This weekend, hundreds will gather at the Castle at Park Plaza in Boston to sample artfully brewed craft beer selections from 58 local, national, and international breweries. The Boston Beer Summit has brought beer lovers together since 1999, assembling a range of knowledgeable brewers to showcase a vast spread of the highest quality craft beers available. Summit-goers will find “casks, limited releases, short lines, a good time, great variety, and access to brewers and people who know their beers, who will answer the questions or just be friendly,” explains Mike Munnelly, who co-produces the event along with Conor Brennan and Shawn Rich. The gathering brings both quality and quantity, with hundreds of beers to sample, foods from Fenway Park legend The Sausage Guy, and live entertainment from a variety of local bands.
Sixteen of the Summit’s 58 breweries hail from Massachusetts, including Backlash Beer Company and 3 Beards Beer Company, both based in Holyoke, Downeast Cider of Charleston, and Harpoon Brewery. Co-producer Mike Munnelly is especially partial to two North Shore breweries featured in the show: Clown Shoes, from Ipswich and Far from the Tree Cider, located in Salem. He explains, “Two unique North Shore options are Far From the Tree Cider and Clown Shoes, both of whom hold their own within the craft community. But more importantly, their product would not be the same if made anywhere but the North Shore. Far from the Tree Cider specifically uses local apples in the tradition of Massachusetts cider making, while Clown Shoes has an emphasis on quality with humility and good humor.”
Other nationally and internationally acclaimed breweries joining the Summit this year include Boulevard Brewing Company from Kansas City, Missouri, Finch’s Beer Company from Chicago, Illinois, Founders Brewing Co. from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lagunitas from Petaluma, California, Central City Brewers from Surrey, British Columbia, Hofbrau Original from Munich, Germany and Stiegl Pils from Salzburg, Austria. “We look at the picture as a whole and really focus on good beers, not just the name of the brewery or the location. Good beer, and variety comes from everywhere,” says Munnelly. “You can be new to craft beer, or well versed and still have a good time. Each show offers the opportunity to try something new, as well as direct access to brewers and beer experts.” For more information and to purchase tickets to any one of the Summit’s three sessions on April 17 and 18, visit www.beersummit.com.