Meeting More Heroes

Just returned from the Wynkoop Brewery which held a reception for the GABF Brewers.  Very cool place.  Everything was free--open bar (beer), lots of food.

I tried all three of their cask-conditioned ales.  Then tried a few others.  Here's their beer list:

My favorite of the bunch was also their flagship beer, the RailYard Ale.

Then I ventured outside and sat with a couple from the Turtle Mountain Brewing Company in Rio Rancho, New Mexico--just outside of Albuquerque. 

We chatted for a while--very nice folks.

Let's get to the hero part. 

One of the coolest things about brewing (and there are MANY) is that many of the people about whom you read or hear tales are readily accessible.

There has been a surge in beer and food pairings over the last few years.  Brewmaster's Dinners happen frequently now.  In fact, we've had one of our own in St. Francis last Spring and are having another next month.  More on that in a future post.

The Brewmaster at the Brooklyn Brewery literally wrote the book on beer and food pairings.  His name is Garrett Oliver.  I own his book, "The Brewmaster's Table" and use if often in planning our own pairings at the Brewpub.







Sure enough, sitting two tables away from me was Garrett.  I took the opportunity to introduce myself and compliment him on his book.



Garrett Oliver



Here's proof:

You gotta love that hat!