Letting South Philadelphia Tap Room and American Sardine Bar chef Scott Schroeder in, or near any beer-making facilities is like posting the proverbial fox on lookout at the hen house. And yet, that’s exactly what the good folks at Manayunk Brewing Company did. Much to everyone’s surprise, not only didn’t Schroeder drink them dry, he wound up taking a custom-made beer with him on the way out. That beer, American Sardine Ale, goes on tap Friday at its namesake in Point Breeze.
According to a communique Schroeder sent overnight, Manayunk brewers Doug Marchakitus and Evan Fritz agreed to make a custom beer for the bar. The Sardine crew wanted something along the lines of Russian River’s Redemption. What the brewers came up with — they’re calling it an East Coast Belgian Blonde — isn’t too far off. It’s a wheat-y ale brewed with Belgian yeast that’s light in color, low in ABV (just five percent) and has a citrusy finish. During the launch at Friday’s happy hour at ASB, pints of American Sardine Ale will be on for $3, and will come with free sardine sandwiches from 4 to 6 p.m.
