48 American Craft Brewers Gather to Harmonize Craft Beer with Food in May

Flying Dog Brewery leads a group of over four dozen independent, American craft brewers from across the country that have been selected to showcase the pleasures of fine food enjoyed with great beer in Washington D.C. later this year. SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, May 16-17, 2008, will highlight the culinary delights of beer as part of the Brewers Association’s annual American Craft Beer Week celebrations.

Flying Dog will serve Kerberos Tripel, paired with Peking Duck Purses and Gonzo Imperial Porter paired with Christopher Elbow Spiced Artisan Chocolates at SAVOR. “We have been promoting this emerging trend of pairing food with craft beer through our website, beerdinners.com, so it was a natural fit for us to participate in SAVOR,” said Neal Stewart, Flying Dog Brewery’s director of marketing.

Today, American beers are judged to be among the world’s best and have earned a respected place at the table alongside wine. In fact, two-thirds of today’s wine drinkers consume beer. This past summer National Public Radio observed, "Beer has gone from the House of Commons to the House of the Lords.” Additionally, Gallup in July 2007 confirmed beer is still the most popular adult beverage in the U.S.*

Another feature of SAVOR will be the educational salons, which will offer live presentations by brewers, journalists and chefs who have helped further the American craft beer revolution. Scheduled speakers include: Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery; Jim Koch of Boston Beer; Randy Mosher, author of “Radical Brewing”; Marnie Old of the French Culinary Institute; Garrett Oliver of The Brooklyn Brewery; and several savvy cross drinkers including Lauren Buzzeo of Wine Enthusiast magazine; Ray Isle with Food & Wine magazine; and Ken Wells of Conde’ Nast Portfolio.

*Gallup Poll – July 27, 2007. The 64% of Americans who say they consume alcohol show a preference for beer (40%) over wine (34%) as their alcoholic beverage of choice, with liquor the favorite of 22%