» More career moves: Melissa Monosoff is now the full-time sommelier at Savona in Gulph Mills. Just as she’s about to take her master sommelier exam, Monosoff replaces Filiberto Magnani, the youngest sommelier in the area and one of the best. I’m happy to report that she will continue Magnani’s Friday night wine tastings at Savona—a great deal and the perfect way to learn how to savor wine like a pro.
» Stupendous suds: Christmas came early for Iron Hill Brewery, which won six medals at the 27th annual Great American Beer Festival in Denver this past October. Tim Stumpf’s Roggenbier, from the Phoenixville brewery, wiped out the competition in the Rye Beer category; the Saison brewed by Chris LaPierre in West Chester nabbed a gold in French and Belgian-Style Saison; and Media brewer Bob Barrar took the gold in Belgian-Style Lambic or Sour Ale with his Lambic de Hill. Elsewhere, Brian O’Reilly of Sly Fox Brewing in Royersford won a gold for his Rauch Beer in the Smoked-Flavored Beer category, and Downingtown’s Victory Brewing Company scored a German-Style Pilsner bronze for its now-legendary Prima Pils.
