Michigan’s Dark Horse Brewery has just recently started distributing to Pennsylvania and tonight they’ve got four of their beers (Crooked Tree IPA, One Oatmeal Stout, Raspberry Ale, Scotty Karate) on tap at Devil’s Den.

When Devil’s Den opened they got kind of busy and never got around to a Grand Opening. But now, a year later they’re finally going to throw a big party complete with $1 off beers and a complimentary buffet. 

Oh and did we mention the beers? When the event kicks off Wednesday at 7pm there will be great beers from Russian River, Bell’s, Allagash, Ommegang and many others. And because one night isn’t enough, there will be special drafts the rest of the week including rare beers like Hitachino Nest White Ale, St. Feuillien Printemps and much more. 

Devil’s Den [Official Site] via Joe Sixpack.

I Am Beer Wise points out that there are a couple of brewery/bar combos to choose from this evening. Kite and Key is offering a firkin of Yards Cocoa Porter and Devil’s Den is showing off Weyerbacher’s new smoked beer, Fireside Ale. A smoked beer next to a roaring fireplace sounds pretty smart. But if you’re more Northern Liberties inclined, the Standard Tap does weekly firking tappings on Wednesdays. Tonight it’ll be Riverhorse.

Liberties Walk expert Foodaphilia checks out El Camino Real. Buttermilk onion rings and crazy spicy jalapeno poppers are among the highlights. [Foodaphilia]

Fries with that Shake also visit El Camino Real. It’s the mac n’ cheese that has her singing though. [Fries with that Shake]

Not to be left out, the Beer Lass has a photographic post of yummies from El Camino. [Beer Lass]

There is a problem with Local 44, it isn’t local to everyone. [Femme Fermental]

Living on the Vedge recommends the oyster mushroom po’boy at Local 44. [Living on the Vedge]

Friday night was Italian wines with tricky names at Tria and some delicious looking photos of truffled egg toast, bruchetta and white bean dip. [Veggicurious]

With highs in the mid-twenties later this week, see if warming up by the fire at Devil’s Den is worth your while. [Foodzings]

Joe Sixpack suggests the great winter beers and a roaring fire at Devil’s Den. And if you get there between 4 and 7 pm, Monday through Friday, all drafts are half-off.

Get your butt to Devil’s Den [Beer Radar]

Craig LaBan takes aim at gastropubs in general and Devil’s Den in particular in his review this week. And it isn’t the beer part that has him grumbling, it’s the food.

The Hennepin-marinated chicken sandwich was cooked to leather, overwhelmed by bun, and bland. The fish of the day – trout with lentils – was promising. But it had a pale broiled quality, and the lentils were a watery mush. The duck confit salad was scattered with meat so overshredded and dry, it was like eating greens laced with wiry threads. The veal boudin sausage, meanwhile, would have been the perfect pub sandwich had the delicate white sausage not been squished inside an oversized baguette that had a stale, dry chew.

I did eat some highlights. The sandwich of tender pulled lamb and onions braised in Optimator Doppelbock was a perfect example of what beer cuisine can be – juicy, flavorful, rustic. Devil’s Den also made some of the best mussels I’ve had in a while, which, if a beer place is going to do something right, is a good place to start. The mollusks basked in distinctive and vivid sauces, whether a coconut Thai curry flickering with ginger and spice, a classic white wine broth with garlicky parsley butter, or, my favorite, the Aventinus, rich with dark wheat beer, pancetta, cream and leeks. The house French fries, when not too greasy, are addictive. Then again, with a supplemental topping of Arrogant Bastard ale cheese and bacon for those fries, what’s a little extra oily shine?

One Bell – Hit or Miss

Devil’s Den [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Devil’s Den [Official Site]

Sunday, Devil’s Den will go under Craig LaBan’s knife but today it is Mac & Cheese giving it the once over.

In conclusion, the food at Devil’s Den is neither here nor there, good nor bad. The Hot Brie was a simple sandwich I could see making for a picnic. The Monte Cristo was good, but disappointingly missing the key sweet element.

Devil’s Den will do you right if you simply need to fill the belly while getting your drink on (they have a decent beer menu).

Devil’s Den [Mac & Cheese]

When Devil’s Den opened a couple of months ago the beer list brought great buzz. Unfortunately the kitchen dissapointed but now Chef Allen Dann has come to the rescue, looking to bring the menu up to par with the beer list.

Fortunately, Devil’s Den 2.0 has corrected many of these flaws. The menu is shorter and more focused, and has wisely retired most of the kitschy descriptions. The dishes I tried during my third and final pre-review visit didn’t lack anything at all. Two were daily specials that I would promote to regular offerings right away.

Evil Genius [City Paper]
Devil’s Den [Official Site]

Adam Erace is reporting on blogalicious that chef Joe Turrisi is already gone from recently opened gastropub/supper pub/tavern-with-food Devil’s Den. No word on a replacement.

He’s also got happy news for Blackfish fans… there’s a satellite location of the well-received BYOB opening down the shore.

Start Your Resumes [blogalicious]

We wanted to go, we really did. We’ve been waiting long enough for this place to finally open its doors and the buzz has been, well, buzzy. But, alas, we have a rather unattractive head cold and beer and head colds do not mix. Now whiskey and head colds…

Joe Sixpack stopped by Devil’s Den and he thinks its super. Did anybody else check it out? Reports? Thoughts?