Last weekend we went exclusively Jose Garces for a few hours. Today we’re going great guns for great beer.

This is certainly a promotion we can get behind. Bridget Foy’s is offering a Philly Foods & Philly Brews menu from February 26th to March 7th.

The three course menu pairs Philadelphia inspired food with three local beers but what to choose, the scrapple stuffed pork loin or the Herr’s crusted fish and chips with Kenzinger beer batter.

Check out the full menu after the jump.

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On Monday night from Tomme Arthur of Port Brewing/Lost Abbey will be hanging at the Memphis Taproom from 6 to 8pm.

Then on Thursday March 11th, Rob Tod, founder of Allagash Brewing in Portland, Maine is coming to town on for a slew of events.

• Noon to 2pm – Jose Pistola’s Allagash Beer Brunch (Special firkin)
• 3 to 5pm – Beer Yard Beer Tasting (many Allagash beers available for sampling)
• 5 to 7pm – Teresa’s Next Door Happy Hour (16-plus drafts and a firkin of Curieux)
• 8 to 10pm – Craft Ale House Allagash Late Night Party (Bourbon Black)

Events for March 2010 [Beer Yard]

Pennsylvania Senator John Rafferty staged a rally in Harrisburg yesterday to drum up support for opening up the beer selling market to supermarkets and convenience stores.

His legislation would also allow bars and taverns to sell everything from a six-pack to a case of beer. There would also be provisions to require “100 percent carding” where all shoppers would be required to show ID.

The legislation is opposed by the Malt Beverage Distributors Association who represent more than 450 beer distributors. The MBDA feels expanding beer sales in convenience stores and supermarkets would put some distributors out of business.

Lew Bryson suggests distributors not blindly oppose the law but use the legislation to get them access to all alcohol like Massachusetts package stores. Of course that would do away with the State Store system…. Oh Lew, we see what you’ve done there. Very nice.

Proposed bill would loosen Pa. beer-sales [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Rafferty Calls for Reform of PA Beer Sales Law [Senator Rafferty Official Site]
Senator Rafferty Comes Out Swinging [Why the PLCB Should be Abolished]

Adam Erace loves both the beer and the breakfast at Bella Vista’s Hawthornes,

The pancakes—and the pairing—didn’t disappoint. Wide as the business end of a ping-pong paddle with a quarter-inch of lift, the buttermilk flapjacks arrived triple-stacked. There was butter. There was syrup (always maple and occasionally fortified with Ballast Point Victory at Sea Imperial Porter). There were sighs of contentment—and surprise.

Hawthornes [Philadelphia Weekly]
Hawthornes [Official Site]

The 2010 Winter Olympics kick off today from Vancouver, British Columbia and several local bars are ready.

Five area bars are competing in the “Bar Stool Olympics.” From February 12th to the 28th, Kite & Key, New Wave Cafe, Smiths, South Philly Bar & Grille and Swift Half Pub will be competing to sell the most $3 Molson bottles.  The competition also is a fundraiser benefitting the Fraternal Order of Police Survivors Fund. Each location will also offer Canadian food specialties like poutine and Canadian Bacon. [Grub Street]

Devil’s Den is also getting in the spirit for the Olympics with Medal winning beers. During each day of the Olympics, the Den will be tapping a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal winning beer from the Great American Beer Fest.

Check out the full list after the jump.

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Meal Ticket has the latest on the ongoing saga regarding Brew’s liquor license. Now the PLCB has requested a signed document stating Brew’s hours of operation and that they will have an ID-swiping machine on the premises before the board grants the license. Of course this document may not be ready for the board’s February 10th meeting, so there may be more delays.

Design a tee for Ultimo Coffee while you wait for Brew’s liquor license to take [Meal Ticket]

Devil’s Den has new glass growlers in and tonight they’re free to the first 75 people to buy a growler of Sixpoint beer tonight. On tap from Sixpoint:

• Double Sweet Action
• Diesel Stout
• Masons Black Wheat
• Righteous Rye
• Bengali Tiger IPA
• Sweet Action
• Apollo Wheat
• Otis Oatmeal Stout
• Brownstone

Fills will be around $14 with Double Sweet Action going for more.

If you like growlers, check out our growler guide.

Tonight Tria Rittenhouse is offering a hopheads delight. They’re pouring Dogfish Head Burton Baton out Randall the Enamel Animal, a unique invention which sends draft beer through three feet of fresh whole flower hops to add aroma and hoppy taste.

In December Bryan Kolesar of The Brew Lounge asked for some words looking back at 2009 and forward to 2010 in beer. In remarking about what is sure to be a competitive year for taps in the Philadelphia area I suggested it might be time for a “Drink Local” campaign. TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery in Paoli saw the post and has taken it to heart.

Jeff Miller of TJ’s has dedicated a section of his chalkboard, web site and tap space to the region’s breweries to showcase their freshest beers. So far the plan has worked well as the first sixtels have already been depleted and replaced. 35 sixtels from local brewers are now on hand and at the rate they are going, those will be gone by February.

TJ’s Embraces Drink Local Concept [Beer Yard via Jack Curtin's Liquid Diet]
TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery [Official Site]