significant peril nearby in the form of a massive dropoff immediately left. Miss on that side, and you aren't making par. The green isn't extraordinary, which is a shame, but otherwise this is a perfectly reasonable hole.

The sixth hole.

Approaching the sixth green.

The sixth green.

The seventh hole plays parallel with the sixth and is about the same length. The fairway is bunkerless, but it's framed by large mounds covered in tall grass and scrubby trees, so a straight tee shot is extremely beneficial. That will leave an uphill wedge or short iron to a small, bunkerless green. Not an exciting proposition, but at least it isn't a completely mindless driver-wedge situation. 

The seventh hole.

Approaching the seventh green.

The seventh green.

The eighth hole is a very short par 5 at just 455 yards, but this isn't quite the eagle opportunity you might expect. The hole bends hard left at an awkward point more than 300 yards out from the tee, with trees (and houses) taking up the entire left side. You either need a very long drive or one that favors the right side to set up any sort of angle at the green. Otherwise, all you can really do is pitch over to the corner, leaving an uphill wedge third. The green isn't particularly inviting no matter where you're hitting from, though, being elevated in every sense of the word and quite shallow and small. Even with a wedge in hand, a lot of precision is required to hit the green. 

The eighth green.

Approaching the eighth green.

The eighth green.

The ninth hole is a mid-length par 3 that is the very definition of average. Not bad, not good, just there. However, there is something worth saying here, as this is clearly not the original ninth hole. The walk from the eighth green to the ninth tee is oddly long, and as you go there are clear tee pads a hundred yards back from the current tees. A glance through the historical imagery on Google Earth reveals the full story: the ninth was originally a short par 4, but was shortened sometime between September 2005 and March 2007. Even the redesigned hole is different now then it was after 2007, as there was a second bunker left of the green. That disappeared sometime after 2020. Kind of a shame, as I think that would have improved the hole. Made missing the green more penalizing. Oh well, this isn't that kind of course.

The ninth hole.

The ninth green.

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