Woodshop 11

I survived.

And I am now back in the land of the living. What a crazy, exhausting weekend. I think, as an event experience, it was our best event yet-- amazing space, best beer lineup we've ever had, really cool staff/hosts, and fantastic guests. We all owe special thanks to Kelsey & Co. at North Park Beer Co., plus Mastiff Kitchen for the delicious food, and all of the planned and unplanned volunteers who chipped in and lent a hand at various moments throughout the day. This is truly the best of what the craft beer world has to offer, and I am evermore excited and grateful to play a part in wrangling the troops to partake in these experiences together. Thank you, everyone.

One slight shroud cast over the event, for some... Damn shame that more people than at any previous Woodshop overindulged and made a giant fucking mess of some of the dark corners of that beautiful space. We should be better. We can all do better. Myself included. We can do better at keeping an eye on things and preparing the staff to keep an eye on things so that we are all able to enjoy the festivities in a fun, safe environment and we're looking out for those people who don't know how to look out for themselves. It's a huge bummer for everyone when things go off the rails with a few individuals. I know this kind of goes with the territory of alcohol consumption, particularly with a 7-hour event like this, but we're better than that. Drinkers and planners alike. We'll do better.

But holy hell, that was a fun party.

Here's a quick recap of the BLIND SHOWDOWN entries and winners, for those who were curious:

BLIND HOP SHOWDOWN
A - Rip Current Caught In A Rip Triple IPA
B - North Park Beer Co. Real Fake Doors Hazy Double IPA
C - Green Cheek No Complaints Hazy IPA
D - Cellarmaker Orange Julian Hazy IPA

CHAMPION(S) - I believe I called it a TIE between Green Cheek and Cellarmaker. It was damn close.

BLIND COFFEE SHOWDOWN
A - Alesmith Double Barrel Speedway Stout
B - Pizza Port Suavecito
C - Modern Times Bourbon Barrel-Aged Devil's Teeth NOLA Edition
D - Three Chiefs Chief Stout with Coffee and Vanilla
E - (late-addition "ringer") North Park Beer Co. Mocha Massage

CHAMPION - Modern Times

BLIND HOMEBREW SHOWDOWN
A - (standalone keg) Brian Jimenez Sour Blonde
B - Chris Banker Almond 'N' Joy Stout
C - Ryan Reschan Gose Home (Gose with Lemongrass and Mosaic hops)
D - Woodshop Beer Fog Chucker Half-Life (Blended Barleywine and Stout with Gesha Coffee and Vanilla)
E - Brian Dick Nectarine Berliner Weisse

CHAMPION(S) - Brian Jimenez and Chris Banker

...More later...

Cheers, y'all!

FAKE EDIT: We have a few extra shirts that the merch guy ordered in excess of the pre-orders, in Men's Large and Men's 2X-Large sizes (no other sizes, sorry). Let me know if any of you guys want to buy one of these extra shirts for $20, and we'll make it happen. They turned out great.