First Draft: Harvester Brewing

(Photo credit: Harvester Brewing/Facebook)

By Chris Betz

While vacationing in Vermont last summer, I did a double take when I saw bottles of an unfamiliar gluten-free beer at a local market. It was made by Portland, Oregon's Harvester Brewing, and I've come to appreciate the brewer's unique approach to craft brewing. Harvester is a dedicated gluten-free brewery that uses locally sourced ingredients like Willamette Valley chestnuts and hops and certified gluten-free oats from Montana. Their lineup goes well beyond the three year-round flagship styles I review here, including a seasonal Coffee Pale Ale, Apple IPA and beet-and-date-sugar-based Dubbel style ale. (Look for my review of these in a future column.)

News & Notes: April 18, 2014

Gluten-free Milanese pizza from Bricco in Westmont

The owner of Villa Barone in Collingswood, Vincenzo Barone, is serving gluten-free pizza at his just-opened pizzeria down the road in Westmont, Bricco Coal Fired Pizza (128 Haddon Ave., 856-477-2233). The pizzas are made using Conte's crusts and are prepared and cooked separately upon request. (Thanks Heather H.)

Reader Christin H. let me know that Revolution House in Old City Philadelphia (200 Market St., 215-625-4566) notes several gluten-free options on its menu.

Fielder's Choice: 2014 Gluten-Free Guide to Major League Baseball Ballparks

Gluten-free options at Major League Baseball games aren't limited to peanuts and Cracker Jack. Most ballparks have improved from simply offering bunless franks and burgers, and many have dedicated gluten-free concession stands and carts.

Here's where you can find gluten-free concessions at each of the 30 MLB ballparks for the 2014 season (bookmark this post and check back throughout the season for updates; you can email me with any additions/changes that you find).

Once again teams are sponsoring Celiac Awareness Nights, with expanded gluten-free options available at many of those games. They include the Arizona Diamondbacks (May 17), Philadelphia Phillies (May 18), New York Mets (May 26), San Diego Padres (July 19), Chicago White Sox (Aug. 16) and New York Yankees (Sept. 20).

News & Notes: April 11, 2014

Taking over the former Peace A Pizza location in Ardmore is Snap Custom Pizza (4 Station Rd., 610-896-4488), a Chipotle-style quick-service restaurant where the pizzas are made in about two minutes. Chef Tim Van Winkle says that after a gluten-free pizza order is placed, a single employee will handle the preparation. using a pre-made crust, the employee will pull ingredients and toppings from the walk-in fridge and prepare the pie with separate bakeware and utensils. All pizzas with a gluten-free crust are $8.49, regardless of whether guests order a featured or custom pie with a choice of toppings. (Most toppings are gluten free, but avoid the meatballs and blue cheese salad dressing.) The shop's grand opening is tomorrow, when doors open at 11 a.m. and the first 50 guests get a free pizza. It's then $5 per pizza until 5 p.m.

Take a Sipp

Beth Parentice's inspiration for Chester County-based SIPP eco beverage co. stemmed from her passion for entertaining and mixology. A former bartender, Parentice created a cocktail consulting/catering business but was unable to find a natural mixer. She decided to create her own beverage with layers of flavor combinations.  After many months of mixing, testing and tasting, she brought her drinks to the 2009 Natural Products Expo in Boston and unveiled a new line of organic, gluten- and caffeine-free sparkling beverages.

Today, SIPP beverages are sold in 12 oz. bottles and come in four varieties - Lemon Flower, Mojo Berry, Summer Pear and Ginger Blossom - with a fifth, Berry Rhubarb, on the way. The agave-sweetened drinks are available in 16 states, including locations in the Philadelphia region such as Kimberton Whole Foods markets, the Pennsylvania General Store at the Reading Terminal Market, Hip City Veg in Philadelphia, and the Chelsea Hotel in Atlantic City. The beverages will soon be in area Whole Foods stores as well.

News & Notes: April 4, 2014

Gluten-free pizza in the heart of Center City Philadelphia - that's what the new Walnut Street Pizza is offering at the Bellevue food court (200 S. Broad St., 215-985-4134). The kitchen uses separate bakeware and fresh ingredients can be pulled from the walk-in refrigerator upon request. If you want to speak with a member of the kitchen staff when ordering, ask for Lisa, who is familiar with the gluten-free preparation.

Michelangelo's in Cherry Hill (1334 Brace Rd., 856-428-3231) prepares its gluten-free pasta in separate water and can make most entrees gluten free.

Coast to Coast

With its tropical rain forests, beaches, hiking trails and volcanic formations, Costa Rica is rich with options for travelers of all types. Not only is one resort there is making it easy to eat gluten free with assurance, it's also bringing in some well-known Philadelphia chefs to prepare gluten-free meals.

Next month, the kitchen staff at the boutique Arenas Del Mar hotel, situated on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast, will be undergoing the GREAT Kitchens training program, offered by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. In addition, as part of its 2014 culinary events slate, both restaurants at the resort will be entirely gluten free for two weeks.