Craft Brewers Conference - Day 3-5

Okay, so we've gotten Days 1 and 2 out of the way. Things may get a little hazy from here on out, but let's give it a shot why don't we?

We got a late start and enjoyed a couple of seminars before rolling into the main hall for lunch and the expo. More Black Folie and then an opportunity to drink beer from our newest supplier, The Bruery...great beers...sitting next to those beers I noticed Brookly Local 1 and 2...who could resist? We spent some time with some suppliers, both current and potential, and then ended the event in a conversation with Adam Avery, Jim Koch, and some others. Jim Koch is a fascinating man and seems well versed in more than just beer. We stayed for some time, because as Adam Avery said, you don't get an opportunity to have a conversation with Jim Koch every day.

Next up was a small reception featuring an incredible Bohemian style Pils brewed by a small brewery whose name escapes me. I enjoyed this beer with writer and all around beer historian, Horst Dornbusch and Wolfgang Burkart, managing director of Verlag W. Sachon, the publisher for nine different beer magazines in Europe and Asia. Horst explained how this Pils was based on the oldest know recipe using a special malt; and how it was likely the most authentic version of the original Bohemian Pils you would find. As always, Horst is fascinating and our conversation took us back to the 15th century and right up to modern times. Herr Burkart has promised to come visit our main warehouse when he is in the area and perhaps do a story on it for the European magazines.

A long cab ride to Deep Ellum where Shelton Brothers had some amazing beers from their portfolio on tap including a cask version of Dieu du Ciel's Vaisseau de Songes (Ship of Dreams) IPA, also the Rigor Mortis ABT from the same brewery. We also enjoyed Cantillon Vigneronne and a few others. The best part of this was that many of the brewers were in attendance. We had time for a great conversation with Jean van Roy of Cantillon, there on his first ever visit to the U.S. The whole time we were there, we were teased by a Russian River Pliny the Elder handle, however, it was not to be tapped without Vinnie in attendance, and we were long gone by the time he arrived.

Later that night we went back to Harpoon where they had 60 cask conditioned beers from across New England available. We didn't know where to start, and it ended far too soon. Back at the hotel bar, we ran into some folks from several breweries and enjoyed a nightcap with Larry Bell.

Friday was a real slow day, several meetings and a quick tour of Quincy Market including lunch at The Black Rose. There was a real nice closing reception and we ended up back at Harpoon for a New England Craft Brewers night featuring kegs from 10 or so local breweries. We spent most of the evening upstairs in the tasting room trying some wonderful treats that Harpoon had put on special for the evening. We bumped into Rick and Sean from Coronado, enjoyed a late dinner and a couple of final beers with them and called it a night.

A great conference from several standpoints, but the most exceptional was the incredible hospitality shown by Harpoon. For the entire week they erected a huge tent in their parking lot and offered up the space for attendees to enjoy local beers in the evening. The fact that they shared each and every opportunity to pour beer with all their New England brethren says a lot about what kind of industry this is, and what kind of brewery Harpoon is.