State College Microbrewers' Expo
Penn Stater Conference Center
July 22, 2006
"Drink less and drink the best"
Hard to believe that this festival has been around for
9 years and we have made all but the first. Despite being repetitious,
I will once again say that it is my favorite festival of the year. We go
every year several days early and visit with our friends, Greg Somers and
wife Jan, Michael Goldfine and wife Kathleen and all the others that make
up the Expo family. We then help get everything organized at the Penn Stater
on Friday....a long day, but very enjoyable. It is also an excuse to stop
at Appalachian Brewing, Selinsgrove Brewpub, Bullfrog Brewpub, Otto's Brewpub
and, sometimes, Zeno's. We enjoy the trip and look forward to it each July.
It's great to see old friends we don't always run into
anymore: Rick Suarez and Cesar from Unibroue, John Parsons from Weyerbacher,
Pete Giannopoulos from Sly Fox, Scott and crew from East End and Andy Musser
of Anchor.
This year held an extra special thrill for me. Greg asked
me to do the Beer 101 seminars. Though I'm not an especially adept public
speaker, I figured my passion about beer would carry me through the rough
spots. 15 minutes on beer? I could do that standing on my head!!!! I drew
up a short outline and got some beers for people to sample....of course,
the outline went out the window as I started to talk and each of the seminars
was carried in a different direction. But, all went well, I think, and
the attendees seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. If I do
it again next year, more visual aids will be presented. Most were attending
their first beer festival and very few had been to a brewery, so I figure
a few diagrams would go a long way for them to visualize the procedure.
Of course, the main seminars were the highlight of the day.
Three of the Americans who were recently inducted into the Belgian Brewers'
Guild Knight of the Mash Fork....a very prestigious honor. These men have
been recognized for their contributions to the art of Belgian brewing and
promotion of the products in the U.S. Tom Peters, co-owner and executive
chef of Monk's Cafe in Philadelphia, Randy Thiel, Master Brewer at Brewery
Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY, and Ed Friedland, owner of Friedland Beverage
in Philadelphia, all made presentations to enthusiastic crowds.
Tom Peters paired six delicacies with six different beers
discussing the art of complement and contrast between the food and beers.
Being a regular attendee at Monk's dinners every month, I really appreciate
his interesting palate. The first course was a Mussels Cerviche paired
with Troublette, next up was 3 Belgian cheeses accompanied by Saison
Dupont. Monk's own Sour Flemish Ale puckered everyone up while they ate
their Lamb, Barley & Apple Salad. Thai Peanut Chicken was washed down
with Slaapmutske Triple Nightcap. A rare find, Rochefort 6, was served
next with a variety of fine pates and last but not least, The Deli's Triple
Chocolate Cake ands a Chocolate -dipped Biscotti was lovingly poured with
Lindeman's Framboise.
Randy Thiel brought his line of Ommegang creations and
discussed the growth of the Belgian-styles in the USA. Ommegang, Rare Vos,
Hennepin, Witte, and 3 Philosophers were served to the delight of the sold-out
crowds. He also had a triple blind tasting to see if anyone could tell
which Ommegang(dubbel) was brewed in the U.S. and which in Belgium. Demand
has been so great that they needed to have some of the product produced
at the home company's facilities. Try it at home, if you can find some.
Ed Friedland came to relate some interesting anecdotes
on the beer business and the beer world in general. He brought along some
of his favorite world classics: Young's London Ale and Double Chocolate
Stout, Jopen Adriann, Hansje Drinker and Rodenbach Grand Cru.
As always, a sumptuous buffet was served to help the
absorption of the alcohol and extend the tasting time.
There were some new breweries and vendors attending this
year: Abbey Wright Brewing Co of Duboistown, PA made their debut here as
well as Legacy of Reading, Yuengling of Pottstown, PA, High Point
of Butler, NJ, High Falls of Rochester, NY and Stone of San Marcos,
CA. Beulah's BBQ, Herwig's Austrian Bistro, igourmet.com, and Quaker Steak
& Lube all brought extra nutrition for those who wished to partake.
The regulars all were there also: Appalachian, Bullfrog, Anchor, Church
Brew Works, Dogfish Head, East End, Erie, Great Lakes, Johnstown, Magic
Hat, Marzoni's, Otto's, Penn, Sly Fox, Stawski, Stoudt's, Troegs, Unibroue,
Victory and Weyerbacher.
There were 2 sessions 12-4 and 6-10. The early session
was better-attended than in the past which increased the overall attendance
numbers.
Check out their website
for next year's 10th Anniversary Bash!!!
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