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.
Contributions to the Communities Sports desk from readers.
Oxbow, with him long time winning jockey Gary Stevens, pulled out his most spectacular win in the 138th Preakness Stakes.
Some say Orb is a shoo-in, but not if Departing and Mylute have anything to say about it.
Kyle Love, defensive tackle for the Patriots, was released just days after finding out that he has diabetes.
Orb should take the second jewel in the Triple Crown with ease on Saturday.
Happiness is attainable. Morning to night. I love to teach, deal with folks that have an issue and really wish to tackle it and write.
How does our 50th state view D.C. politics?
Political centrist who tells it like it is
"Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking while you're thinking in order to make your thinking better." - Dr. Richard Paul
Life lessons, adventures, people places and observations as I undertake my personal quest to travel to 100 or more countries before I die.
Published 6:28 a.m. April 17, 2013
The last two years have been kind to York County beer lovers in Pennsylvania.
Published 5:58 p.m. February 23, 2013
Which restaurant reservations in Philadelphia just became harder to make?
Published 6:33 p.m. February 1, 2013
In a head-to-head match-up, San Francisco will have a pretty easy time with the Baltimore Ravens, winning by nine beers.
Published 7:07 a.m. January 23, 2013
Are these the best beers of 2012? It’s a matter of perspective that can be as different as those that drink them.
Published 7:15 a.m. January 21, 2013
Are these the best beers of 2012? It’s a matter of perspective that can be as different as those that drink them.
Published 10:41 p.m. January 6, 2013
In 2013, there will be more ways and more places to drink great beer.
Published 9:26 p.m. November 19, 2012
Not all pumpkin beers were released in late summer. You can still pick up some pumpkin beers perfect for pairing with your Thanksgiving Dinner.
Published 8:59 a.m. October 4, 2012
From Maine to North Carolina, here are ten noteworthy beer events occurring in the first half of October 2012.
Published 5:59 p.m. September 28, 2012
Pumpkin beer, Oktoberfests, and plenty more will put you in the fall state of mind.
Published 7:00 p.m. September 17, 2012
Sly Fox Brewing Company is brewing up something new for a changing Pottstown.
Published 8:20 p.m. September 13, 2012
From Maine to North Carolina, here are ten noteworthy beer events occurring in the second half of September 2012.
Published 6:56 a.m. August 30, 2012
From Maine to North Carolina, here are ten noteworthy beer events occurring in the first half of September 2012.
Published 7:31 a.m. August 20, 2012
The vaunted sour beers from Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, California were featured at a decadent beer dinner on July 19, 2012.
Published 10:56 p.m. August 16, 2012
Two full days of beer events remain around Washington as DC Beer Week prepares to close out another successful year.
Published 9:53 p.m. August 14, 2012
From Maine to North Carolina, here are ten noteworthy beer events occurring in the second half of August 2012.