DRAFT Magazine

As always, some of us didn’t have a clue what to get our significant others for Valentine’s Day this year. With the economy tanking, most of us opted out of pricy gifts and opted to create memories instead, with romantic dinners, walks, or scenic day-trips. Not me. I again avoided the last-minute box of chocolate. I didn’t buy flowers. Instead, I took my wife of 11 years to the world-famous Toronado Barleywine Festival in San Francisco, where we both got to judge some of the most ass-kicking beers you’ll find anywhere.

We arrived early, around 9:30 a.m. and were both assigned to judge in the first round. In a Valentine miracle of sorts, we were seated just a few spot apart. (We were on different panels though.) Tracy isn’t a newbie when it comes to beer. She grew up on a barley farm in Canada and is proud of the fact her family was able to harvest malt-grade barley year-after-year. Her family has been enjoying fine malt-based beverages for more than a couple decades. She appreciates a good beer as much as the next person and recently took her BJCP exam, just so we could travel to more beer-judging events together (next up: Sam Adams Longshot). With her powerful beer knowledge, I’m certain she did a great job passing along stellar beer. Okay, that about covers the cutesy portion of this post.

With the judging over for the two of us, we were able to jump across the street where the festival was in full swing. As the case with most Toronado events, the bar was standing room only. Tables on the left were occupied by notable figures, such as John Harris of Full Sail, drinks writer Stephen Beaumont, and the crew from Seattle’s favorite bar, Brouwer’s Café. Folks from Portland, San Diego, even the UK were seated at one of the prized tables. More than 100 glasses of beer sat in front of the kids from across the Pond. (These guys don’t mess around!). Getting there early, pacing themselves, and keeping hydrated, a whole lot of people were able to taste each of the more than 50 barleywines available. Sure, there were a few unruly folks — there always are — but the crowd did a wonderful job managing itself and overall the event had a community feel. As always, it was a beautiful thing to see.

With our time among the crowds complete, we stepped out and headed back across the street to play paparazzi and catch the final round of judging. I’ve been around Best of Show panels many times, even have had the privilege to sit on them, but they never get old. Sitting around one large table were highly qualified beer judges sipping samples, taking notes, holding glasses up to the light, and carefully formulating their thoughts about the beer in front of them. With their thoughts collected, the panel began the arduous task of championing their choices. In this round there won’t be any stinker beers, so the arguments had to be compelling and the beer must be a fantastic representation of the style (English, American ,or Barrel-aged barleywine). Balance, complexity, overall enjoyment – these were the factors being dissected at this table. It was a highly entertaining and, yes, tense activity to see.

In the end, two beers from Alaska took top honors, with San Francisco’s own 21st Amendment rounding out the top three. (Firestone Walker won a much-deserved honorable mention.)

After the winners were announced, it was time for the judges to eat! The jambalaya we were served after the judging at Toronado was fantastic, just in case you were wondering. The pitchers of beer allotted for the judging were quickly depleted and merriment soon followed. For those of us who’ve been judging for years, this is when we catch up with old friends — the friends we only see at judging events. Within the hour the majority of judges (most of whom are homebrewers) headed toward Anchor for the annual Homebrew Club of the Year announcements and dinner. I’ve enjoyed several of these homebrew club meetings at Anchor, but this year Tracy and I stayed back to enjoy a few more beers and to spend time with friends in the industry.

It wasn’t long before the judging tables were replaced with washoe boards and another celebration started. I tried my hand at washoes again, but really sucked it up pretty bad. It was only a little embarrassing. No matter, it was still great to sit and watch the pros go at it. (Jay Brooks and Dave Keene were unstoppable!) As the minutes slipped by, the festivities at the Toronado were still going strong and we weren’t about to try and keep up with the folks over there. Instead we opted for dinner, a few more drinks, and a cab ride back to our hotel.

I don’t know what your motivations are for attending a beer festival and I suppose that doesn’t matter, but for me I get so much enjoyment out of the culture we’re developing — a culture that appreciates friendships as much (or more so) than the beer. What Keene has built at Toronado is testament to that community and I hope you’ve been able to witness that firsthand.

View more Toronado Barleywine Festival pictures on our Flickr photostream.