We have been brewing for roughly 30 years and having a party to share it with our friends for over 20. We brew three or four different beers for the events. We try to have some crowd pleasing beers like a pale ale or pilsner and usually at least one beer that is a little heartier like a porter or stout or something with fruit in it. We keep the alcohol around 5%. For many years we only had one party per year in the fall – our Oktoberfest, but for the past several years we are also doing a Mayfest in the spring.
We have more than a random amount of beautiful weather. When it has rained, it has just sprinkled or only lasted a few minutes and then cleared and the sun returned. It is an outdoor party so we really do appreciate the beer gods smiling down upon us.
It is first and foremost a neighborhood party. We invite family, friends and neighbors and there is always lots of yummy food that is arriving with the guests. We provide a grill, beer and sodas and our guests do the rest. It is a celebration of the season and of our friendships and finally of the beer. We love to share. For years the party had moved between Chris’ house and Todd’s house, both in Catonsville, but after Todd moved out of town, it has found a permanent home on Forest Dr.
Rebekah does a wonderful job of providing fun activities for the kids. There are hula hoops and bubble fluid and parachute tents and paper tattoos and lots of sidewalk chalk. There is always fine music and sometimes a live band.
The parties run on the first Saturday in May and first Saturday in Oct with only a couple of exceptions in 20 years. We celebrate until dusk with people coming and going as their schedules allow. There are people whom I see only once or twice a year at the party and each time it rolls around, I feel like we pick up on the conversation right where it left off months earlier.
Our collective enthusiasm for brewing has only increased over all this time and I’m sure the parties will continue long into the future, so please join us at the next one.