Philly chefs are cooking some exciting dishes for vegans
“Few bar chefs, though, give as much consistent attention to creative vegan options as much as Doreen DeMarco, who oversees three local pubs. At South Philadelphia Taproom (1509 Mifflin St.), she gives an American take on jackfruit, an ingredient often used in the nearby Indonesian restaurants. She marinates chunks of the meaty tropical fruit in Buffalo sauce and then fries them in seasoned breading for a hoagie roll with lettuce and vegan ranch. She uses crab cakes as inspiration for a version made with artichokes and faba-naise at Second District Brewery (1939 S. Bancroft St.). At American Sardine Bar (1800 Federal St.), meanwhile, she skips past the usual faux-meat vegan cheesesteak by transforming sheer slices of roasted eggplant — salt-cured, dehydrated, marinated with liquid smoke, soy, and mushroom powder then griddled like meat on the flat-top — for an eggplant Parm steak drizzled with a parsnip whiz reminiscent of Vedge’s rutabaga fondue masterpiece.” –Craig LaBan, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Ditch the Dilly Dilly for a local beer with Philly style
There’s a style for every taste, including easy-drinking lagers. But few new creations capture that special combo of Philly attitude and sophisticated craftsmanship quite like the latest edition of Second District’s “RAF” series of wild sour ales: Rude AF.
“We thought it would be funny to give a beer that was brewed in an old machine shop in South Philly a real tongue-in-cheek name,” said Ben Potts, head brewer of the year-old brewery on South Bancroft Street just north of West Passyunk Avenue. “The ‘AF’ moniker seems fitting for a gritty city like Philly.”
There’s nothing tongue-in-cheek, though, about the complexity of these RAF beers brewed with Second District’s house yeast, a blend of the dregs from some their favorite Belgian lambics, like Cantillon, roused and cultivated with the sunshine, air and wort of some true South Philly terroir. The yeast adds a funky tartness that brings a wild ale edge and dryness to the brews I’ve tasted, including the inaugural “Rustic AF,” all the while remaining wonderfully controlled and drinkable. –Craig LaBan, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Hop Culture names Second District Brewing among “10 Best Brewpubs in America of 2017”
“We brew uncompromised quality from unconventional ideas,” says the Second District website. Emphasis on the unconventional. From a Curry IPA brewed with a dash of Madras curry powder to a huitlacoche and sea salt saison, Second District Brewing in Philadelphia, PA punches traditional flavors in the gut. Built into an old South Philly garage, the 7 bbl brewhouse named after the City Council district appears tame — it’s accented with warm wood touches and exposed brick. But, almost like the unassuming rags to riches boxer of Philly fame (Rocky, for those born before the 90s), Second District Brewing’s modest exterior disguises an armada of bold, Willy Wonka-esque creations. Manager Curt Decker and brewer Ben Potts (former stints at Dock Street, Dogfish Head and Tired Hands) push the limits with their beers while Chef Doreen DeMarco infuses ale ingredients throughout her menu: for instance, the IPA Kettle Corn, the Spent Grain Burger with vegan herbed mayo, or the Buffalo Cauliflower served with hopped up vegan Buffalo ranch. – Hop Culture
Reelection fundraiser for Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian
Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian has changed the tide in his first term, and we’re gathering together to make sure the resulting momentum continues forward for the next four years.
Mayor Guardian retooled the City budget for the first time in 40 years and eliminated $83 million in wasteful spending. He prioritized community building and civic engagement in Atlantic City’s neighborhoods. He delivered infrastructure investments that rebuilt basketball courts and baseball fields and repaved more than half of the streets in town. Mayor Guardian brought 550 affordable and market rate houses to elevate the quality of life for residents, and worked tirelessly on business attraction and retention.
Please join us on Wednesday, August 23 at Second District Brewing Company to help Mayor Don Guardian lead Atlantic City’s progress back to the top of the list of New Jersey’s coastal gems.
Suggested Contribution Levels
VIP Sponsor – $1000 – $2,600
Includes private cocktail reception at LPMG Worldwide*, 5:30 – 6:30pm.
Host Committee – $500 – $1,000
Includes private cocktail reception at LPMG Worldwide*, 5:30 – 6:30pm.
General Reception – $50
Includes event-only special brew at Second District Brewing, 6:30 – 8:30pm.
*LPMG is located just 50 feet away from Second District Brewing at 1621 McKean St.
Please make checks payable to ‘Don Guardian for Mayor’ and leave at the front door. www.don4ac.com.
Fundraiser for Phil Murphy, Democrat for NJ Governor
Please join us at Second District Brewing on Monday, March 20th, 6pm – 9pm, as we welcome the next Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy. It’s been a long and disastrous seven years with Chris Christie at the helm but our chance to help set the ship right has come. With our connected economies, Philadelphia has a vested interest in New Jersey’s future.
With your donation, you’ll get to enjoy a couple of Phil Murphy-inspired specialty brews while listening to Phil describe his shared vision for the new, progressive direction for the great state of New Jersey.
As governor, Phil will focus on New Jersey’s core advantages to attract businesses, empower workers, and grow the economy by growing the middle class. Critical investments have been put off for too long by governors whose only interest has been the next election. Phil Murphy will draw on his diverse experiences in the business, non-profit, and public sectors to create a dynamic and innovative 21st century economy .
Environment:
Phil will immediately restore New Jersey’s place in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). He understands that we need to generate clean energy and that protecting the Jersey beaches and open spaces is essential.
Education:
One of New Jersey’s great assets is its higher education system. Phil will increase state aid to institutions of higher education and create incentives for private sector employers to provide student loan relief as a core employee benefit.
LGBTQ Rights:
Phil Murphy is a strong and consistent advocate for the equal treatment of the LGBTQ community. As a truly inclusive governor, Phil will expand and enforce anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals. He will ensure that all residents have equal access to health care, including fertility treatment, regardless of sexual orientation.
Suggested Contribution Levels
Co-Host – $100
Sponsor – $50
Friends of Phil – $25
Facebook Event:
www.facebook.com/events/824894124317814/
More information about where Phil Murphy stands on the issues:
www.Murphy4NJ.com
Venue Information:
www.SecondDistrictBrewing.
PAID FOR BY MURPHY FOR GOVERNOR
ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 1025, NEWARK NJ 07102. Printed in-house. Labor Donated
Second District Brewing Company: Second District, First Rate Beer
After a long awaited arrival of Philadelphia’s newest brewpub, Second District Brewing Co., located at 1939 South Bancroft Street opened their doors at 5pm on February 16th. Some Philadelphia beer fans may notice some familiar faces are present, as John Longacre of American Sardine Bar the Brew bottle shop and South Philadelphia Taproom and Curt Decker of the former Nodding Head have joined forces to create a neighborhood brewpub that embodies the spirit of the Newbold neighborhood it serves.
Enter Second District Brewing. This project has been in the works for quite some time and the effort put in shines through in every facet when you walk in the front door. While this is not the second coming of Nodding Head, the same welcoming, warm and inviting environment remain present in the new South Philadelphia brewpub. This sentiment sings true with the staff as well. The decor features a blend of rustic and gilded with an array of antique mirrors lining the back of the bar. Step beyond the bar into the back and you’ll be in the midst of the bi-level brewhouse featuring some of the old Nodding Head equipment with an array of barrels throughout, which will soon produce great beers to come. Along with the rustic decor are sliding garage doors that are sure to liven up this space during the summer time.
Now that we’ve painted the picture for the atmosphere of this brewpub, let’s talk about what’s the most important: the beer. Head brewer Ben Potts’ seasoned background features three local mainstays in Dock Street, Dogfish Head and Tired Hands, so rest assured the beer will be great. The taplist features a diverse blend of mostly sessionable, straightforward and good, honest beers that everyone is sure to enjoy. Opening night featured six beers, with capacity for two more. The starting six were diverse and delicious with two IPAs, a dark English Mild, a light, citrusy pale ale, Vietnamese Coffee Stout and English Barleywine, finding a favorite beer will be easy for everyone.
After enjoying a bit of each beer and taking in the whole experience, I spoke to Curt about the beer, congratulated him on the new space and gave credit for the delicious beers I enjoyed this evening. He was visibly glowing while conversing with his patrons, a sign that his hard work has paid off, and it has.
If my words have not convinced you to check out this new neighborhood gem, do yourself a favor and let the beer do all the talking. You’ll surely be back for more. See you there.
February 19, 2017 | Breweries In PA
Inside Second District Brewing in South Philadelphia
The city’s brewing scene picks up a new entrant with Feb. 16’s opening of Second District Brewing Co., a South Philadelphia brew pub run by Curt Decker, former owner of Center City’s late Nodding Head, with backing from developer John Longacre, whose holdings include South Philadelphia Tap Room and American Sardine Bar.
The 7-bbl brew house is upstairs and is visible from the old-fashioned brew pub, made from reclaimed materials, on street level behind roll-up doors.
Brewer Ben Potts, whose resume includes Dock Street, Dogfish Head, and Tired Hands, will have about eight beers on tap from the start. See a partial list here. The house beers will be offered with Pennsylvania wines and cocktails made with Pennsylvania spirits.
Potts’ creative varieties include an IPA brewed with tea sourced from Premium Steap, and a Vietnamese coffee stout.
Chef Doreen DeMarco, doing double duty at American Sardine Bar, has devised a menu of simple, scratch-made food, including snacks, house-made charcuterie (a beer brat), pickles, and sandwiches. “Things you want to eat with beer,” DeMarco said. She also makes a vegan Italian sausage as well as vegan pork rinds.
February 15, 2017 | Philly.com
‘Definitely not Nodding Head’ opens in South Philly this week
After more than two years of planning and renovation, Second District Brewing opens its doors in the Newbold/Point Breeze section of South Philadelphia this week.
The brewpub, located across two floors of adjoining buildings at the corner of Bancroft and McKean (between 16th and 17th), is a joint project from John Longacre of South Philadelphia Tap Room/American Sardine Bar and Curt Decker of Nodding Head.
A tasting of early beers — including a 9.5% ABV vanilla barleywine that’s way too easy to drink — and a look at the menu by Sardine Bar’s Doreen DeMarco (foot-long Lancaster corn dog, anyone?) bodes well for the pub’s success.
Ben Potts is head brewer, building on an impressive resume that includes time at Tired Hands in Ardmore and several years at Dogfish Head in Delaware.
“Ben was my first choice,” said Decker, who had been impressed with Potts’ talents for years. “He’s on his way to becoming a beer world rockstar. I was thrilled to get him.”
House beers on tap — which will be the only beer served at the long, poured-concrete bar, along with PA wines on tap and drinks with locally-made spirits — are brewed on the very same seven-barrel brewhouse that for nearly 15 years was used at Nodding Head’s Sansom Street location in Center City.
February 13, 2017 | Billy Penn
Second District Brewing Co. opening soon in South Philly
Info is trickling out about Second District Brewing Co., a brew pub fixing to open shortly in a former garage at 1939 S. Bancroft Street, on the corner of McKean Street in South Philadelphia.
Its principals are John Longacre, the developer and founder of South Philadelphia Tap Room and American Sardine Bar, and Curt Decker, who owned Nodding Head Brewing, late on Sansom Street in Center City.
The name comes from the location, in Philly’s Second Council District.
January 24, 2017 | Philly.com