The Brewer's Plate scores big again in 2016

Hopefully, you've had a chance to catch my full wrap-up over at Communities Digital News [click here if you've not yet]. As usual, your assistance with pushing those little social buttons to share on Facebook, Twitter, etc. is always much appreciated.

I go through a full run-down of beers and pairings that left a lasting memory from The Brewer's Plate 2016. Now don't go getting all offended if I didn't list your favorites of the night. But, feel free to weigh in with comments.

With around fifty pairings to get to, it's impossible even before walking through the door to think of trying everything. What you won't find on my list of highlights, however, are any blatantly hop-forward — say double IPAs — beers. For this particular event, I opted to steer away from them.

(The Industry and Tröegs Brewing Company crews)

(Josh and Josh from Deer Creek Malthouse)

(Dessert from Garces Events Catering paired with Victory's V-12)

(The VIP session surge)

(St. Benjamin Brewing Company's bock served with Weckerly's Custard)

(Beer for breakfast, or any meal of the day)

(Jake Borer and Tim Ohst from Sly Fox Brewing Company)

(Free Will Brewing Company's Coffee Oatmeal Brown with molasses and coffee aged in a rum barrel and called Brown Beard)

(Bread from High Street on Market for the train ride home)

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Brewers Plate 2014 is in two days

On one hand, it doesn't surprise me in the least that annual food and beer extravaganza, The Brewer's Plate, is still going strong after ten years. I remember it (and, fondly so) in its early years at the Reading Terminal Market, such a fitting place to showcase food and an agricultural beverage such as beer.

Since those first couple of years, it's been around. To the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (pretty excellent venue), Independence Visitors Center (not so much so), and the National Constitution Center (pretty darned good, as well).

This year, it sets up in two days at the Kimmel Center on Broad Street, just south of City Hall. If it's anything like the event I attended there last year, it should work out quite fine. An aesthetically pleasing venue, too.

Tickets are apparently scarce and nearing sellout (I'm pretty sure that's not just marketing speak either). As in the past, this event comes with my strongest personal recommendation. Go. Eat. Drink. Dance. Be Merry and Enjoy some the best tastes life has to offer.

Do you need further encouragement to help with the decision-making? The organizers sent along some sample pairing to whet your appetite.

• El Camino Real – Drunken maple bacon shake & pork belly slider paired with Weyerbacher Brewing Co.’s Last Chance IPA and Heresy Russian Imperial Stout
• Varga Bar – Braised short rib and root vegetable stew and breakfast cereal ice cream paired with Saucony Creek Brewing Co.’s Kutztown Lager bier
• Victory Brewpub – Vietnamese chicken and cabbage salad with garlic oil, fried shallots, fresh mint and roasted peanuts paired with Victory Brewing Co.’s Swing Session Saison, Mad King’s Weiss, DirtWolf and 1337
• Southwark Restaurant – Banger terrine with curried egg gribiche and rye flatbread paired with Nodding Head Brewery’s Rufus Ale and ‘Secret Bonus Beer’
• Fette Sau – Smoked burnt ends with spicy slaw paired with Sly Fox Brewing Co.’s Fat Pig Ale
• Alla Spina – Beef tongue involtini paired with Yards Brewing Co.’s Schwarzbier

Digging up some of the words and pictures from the past from this side of the desk, here's what I came across as if you need any additional enticement. Hope to see you there.

2013, at The Brew Lounge

2012, at The Brew Lounge

2011, posted up over at The Washington Times Communities.

2011, at The Brew Lounge

2007, at The Brew Lounge

2006, at The Brew Lounge

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