SARATOGA SPRINGS – Well, the way some of YOU were pounding it at the Saratoga Beer Week Summit on Saturday, February 25, I figured you might need a few weeks to recover!
And in truth, I am glad that I held these photos until now, when, after a hellacious blizzard this past Tuesday, we all need to remember why we continue to live here. Saratoga Beer Week has grown to be, in just a few short years, a key reason – taking its place alongside other (longer time) signature events in Saratoga Springs – such as Victorian Streetwalk, Hats Off, and Chowderfest.
The enthusiasm that this event generates indicates that it is an one which, like these photos, will stand the test of time. Enjoy!
Getting there is half the fun!
As my dash cam showed, it was a dark and stormy evening – with several people who arrived just minutes after me looking like participants in a wet t-shirt contest… others were looking like people I would like to see in a wet t-shirt contest, but I digress… In any event, I arrived dry and was ready to photo-chronicle people who were more than ready to get liquid. An official greeting and kick off from Ron Holloway began the fun…
…and away we go!
Running into MacKenzie from DeCrescente and the GotBeer.com folks was an early highlight, as was seeing John and Sarah from the Adirondack Pub & Brewery from Lake George… but I could not linger, for this was what i needed to navigate:
Yes folks, we do it all for you… Onward!
Pit Stop: Guinness
Well, hello! Under any circumstance, Guinness is worth a stop. This just made it a no-brainer! She asked how she was doing with her pour… oh, just fine, dear!
And I would be remiss if I did not salute my friend Lori Lu and her fine crew of volunteers, who dispensed both tasting glasses and 411 in grand, glam style!
Deborah and I found no shortage of photo-ops, but sometimes you do things because you can!
But then, something struck me…
Was it Cupid’s arrow?
Well, yes… in a manner of speaking…
Meet The Alliance!
Yes, this had all the elements of a great matchup… a combo of Saratoga Brewing (with many of their fine offerings and featuring the Jucifier today), combined with the Death Wish Coffee crew and with Rick and Jenna from Albany Distilling (the purveyors of Death Wish Vodka)…
Mere mortals are helpless!
At this point, I may have lost some of my swagger, but I certainly retained plenty of stagger! And off we go…
Kudos to the fabulous band The Schmooze, who were on their second leg of a triple gig! That would be two Beer Summit sessions and an after-party at Bailey’s later that evening. They kept everyone movin’ and groovin’!
Finally, let me pay homage to my friend Tony from DeCrescente… he never seems to be at a loss for friends – must be his winning smile. Either that, or he always has a bottle opener in his pocket…
Hey, Tony – that’s Hugh Hefner holding on Line 2 — man, he sounds annoyed! But no worries… if i ever grow up, I want to be just like you!
Until next time, this is your intrepid photojournalist speaking… Oh, man, I’m getting thirsty!
Arthur Gonick
March 16, 2017
