As a beer writer, I had the opportunity to stretch to the other side of the World of Spirits in late March, 2009, as an attendee at the Whisky Festival of Noord (Northern) Netherlands in Groningen.

Despite the late hour, Rudi Ghequire, Manager and 27-year Brewmaster of Rodenbach in Roeselare, Belgium, had agreed to meet with this Beer Fox to talk about Rodenbach and its philosophy, process, and products.

If a restaurateur could capture velvet elegance and merge it with the comfort of relaxed indulgence, how much would your delectation increase? Casual elegance...Gourmet chic merged with relaxed gustatory delight - in a word, beerbistro of Toronto.

Michael Jackson was, without a doubt, the most influential writer to affect the development of beer and whisky on the international stage, and now, 13 international drinks writers from the world of beer and whisky have collaborated on a book to honor him.

Silver glitter flaked through the air like fairy dust. The air was, after all, charged with excitement as fans, finalists, and TV camera crews stepped over the threshold at Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA into a world of challenge.

Every one of these Semi Finalists had proven themselves worthy to stand as the lead beer geek, able to stand-up to the panel of judges who light-heartedly sported Mardi-gras beads and black top hats, decorated with glitter and bottlecaps.

This gallery of photographs is a third presentation of the events of Philly Beer Week 2009, with the purpose of detailing the myriad of events enjoyed by both novices and die-hard enthusiasts throughout the Philadelphia metro and suburban areas.

Philly Beer Week 2009 seems to be picking up steam - not like a mere locomotive, but like the blast from the Cape as the Space Shuttle takes flight. This gallery of photographs is a second sampling of the events of Philly Beer Week 2009

This gallery of photographs is a small sampling of the events of Philly Beer Week 2009, meant to illustrate the broad scope of events created by the enthusiastic beer lovers in the Philadelphia metro and suburban areas.

Philly Beer Week 2009 has softly drawn its curtain, despite our calls for Encore! that profusely rolled from our hop-drenched tongues. If we could split ourselves into clones, it would have served us little with so much choice to reward our spirits.