SAVOR (An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Washington DC, June 5th) sold out of tickets within minutes of them going on sale to the general public on February 24th. Last year was great so I purchased tickets again this year (luckily beforehand as I was a prior attendee). The tickets grant you a pass into the National Building Museum for an amazing display of beer and food. Each participating brewery bring two beers which are paired with a specific finger food that is located nearby. The brews do outnumber the food, which was a good thing as some of the food quality was not up to par with the beers. The two highlights for me were tasting Russian River's Consecration Ale and a table serving local, raw oysters (both with 20 to 30 minute lines). The other great thing about Savor is the salons, which are essentially private rooms (purchase of another ticket is required) where different people from the craft brew industry go over an array of topics. Many times this involves a tasting, food pairing or both. Last year I was too late buying my tickets to get into a salon but this year I bought tickets as soon as it was possible. The salon I am going to is described as follows : "Brewery Ommegang teams up with Bobby Flay-conquering chef Teddy Folkman for Savor 2010. Teddy is the well-known executive chef and co-owner of Granville Moore's Belgian Beers and Gastropub. Chef Teddy will prepare his special fare with one Ommegang ale and pair it with yet another. Sit back and enjoy as Ommegang and Chef Teddy infect the crowd with the tasty art of pairing of Belgian-style food and ales. Finally, Ommegang will cap the beer and food pairing with a special comparison tasting of a brand-new Ommegang exclusive beer; a beer unavailable anywhere except the brewery." The food and beer selection at Granville Moore's is some of the best in DC and Ommegang is the closest thing you can get to a true Belgian brewery in the States. Can't wait.Photo: © 2009 Eddie Arrossi Photography
