Ep. 67: Philly Beer Week Shenanigans with Varga Bar's Rich Colli and To Go Cocktail Memories

Delicious City Philly

Beer lovers, belly up to the newest episode of Delicious City and pour yourself a pint. Rich Colli is in studio to talk about all the brewers from Philadelphia and beyond who are not only quenching your thirst, but throwing some of the most ridiculously fun parties in the city. From sours to stouts, we cover it all.

(00:00:00) Hat chat and Phillies jerseys

(00:06:10) Rich Colli is here to talk all things beer, which Marisa is VERY excited about. He also owns Varga Bar, and he tells us about the itchiest interview of his life…

(00:11:00) Rich bought Varga Bar right as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, but he tells us how he got lucky with the bar’s setup. Can we bring back to-go cocktails, please?

(00:16:07) Philly Beer Week is all about beer, but also about bringing people together for a good time. Think Jeopardy, karaoke, themed nights, contest and more - and of course, tap takeovers and happy hour specials all week starting on May 31st

(00:26:09) Marisa compares the beer scenes of Pennsylvania and Colorado, and how the cannabis industry affects brewery business

(00:27:37) Favorite Philly Beer Week memories, which may or may not include smashing a car with a hammer

(00:31:38) Varga Bar’s great list of sour and funky beers, and Rich shouts out other bars in the city with great beer selections

(00:37:21) In It to Win It: Get the secret word that you’ll need to win a gift card to Scarpetta in Rittenhouse, and follow @deliciouscitypodcast to enter the contest

(00:42:54) Best Bites include a new chef residency, a hoagie spot on Washington Avenue, and Eli’s jazzed up Jim’s Steaks

(00:59:39) We play Pair That Beer: Eli and Marisa throw some popular Philly dishes at Rich, who expertly names the perfect beer to pair them with

(01:07:14) Food News: a new dish with crab fat butter catches our eye, plus a Tiki bar in the heart of Center City, the largest board game café on the East Coast, and more

(01:20:16) Pop Up Run Down: wine dinners, lots of events for oyster lovers, and a party in a playground

And of course, we could not do this without our amazing partners who are as passionate about food and drink as we are:

• For the most tasty, healthy, and satisfying salads and noodle dishes in Philly, click here to order Honeygrow
• We are so excited for our newest partner, Dewey Beer. Check them out to see all the incredible flavors that they are brewing right here in the mid-Atlantic region!
• If your restaurant or company wants to be in the headlines for all the right reasons, click here to discover how Peter Breslow Consulting and PR can take your business to the next level
• Social media and digital content are two of the most important things you can create for your brand. Check out Breakdown Media, a one stop shop for all of your marketing needs.

Connect with us on Instagram and, of course, share your eating adventures with us, as well as tag us in your posts so we can talk about them on air!