SBM 27: BBC Day 2

After a morning full of presentations, it was time for our beer paired lunch sponsored by The National Beer Wholesalers Association.  From Gazpacho to Boston Cream Pie, our taste buds were tantalized with the unique tastes from coast to coast.  While I couldn't enjoy the Crab Cake with Fennel Salad, the chef made sure to create a Tofu version of the same flavor profile for me to enjoy, pictured here.  With beers from Rogue, Stillwater, Lagunitas, and Allagash, it was difficult not to fall in love with every pairing.  Our bellies full, we settled in for a few more talks prior to heading out for Live Beer Blogging.

Live Beer Blogging.  At first, I didn't quite understand what this was all going to be about.  When we got to the Burke Distributing/Massachusetts Beverage Alliance event, a dozen tables were spread out amongst the racks of beer.  Wifi hotspots, tasting glasses, and antsy brewers were everywhere.  This was going to be Beer Speed Dating.  While my experience with real speed dating was tiring and unimpressive, this version was highly entertaining.  Brewers came around with their creations, poured samples, chatted about their passion, and answered our rapid fire questions in five minute intervals.  While they were presenting, us bloggers were busy snapping pictures, taking notes, and Tweeting.  A live Twitter feed projected our thoughts on the front wall of the warehouse. Some notable tastes were the Backyahd IPA from Foolproof Brewing Company and the Catalyst DIPA from Backlash Beer Company.  Needless to say, this hophead was finally happy with these darn good East Coast IPAs.

Next stop, Harpoon Brewery.  How can you not love being greeted with trays upon trays of delicious local Boston beer?  Being New England's largest brewery, Harpoon did it right with a reception in their warehouse, which turned into a brewery tour, and ended with an amazing dinner in their Beer Hall.  I quickly became a huge fan of their Black IPA and Cider.  With flatbreads, a variety of salads, and free flowing beer, we were beyond satisfied.  Another event was still on the horizon:  the well talked about and often referenced Beer Social.

What are two girls to do when the beloved Beer Social is running a bit late?  Crash a haunted graveyard tour and seek out the Cheers sound stage bar, of course!  With my partner in crime, NW Beer Babe, we ventured off on foot downtown Boston.  We first came upon a haunted tour entering a small yet distinctive cemetery.  With memorials from the likes of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Benjamin Franklin, this Ghost and Gravestones tour was fascinating.  Afterwards, we headed to Cheers for some cold beers, great bartenders, and a mysteriously scored staff polo.  Then it was back to the hotel for the Beer Social, that was now in full swing, and an after party beer tasting that lasted right up until I needed to return my rental car to the airport.  What a way to close out a fantastic weekend!