On Saturday, August 24, 2019 the Fonthill Castle and Mercer Museum held their annual beer fest. This event sells out every year for a reason, combining local and regional brewery sampling with a beautiful outdoor setting, live music, and gourmet catering. VIP access gets you in early and a special selection of beers not available to general admission ticket holders, as well as a special VIP selection of appetizers that go FAST. Don’t show up late, I’m seriously not kidding about the appetizers going quickly.
Food was provided by The Catering Company, with owner/chef Tom McAdams on hand to make sure everything went smoothly. For the VIP area we had Blackberry and Brie Phyllo Cups, Marinated Steak and Strawberry Bites, Balsamic Zucchini and Feta Pasta Salad, Italian Antipasto w/ Baguettes, Gouda and Peach skewers, Crab Rangoon Dip with Pita Chips, and Tiramisu Dip with Vanilla Wafers.
There were items throughout the general admission areas as well, with a delicious braised cheddarwurst sausage with spicy beer mustard and carmelized onion, bacon jalapeno meatballs, soft pretzels, grilled hot dogs and chicken sausage from Boar’s Head as well. It was an insane amount of food this year. Everyone seemed quite pleased with their choices. A little something for everyone.
Of course, as with every year, Pierre’s Chocolates were on hand with some beer-infused chocolate goodness, featuring Neshaminy Creek’s A Good Problem to Have IPA.
More than 100,000 guests annually visit the Fonthill castles and Mercer Museum to explore historical treasures and experience our programs and services. There are many ways for individuals, business, foundations and organizations to support our education activities, exhibitions, and community programming.
The Beer
Super Mash Brothers
Stable 12 Brewing
Pours hazy, golden-blonde with moderate head. Taste is tangerine, orange peel, and grapefruit alongside dank, sweet grass and earthiness. Medium bodied, silky, oily, smooth, and bitter with moderate carbonation. Overall a tasty, juicy IPA from Stable 12.
Komo Sutra #9
Red Lion Brewery
I keep thinking “that’s it, they’ve figured out this recipe, it’s perfect,” and then they tweak it one more time and I’m blown away. Every. Single. Time. Brewmaster Joe Winiarski and the team outdo themselves every time. This is a New England IPA double dry hopped with Citra, Amarillo, and Galaxy hops. Fresh mango, peach, yellow starburst, and guava dance on your taste buds
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Violet Underground
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
This one is a bit different from my usual far. A collaboration with Wild Beer Co. in Somerset County, England, this is an avant-garde wild ale made with golden raspberries and candied violet petals. Pours an opaque, apricot color with a fast receding head. Grape candies, tart lemon, berries, mild funk and rose floral potpourri. These may seem like they wouldn’t go together at first – but it combines into a beautiful crescendo of flavor. I was quite pleasantly surprised by this one. I may need to find this again.
Photo Gallery
More than 100,000 guests annually visit the Fonthill castles and Mercer Museum to explore historical treasures and experience our programs and services. There are many ways for individuals, business, foundations and organizations to support our education activities, exhibitions, and community programming.
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