The Beer Retard

Hard to believe Seattle Beer Week is only seven days away. There’s a definite excitement building in the Seattle beer community, from beer drinkers to brewers. I’m still in awe of how many events the Seattle Beer Collective has scheduled in just four months. These guys must be exhausted. At 5 pm next Thursday, all the hard work pays off when Pike’s Double IPA is tapped and 11 days of celebration begin.

If you can’t wait a week to try it, the Double IPA is already available in 22-ounce bombers at the Pike Pub and Bottleworks. I had a bomber last weekend and the beer tastes great. It’s hoppy as hell but not harshly bitter and drinks much more easily than you’d expect from such a big beer. According to Pike Head Brewer Drew Cluley and Assistant Head Brewer Dean Mochizuki, the second run of bottles tastes even better. It’s gone through another round of dry hopping, which has given the beer a more aromatic hop character. Also, the alcohol level has come down a bit, which means it’s probably even more drinkable. The draft version at the Opening Night Party at Pike on May 7th will be this newer batch.

Once festivities begin, I plan on documenting all the decadence and debauchery. I’d originally thought that only lack of sleep and/or liver damage would limit my attack, but now I have something else that could get in the way–I’ll be working at Bottleworks. It’s only part time, but I’m excited. I’ve been working on the Bottleworks blog and now I get to play a more active role. Should be a great experience.

Cavy addressing the adoring masses

By all accounts, Sunday’s Kegs for Cavy fundraiser at Brouwer’s was a resounding success and one hell of a party. Over $13,000 was raised through beer sales, silent auction items, donations and shaved heads. Yes, shaved heads. Skagit River Brewing’s Mike Armstrong brought the clippers and Brouwer’s Operations Manager Matt Bonney kicked in $20 for anyone who got their locks chopped off.

I was only there until around 10:30 (my lady overindulged for Cavy, tried to re-enact the puking scene from Team America and had to be shepherded home), so while I drank plenty, I missed out on Chris’s speech and his shearing. Luckily, photographic evidence was easy to find.

Cavy freshly shaved and getting love from the ladies

Cavy was blown away by the party and wanted to “extend my endless love and gratitude to everyone involved in any way, especially those in the beer community who donated kegs and time and made it happen. And an extra special thanks to my family at Brouwer’s, the most incredible bar in the world.”

If you didn’t make it out on Sunday, it’s not too late to contribute to Cavy’s recovery. Some of the kegs from Sunday are still pouring at Brouwer’s and there’s still a savings account in Cavy’s name at Frontier Bank. Just tell them you have a donation for Chris Cavanaugh and they’ll make sure the money gets to Cavy.