Prost! Brauhaus Schmitz (718 South St.) is finally open, and its owners, Kelly Schmitz-Hager and her husband, Doug Hager, are doing it right.

The restaurant is beautifully appointed, with fine oak details, antique apothecary boxes left from a previous occupant and a giant plaque of the Reinheitsgebot, the 1516 German beer purity law.

I've had only a couple of dishes so far, including a very filling smoked trout salad.

They're even serving authentic Bavarian-style pretzels that could give Philly's best vendor carts a run for the money.

The beer? Eighty bottles plus 20 taps. In most cases, the drafts are among the finest of their respective German styles. Consider:

Hefeweizen: Ayinger Brau Weisse.

Rauchbier: Aecht Schlenkerla Helles.

Weizenbock: Schneider Aventinus.

Altbier: Uerige Sticke.

German pils: Jever.

Even better: The waitresses wear dirndls, which, depending on your interests, is either a nice touch of authenticity or just plain easy on the eyes. Either way, it's tip bait.

Here's another new joint to put on your radar: Varga Bar (941 Spruce St., Washington Square West).

The place blew open the doors in May with a primo beer list, and the 20 taps have been turning over quickly. This week the stars include: Rogue Somer Orange Honey Ale, Ithaca Flower Power, Founders Backwoods Bastard and a cask of oak-aged Yards ESA.

And check out the kitchen's beer cuisine, including Not My Mom's Spam - ham brined with Dogfish Head Aprihop. The fries on the side are served in an empty Spam tin.

On the horizon: Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant's (124 E. Kings Highway, Maple Shade) first location in Jersey should be opening shortly. Brewer Chris LaPierre has already fired up the kettles.

Further down the road: Resurrection (Grays Ferry Avenue and Catharine Street, Grays Ferry) will open at the site of the recently shuttered Yello Bar. It's the third beer-centric tavern from Brendan "Spanky" Hartranft and Leigh Maida, who also run Memphis Taproom in Port Richmond and Local 44 in West Philly.

Following my report last month of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority's threat to bring in the lawyers over Flying Fish's commemorative series of bottles, saner heads prevailed. The brewery will continue to produce the series but with no specific label reference to the authority's precious highway, and the turnpike will lay off, concentrating instead on what it does best: raising tolls.

The latest brew, Exit 11, is a tribute to the turnpike's link to the Garden State Parkway, the so-called crossroads of New Jersey.

No, it's not brewed with exhaust fumes and road rage. Instead, it's a confluence of styles: German wheat meets Belgian malt plus English ale yeast and Pacific hops.

It'll be released on Wednesday night at Varga (see above) and the Swift Half (1001 N. 2nd St., Northern Liberties).

What's on tap at your favorite tavern? Where's that obscure small-batch ale being poured? Search for the all-important answers from the comfort of your office cubicle at BeerMenus.com.

The suds-surfing Web site just launched in Philadelphia and already lists an astonishing 900 bottled and draft beers at more than 40 area bars.

That's just scratching the surface, but its creator, Will Stephens, said, "Stay tuned, we are just getting started."

Jose Pistola's (263 S. 15th St., Center City) continues to spice up the summer with special brewery nights. Next week, it'll focus on three highly regarded Michigan micros:

Monday: New Holland (Holland, Mich.) Beer and Cheese night.

Wednesday: The Return of Arcadia (Battle Creek, Mich.).

Thursday: Barbecue and Bell's (Kalamazoo, Mich.).

Last year's Brew at the Philadelphia Zoo was a bit of a flop. Poor organization, long lines and dry taps left many with a sour taste.

But give it another chance.

The Zoo has hit the reset button and recast the event as a Summer Ale Festival. New organizers have been brought in, and they'll be pairing local breweries with area restaurants.

The details: 6:30-10 p.m., July 25. Tix: $50, $75 VIP (includes educational seminar), $20 designated driver. Info: www.philadelphiazoo.org.

Beer and biking go together like beer and, well, pretty much anything. That's why you see so many brewery logos on Lycra.

Victory Brewing, which sponsors a women's cycling team, is one of the most popular jerseys. The other day, I found myself dusted by someone wearing a Troegenator double bock jersey.

And now, even more logos are showing up on area bike paths. A local company – City Cycling Jerseys – has produced great-looking shirts for Sly Fox, Yards and Flying Fish.

Look for them at area brewery gift shops, their online stores and at www.citycyclingjerseys.com.

Chocolate-and-beer lovers oughta check out the selection at Verde (108 S. 13th St., Center City), the Market-East gift and flower shop. They're carrying a sixpack of truffles made with local beers, including Nodding Head Grog honey peanut crunch, Philly Brewing Walt Wit pink peppercorn and Lancaster Strawberry Wheat caramelized cacao nibs. *

"Joe Sixpack" by Don Russell appears weekly in Big Fat Friday. For more on the beer scene in Philly and beyond, visit www.joesixpack.net. Send e-mail to joesixpack@phillynews.com.