Brookston Beer Bulletin

Jay R. Brooks on Beer

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Archives for September 27, 2006

GABF: Wednesday Night at Falling Rock

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After the Brewers Reception, everybody adjourned, as usual, to the Falling Rock, unofficial HQ during festival week.

Falling Rock co-owner Chris Black jumped up on the bar to announce the evening’s festivities.

Chris showing off that he’s only having “one” beer all night.

Shaun O’Sullivan (21st Amendment), Judy Ashworth (Publican Emeritus) and Chris Black.

Jeremy Cowan (He’Brew) and Rich Norgrove (Bear Republic)

Tomme Arthur (Lost Abbey, Port Brewing), Eric Rose (Santa Barbara Brewing) and Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River)

Self-portrait with Natalie Cilurzo and Judy Ashworth.

Melissa Myers samples Chris Black’s one beer.

Then passes it to me for a sip.

Me with Chris’ big glass (it has its own undertow).

Up against the wall with Stephen Beaumont and Judy Ashworth.

Pierre Celis was there tasting people on his new golden Grottenbier.

Of course, the Rolling Boil Blues Band rocked the house with Tom Dalldorf on guitar and John Harris from Full Sail on washboard.

The RB3 had them dancing on the tables.

GABF: Wednesday Night Brewer’s Reception

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Each year, the night before GABF, the Brewers Association holds a reception at Wynkoop for the brewers. It’s the first chance during the week for every one newly arrived in town to get together and say hello, drink a few beers and enjoy calm before the storm.

From left: Bob Pease (BA), Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), John Bryant and his wife Cindy (Odell’s), Banjo (Real Beer) and Tom McCormick (California Small Brewers Association).

Ralph Woodall (HopUnion) and the delightful Chris Crabb (OBF)

John Bryant (Odell’s) and Ray Daniels (BA)

Lucy Saunders (The Beer Cook) and Vinnie Cilurzo.

Burgundian Babble Belt Tasting

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The passionate folks from the Burgundian Babble Belt, a vocal group of Belgian beer enthusiasts, usually has a tasting of Belgian-style beers around GABF but I’ve never before had an opportunity to attend one of their events. This year, the Celebrator was a partial sponsor, and it was before the Brewers Reception, so I had a chance to go. It was held in a delightfully funky building, a three-story former synagogue in a sketchy neighborhood just outside downtown Denver. If there hadn’t been a sign on the door, I would have thought we were in the wrong place. But after a long climb, we arrived at the cavernous third floor, filled with funky decorations and terrific food and beers. It was only too bad we couldn’t have stayed all night.

Stephen Beaumont chats with our host for the evening, Logan.

Jeff and his friend Josh, who he made sure did not miss a GABF event despite being miles away from Denver for the first time this year.

We were almost out the door when Dr. Bill arrived, and enticed us back upstairs with a wheel of Chimay cheese, along with his usual assortment of fantastic beers. To be fair, he really didn’t have to twist our arms very much.