University of Penn
3/18/06
For the last 6 years or so, we
have made this glorious event. MJ is at his best in a venue like this.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have the time to digress like he enjoys as he
is only limited to an hour on the dais. For him, that's just warming up.
This was the 16th year that
he has performed for the eager crowds at the Museum. For those uninformed,
Michael chooses a theme every year and picks eight to ten beers to exemplify
that theme and gives a short narration about them as everyone tastes them.
They hold three programs during the day: 1PM, 3:30PM and 6PM. Needless
to say, it is a long day for the Master of Ceremonies and, by the last
show, he is more than a little toasted. After the tutored tasting, one
gets to spend 2 hours in the Rotunda tasting the best of the world presented
by breweries and distributors from the area...over 100 beers for your tasting
pleasure! Sausages, bread and pretzels are also served to help sop up some
of the alcohol.
You also get a chance to buy
some of MJ's newest creations and have him personalize it for you. This
year, I picked up the "Whiskey" book that he just finished as I have just
"discovered" Scotch and Bourbon. It also gave me a chance to talk to MJ
for a minute or two. This was the first year in six that Gary and I did
not take him around for a day.
The theme this year was "Great
Grains, Great Beers", a collection of beers brewed with different grains.
He picked a wide selection of styles and included, as he always does, beers
from local breweries:
Chester County Lightning from
Sly Fox, PA
Joseph Spelt Ale from Brasserie
de Silenrieux, Belgium
Sara Buckwheat Ale from Brasserie
de Silenrieux, Belgium
Jewish Rye from Triumph Brewing,
NJ & PA
Red Rice Ale from Hitachino
Brewery, Japan
Chateau Jiahu from Dogfish Head,
DE
Oatmeal Stout from Troegs Brewery,
PA
Schneider Aventinus Weizenbock
from Schneider & Sohn, Germany
A motley selection of beers to
say the least and his stories really make the day! We've always told him
that he should print a compilation of anecdotes, but he's afraid someone
will be offended by them. Oh well, maybe some day!
After the show, comes the good
time. I get to see some people that I don't often see. They are the elite
of Pennsylvania and Delaware beer: Bill Covaleski(Victory), Sam Calagione(Dogfish
Head), Ric Hoffman(Stewart's), John Fiorilli(Stewart's), Tom Peters(Monks),
Chris Lapierre & Larry Horwitz(Iron Hill), Carol & Ed Stoudt(Stoudt's),
Curt Decker & Gordon Grubb(Nodding Head), George Hummel(Home Sweet
Homebrew), my good friend Rick Suarez from Unibroue with his trusty assistant
Cesar and another great friend Greg Somers from the State College Microbrewers
Expo. I used to overimbibe at this event, but have learned that schmoozing
is a much better way to spend the time.
This event is held every year
around the 3rd Saturday in March. Put it on your calendar for as long as
MJ lasts. His health is not the best and I'm not sure how much traveling
he'll be able to do in the next few years, so catch him while you can.
Check out beeradvocate.com
or upenn.edu for dates.