I don't want to make any blanket accusations, but there's evidence that participating brewers and tavern owners consumed ample quantities of their product before planning their various events.
In the days preceding the opening festival, for example, the region will see the ceremonial relay of the Hammer of Glory.
Like the Olympic torch relay (but hopefully without the protests), the hammer will meander from tavern to tavern via foot, bicycle, beer truck, SEPTA bus, canoe, whatever.
William Reed of Standard Tap, who dreamed up the hammer relay with fellow tavern owner Mike (Scoats) Scotese of the Grey Lodge Pub, has described the event variously as "mayhem" and an act of "absurdity." I personally expect the thing to get dropped into the Schuylkill.
Assuming it makes it to the Comcast Center, the hammer will be forcefully employed to strike the bung of Philly Beer Week's official first keg.
More than two dozen local brewers will be on hand to pour their beer. And local beer scribes and bloggers will roast them with a Philly-style awards ceremony.
Tix for the Opening Tap event are $40, with proceeds going to fund Philly Beer Week, the nonprofit organization established to promote the city's beer scene. (Disclosure: I'm one of Philly Beer Week's organizers. And, yes, I was drinking - Victory Storm King, I believe - when I named it the Hammer of Glory.)
After Opening Tap, the week gushes in a hundred directions.
The Bishop's Collar (2349 Fairmount Ave., Art Museum), for example, will sponsor a "Run and Drink with the Brewers" on March 9. Brewers Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Brian O'Reilly (Sly Fox) and Adam Avery (Avery Brewing) will lead 100 beer drinkers on a 5K jaunt through Fairmount Park before heading back to the bar for a sampling of Avery's brews.
