After tonight's big feed of whole salmon baked in a bucket of olive oil cut with lemon chunks sided with Local 1 and Jack D'or, I have to admit that I have some sympathies for pairing. And while I am not going to join any crusade against MADD, I balance my thoughts about BBADD with those by Jay, Melissa, Pete and others about the linger effects of 1840s to 1940s temperance. Some things about beer are serious in one way or another.
Yet debate about these sorts of things means little to me compared to the core question of happiness. When I were a lad, a pal called a six-pack a box of fun. Little as simply true has ever been stated. And, along those lines, having the opportunity to look forward to a festival focused on the pleasures, happiness, fun and even silliness of beer looks even better to me. Consider the wacko plans of the Scooper. Note the goofy hats recently seen in Oregon. Beer is fun. Yet it is difficult to be serious about good fun. Beer is really fun. We need to get better about mentioning that.
Comments
Craig - August 1, 2011 11:37 PM
Amen brother. Now where's my hat?
Jeff Alworth - August 2, 2011 1:07 AM
Consider this your official invite to the 2012 edition of the Oregon Brewers Festival. It'll be the 25th anniversary, which means Maximum Silliness. The OBF, a force of nature, is above the Seriousness of beer geekery. Even those who attempt to resist its charms fail. There are too many people having too much fun and taking things far too unseriously. A better time with beer cannot be found. We'll show you a time.
I'm sure you know the man wearing what looks a bit like a Bishop's headpiece (closer inspection reveals that it's decorated with festival tokens) is Fred Eckhardt. I mention the fact for those who may not realize it. He's 85 and invented the beer float.
Bailey - August 2, 2011 10:42 AM
Yes, it is fun. Even the serious conversations about it aren't really serious: they're just fun with a straight face.
Ed Carson - August 2, 2011 12:20 PM
As long as the Silliness is contained within some sort of Innovative White Space. Or negotiating some sort of Headwind.
Ed Carson - August 2, 2011 12:21 PM
some sort of something anyway.
Tim - August 2, 2011 3:51 PM
You want Silly beer? Here's a Belgian brewery for you: http://www.silly-beer.com/historique_en.htm