The Edible World Tour is back and this time with Don Russell (Joe Sixpack) galavanting around Northern Liberties. The tour kicks off from the brand new Swift Half in Northern Liberties and takes you around the storied beer neighborhood with stops at Ortlieb’s, the Foodery, Standard Tap and 700 Club.

The tour is Saturday, June 13th from 2 to 5:30 pm. Tickets are $75 ($65 for First Person Arts members) and are all-inclusive.

Speaking of Mr. Sixpack, today his column focuses on some good summer brews including the surpisingly fun Roy Pitz Watermelon Lager.

Edible World Food Tours [Official Site]
Joe Sixpack [Official Site]

Joe Sixpack, Don Russell was interviewed today on NPR’s Fresh Air regarding Christmas beers. Click through the link to hear the report or to check out his 10 favorite Christmas ales. 

Also if you’re looking for last second stocking stuffer, consider Don Russell’s book of Christmas beers, still available at these locations.

Christmas Beer Yields Christmas Cheer [NPR]
10 Christmas Beers, from Soup to Nuts [NPR]
Joe Sixpack [Official Site]

Don Russell, better known by as Joe Sixpack, is teaching a sold-out class at Tria Fermentation School this evening. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the joy as Tria’s 12th and Spruce location is hosting a special happy hour featuring pours of Sly Fox Christmas Ale, De Struise Tsjeeses and Scaldis Prestige from bottles, plus Gouden Carolus Christmas and Brasserie Dupont Avec Les Bons Voeux on draft.

Tria Cafe [Official Site]

Joe Sixpack concerns himself today with finding some beer bargains with his “Recession Numbing Survival Guide.”

Among the suggestions:

• Good beer is still a lot cheaper than good wine.
• Alcohol by volume is more than just the buzz, it’s usually also the complexity of flavor.
• Homebrewing can save yourself some money.
• Buying by the bottle or sixpack is indeed cheaper in Jersey.
• Hit up Center City Sips and find a good beer. Jose Pistola’s offers $2 Blanche de Bruxelles and Marathon Grill gets down with $2 Allagash White.

Recession-proof your beer habit [Philadelphia Daily News]

Did you know that Nutella goes bad four months after opening? Not that we’ve ever had a jar last that long. Check this Table of Condiments that Periodically Go Bad and spring clean that fridge! [backtable.org]

Sixpack parses beer books and ‘barguments’, which is now our new favorite word. [Daily News]

Lady farmers in Pennsylvania, much like hipsters farmers in New York, are the new black. Also, the Inquirer would like you to know that Beer Week was a success. Seriously, who are these Beer Week skeptics everyone keeps talking about? Everyone we know was enthused about it from the start. [Inquirer]

From the Department of Mixed Messages: a vegan strip club. [NY Times]

Your sweet tooth is all in your head. [Telegraph]

Rick Nichols hits the ballpark

We’ve fallen a little behind in our Beer Week Countdown, but we’ve got news that will more than make up for it. A hot tip, courtesy of Joe Sixpack, who has found it in his heart to forgive us…

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The clock is ticking and we’re getting thirstier and thirstier in anticipation of Philly Beer Week, the event that shall not be gently–oh so gently!–criticized.

Despite being called a lightweight by none other than Joe Sixpack (which is sort of an honor) we forge onwards, hacking our way through the briarpatch of events to help you find which are worthwhile. Pace, Señor Sixpack…
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Joe Sixpack, you’re reading my mind:

Is Italy the next great beer nation? It has a long way to go, but its astoundingly unique selection of artisan ales certainly deserves some attention from U.S. beer lovers. In fact, some smart restaurant owner down on Passyunk Avenue would do well to ditch the house wine and start chilling some of these bottles.

There’s no sweet lovemaking in his column this week, but reading about Italian craft brewers is maybe the next best thing?

 Italy – the next great brewmaster? [Daily News]
Joe Sixpack [Official Site]

 Just 18 days until Philly Beer Week–the most blessed 10 days in the life of Philadelphia beer drinkers–begins.

We have four events to highlight today–the celebration of beer drinking does not take the weekend off!–including a test, a ragin’ Cajun, a reading (with beer) and a bitter party…

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Last week Joe Sixpack tried to help get you laid, this week he continues his quest to bring sexy back to beer with this article entitled “In this cold, warm up your tummy (and parts south) with a good stout.” It has a great clip-n-save on the many different varieties of delicious stout. Also, Joe has a book on the Philly beer scene coming out, just in time for Philly Beer Week.

Lew Bryson lasers in on the itsiest of microbrewers in Micro Microbreweries: Beer on a Truly Micro Scope [Portfolio.com]

Alert Hugs for Puppies! There’s a Philadelphian candidate in PETA’s annual Sexy Vegetarian contest:

The contest sponsored by PETA, people for the ethical treatment of animals, is hoping to highlight vegetarians with beauty and brains. Amanda Whiting, a former Eagles cheerleader with a degree in public relations, hopes she represents both. [KYW1060.com]

That’s right, a degree in public relations signifies brains.