For months, a buddy of mine in Jersey City had been telling me about this “beer garden” that had opened a few blocks from his apartment.

The brown envelope arrived a week ago while I was working a Saturday shift.

Thursday was a complete loss, but it needed to happen. I was exhausted and just needed to get some sleep. But it made me all the more determined to make the most of my free time on Friday.

The Foodery was my objective for the afternoon lunch hour. This is Philly’s candy store for beer lovers. Craft beers from all over the world, in singles and they allow you to mix a 6-pack.

Determined not to drive (I’ve still got NYC impulses) I walked to the original location at 10th and Pine, only to discover that there were some power issues and that the store was closing just as I was about to pay for my sixer. Dang-on.

I could have flown the white flag. Instead, I braved Philly’s somewhat absurd subway system (I won’t get into it, but no transit system should require different forms of currency to switch trains, especially when you’re only traveling 3 stops.)

But I got there. That’s the important thing. I got there and, upon browsing that first cooler, instantly forgave the inconvenience and forgot the unfortunate oversights on my part that had me pass by the store twice before I found it.

March 5 is when this year’s incarnation of Kate the Great will be released at the Portsmouth Brewery. Here’s a look back at what the event was like last year.

Monday morning began cold and none of the clocks worked. Neither did the coffee maker or shower.

An ice storm had caused a power outage that left thousands of Granite Staters like me in a “situation,” facing a long day ahead and slick streets in between. Mondays are terrifying enough, but March in New England offers up something that will infuse you with a general sense of doubt.

The day would be won purely on internal motivation. I didn’t have to work. I could have just stayed home, kicked back with a Bloody Mary and messed around on YouTube. Instead, I got in my car at 8 a.m. and drove 2 hours to Portsmouth, N.H., to taste a beer that is the stuff of legend.

Alaska — never been there, but now I want to go soooooo bad. No, not for its lovely winters, but to sample some of the state’s outstanding beers.

Since a blind Oktoberfest tasting with the UV Beer Society a couple weeks ago, I’ve been jonzing for anything of the style. Strange for a hop head like me, but I’m a convert.
My favorite at the tasting was the Spaten, but I’ve since discovered one to top it. And it’s not even from Germany.
Nope, the Big O is made just down the road in Milford, NH. Pennichuck is a good brewery, but can be hit or miss. They just so happened to hit with this one. It’s crystal clear, the …