The Brewer's Plate, March 9, Independence Visitor's Center

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The Brewer's Plate, March 9, Independence Visitor's Center

POSTED: Monday, March 10, 2008, 7:58 PM

Photo | Brian Howard

People love beer.

Panic at the beer tasting!

It's a testament, I suppose, to how good an idea The Brewer's Plate is that the organizers can't seem to find a space to do it justice. Teaming 21 local eateries with 21 locally brewed beers in a food-and-suds-pairing extravaganza sounds a little bit like heaven — until you try to do it (and, I'd imagine, until you try to pull it off). Held in the long corridor that is the first floor of the Independence Visitors Center, the event drew a fantastic number of sampling-glass-toting attendees. Lines were long, some restaurants had begun running out of food (oh, London Grill duck wings, I never knew ye) just 45 minutes into the non-VIP portion of the evening, and it was nearly impossible to stand in one spot for even 20 seconds to sip a beer then awkwardly balance your plate to sneak a bite before someone was on your heels, trying to get to right. where. you. were. I'm told last year's, held at the Reading Terminal Market, was similarly logistically challenging.

That said, the stuff I was able to sample (before succumbing to a mild case of mob-induced claustrophobia) was delish. The Abbaye's traditional Belgian stew, all meaty and potatofied, went nicely, if not ethnically, with Sly Fox's O'Reilly's Stout. Bar Ferdinand's Nodding Head-braised pork belly with heirloom apples was a little bit divine — the pork belly was tender the the point of melting. Nodding Head's All Night Ale was the perfect complement. RX's blood orange-infused cheddar polenta with rice and plantain chips was a heady combo with Dock Street's St. Alban's ale. And Sidecar's Cajun boudin with red beans and rice was a nice finisher, as Cricket Hill's APA proved yeoman. I'd have loved to have tried more — the line for the Rose Tattoo's oysters and Weyerbacher's Climax Extra Special Bitter extended nearly the length of the venue — but logistics dictated otherwise.

As the scene dwindled, I grabbed from the Franklin Fountain booth a root beer float made with, get this, beer-flavored ice cream, and bolted for the exit, hoping to enjoy my sudsy dessert en route home. However, since the ice cream contained actual beer, and was thus technically an alcoholic beverage, was not allowed to leave the premises with it. A quick sip — tasty but a little weird — and I was out the door and able to breathe again.

I'm no event planner, but given the event's turnout (as it really is a magnificent showcase of Philly's burgeoning restaurant and brewing scenes), may I suggest that next year's be held in a room that's just a little bit more square, and with a few more high-top tables. It's nice to be able to stand and enjoy beer and a bite, if only for a minute.

More photos after the jump:

Photo | Brian Howard

The Abbaye's Belgian stew (top) and Bar Ferdinand's Nodding Head-braised pork belly with heirloom apples.

Marc Steel

Posted 2008-03-10 17:56:50

Yeah, the London Grill's duck was amazing. I missed the Franklin Fountain float, but heard it was good. And the event would most definitely be better served in a more suitable location. End of the day it's not about how interesting of a locale the event takes place in, but how well it can function, and this was really tough to get around once it filled in. That being said, I would do it again, it's a great event.

Natalie Diener

Posted 2008-03-11 11:11:44

Flying Fish Farmhouse Ale and Tinto Super-Delicious-Meat-and-Bread Combination pairing, my hat is tipped to you.

Posted by Brian Howard @ 7:58 PM Permalink | Post a comment

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