Updated 02:38, March the 6th, 2009
Long night to find top six brews in city
How do you warm up for 
Philly Beer Week? Going to six bars to find the perfect six-pack seemed like the best idea.
We started at the Good Dog Bar where brewer Casey Hughes was giving Philly Beer Week’s “Hammer of Glory” a test run as he tapped a firkin.
Two glasses later we were headed out to Kite & Key in search of a better stout.
Next up was the Belgian Café where we went about choosing a Belgian beer for our mix-a-six. The choice was as difficult as the drinking was easy.
At Amada the draft list impressed but we were there to experience a $30 per bottle Spanish beer inspired by famed chef Ferran Adria. Designed to go with Spanish food, the beer practically demanded we order a plate of charcuterie. Too bad the kitchen was closed.
Off to the South Philadelphia Taproom, we scanned the beer list that featured beers from near and far. A couple high-alcohol choices later, and we had picked a winner.
The night finished at the Sidecar. An espresso-flavored stout closed out the night and guaranteed a bleary-eyed morning.
1. Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel (Cherry Hill, N.J.)
WHERE: Good Dog Bar (224 S 15th St., 215-985-1918, gooddogbar.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: Belgian dubbel style poured from a firkin, it was a cloudy brown in color with fruity hops taste.
2. Sly Fox O’Reilly’s Stout (Phoenixville, Pa.)
WHERE: Kite & Key (1836 Callowhill St., 215-568-1818, thekiteandkey.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: Irish- style draft stout poured with nitrogen to give it a creamy head. Black in color with a roasty taste.
3. Tripel Karmeliet (Belgium)
WHERE: Belgian Café (2047 Green St., 215-235-3500, thebelgiancafe.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: This Belgian Tripel-style beer is brewed with three types of grain. It is golden in color, light in body with a touch of sweetness and a finish similar to Champagne.
4. Estrella Damm Inedit (Spain)
WHERE: Amada (217 Chestnut St, 215-625-2450, amadarestaurant.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: Spanish beer is a collaboration between a Spanish brewer and famed El Bulli chef Ferran Adria. It reminds you of a light saison with subtle hints of orange and spice and finishes dry.
5. Russian River Damnation (Santa Rosa, Calif.)
WHERE: South Philadelphia Taproom (1509 Mifflin St., 215-271-7787, southphiladelphiataproom.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: Another Belgian strong ale, this one is heavy on the banana overtones and finishes smooth.
6. Pennichuck Pozharnik (Milford, N.H.)
WHERE: Sidecar Bar & Grille (2201 Christian St., 215-732-3429, thesidecarbar.com)
WHY I CHOSE IT: A Russian Imperial Stout brewed with espresso and vanilla beans, this dark beer tastes of coffee, toffee and malt. A wonderful way to end an evening.