I first heard about the Shangy’s Tap Takeover at Pinocchio’s at the end of December and started counting down the days like a kid waiting for Christmas. I go to a lot of beer tasting events, but this roster of beers had me a little more excited than the typical brewery hosted tap takeover.
All of Thursday’s (Feb. 9) beers were provided by Shangy’s, one of Pinocchio’s largest distributors, located in Emmaus, PA. They have an immense selection of cases and kegs at Shangy’s and the tap listed reflected that. The list consisted of several beers that I already love, but there were also more than a handful of beers I could not wait to try. The varied styles on the menu included the strong ales and Belgians that I prefer, as well as plenty of dark beers for my brother, and a handful of quality IPAs for my friends.
When the day finally arrived, Pinocchio’s had sixteen of their taps pumping out world class beers from Shangy’s. They had some great Southern Tier beers, including Crème Brulee stout, Choklat stout, Unearthly double IPA, and Oak-aged Pumking. Other highlights on tap included Fegley Brew Works‘ Hopsolutely, Delirium’s Noël, La Chouffe, Avery’s Dugana, and for those on a budget – growlers of Molson Canadian for only $6.
My first beer, without hesitation, was the Oak-aged Pumking. I love the complexity of an oak-aged beer, and this beer did not let me down. The aroma was a mixture of pumpkin spice and graham crackers. The flavor consisted of an initial burst of pumpkin, nutmeg, and a little bit of cinnamon, followed by a hint of vanilla, and a rich oak aftertaste. This beer packed a lot of flavor without masking any of its complexity. I also sampled the Tallgrass Velvet Rooster Belgian Tripel for the first time. This traditional light tripel was carried by the fruity flavor of the Belgian yeast, as well as a crisp splash of citrus and a light hop bite.
To my surprise the highlight of my night was a beer cocktail. The idea of mixing beers just never seemed right to me, but with a name like “Chocolate Covered Raspberry” I just had to sample and I’m glad that I did. I recommend this delicious mix of Southern Tier’s Chokolat Stout and Lindeman’s Framboise (a raspberry lambic) to anyone interested in stepping outside of the norm for a dark yet fruity drink.
The highlight of the event was Pinocchio’s staff and their knowledge. With twenty-five taps and over 800 beers to choose from, the selection can be intimidating. But navigating this beer landscape can be very easy if you ask around. The staff can offer suggestions based on the beers and flavors that you prefer as well as their own personal favorites.
Dr. Zeke, one of the tap takeover patrons and a Pinocchio’s regular, described the beer garden as a place to talk with people that know beer or want to learn. The large selection and chance to sample before you purchase it is what keeps him coming.
“They have an ‘I want you to be happy’ attitude. If you’re having a good time, they want you to have a better one… Who wouldn’t refer people to this place?” he said.
Andrew Taggart and Ryan Sellman manned the bar and gladly shared their favorites from the tap list. Andrew’s favorite was Avery Dugana, which he said was really hoppy, easy to drink, and had the perfect alcohol by volume (coming in at 8.5%). He also recommended the smokey New World Porter, which tastes like a mix between a porter and a black IPA. Ryan also suggested Avery’s Dugana, but his favorite was Southern Tier’s Choklat. Because of its sweetness and the ever-present chocolate flavor, he described it as being like drinking a candy bar.
Pinocchio’s is planning an event on Leap Day featuring a rare keg or two. They also have plans for an Oscar Blues tasting to celebrate the release of their Deviant Dales IPA, which brought home a silver medal from the Great American Beer Festival. You can keep updated on all of Pinocchio’s events on their website or by following them on Facebook or Twitter.
Find Pinocchio’s Beer Garden To Go at 131 E. Baltimore Pike in Media or online at pinbeer.com.
