Almost perfect ending to Baltimore Beer Week
It was an almost perfect ending yesterday to Baltimore Beer Week. If the Ravens Steve Hauschka had made the field goal, it would have been a storybook finish.
I was among the crowd sipping glasses of rare beer at Max's Taphouse watching the Ravens- Vikings on a giant screen.
The beers--- a Samichlaus 1996, George Gales Prize Ole Ale 1998, a Leg Coq Imperial Stout--- to name a few were exceptional. I had never heard so many corks pop at a beer/football event.
The only clinker was a bottle of Brimstone. Its time had passed.
Spirits were high when the Ravens rallied and set up Hauschka for a 44 yard game- winning field goal.
When it sailed left--- I suspect a Vikings staffer of turning on the air conditioning fans at the Metrodome ---- we groaned. But I think the combination of the Ravens rally and all that good beer put almost everyone in a positive mood.
The day before at the SPBW Real Ale Festival a crowd of some 600 sippers jammed the Pratt Street Ale House to feast on the firkins.
It was rotten weather but the crowd was in a good mood. Amazing what good beer can do.
Among my favorites were Olivers Bishops Breakfast, Victory Yakima Twiilight , and Clipper City Peg Leg Stout flavored with Tabasco- infused wood.
What were your favorites at the Sunday or Saturday event?
What were your impressions of Baltimore Beer Week?
How could it be improved?
Any compliants?
What does the future hold for the Ravens?
Photo by Baltimore Sun's Karl Ferron
Comments
Baltimore Beer Week was great; I didn't hit as many events as I'd like, but those I did make it to were well attended and quite fun. One complaint I heard from brewers was they tended to spread themselves too thin; they would benefit from fewer events that were a bit larger rather than so many small tastings/samplings. Still, as a beer fan, it's tough to beat a tasting were Hugh Sisson is the one pouring your beer.
Posted by: Mitch | October 19, 2009 11:54 AM
I can only comment on the Chesapeake Real Ale festival, which I attend every year. Definately an enormous increase in attendance, and I had a fantastic time as usual. There were definately some growing pains, however. The bathrooms weren't equipped to deal with the overwhelmingly male attendance. Also, we apparently missed the usual doorprizes/speech. We were either upstairs or outside and didn't hear a thing.
Posted by: Jason | October 19, 2009 2:24 PM
Next year we will have portapotties to deal with the men with small bladders. And if the weather hold up we will have more outside announcements. With the crowd and needed spacing of the firkins around the venue, it truly is tough to be heard over top of 600 people so next year we will have programs spelling out where to go to check your tickets for winners. Alan Moore, President SPBW.
Posted by: Alan Moore | October 19, 2009 9:11 PM