GABF 2009
This year we decided to send five beers to be judged at the Great American Beer Festival. Our entries included Merry Monks’ Ale (750ml cork-and-cage), Double Simcoe IPA (12oz.), QUAD (12oz.), Zotten (12oz.), and Riserva (750ml cork-and-cage). As it can be an expensive endeavor to send beer for judging and for the public, we had not planned for anyone from the brewery to attend. That all changed when a friend of mine decided he was going to put together a trip for a few friends. He had an open spot in a room and the next thing I know, I’m on a direct flight from Philly to Denver (or whatever they call that pasture 40 miles out of the city center where the airport is). The crew was comprised of Anthony Wardle, our organizer and Cert. beer judge, Jeff “Moose” Mussleman, Troegs brewer, Wade Budnietz, Bethlehem bartender Starters/Tally Ho, Jesse Harris, Philadelphia beer drinker extraordinaire, and I. Joining us in Denver is Pete “ Yamro” Jamrogiewicz, Sous Chef Chophouse Denver.
It’s been 6 plus hours traveling now and I can’t stop thinking of my first beer in Denver. We still have to check in at the hotel and at the convention center. Whew! Now to Rock Bottom for that beer! I do not remember what it was, but it was awfully good.
Now, we have to hit the show. It seems a little bigger this year. Maybe that’s just because there’s no one in the room except for brewers, volunteers, and a bagpipe band that was warming up. I saw no sign of Homer or Marge Simpson. We found our little section where our stand was to be. Our beer was already in place and tapped or on ice. Volunteers were scurrying around making the last minute touches. I wish all fest were run this way. Smooth like butter!
Thursday at GABF tends to be a little more chill than the other nights, even though it was sold out every night. It definitely seemed to be the case this year as well. We had a great response to the beers, especially Riserva. We were only able to bring 10 cases for the entire weekend. It seemed likely that it would not make it through Friday night much less Saturday. It was a great first night.
For Friday, we had some non-GABF activities scheduled. We would start at the Rare Beer Fest which benefitted Pints for Prostates. It felt a little strange; I have not attended for a brewfest I was not working in a long time. We had a few sour ales, some brett beers (including one from Michelob called Mich Brett), and some aged beers. If I remember correctly the list included a 10? year old Alaskan Smoked Porter that still had a great deal of smoke flavor after all of those years. I had a great time. There were great people, great beer, and it was all for a great cause. Our next move was right up the street to Coors field for the Rockies/Cardinals game. Long-story-short, I was pulling for the Cards, but the Rockies won.
Saturday started with anticipation. They would announce the winners for each category during the afternoon session. The afternoon session was pretty cool. I must apologize for hanging out a little too long at the AleSmith and the Bruery booths. Thanks for the hospitality! That ended up being the highlight of the afternoon since we did not take home a medal. Needless to say I was a little disappointed. Some great beers took our categories. We will keep working and try again next year. Pete, a sous chef at the Chophouse, decided to host us for dinner. And what goes better with steak than a nice dry martini. Oh, maybe I was just drowning my sorrows. With the help of Pete’s employee discount, I have never eaten so good for so little. Thanks Pete!
With the help of our guide, we arrived at the airport more than two and half hours prior to our flight. A Willie Nelson song popped in my head. “It’s a bloody mary morning…”
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