Beer TableIf there’s one thing I’ve learned about beer tastings with more than a handful of people in attendance, it’s that you can’t tackle everything. That rare bottle floating around of 2001 barleywine that was produced under a full moon and aged in sequoia casks for seven months? Forget about it. Just try to get in what you can and enjoy the event for what it is.

As a host, there’s another level involved. You’re not just showing up to drink beer; you’re there for the idea’s inception, the planning, the set-up, the clean-up, the good times – the whole enchilada. You’re trying to make sure people are enjoying themselves and also getting to sample some of the beer they showed up for in the first place. You’re checking ice, snacks, and trying to regulate the conduct of any interlopers that happen to wander into your space.

That’s what I picked up at the very first Relentless Thirst rare and vintage beer tasting this Saturday. When you learn to let go of the foolhardy notion that you will get your hands on every beer there that you haven’t tried, it makes for a much more pleasurable experience. And ensuring that everyone else has fun makes it worthwhile.

A positive aspect I noticed is that some non-beer folks made it out with their friends or loved ones and tried things that they liked. It changed their perception of what beer can be. So, despite a crowd composed of an overwhelming number of beer aficionados, there were those in attendance who were getting their taste of flavors they never thought could come from beer. Also, those aficionados were able to try some things that were even foreign to them, like a 2004 Belgian dandelion beer (Pissenlit, by Fantome).

There were some other standouts present, including but not limited to:  a 1994 Thomas Hardy’s Ale, a Russian River Consecration, a Vin de Cereale from Rodenbach, a Victory Helios saison (not yet in the Virginia market). Those are just some that come immediately to mind, as I know more was brought and tasted without my knowledge.

After hauling a massive amount of things up to the top of a building, you really begin to experience the beer for its refreshing qualities. All in all, we had two ten-by-ten canopies, three tables, three sixtel kegs (one homebrewed Mild, one Uinta Barleywine from 2004, and one Ommegang Adoration not available in Virginia), and more bottles of rare and vintage beer than is humanly possible to visualize. The crowd’s diverse composition was also noteworthy. Homebrewers, retailers, distributors, consumers – these groups were well represented and it was great to see the interaction amongst them, all in the name of good beer.

Originally, this had been slated to coincide with Richmond’s first World Beer Festival, thrown by All About Beer magazine. When we had learned that the event was postponed until next spring, we wondered whether we would (check that alliteration!) still carry on with our own plans. But it was entirely worth it. Daniel Bradford even sent a representative (hey Ola!) by to hand out free AAB/WBF t-shirts and tasting glasses.

Richmond SunsetThe strongest impression that this made on me is that Richmond is finally being taken seriously as a beer town. Granted, we may not have as many local breweries and brewpubs as other cities our size or smaller, and we may not be the first name that comes to mind when you mention beer destinations and their fabled “beer weeks.” But you know something, we got heart. And liver. And we ain’t gonna lie down for no one. When you think about it, the fact that All About Beer wanted to expand their festival to include us, and thought it important enough to send someone up here to represent them at our tasting, and the fact that there was interest across the board from the aforementioned beer-loving groups, should tell you something.

With an aching back, shoulders, and head come Sunday morning, I asked myself, “Would I want to go through the trouble of doing this all over again?” I thought about it for a minute. My response:

See you next year.

Great seeing old friends and making new ones. Got to meet the famous, globetrotting Velky Al for the first time, and Dan Kachur, one of the C’ville Beer Geek crew. Many thanks to those who helped make this possible (especially the industry folk), and to all the local/area beer heads that showed up to sip the good stuff!