Photo: Susanna Bolle
If people seem particularly hopped-up around town lately, it’s in part because we’re in the midst of Boston Beer Week, a ten-day celebration of craft beer (no Bud, please!) from around the country. Don’t fret if you’ve missed out on the many tastings and choreographed pub crawls, because it’s not over yet. In fact, things really come to a head tonight, when the American Craft Beer Fest gets underway and continues through Saturday at the Seaport World Trade Center. There will be three full, ticketed sessions: Friday, 6:00-9:30 p.m., and Saturday, 1:00-4:30 p.m. and 6:00-9:30 p.m.
The Fest features over 80 brewers from around the country, giving the enterprising beer-drinker the opportunity to sample beers that are usually difficult, if not impossible, to find in Massachusetts. A pair of out-of-staters that piqued my curiosity were Founders Brewing Co. (Michigan), and the Terrapin Beer Company (Georgia), but I barely scratched the surface. There are so many different breweries, that a little advance planning is in order. Luckily maps are available online.
Naturally, there will also be a ton of great beers that are brewed much closer to home. Cambridge’s Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project is one such brewer. Less than two years old, this tiny company already has a reputation for brewing some seriously creative and tasty beer. At this weekend’s festival, they’ll be pouring samples of many of these, including their flagship Jack D’Or, a Belgian saison with a distinct American twist; St. Botolph’s Town, a dark, malty ale; and Field Mouse’s Farewell, a golden, farmhouse-style ale that’s their late spring seasonal (and, truth be told, a personal favorite).
Photo: Andrew Phelps/WBUR
Earlier this week WBUR reporter, Andrew Phelps, and I met with Dann Paquette and Martha Holley-Paquette, the husband and wife team behind Pretty Things. You can read Andrew’s post about Pretty Things on WBUR’s news blog, Hubbub, and listen for his radio piece on Pretty Things — coming soon on Radio Boston!
For more on the American Craft Beer Fest and to purchase tickets, visit the ACBF website.