The Washington Times Online Edition

After Hours at The Brew Lounge

Exploring the people, places, sights, sounds, and stories behind the passionate pursuit of great beer.

Entries
  • March winds will blow the calendar in to April, but not before the mid-Atlantic region throws its share of beer events.

    Beer calendar: Mar. 16 through Mar. 31

    March winds will blow the calendar in to April, but not before the mid-Atlantic region throws its share of beer events. Published 4:03 p.m. March 16, 2011 - Comments

     
  • Beer dinners at the Wegmans supermarket chain can be a great introduction and helpful guide to beer and food pairings.

    Beer and dinner at Wegmans

    Beer dinners at the Wegmans supermarket chain can be a great introduction and helpful guide to beer and food pairings. Published 9:58 p.m. March 2, 2011 - Comments

     
  • Another month in the mid-Atlantic region. Another month full of beer events.

    Beer calendar: Mar. 1 through Mar. 15

    Another month in the mid-Atlantic region. Another month full of beer events. Published 6:40 a.m. March 1, 2011 - Comments

     
  • Cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie each go together so well with beer that they might create the best Valentine's Day ever.

    Beer for Valentine's Day, seriously

    Cheese, chocolate, and charcuterie each go together so well with beer that they might create the best Valentine's Day ever. Published 3:25 p.m. February 14, 2011 - Comments

     
  • The mid-Atlantic region is full of beer events of every type from February 14-February 27, 2011

    Beer calendar: Feb. 14 through Feb. 27

    The mid-Atlantic region is full of beer events of every type from February 14-February 27, 2011 Published 2:49 p.m. February 14, 2011 - Comments

     
  • In Dallas, Green Bay, or Pittsburgh, there is little reason to watch the Big Game without a Great Beer.

    Great beer for the Super Bowl

    In Dallas, Green Bay, or Pittsburgh, there is little reason to watch the Big Game without a Great Beer. Published 10:03 p.m. February 3, 2011 - Comments

     
  • Beer events of every type are scheduled across the mid-Atlantic region from February 1-February 13, 2011

    Beer calendar: Feb. 1 through Feb. 13

    Beer events of every type are scheduled across the mid-Atlantic region from February 1-February 13, 2011 Published 9:06 p.m. January 31, 2011 - Comments

     
  • A beer pairing dinner in Philadelphia showcased the talents of Chifa Restaurant and Brooklyn Brewery.

    Food and beer shine at Chifa

    A beer pairing dinner in Philadelphia showcased the talents of Chifa Restaurant and Brooklyn Brewery. Published 9:44 p.m. January 25, 2011 - Comments

     
  • With more beers available than ever, here is a resolutions guide to trying new beers

    New beer for a New Year

    With more beers available than ever, here is a resolutions guide to trying new beers Published 7:12 a.m. January 21, 2011 - Comments

     
  • Beer events of every flavor are scheduled across the mid-Atlantic region from January 17-January 31, 2011

    Beer calendar: Jan. 17 through Jan. 31

    Beer events of every flavor are scheduled across the mid-Atlantic region from January 17-January 31, 2011 Published 9:14 p.m. January 16, 2011 - Comments

     
AUTHOR
Bryan Kolesar

Bryan Kolesar

Bryan Kolesar has been tracking down great beer for over twenty years. From the most hard-to-find delicately balanced low alcohol beer to the big monsters weighing in at over 10% ABV, he has yet to find a style that does ...

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Bryan Kolesar has been tracking down great beer for over twenty years. From the most hard-to-find delicately balanced low alcohol beer to the big monsters weighing in at over 10% ABV, he has yet to find a style that does not have a story to tell and a taste to share. Though, when pushed, Kolesar has historically staked a claim to the Saison style as one of the most versatile and his favorite.

In 2005, Bryan co-founded The Brew Lounge blog/website as a canvas to illustrate the best of the craft brewing industry and to document his own travels within it. Though he has lived in Philadelphia and is currently headquartered in the city's western suburbs, Kolesar shares a wealth of information and images that he collects from his travels around the world and some of the best beers that he has tasted along the way.

In 2010, Kolesar came aboard the Communities section of The Washington Times to contribute stories from across the craft brewing industry as it continues more than ever its explosive growth amongst increasingly more of the mainstream alcohol-consuming public. 

While the beer - its tastes, aromas, and incredible pairing opportunities with food - is often the beginning of a story, he often finds it more interesting to dive into the stories behind the people, places, and events associated with the final product. 

Locally around Philadelphia, he has been named a Beer Writer of the Year finalist multiple times, hosted beer/running events during each annual Philly Beer Week, served as a Philly Beer Geek judge, paneled local beers for submission into the Great American Beer Festival competition, judged beer and food competitions, been featured in local publications chronicling the beer scene, and been named the "Best Beer Guy" of 2008. 

In addition to his beer-y pursuits, Kolesar works a professional career in the business world by day and dabbles in distance running, cooking, homebrewing, gardening, photography, and is a staunch advocate for animal rescue/adoption. He lives with his wife, Patty, of fifteen years and has been a long time, mostly suffering, supporter of local Philadelphia sports.

Contact Bryan Kolesar

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