Bon Voyage to Seattle Beer Week: Off to Boston Beer Week and Philly Beer Week
Eric Salazar drinking, teaching and working.
It wasn’t exactly as easy as I made it sound. When I planned a Boston trip back in 2010, I had no idea what I was getting into. About a month ago, I happened to realize that it was Boston Beer Week, followed by Philly Beer Week. Eureka!
The sad part is that we leave Seattle Beer Week this evening. For the third straight year, our vacation has fallen on the end of SBW. Last year, we headed to Belgium – this year to Boston and Philly. Not so bad.
I will say this, despite falling ill I really enjoyed this year’s installment of SBW. A few less notable beer personalities, but much more quality time with those that came. Eric Salazar‘s presence was uncanny. The blending event hosted by New Belgium’s Todd Gillman and Eric Salazar was head and shoulders above any other event. You will hear much more about that experience when Timperial waxes poetic over some amazing photos, early next week.
SBW grows every year. This year, I especially noticed a diverse crowd. Two years ago, it was just us three. We couldn’t pay our friends to have interest. This year, most of our friends outperformed us. Kudos to the men who championed Sour Beer Fest yesterday. Your enthusiasm for the great wild grog makes me giddy.
Alas, my SBW comes to close. While Timperial will stick around to trudge through the remainder of the weekend, we are off to Boston to explore a whole new world of beer. Along with an overnight in Portland, ME and a stop in Portsmouth, NH, I expect this journey to be the thing of legends. I will be visiting Boston’s Sunset Grill, Deep Ellum, Redbones and Cambridge Brewing. The trip up North will quench my palette for beers from Allagash, Smuttynose and Portsmouth Brewing. Oh yeah – and a dinner at the Lion’s Pride.
From there, we travel down to New York City for a few days of Blind Tiger, Rattle N Hum and Spuyten Duyvil. Luckily, good friend and confidant, Beaux Fingey, has decided to grace us with his presence in Philadelphia. A night worker, Beaux has decided to rise from the monotony of his high-priced Fishtown condo to show an old pal around Philly Beer Week. A whirlwind downtown tour will take me through Monk’s Cafe, Farmer’s Cabinet (25 Mikkeller beers – one time) and Memphis Taproom.
So, I say adieu to you crazy Seattle drinkers. Do not quit. Continue your wondrous exploration through the world’s best beverage. SBW shall live on.
