Tasted the Sudan Grass. Its not bad, but not my fave either. Different from what I expected. Very cider like.

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Barack Obama on security, Iraq and Afghanistan. We need a Commander in Chief who knows the differences between Shii'a and Sunni.

"The Dude" is Scott, Scott doesn't bartend. I think you seem to have him confused with Mike "The Bean" Fava who has taken on duties as in house brewer but is still also a bartender.

So no worries, geeky beer talk will continue!

Anyone else feel like they get a different server every time they are there? I mean, I love the place (obviously, Im there pretty regularly) but have had problems with never being sure of who my server will be and how good they'll be. Anyone ever keep track of who's good and whos bad for service?

Had my first Dock Street experience last night and I'll be going back, definitely. I've had a hard time finding decent pizza in this part of the city I liked the thin crust and the pizza wasn't so greasy (simple, just cheese + peppers). We ordered a salad which took longer than it should have to come out, over 15 minutes from first order, but the pizzas soon followed.

The beer was just ok, not the best microbrews I've ever had but all right...the Summer Session hasn't been getting good reviews here but I liked it fine. I like ginger flavors anyway. Tried the Sudan Grass as well and it is indeed cider-like. I think I would have liked the Summer Session better if I had added some more citrus flavor to it...seemed like it needed some orange or lemon or something. As I was looking for something with a lower IBU those two fit the bill from what's available now.

I'll look forward to seeing what else they come up with.

I've tried to love them, I've tried to only highlight their good points but this time I just can't...

This weekend I was at Dock Street, spending a good bit of time sitting around enjoying some drinks and chatting to some folks, my usual for Dock. This time however, I couldn't help but notice how overworked the kitchen was. Now maybe it's just how things go there but there was a period of time when I could see everyone in the kicthen working elbow to elbow rather furiously but food was still coming out slow as can be, pizzas, wraps, everything. The only thing that looked like it had any speed to it was salads and fried foods.

I don't know about anyone else but when I think of Dock Street I think of 2 things, beer and pizza. Right now it seems like they have a lot of "great for the summer" beers, which I suppose is all well and good for them but really doesn't do me much good, I like something with layers and Im not talking about something light on flavor with some citrus... if thats what I wanted well, I'd be set. When it comes to pizza, well, I've started thinking about asking for my own toppings... what they have is great but when was the last time you saw a pizza go ON to the menu? Even if there was one I dont know that I'd bother ordering it with how long things take. I've come to realize (after a discussion with one of the bartenders a few weeks back) that the big problem seems to be the oven, it's too small! I know it looks like a giant fire mouthed beast and on some days you can feel the heat if you're too close at the bar but the damned thing seems to only fit 3 pizzas at a time.

I think maybe Dock Street could use some help, a bigger kitchen/oven, some consistency in their handling of things and some more outreach to the actual LOCAL community. I understand the college kids have fat wallets but how many of us locals would be thrilled to see a discount on a food item or two from time to time?

I don't know, I've grown tired of all the weak beers (weak in flavor that is) the slow food service and the filth I see in this place (surely I cant be the only one who's seen more than a mouse or two there, can I?)

For months now I've been a regular... talk about Dock Street is what brought me to these forums but I just don't know how much I care to keep it up. Even worse, I don't think Dock Street would care. There's no benefits for regulars unless your server or bartender just decides to be nice... no deals ever offered as inspiration to come in and the only thing that changes there is the beer menu and the staff (don't get me wrong, my last few were nice and all but I'm a regular there and few of the staff had been there long enough to know it)

If I scrape off the label do you think Victory might fill my growler?

Wow, this would be pretty tough feedback to respond to, if I were the owner -- as broad as it is. I don't spend as much time there as you perhaps do.

I'm pleased with the beer, particularly the seasonality of it. If I could choose Victory Hop Devils from the site where they're produced, sure I would take that over any Dock St beer, but I'm pretty darned pleased with Rye IPA as a staple. I thought the Tripel a few months ago was amazing.

I agree about the timing. And I do think they could improve the experience with some niceties for the tables while we wait, if we're going to wait. Not sure about frequent diner discounts, although the growlers would seem to lend themselves well to that.

I've had the experience a few times of being a "regular" some place, and then becoming displeased with changes or new direction. I've wondered how best to communicate my thoughts. Previously, I'd just stop going. Now I'm becoming more direct with my thoughts -- to the person who needs to know -- if I care enough about the business.

I also think that the neighborhood would be perfectly well served by competition in this area. We'd easily support at least another microbrewery / top-notch pizzeria. Maybe someone can talk Victory into opening a W. Philly annex!

phillyartist, sadly, I agree too much with you.

I'm not about to give up by any means, it's too close and convenient for that. their flagship beers (Rye IPA, Gold Stock and Bohemian Pils) which are always on tap are still phenomenal, but the other beers that have been rotating have been......well I won't go as far as saying they've been downright awful but if they haven't been weak (as you say) they just haven't been good (even the satellite stout, which I loved the first few times it went on tap, tasted burnt last time I had it)

btw, I'm pretty sure that Victory (as with most brewpubs) fill any growler. I've even taken my Victory growler to Dock Street to have it filled before I purchased one of their own. haven't been there since they renovated, still have not had a sample of the much hyped "Wild Devil"; Hop Devil with Brettanomyces yeast!

also I agree with you too, mid-atlantic, that lack of competition may have made Dock Street a little too comfortable. it's always been my main gripe with west philly, lack of good beer bars (or bars to get good beer).

oh also, I should mention that I did finally try the Sudan Grass a week or so ago. it wasn't terrible, like I thought it would be. I thought it was going to be wholly sorghum, thank god they had enough sense to make it with Buckwheat as well. my friend (who tries to be as gluten-free as possible) really liked it though and she doesn't even really like beer, and I think it's great that they're catering to alternative diets.

what else do they have on tap besides the 3 flagships? last time I went it was Sudan Grass, Satellite Stout and Summer Session.

I think they should bring back the Curacao Double, the trippel, the maple porter or even chocolate stout which were all really interesting seasonal brews - unique and interesting enough to stand toe-to-toe with any regional true microbrewer. They have had a couple of OK wits but none that have hit out of the park yet.

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Barack Obama on security, Iraq and Afghanistan. We need a Commander in Chief who knows the differences between Shii'a and Sunni.

...in the meantime maybe you can come down to Leroy's for a spell. No microbrews but what they might lack in selection they make up for in hospitality.

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

Whatever. How soon they forget what it was like before Dock St. How about we start with with another sit-down BYO that does a decent vegan friendly brunch a la Honey's No Libs maybe? Or a real taqueria?

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Barack Obama on security, Iraq and Afghanistan. We need a Commander in Chief who knows the differences between Shii'a and Sunni.

It's a shame we can't eat beauty supplies for breakfast.

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)