We got into Philadelphia late Thursday afternoon, after spending most of the day on airplanes. After checking into the hotel downtown by Rittenhouse Square, our first stop, appropriately enough, was Monk’s.

Monk’s Cafe was a short walk from the hotel.

Where my good friend Tom Peters met us in the back dining room, beer in hand.

Our first beer was the special blend that Tom did two years ago of Cantillon Gueuze.

Tom, showing off the limited edition bottles, with Stasha Ackerman.

We were then treated to a wonderful beer dinner. Our first course was a Turbot Roulade, stuffed with spinach, pine nuts and bacon. The sauce was made with butter, lemon and the Cantilon Gueuze that was paired with the dish.

Next up, we enjoyed Orval with a Salde Pergourdine, which included hand-smoked duck breast that was smoked over Orval soaked applewood chips.

For the main course, Tom broke out the good stuff, Magnums of Rochefort 8 Cuvee 2007 that he hand carried back from a trip to Belgium last year.

The special bottles are made available only during the holidays and are not imported.

Rochefort in the glass.

The main course: Tornadoes of Beer, sliced beef tenderloins napped with a Rochefort demi-sauce, and served with stoemp (a type of potato pancake) and Brussel sprouts.

Dessert was a Sacher Torte made with Lindemans Framboise cream and paired with the same.

Monk’s chef Adam Glickman addressed the crowd of beer writers after the meal.

Then Tom toasted the beginning of Philly Beer Week.

After that, we walked the short distance to enjoy a few beers at Nodding Head Brewery.

A small 7-barrel brewpub nearby.

Before finishing the evening at Jose Pistolas, a Mexican restaurant with 80 bottled beers, mostly Belgian, and several wonderful taps, including Cantillon.