The crowd is feeling euphoric, a light, alcoholic "high" heightening their sensory perception and energizing their mental activity. As the beer tasting segment draws to a close, camaraderie develops within the group of beer lovers.
We are in the Upper Egyptian Gallery in the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Philadelphia. It is Saturday, March 12th, 2005, a celebration marking the brief return of the Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur. Michael Jackson, the Beer Hunter, has just presented a grand taste-tutoring of Golden Treasures – Gold-Medal winners from the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado. We are asked to continue our tasting in the Chinese Rotunda, where over 100 signature craft beers are available for our discovery. Michael Jackson is also present for those who desire autographs or light-hearted repartee.
As we enter the Rotunda, we are dancing cheek-to-cheek with our fellow tasters. No music. Just that warm feeling of closeness that quickly develops among people who share a common interest – laughing, sharing tidbits of information about a trip to the monasteries and farmhouse breweries of Belgium, discussing the newest of American brews, asking questions.
My eyes fall upon the dignified man at the table. Michael Jackson. Unpretentious. Approachable. Compelled by that “inner something” that drives him onward, into a microscopic, yet global, assessment of the brews and brewers within his territory. Categorizing, critiquing, enjoying!
He asks every admirer for their name, endeavoring to please them with a personalized note in his books – not just an autograph, but a bit of himself as well. A gift from the master, as one committed to serve the public.
I introduce myself as “The Beer Fox” to “The Beer Hunter.” With good-humored joviality, he shares a few carefully-chosen witticisms about my title, then gracefully moves into stories about beer in America and abroad.
He believes the Great American Beer Festival to display the most interesting beers in the world, and classifies the event as the toughest judging festival in the world. He admires the beer-culture in America, particularly within the craft-brewing segment, with the high amount of creativity and experimentation. His speech is peppered with anecdotes and humor: Tales of adversity against the cleverest of lawyers – his testimony concerning ESB - a trademark of Fuller’s in the United Kingdom, but a loose-term for a “beer style” in the United States - clearly a “violation of proprietary ownership” if used by other brewers in the U.K., but altogether acceptable if done in another country. Tales of friendship with Charlie Papazian, the beginnings of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale, founded in 1971), and an occasional submission to a particularly enticing brew. He is easy to like.
His time is limited, so I excuse myself to explore the electricity in the air. Sebbie Buhler, the delightful Roguester featured on the 22-ounce bottle of Rogue Chocolate Stout, is gifted with an engaging personality. She offers me a taste of Black Obi Soba Ale, developed as part of the Rogue Ales Signature Series with internationally acclaimed Chef Masaharu Morimoto. This herbally satisfying brew is created with roasted buckwheat and malts, imparting a nutlike character, and is artfully balanced with Horizon, Sterling and Cascade malts for a clean, quenching piquance.
Patrick LaZelle of Duvel USA and Brewery Ommegang presents me with a taste of Three Philosophers, a quadruple Belgian Ale of deep mahogany hues. The aromas sing an enchanting symphony of sweet and sour fruits, with spices and alcohol. As the glass touches my lips, a chorus of angels explode on my tongue - spices, cherries, raisins, plums, perhaps bittersweet cocoa and raspberries. A religious experience!
Of course, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, the "Grand Cru Brewery" - unique in the business of extreme beer – is sporting 120 Minute IPA, with a kicking 20% ABV - the colossal brew for committed hopheads - and Aprihop, a hoppy, citrusy apricot IPA seasonal.
Carol Stout and her Stout-crew is on hand with their bevy of provocative brews. Pleasing the beer lovers, engaging in conversation, sharing in the charismatic atmosphere.
So many brewing establishments worthy of mention: Bethlehem Brew Works, Nodding Head Brewery, John Harvard’s Brew House, Victory Brewing, Triumph Brewing Company, Flying Fish, Homesweet Homebrew, Southampton Publick House, Legacy Brewing Company, Iron Hill, Monks Café, Sly Fox, Troegs, Weyerbacher, Pennsylvania Brewing and Woodchuck.
Local Distributors/Importers like Friedland of Philadelphia serving Chimay, Lagunitas, Singha, Great Divide, Dekoninek, and Gilde; Unibroue of Champlain, NY; Star Brand Imports of White Plains, NY serving Paulaner, Affilgem and Murphey’s; Interbrew of Philadelphia, PA with Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Bellevue; Global Brewers Guild of Calverton, NY serving Allagash, Flying Dog, Abita, and Belhaven; Merchant du Vin of Lennox, MA with Samuel Smith, Ayinger, Westmalle, Pinkus and Lindemans; Kunda Beverage/Van Berg and DeWulf of King of Prussia, PA serving Harpoon, Augustiner, Moreland, and Affligem; Muller of Philadelphia, PA with JW Dundee, Molsen, Stegmeiers, DAB, and Binding-Brauerie; Shangy’s of Emmaus, PA serving Avery, Brussel’s and Bell’s.
An explosive world of spectacular brew is open to you, Beer Lovers! American crafted beer or European crafted – a golden touch awaits! The gift of the gods!
Cheers!
