In The Event That...

You Judge a Book Signing by Its Refreshments

by Carolyn Wyman

Joe Sixpack's Philly Favorites Book Signing/Beer TastingFri., March 7, 7-10:30 p.m., $60 ($10 for designated drivers), Marketplace at East Falls, 3747 Ridge Ave., 215-228-0969, joesixpack.net

(CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

Joe Sixpack's Philly Beer Guide (Camino Books, $14.95), the new book from Philadelphia Daily News beer columnist Don "Joe Sixpack" Russell, is chug-a-lug full of lists: intriguing lists of winelike beers and modern quaffs made from old-time recipes; useful lists of six-pack sellers and bar "bunkers" near Longwood Gardens and Sesame Place (for after you drop off the wife and kids); and enlightening favorite-beer lists from everyone but, oddly enough, 12-year beer-writing veteran Russell.

For that you'll have to attend Russell's Philly Favorites book launch/beer-tasting party at the Marketplace at East Falls, which features "substantial pours" of 23 of Russell's favorite local beers and food from Marketplace merchants. (Philly Favorites also kicks off Philly Beer Week, which Russell helped brew up.)

Among the chosen 23 (in Russell-favored list format):

1. The award-winning limited-edition McKenzie Biere D'Hiver

2. General Lafayette and Bethlehem Brew Works beers otherwise available only at those brewpubs

3. Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre, which Russell calls one of the most quaffable of the oddball offerings from Sam Calagione's Delaware brewery (yes, it does contain raisins)

4. The more ordinary Yards ESA (Extra Special Ale), "the first real post-Prohibition ale bottled in Philadelphia and the first beer that woke me up to the whole beer scene in Philly. It was also my wedding beer," says Russell, thus proving that beer-guzzling Philly guys can, too, be sentimental.