Brandywine Festival 2006
Iron Hill Media
5/20/06
For the 7th year in a row, this
outstanding festival went off without a hitch. The weather cooperated fully
and the crowds showed up for lots of food, beer and music. The classy people
at Iron Hill always throw a great party and this is just one of many they
have during the year. It is also a charitable event and makes money for
the Media Youth Center.
Once again, local brewers brought
their best products for the thirsty throngs. At noon the line at the entrance
was long and the anticipation high. As the last of the latecomers got set
up, the crowd made their way onto the parking lot perusing the program
to see what they wanted to taste first.
We were there to help Heavyweight
pour one of their last festivals. Rumors abounded that Tom & Peggy
were closing down, but there not had been any confirmation from the sources.
Jack Curtin backed Tom into a corner and was given the exclusive affirmation
of the rumors. The news traveled fast around the festival.
But, of course, that was not the only
thing going on. Great beer was being poured by locals like Ric & John
from Stewart's Brewing of Bear, DE, Gordon & Curt from Nodding Head,
Brian from Sly Fox, Brian from John Harvard's(now at Rock Bottom), Scott
from McKenzie's, John from Lancaster Brewing, Yard's, Weyerbacher,
General Lafayette, Bethlehem Brew Works, Victory, Troeg's, Legacy Brewing
and, of course, all 5 locations of Iron Hill pouring over 10 beers. Vendors
like Ale Street News were also on hand to dress up the ladies with their
very popular Beer Goddess line of apparel.
This was the 6th year we've attended
this event and we've seen faces and breweries come and go, but we never
seem to tire of it. With Heavyweight out of the picture, however, we'll
still have to make the trip to support IH and their community spirit.
Any visit to an Iron Hill is a good visit. The company is well known for
their quality and service and was named Large Brewpub of the Year last
year at the Great American Beer Festival, a very well-deserved kudo. The
nearest location is about 75 miles from us(Media), but we make the trip
as often as we can. We used to get up to West Chester(100 miles) several
times a month! There is no such thing as too many times! Make sure you
put one of their venues on your next itinerary: Media, North Wales and
West Chester in PA or Wilmington and Newark in DE. Also, coming soon is
Phoenixville, PA. Check out their website
for
event and beer info.
Hope to see you at this great
event next year!!!
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