Anyone go to a nice Holiday or New Years party in the last couple of weeks?

My wife and I actually hosted one (Holiday Party, that is). Went off without a hitch (thanks to my wife), the food was wonderful, and as far as I could tell a good time was had by all. There was actually dancing in the dining room in the wee hours (please don't tell the kids). And also one friend was dancing out in the front hallway - I'm guessing he simply preferred the lighting out there.

One of our goals here with this blog is to learn something new, right? Well, I learned something new with our Holiday Party this year. We've been having this event for several years now, and one of my favorite things to do is analyze the beverages that get consumed each year. Beer was way, way down of late. We've had years where it was all about the wine, and years where it was all about the theme drink and various spinoffs concocted by our talented neighborhood (and volunteer) bartender.

Well, this year I wanted to bring back the beer.

I used to buy several cases of different types of beer, to me it was all about the variety being offered - and I tried to cater to my clientele. It was important to me to run the spectrum - a stout (usually Guinness), a porter (Andrew's), a pale ale (Geary's, Andrew's, Smuttynose), a winter (Gritty's Christmas maybe), a pilsner (Stella Artois), the only acceptable light beer (Amstel Light) and then lastly that token case of Coors Light (or substitute any domestic light beer). The Coors Lite is for a few guests (you know who you are) that require a selection in that category. And I'm nothing if I'm not accommodating.

For the last few years, beer consumption was taking it on the chin, and I wasn't sure what to do about it.

So, I'm in RSVP and see a sign that says 1/6 barrels of Sebago - $63. One-sixth barrels? I'd never heard of a 1/6 barrel (maybe that's been standard for a while now for those of you in the business, but I don't have much exposure to such details anymore). One-sixth barrels? Hmmm. I could actually get two different syles (satisfying my variety requirement), the quantity is about right, the price was about right (even a little bit cheaper) - ok let's do it. 1/6 barrels are 5.3 gallons, or 42 pints, or 56-12 ounce cups.

Now....the perfect selcections. After getting with the extremely helpful folks at RSVP to see what was actually available in a 1/6 barrel, I decided on Sebago IPA and Allagash White. I can't tell you how perfect those two brews were for a Holiday Party. People (not in the know) were amazed at how good they were, and they became the preferred beverages of the evening (and the 3 or 4 friends had to walk to the corner store for some Miller Lite - oh well, smokers have to go outside these days too, right?). There are definitely some new Allagash White and Sebago IPA drinkers out there in 2007.

And that's what it's all about, isn't it? Getting more good people to drink good beer?

So, for your next gathering large enough to warrant - consider the 1/6 barrel of something local. Fresh, fresh, fresh.

On a different note, and as a reminder - this month we're looking for Shipyard's new offering - Shipyard Honey Porter and Gritty McDuff's annual gift to us - Gritty's Scottish Ale.

Any sightings yet??????

And did anybody watch the Tostito's Fiesta Bowl last night between Boise State and Oklahoma? That was perhaps the best college football game I have ever seen. Boise State proved they belong with the big boys. You simply could not help but completely jump on their bandwagon. Unless, I suppose, your diploma reads The University of Oklahoma at the top.

Salud,

Scott Dutton

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