WLVR Flight Club

WLVR Flight Club Rising River Brewing

Christine and Devan were fortunate to visit Rising River Brewing on a beautiful Fall Day. Owner Ron Beitler has a long history with the property where his brewery is located. When he was younger, he worked at The Willows Restaurant which formerly occupied the property. He never thought he would end up converting the space into an outdoor paradise and brewery by the river. Christine and Devan try one of Rising River’s best selling beers, the East Texas Blonde. As Ron describes it, “it’s a beer that tastes like beer.” Our West-Coast Boy, Devan needed to try the Wild Skys West Coast IPA from Rising River, so we give that a try too.

WLVR Flight Club Pumpkin Season Evil Genius and Voodoo Ranger

Flight Club for November 2nd

We wrap up our Seasonal Series of Pumpkin Beer.  Joining Christine in the studio is Scott Jones, WLVR Member and fan of Flight Club. Scott is a craft beer enthusiast and has tried a variety of regional craft beer.  Scott and Christine both enjoy an offering from New Belgium Brewing’s Voodoo Ranger brand. Their seasonal ale, Atomic Pumpkin, has really got a kick. Another favorite brewer for both Christine and Scott is Evil Genius.  These guys have some of the craziest names for their brews. The one we try is simply named Trick or Treat. If you like pumpkin flavor and chocolate flavor, you’ll want to hear about this beer.

Voodoo Ranger – Atomic Pumpkin Ale 6.4%

Evil Genius – Trick or Treat, Chocolate Pumpkin Porter 7.8%

WLVR Flight Club: Bonn Place Brewing

Sam Mosotto is the Head Brewer and Owner of Bonn Place Brewing on Taylor Street on Bethlehem’s Southside. He is a champion of all things local. So much so that local ingredients are included in his brews. Christine and Devan try the latest in the Yuzo Shiro series – brewed entirely with local ingredients including PA Malt and Grain from Deer Creek Malthouse, PA Cascade Hops from Murphy’s Hop Yard, and Yuzu Lemons grown in NJ by Bhumi Growers. Sam also likes to create his own interpretations of traditional beers. Christine and Devan will try  Sam’s BONNTÖBERFEST Märzen/Oktoberfest.

Yuzo Shiro – Foudre Fermented Saison

BONNTÖBERFEST -Oktoberfest Lagerbier. A 6,7% Märzen

WLVR Flight Club: Pumpkin Season Ep. 4

Pumpkin Picking continues on WLVR’s Flight Club. We’ll be trying two offerings from one brewery. Wallenpaupack Brewing Company is a stone’s throw from the Lehigh Valley in the Pocono Mountains. Their 14,000 square foot space houses a craft brewery, a brewpub and a beer garden, all adjacent to Lake Wallenpaupack. We try the Pumpkin Ale as well as the Oktoberfest Marzen.

Wallenpaupack Brewing Company:

Pumpkin Ale 6.8%

Oktoberfest  – German-style Marzen 5.9%

WLVR Flight Club: Pumpkin Season Ep. 3

Pumpkin Picking continues on WLVR’s Flight Club. We’ll be trying two offerings from one brewery. Ellicottville Brewing Company is brewed in Little Valley, New York. They seem to like creating seasonal mixes, and have a few for the Fall. The Pumpkinville Latte is a collaboration with Pumpkinville Farms in Great Valley, New York.  The Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Ale with Coffee and Pumpkin (That’s a lot to put on a label.) is brewed with Iron Smoke Distillery, in Fairport, New York.

Ellicottville Brewing Company:

Pumpkinville Latte 6.5%

Whiskey Barrel Aged Craft Ale with Coffee and Pumpkin 6.5%

WLVR Flight Club: Pumpkin Season Ep. 2

In the craft beer industry, the Fall seasonal brews start to make their way onto shelves at the end of August. Christine and Devan couldn’t go pumpkin picking that early, so they waited until September. In the next few weeks, they’ll be trying out Autumn Ales both locally and from distributors. This week, we try two beers that promise otherworldly flavor with real pumpkin puree and vanilla.

UFO Brewing – Journey to Planet Pumpkin Hefeweizen 5.9%

Iron Hill Brewing  – Pumpkin Ale 5.5%

WLVR Flight Club: Pumpkin Season Ep 1

In the craft beer industry, the Fall seasonal brews start to make their way onto shelves at the end of August. Christine and Devan couldn’t go pumpkin picking that early, so they waited until September. In the next few weeks, they’ll be trying out Autumn Ales both locally and from distributors. This week a couple of craft brewers that aren’t too far outside the Lehigh Valley, Lancaster Brewing Company and Cape May Brewing Company. One Devan really liked and the other was Christine’s taste.

Lancaster Brewing Company – Baked Pumpkin Ale 7.5%

Cape May Brewing Company – Pick of the Batch 6%

WLVR Flight Club: What’s in Christine’s Fridge?

Growing up in the 70’s, Christine was a fan of TV Game Shows – Match Game, Password, Joker’s Wild, The Gong Show – so, when given the opportunity, she’ll turn anything into a 1970’s-esque game show.  And that’s what happened when Devan stopped by Christine’s house one afternoon. He wanted to check out what beer was being cooled, and the two turned it into a game! Welcome to the first episode of “What’s in Christine’s Fridge?” Guests join the host and pick the beer of their choice to try out.

Voodoo Brewing – Voodoo Love Child Fruited Belgian Tripel Ale 9.5%

RiverTowne – Blackberry Cucumber Kolsch 5.5%

WLVR Flight Club: McCall Collective Brewing

Devan and Christine made their way to McCall Collective Brewing’s Allentown location…and, surprise, surprise, they didn’t talk with a McCall! Evan Horvath is the Assistant Brewer, who has been with McCall since they opened 3 years ago. He started off as Mixologist with some creative and beautiful cocktails. He’s come up with some interesting brews and we give a couple a try on this week’s Flight Club.

Malt Tea Cooler –Fruited Malt Beverage with green tea, guava and passionfruit 4.9%

NOC– Dark Czech Lager 5%

WLVR Flight Club: Seven Sirens Brewing

Christine here…when I first moved to the Lehigh Valley in 1994, I parked my car in the bank parking lot at 301 Broadway on Bethlehem’s Southside. When I recently returned to that same spot, the transformation of a rundown garage to a stunning, 7,000 square foot brewery was striking. The team at Seven Sirens Brewing Company in Bethlehem don’t do things in small ways. Aside from the size of their space and beautiful, massive authentic Irish bar, they host 22 taps of local craft brews. Devan and I barely made a dent into those 22 taps…we tried a couple of very interesting beers with Lead Brewer Alex Hoffman.

Butter Mellow – Butterscotch Cream Ale (usually serve with whipped cream) 5.49%

Fruit Salad, Yummy, Yummy – Fruited wheat with Cranberry, Key Lime and Tangerine Puree 6.1%

WLVR Flight Club: Lehigh Valley Brewers’ Guild and Summer at the Stacks

The Lehigh Valley Brewers’ Guild celebrates Summer at the Stacks by making brews from their members available outside the WLVR studios. Christine Dempsey was there as Guild President, Chris McCall, expertly maneuvered the refrigerated trailer to the front of the building. She talks with Chris about the plans for the weekend festivities.

WLVR Flight Club: Funk Brewing

If you’re a fan of Neapolitan Ice Cream, Scott Adams from Funk Brewing in Emmaus, has got you covered. His Stout has the flavors of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream! He also created ale that will have you puckering up – it’s part of the Sour Power line. Join us for WLVR’s Flight Club and we’ll let you know about these wonderful brews!

Neapolitan Stout – Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry Stout 8.1%

Cranberry Sour Pour – Sour Ale 5.3%

This episode originally aired on April 6th 2023

WLVR Flight Club: Craft Beer Roulette

It’s summertime and fair and festival season. Christine and Devan break out the Craft Beer Roulette Wheel and give it a spin. They land on a perfect summertime drink, Watermelon Ale from Thomas Hooker Brewery, Bloomfield, CT. The other winner was a Hawaiian Edition of Speedway Stout from Alesmith Brewing Company in San Deigo, CA. Step right up and give them a try!

WLVR Flight Club: Goodbye to Anchor Brewing

In 1896, 127 years ago, Anchor Brewing, a craft brewery, was founded in San Francisco. It is one of America’s oldest craft breweries. In two months, the company will cease operations. It was just one month ago that the company announced they were ending national distribution. With this information, Devan and Christine rushed out to one of the area’s beer distributors in search of Anchor beer. We found the last variety pack on the shelf. On this edition of Flight Club, we pay tribute to this San Francisco treasure. 

Anchor Steam Beer 4.9%

West Coast IPA 7%

WLVR Flight Club: porTch tea 2

Now that Christine and Devan have learned about the process of making Hard Kombucha, it’s time to give some a try! Brewer Don DeVault of porTch tea, at Pheasant Hill Farm in Emmaus shared two of his blends. BLAM-O! (4% abv) is a blueberry chamomile mix reminiscent of a light, dry country. The SIMÓN LIMÓN (4% abv) has a combination of lemongrass, lemon balm, and lemon verbena… that’s a lot of lemony goodness!

This episode originally aired on April 27th 2023

WLVR Flight Club: porTch tea

Don DeVault grew up at Pheasant Hill Farm in Emmaus.  As an adult, he occupies a corner of the farm with his business. porTch tea. Don creates delicious kombucha, a sweet tea that is fermented by a culture of bacteria and yeast.  In addition to Don’s non-alcoholic teas, he also brews Hard Kombucha. He talks to Christine and Devan about the blends that he comes up with from herbs and fruits grown on the farm or in southeastern PA. This is part 1 of a 2-part WLVR Flight Club. Next week, a taste of the hard stuff.

This episode originally aired on April 20th 2023

WLVR Flight Club: Lost River Tavern

Lost Tavern has been on Main St. in Hellertown since 2016. Their American Wheat Ale has been on the menu since day one. Head Brewer Derek Lutz tells us about this beloved beer, Grace: Tangerine. It’s an easy-going ale fermented and conditioned with Tangerine Puree. Also, coffee stout lover, Christine, gets a big surprise from the Kickin’ It Café Cream Ale. This is so much lighter than a stout, but does not skimp on delicious coffee flavor.

WLVR Flight Club: Country Club Brewery

Ivy Kromer is not only a Wonder Women who works a full-time job, brews beer part-time and is a co-owner of Country Club Brewing in South Bethlehem, she’s also a super supportive wife. Ivy’s husband Mike Kromer was a homebrewer for years. When he expressed an interest in opening a brewery, Ivy was all-in. Mike is now the Head Brewer of Country Club Brewing, and Devan and Christine tried a couple of his creations: Shanked, a Pale Ale coming in at 6.3% and Passion Fruit by Tiffany! A sour, yet sweet Berliner Weiss at 7%.

WLVR Flight Club: Lehigh Valley Homebrewers Untapped

On the first Saturday in May, the Lehigh Homebrewers got together to take part in The Big Brew. Twelve brewers worked in the parking lot at Yergey Brewing in Emmaus to create a honey blonde ale. After a fermentation period, they are ready to give it a try.  Christine and Devan join Homebrewer president Steve Anthony for the first taste of Bee It Ever So Humble, the honey blonde ale. You can also try it at Yergey Brewing.  Proceeds from sales benefit Habitat for Humanity’s She Nailed It program.

WLVR Flight Club: Bru Daddy’s Brewing Company Part 2

Last week we met Todd Reinhardt, Head Brewer at Bru Daddy’s Brewing Company in Allentown. This week, Christine and Devan sample some of his work. Christine opts for something she hasn’t seen from a local craft brewery… a light beer. The A-Town Light tastes great and is less filling! Devan’s choice was a traditional style Maibock, the Baad Bock. After giving both these brews a try, we know why Todd is a multiple medal winner in the US Beer Open!

WLVR Flight Club: Bru Daddy’s Brewing Company

Todd Reinhardt, Head Brewer at Bru Daddy’s Brewing Company in Allentown, was a science nerd as a kid. When he grew up, he took his chemistry skills and went on to work in the development of poultry vaccines. From there, he took his knowledge of fermentation and became a beer brewer! In fact, he’s done such a good job at it that he’s won numerous medals in the US Beer Open. Christine and Devon talk with Todd about his journey to brewing and Bru Daddy’s, 732 Hamilton Street, in this edition of WLVR’s Flight Club.

WLVR Flight Club: Cave Brewing

A mantra from the 80’s and sales technique in the play “Glengarry Glen Ross,” was ABC. Well, in the 21^st Century, Jeff Bonner Jr uses the same technique, instead of “always be closing,” his mantra is “always be changing.” As the head brewer of Cave Brewing at 521 Main St, Bethlehem, Jeff likes making new brews to repeating recipes. Christine and Devan tried the brand new Cranky Cran – a cranberry wheat ale at 5.8% and another new brew that may get a second life from Bonner, the Tropical Pine Forest – a DIPA at 7.6%.

WLVR Flight Club: Lost Tavern

For the longest time, Christine and Devan assumed the name of Hellertown’s Lost River Tavern was a way to pay homage to the nearby, famous Lost River Cavern. WRONG! Find out the real story behind the name on today’s Flight Club. Brewer Evan Holland sets us straight and shares some delicious beer too. On tap is a boom, pow sour fruited called Onomatopoeia and It’s All in the Hops, for our hops-loving friends.

WLVR Flight Club: Lehigh Valley Homebrewers

In 1988, May 7 was announced before Congress as National Homebrew Day. Since then, the first Saturday in May has been dubbed, “The Big Brew” by The American Homebrewers Association. Locally, the Lehigh Valley Homebrewers partook, brewing in the parking lot of Yergey Brewing in Emmaus. Christine talks with president Steve Anthony about the Big Brew, the Honey Blonde Ale they are cooking up, and how the Homebrewers are using this as a fundraising opportunity.

WLVR Flight Club: Two Rivers

This week, Christine and Devan go to the dark side…Ben Gangaware, Head Brewer of Two Rivers Brewing Company in Easton, is the one who takes them there. When Christine saw the Dunkel Lager with the name, “Hide the Pickle,” she was hoping for a hint of dill in the brew. Devan was intrigued by the name “Banker’s Brown Ale,” so he ordered up a taste. You’ll find out that things that look alike don’t always act alike. (Kind of like identical cousins Patty and Cathy Lane…)

Two Rivers Brewing

542 Northampton St

Easton, PA 18042

www.tworiversbrewing.com

WLVR Flight Club: porTch tea 2

Now that Christine and Devan have learned about the process of making Hard Kombucha, it’s time to give some a try! Brewer Don DeVault of porTch tea, at Pheasant Hill Farm in Emmaus shared two of his blends. BLAM-O! (4% abv) is a blueberry chamomile mix reminiscent of a light, dry country. The SIMÓN LIMÓN (4% abv) has a combination of lemongrass, lemon balm, and lemon verbena…that’s a lot of lemony goodness!

WLVR Flight Club: porTch tea

“It’s cool to be healthy now! It’s cool to, like, drink fresh juices and drink Kombucha and all that stuff.”

~ Singer/Songwriter Brett Dennen

Don DeVault grew up at Pheasant Hill Farm in Emmaus. As an adult, he occupies a corner of the farm with his business porTch tea. Don creates delicious kombucha, a sweet tea that is fermented by a culture of bacteria and yeast. In addition to Don’s non-alcoholic teas, he also brews Hard Kombucha. He talks to Christine and Devan about the blends that he comes up with from herbs and fruits grown on the farm or in southeastern PA. This is part 1 of a 2-part WLVR Flight Club. Next week, a taste of the hard stuff.

WLVR Flight Club: Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company

As the weather gets warmer, the lines at Rita’s Ice get longer. The deliciousness of Rita’s Ice was not lost on the brewers at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company in Bucks County. They have created a new line of fruit-forward beer with Rita’s Italian Ice. The first of these is the limited Rita’s Mango. Christine and Devan give this Blonde Ale a try and reminisce about the first time they both tried a Rita’s Mango Ice. Thanks to Neshaminy Creek for sharing this one with WLVR’s Flight Club!

WLVR Flight Club: Funk Brewing

If you’re a fan of Neapolitan Ice Cream, Scott Adams from Funk Brewing in Emmaus, has got you covered. His stout has the flavors of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream! He also created ale that will have you puckering up – it’s part of the Sour Power line. Join us for WLVR’s Flight Club and we’ll let you know about these flavorful brews!

Neapolitan Stout – Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry Stout 8.1%

Cranberry Sour Pour – Sour Ale 5.3%

WLVR Flight Club: Chris McCall President of Lehigh Valley’s Brewers Guild

Chris McCall, President of the Lehigh Valley Brewers’ Guild, joins us to talk about the upcoming Spring Beer Fest at SteelStacks. This is the first time The Guild is partnering with ArtsQuest for an event. All 24 member breweries, cideries, meaderies and kombucheries of The Guild will be present. More info is available at https://www.steelstacks.org/festivals/spring-beer-fest/

PS.  Since we were at McCall’s Collective Brewing, we just had to try their new wheat beer, “Orange Sun.” (“Orange Sun” is like “Blue Moon,” but better…)

WLVR Flight Club: Dani Brunner, Head Brewer at Weyerbacher Brewing

March is Women’s History Month, and at Flight Club, we’ll be looking at some of the women in the male-dominated craft beer profession. Dani Brunner started off at Weyerbacher Brewing serving samples. Today, she creates and brews the beer that folks sample. Dani talks with us about her approach to brewing, how she comes up with her own creations and how she adds her own twist to some of Weyerbacher’s long-standing recipes.

The Flight

Easton Brown & Down – a brown ale brewed with deep-roasted chocolate malt. 5.6% ABV

Helles Lager – a full-flavored light lager. 4.4% ABV

WLVR Flight Club: Brittany Stephens, Assistant Brewer at Yergey Brewing

March is Women’s History Month, and at Flight Club, we’ll be looking at some of the women in the male-dominated craft beer profession. Brittany Stephens wanted to be a Craft Beer Distributor, but she ended up traveling a different path. Brittany started as a bartender for Yergey Brewing in Emmaus. She worked with the small family team of a father, Jim Yergey, and his son, Matt Yergey. Brittany moved up to become the Tap Room Manager, and then added Assistant Brewer to her title. She’ll talk about her journey, how she comes up with beer profiles and a collaboration with another area brewery.

The Flight

Parity Bloom – a Pink Boots IPA collaboration with Bonn Place Brewing 6.6% ABV

Everything Delightful – A Belgian-Style Table Beer 5.5% ABV

WLVR Flight Club: Women in the Beer Industry

March is Women’s History Month, and at Flight Club, we’ll be looking at some of the women in the male-dominated craft beer profession. DG Yuengling and Son has been a family owned and operated brewery since 1829. The current 6^th generation of Yuengling’s running the company are 4 sisters. It’s the first time in Yuengling and Son’s history that the company is being run by women. Wendy Yuengling is the current Chief Administrative Officer for the company. She talks with us about working with her sisters and being a women in the craft beer business.

WLVR Flight Club: Lehigh Valley Flight Crew

There’s a new social club in town! Kevin Drake, a fan of local breweries, has started a new social club called Lehigh Valley Flight Crew. Christine and Devan chatted with Kevin at a recent gathering at Sherman Street Beer Co. The get-togethers are a way to bring business to Valley Craft Brewers on nights when they aren’t very crowded, and a chance to socialize with other beer lovers. You can follow Lehigh Valley Flight Crew on Facebook and Instagram at LVFlightCrew. Their next gathering is Monday, March 13^th , 6pm at Bonn Place Brewing on Bethlehem’s Southside. 

WLVR Flight Club: HiJinx Brewing

This week Devan goes down to South Allentown to visit Curt Keck, owner and brewer at HiJinx Brewing Company. When you finally find it, this warehouse tap room is a fun place to hang out — complete with a karaoke night and disc golf putting! Curt is always cooking up some funky brews and this flight was no exception! Devan gets swept off his feet with the Stolen Heart, a raspberry imperial stout and is appropriately whelmed with JAFIPA (just another f***ing IPA). 

Stolen Heart – Imperial Stout with raspberry

JAFIPA – New England-style IPA

WLVR Flight Club: Funk Brewing

Christine here.  I can remember way back to my days in kindergarten when we were rewarded with a cookie break after an arduous day of finger painting and block building. We all looked forward to that sweet treat. Well, Scott Adams from Funk Brewing in Emmaus, has created a grown-up reward with the Oatmeal Cookie Golden Ale. He also created ale that I swear he named after Devan, it’s the Strong and Pretty. Join us for WLVR’s Flight Club and we’ll let you know about these wonderful brews!

Oatmeal Cookie – Golden Ale 6.2%

Strong and Pretty – Belgian Style Golden Strong Ale 9.5%

WLVR Flight Club: It’s a Super Edition

Christine and Devan welcome some members of WLVR’s Flight Club to party-prep for Sunday’s big football game. (Mega) Philadelphia Eagles fans Scott Jones and Jess Kuder, picked up some football themed beer to test out. They found a few at ABE’s and Tanczo’s in Bethlehem. We’ve got some great options for you on today’s Flight Club.

Wrong Crowd – Quarterback Factory: New England Style IPA

Conshohocken Brewing – Mike & Merrill: Philly Style Hazy IPA

Sherman Street Beer Co – Superb Owl or Bust: A Crystal Wise Ale

Sly Fox Brewing – Blitz Throwback Lager

Free Will Brewing – Dreams and Nightmares: Pale Lager 

WLVR Flight Club: Bonn Place Brewing

Christine and Devan always enjoy a visit to Bonn Place Brewing on Taylor Street in South Bethlehem. That’s because owner Sam Mosotto is not only a great brewer, he’s also a great storyteller. Sam shares the story behind Stupid Kitty (which actually refers to a skunk) and the very entertaining tale behind the art work on the Una Volta White Ale. Enjoy Sam on Flight Club, or be sure to visit him in-person at Bonn Place Brewing.

Stupid Kitty – dry hopped single pale ale

Una Volta – Belgian-Style white ale

WLVR Flight Club: Unique Craft Brews…

Christine and Devan test out Craft Beer so you don’t have to. After a trip to ABE’s Six Pack Shop in West Bethlehem, Christine picked out a couple of unique brews. Adroit Theory Brewing in Purceville, VA makes esoteric beer. We grabbed an Oat Cream IPA to try. We also went the No Sugar, No Carbs, Organic route with a Hard Kombucha from Flying Embers in Ventura, CA. Their Orange Passion Mimosa with a hint of guava has live cultures. How healthy is that!

Adroit Theory Brewing’s Conjoined – an oat cream India Pale Ale 8% ABV

Flying Embers’ Orange Passion Mimosa – combination of citrus, natural kombucha with hints of passionfruit and guava 6.9% ABV

WLVR Flight Club: The Hometown Edition…kinda…

Christine and Devan grew up on opposite sides of the country – Christine in New York City and Devan in Sacramento, California. They took a little trip to Tanczos Beverages in Bethlehem to search for their hometown brews. They came close and tried out beer from  Astoria, Queens and the Mendocino Coastline. 

Christine’s Hometown Beer (kinda) – Some Cat From Japan from SingleCut Beersmiths, Astoria, NYC 

Devan’s Hometown Beer (kinda) – Brother Thelonious from North Coast Brewing, Fort Bragg, CA

WLVR Flight Club: Sounds of the Craft Beer Festival in Allentown

This past weekend, Devan and Christine attended the Craft Beer Festival at Fegley’s Brew Works in Allentown. It was a raucous event with hundreds of folks attending and enjoying the craft beer scene. Not only did our team test out a new brew, they also recruited some new WLVR Flight Cub members giving their own reviews.  

WLVR Flight Club: Craft Beer Roulette with Lake Wallenpaupack Brewing

The holidays may be over, but the Craft Beer Roulette wheel is still spinning! One of Devan and Christine’s co-workers, Janet Welk, was kind enough to pick up a variety of beer from Wallenpaupack Brewing Company, (https://www.wallenpaupackbrewingco.com/) in Hawley, PA.  Listen in as the team randomly tries a few brews – will it be an IPA, a Cream Ale, a Lager – the roulette wheel will reveal all.

WLVR Flight Club: Special Holiday Bonus Episode!

We spin the Holiday Craft Beer Roulette another time for a couple of brews from Fegley’s Brew Works. Enjoy this extra edition! 

WLVR Flight Club: Holiday Craft Beer Roulette – McCall Collective’s Offering

Devan and Christine wrap up Holiday Craft Beer Roulette with a Lightening Round of 3 offerings from McCall Collective Brewing (https://www.mccallcollectivebrewing.com/) Leave it to Head Brewer Matt McCall to come up with creative blends, and creative names! There is an IPA brewed with Citra and Galaxy Hops, an Imperial Amber Ale brewed with fresh spruce and an English Stout brewed with plum puree, chocolate and roasted coffee. (The art work on the cans is great!) We hope you enjoyed all the holiday brews this month!

McCall Collective Brewing Holiday Beer

Through the Woods – IPA

Spruce Willis -Imperial Amber Ale

Chitter’s Full – English Stout 

WLVR Flight Club: Holiday Craft Beer Roulette – Yergey Brewing and Sherman Street Beer Co.

Holiday Craft Beer Roulette continues this week.  On the wheel are two different local beers. (We know… there are no surprises on the winners.)  Yergey Brewing in Emmaus (www.yergeybrewing.com) shares their seasonal Doppelbock. Our friends at Sherman Street Beer Co., (www.shermanstreetbeer.com) wish you Hoppy Holidays with an IPA. Christine and Devan will keep spinning the wheel throughout the month of December.

This Week’s Winners:

Yergey Brewing – Decorator German-style Doppelbock Lager

Sherman Street Beer – Hoppy Holidays Belgian-style Farmhouse IPA

WLVR Flight Club : Holiday Craft Beer Roulette – Fegley’s Spin

When Christine and Devan put out the call for some local holiday brews, Sonny Lemmons of Fegley’s Brew Works (www.thebrewworks.com) answered in a big way. He offered up 7 different holiday blends for our Holiday Craft Beer Roulette. After a couple of spins, the team landed on an IPA Vanilla Milkshake and an American Ale. Christine and Devan will keep spinning the wheel throughout the month of December.

This Week’s Winners:

Frosty Kitty Milkshake IPA brewed with natural vanilla flavor

You Want S’more Ale? An American Ale with the flavors of…you guessed it… S’mores

WLVR Flight Club : Holiday Craft Beer Roulette – Second Spin

It’s time to spin the Holiday Craft Beer Roulette wheel! Christine and Devan get ready for celebrations with some holiday cheer they picked up at ABE’s Cold Beer in West Bethlehem (www.abescoldbeer.com). 12 different styles and flavors of beer were listed on the brand new Holiday Craft Beer Roulette. After a couple of spins, the team landed on a Spiced Double Ale and an Imperial Double Pastry Stout. Christine and Devan will keep spinning the wheel throughout the month of December.

This Week’s Winners:

Southern Tier – 2XMAS Spiced Double Ale with fig paste, orange peel, cardamon, cinnamon, clove and ginger root.

Rusty Rail Brewing – Misfit Toys Imperial Double Pastry Stout – a Hot Cocoa Peppermint Stout

WLVR Flight Club : Holiday Craft Beer Roulette – First Spin

It’s the Holiday Season in the Christmas City. Christine and Devan get ready for celebrations by picking up some holiday cheer at ABE’s Cold Beer in West Bethlehem. (www.abescoldbeer.com). 14 different styles and flavors of beer were listed on the brand new Holiday Craft Beer Roulette. After a couple of spins, the team landed on a holiday Christmas pickle miracle and an ale with lots of mulling spices. Christine and Devan will keep spinning the wheel throughout the month of December.

This Week’s Winners:

Urban Artifact’s Xmas Pickle – a dill pickle gose.

Sly Fox Brewing’s Christmas Ale – Red Ale with mulling spices

WLVR Flight Club : Pumpkin Picking – Squash Set 3

Christine and Devan took a trip to Beer Heaven to do a bit of Pumpkin Picking. In October, the two visited Shangy’s, The Beer Authority, in Emmaus. They filled a 6-pack holder with a variety of seasonal flavors. For the rest of the month, Christine and Devan will test out these brews and share their thoughts. The third set of pumpkins include a cold brew coffee Pumpkin Nitro Ale from Southern Tier Brewing in Lakewood, NY. Also on tap, something a bit different, Doc’s Cider Pumpkin the Hudson Valley in New York.

Christine’s Pick:

• Southern Tier Pumpkin Nitro Imperial Ale

Devan’s Pick:

• Doc’s Cider Pumpkin

WLVR Flight Club : Pumpkin Picking – Squash Set 2

Christine and Devan took a trip to Beer Heaven to do a bit of Pumpkin Picking.  In October, the two visited Shangy’s, The Beer Authority, in Emmaus. They filled a 6-pack holder with a variety of seasonal flavors.  For the rest of the month, Christine and Devan will test out these brews and share their thoughts. The second set of pumpkins include Voodoo Ranger’s Atomic Pumpkin and 3 Floyds’ Zombie Dust. The Atomic Pumkin had a special ingredient that gave it a real kick. And, full disclosure, the Zombie Dust didn’t contain any pumpkin flavor, but it was perfect for the Halloween season.

Christine’s Pick:

• Voodoo Ranger’s Atomic Pumpkin Spicy Release

Devan’s Pick:

• 3 Floyds Zombie Dust Undead Pale Ale

WLVR Flight Club : Pumpkin Picking – Squash Set 1

Christine and Devan took a trip to Beer Heaven to do a bit of Pumpkin Picking. In October, the two visited Shangy’s, The Beer Authority, in Emmaus. They filled a 6-pack holder with a variety of seasonal flavors. For the rest of the month, Christine and Devan will test out these brews and share their thoughts. First up is O’Fallon Pumpkin Beer. Brewed in Maryland Heights, MO, they claim to be the “real McCoy.” Then it’s Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale. Based in Hayward, CA, they claim to be “America’s original pumpkin ale.”

Christine’s Pick:

• O’Fallon Pumpkin Beer

Devan’s Pick:

• Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale

WLVR Flight Club : Yuengling and Son?

DG Yuengling and Son has been a family owned and operated brewery since 1829. Currently, they are on their 5^thgeneration of Yuenglings running the company. The 6^th generation will be a bit different – it will be the first time Yuengling and Son will be run by a women.  Wendy Yuengling is the current Chief Administrative Officer for the company.  She talks with us about being a women in a male-dominated field and about Yuengling’s first collaboration with another iconic Pennsylvania business. 

WLVR Flight Club : Sherman Street Beer Company

At the urging of his wife and co-owner, Casey DeCeia, Brewer Beau Baden of Sherman Street Beer Company, created some “non-boring” seasonal brews. The results are anything but boring! The Pump!You Up! Pumpkin Latte Stout, (a throwback to a SNL skit) not only is flavorful, it also uses Monocacy Coffee in the mix. In addition, the Pumpkinstein Double IPA incorporates pumpkin puree – something not included in all seasonal brews. Overall, this is a delicious seasonal episode of Flight Club.

Christine’s Flight:

• Pump!You Up! – Pumpkin Latte Stout

Devan’s Flight:

• Pumpkinstein Double IPA
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WLVR Flight Club : Beau Baden of Sherman Street Beer Company

#BeauKnowsBeer is a known hashtag that’s used in social media. It refers to Beau Baden, co-owner of Sherman Street Beer Company and OG of Lehigh Valley brewers. He’s been brewing close to 30 years and has not only worked in the Valley, but also trained many young brewers.  Devan and Christine chat with Beau about the past, present and future of brewing in the Valley.  Next week, you’ll hear about the seasonal flight they tested.

WLVR Flight Club : Beau Baden of Sherman Street Beer Company

#BeauKnowsBeer is a known hashtag that’s used in social media. It refers to Beau Baden, co-owner of Sherman Street Beer Company and OG of Lehigh Valley brewers. He’s been brewing close to 30 years and has not only worked in the Valley, but also trained many young brewers.  Devan and Christine chat with Beau about the past, present and future of brewing in the Valley.  Next week, you’ll hear about the seasonal flight they tested.

WLVR Flight Club : Retriever Brewing

Matt Anderson wears a couple of hats – he’s the owner of Retriever Brewing and he is also a lawyer specializing in liquor licenses. Devan and Christine made the trip to Anderson’s massive establishment in a wooded area of Orefield. It is a serene setting with lots of outdoor space for Retrievers and other dogs to enjoy. Anderson’s love of dogs comes through in the names of his beer selection. Half the fun of Retriever Brewing is reading the menu!

Retriever Brewing
2844 Township Line Road
Orefield, PA

WLVR Flight Club: Jess Mitchell, creator of Scars are Beautiful

At 27, Iowa Brewer Jess Mitchell tested positive for the Breast Cancer Gene. This meant that she was at a high risk to develop breast cancer. Mitchell opted to have preventative bi-lateral mastectomy. As a brewer, she created “Scars Are Beautiful,” a West Coast IPA that is being used as a national fundraiser for women with breast cancer. Locally, Fegley’s Brew Works have collaborated with Jess and her brewery, Kinship, to take part in this effort. Christine Dempsey spoke with Jess about “Scars Are Beautiful.”

WLVR Flight Club: Scars Are Beautiful

Devan and Christine talk with Sonny Lemmons of Fegley’s Brew Works about a special collaboration for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The partnership is with Kinship Brewing in Iowa and the beer is called “Scars Are Beautiful.” It’s a 7% ABV West Coast Style India Pale Ale. Cans are available for purchase at Fegley’s locations in Allentown and Bethlehem. Proceeds from the sales support the non-profit, Cancer Card Xchange. Next week, we’ll talk with Jess Mitchell, the brewer responsible for this project.

WLVR Flight Club:
Lehigh Valley Brewers Guild

Devan and Christine talk with Co-President of the Lehigh Valley Brewer’s Guild, Kaitlin McCall. The Brewer’s Guild is a professional organization that facilitates comradery and collaboration between local brewing businesses in the Valley. On October 15th, their annual Brewer’s Fest will take place. Kaitlin lets us in on everything that’s happening and tells us about their special release, Horchata Blonde Stout, that will be available for the occasion.
For more information on Brewer’s Fest, visit lvbrewersguild.com

WLVR Flight Club: Colony Meadery
(Part 2)

Last week, Devan and Christine talked with Greg Heller-LaBelle, CEO of Colony Meadery on Bethlehem’s South Side, to find out what “mead” was – hint…it’s not a honey wine. It is a fermented beverage made with honey, water and yeast. This “nectar of the gods” comes in many flavors from Mead Maker Mike Manning. Christine and Devan test a flight this week.
Colony Meadery
211 East 3rd St
Bethlehem

Christine’s Flight:

• Wu Tang Cran – Cranberry and Orange Mead
• A Series of Tubes – Cinnamon and Vanilla Mead

Devan’s Flight:

• Straight, No Chaser – Traditional Mead from Orange Blossom Honey
• Tea Tax – A lightly carbonated mead flavored with a blend of lemonade and iced tea.

WLVR Flight Club: Colony Meadery
(Part 1)

“I have never seen mead enjoyed more in any hall on earth.” – Beowulf
Mead – it’s the of medieval tales, but how does it fit in modern times? Devan and Christine try to find the answers by visiting with Greg Heller-LaBelle, CEO of Colony Meadery on Bethlehem’s South Side. This fermented honey beverage takes on many forms and mead maker Mike Manning has come up with some interesting concoctions. This is Part 1 of a NOT-the-run-of-the-hive beverage.
Colony Meadery
211 East 3rd St
Bethlehem

WLVR Flight Club: Sherman Street Beer Company

Sherman Street Beer Company’s Beau Baden is a career brewer. After college graduation, with his accounting degree in hand, he decided to follow his passion instead of his major. Beau has brewed as far away as California and as close as Bethlehem.  He’s worked for a variety of breweries, but Sherman Street is the first place he has owned.  It occupies the former Mink’s Candies factory and is spacious and welcoming.

Christine’s Flight:

• New Mexican Lager
• Special Sauce – Saison with shitake mushroom

Devan’s Flight:

• Skootch – Double Pale Ale
• Fastnachtator – German Style Doppelbock Lager

WLVR Flight Club: F&A Grog House

52 Beers on tap! That’s what is offered at F&A Grog House on Bethlehem’s Southside. General Manager Jim Flynn has over 15 years of experience working in the pub industry and he ensures the taps provide some standard favorites as well as unique craft beers from across the country. F&A Grog House also offers classic pub fare. It may not be a local brewery, but you can bet you’ll find something interesting to imbibe!

F&A Grog House
117 E 3rd St
Bethlehem, PA

Christine’s Flight:

• Cotton Candy Snow Cone – a fruited sour from Rotunda Brewing Company
• Pineapple Cherry Upsidedown Cake – a fruited sour from Smuttynose Brewing

Devan’s Flight:

• Scottish Ale – from Belhaven Brewery
• Hop Monger – American IPA from Well Crafted Beer Company

www.fandagroghouse.com

WLVR Flight Club: McCall Collective Taphouse

McCall Collective has expanded their local presence by opening the McCall Collective Taproom in Breinigsville. Kaitlin McCall is the only woman to fully own a Craft Brewery in the Lehigh Valley. She took some time out of her busy schedule and invited us into the new Taproom to test out a flight. As always, McCall delivered with some tasty brews. At the end of August, McCall Collective Brewing will be celebrating their second anniversary. Cheers!

Christine’s Flight:

• Liquid Label – Sabro Session IPA
• Potato on a String – Irish Red Ale

Devan’s Flight:

• Constitution Drive – American Stout
• Wild Wooder – New England Hazy IPA

WLVR Flight Club: Bonn Place Brewing

Bonn Place Brewing’s owner Sam Masotto is a master storyteller.  Just ask him a question, and he’ll give you a colorful, elaborate answer. Try it when you visit this cozy brewery on Bethlehem’s Southside.  Masotto and his wife opened Bonn Place in 2016 after they relocated from NYC. They first came upon Bethlehem when they were actors, touring with Tony and Tina’s Wedding. Just ask Sam to tell you the story!

Christine’s Flight:

• Orsino – Plum Foundrebier
• Obus – Amber Ale

Devan’s Flight:

• Skootch – Double Pale Ale
• Fastnachtator – German Style Doppelbock Lager

WLVR Flight Club: Cave Brewing Co.

When Jeff Bonner Jr. was growing up, his dad, Jeff Bonner Sr., would head to his man cave to do some home brewing. Fast forward some years later and father and son are working together producing ales, lagers and seltzers, except now Jeff Jr. is the brewer. Cave Brewing Co. is hidden in the garage, and even though their space is small, the beer is bursting with flavor. 

Christine’s Flight:

• Peach-Mango – Witbier Sour
• American Craft Pilsner

Devan’s Flight:

• Blood Orange Sour
• Hop Nectar – IPA

WLVR Flight Club: Lehigh Valley Girls Pint Out

A special guest joins Christine and Devan to test a flight of beer. Kim Hellwig is with the local chapter of national non-profit, Girls Pint Out. She joined us at Bonn Place Brewing to try a flight and to tell us about Lehigh Valley Girls Pint Out. The organization is building a community of women who love craft beer. There is no membership process- just join them for a pint! For more info, follow Lehigh Valley Girls Pint Out on social media @LehighValleyGPO or email lehigh.valley@girlspintout.org

Christine’s Flight:

• Intercooler with cucumber and mint.

Devan’s Flight:

• The Bunny Farm

Kim’s Flight:

• Skootch

WLVR Flight Club: Five Maidens Craft Cider

We finally have something for our Gluten-Free friends – apples! Five Maidens Cider Company co-owners, Brian Williams and Andrew David, started off as home beer brewers. A family members dietary restrictions had them thinking of something different to home brew. That then morphed into this Southside hideaway. When you visit, you’ll find some ciders with literary or movie character names…have fun figuring them out!

Christine’s Flight:

• Intercooler with cucumber and mint.
• Rizzo – this cider is 100% Pink Lady Apples. (Stockard Channing would be proud.)

Devan’s Flight:

• India Bound – dry hopped with citra and mosaic hops.
• Steep Series – with peach white tea.

WLVR Flight Club: Two Rivers Brewing

Two Rivers Brewing Company in Easton is housed in the historic, former Mt Vernon Hotel. Their first floor bar room looks like it did in the 1920’s and they name many of their beers to honor the history of Easton. Head Brewer, Ben Gangaware, uses some interesting hops to accentuate flavors in his creations. Christine and Devan tested some of these historically named beers.

Christine’s Flight:

• Moore’s Cup (named after Hugh Moore, inventor of the paper cup)
• Delaware Shad Hazy Golden (named for the Shad Festival)

Devan’s Flight:

• Dutchtown 25 (named after the former PA Dutch Community of Easton)
• Fred’s Franconian Kellerbier (named after Fredrich Seitz, founder of the first brewery in Easton)

WLVR Flight Club: Fegley’s Brew Works

Fegley’s Brew Works is the OG of craft breweries in the Lehigh Valley. Operating since 1998, this family-owned business has continually celebrated the Steel history of the region through it’s brews and establishment decor. Christine and Devan tested some flagship beer and seasonal favorites.

Christine’s Flight:

• Steelgaarden Wit
• Blueberry Belch-Fruit Beer

Devan’s Flight:

• Doozy of A Smoothie BRB Sour
• In-a-Gadda-Sativa IPA

WLVR Flight Club: Yergey Brewing

Jim Yergey shared his love of home brewing with his son Matt.  Jim is now the owner of Yergey Brewing and Matt is the Head Brewer. This father-son team recently relocated their business to a former bank building on Main Street in Emmaus. The space is welcoming and comfortable and the Yergey Brewing Team is personable and FUN! Their beer is not available canned, because they prefer patrons enjoy the local business in person and socialize with other customers.

Christine’s Flight:

• Blimey! Blackberry Lime Radler
• Kolsch Krusch:Kolsch Style Ale

Devan’s Flight:

• US101: The Pacific Coast Hopway
• Amber Ryes: Amber Rye Ale