Get Your Fair Share of Local Brews and Gourmet Bites at the 8th Annual Brewer’s Plate

Photo | R. Kennedy for GPTMC

For one night only, Fair Food is transforming the National Constitution Center (525 Arch Street, Philadelphia) from a cornerstone of our nation’s history to a foodie and craft beer lover’s paradise on Sunday, March 11, 2012 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Fair Food has gathered 50 craft breweries, artisan producers, gourmet eateries, and renown chefs from within 150 miles of the city of gastronomical love, Philadelphia, for its annual fundraiser – the Brewer’s Plate.

“Ever want to try most of Philly’s best food & beer offerings in one night? Well, come to The Brewer’s Plate!,” said Christina Dowd, Fair Food’s Communication & Outreach Director. “I don’t think people realize, until they experience the event themselves, what a bang for the buck they get, as well as great new ideas on where to eat and what to drink.”

A sampling of this year’s vendors include: Art in the Age, Birchrun Hills FarmBoxcar BrewingCapogiro GelatoDogfish Head Craft BrewsEclat Chocolate, Fair Food FarmstandFegley’s Brew WorksFlying Fish Brewing CompanyForest and Main Brewing Co,FORKFranklin Fountain, Jose GarcesJohn & Kira’sKennettKhyber Pub PassLondon GrillMcKenzie Brew HouseMugshots Coffeehouse & CafeNight Kitchen BakeryNodding Head BreweryNorth Mountain PasturesPrism Brewing CompanyRoyal TavernShellbark Hollow FarmSly Fox BeerSouth Philly Taproom, Southwark, StatesideStoudt’s Brewing CompanyStrada Pasta, Subarashii Kudamono, Sweet Stem FarmThe Farmers’ CabinetTRIATriumph Brewing CompanyTroegs Brewing Company, Urban ApiariesVictory Brewing Company, Weyerbacher, White Dog Cafe, and Yards Brewing CompanyTickets are $75 for general admission and Designated Driver tickets can be purchased by contacting [email protected].

For the ultimate beer and food pairing, look no further than this year’s VIP Experience, “The Farmer and the Artisan.” VIP tickets are $125, gets you into the event an hour early at 5 p.m., access to the VIP area for cooking demos, exclusive tastings and presentations from Chef José Garces; Brewmaster and President of Victory Brewing Company, Bill Covaleski; and wine author and Daily News Columnist Marnie Old.

Philadelphia’s own Iron Chef, Chef José Garces, will demonstrate how craft beers can enhance flavor and add complexity to homemade meals using brews from Victory Brewing Company. After the demo, guests will taste samplings of each course as well as favorites from the Garces Restaurant Group.

Sustainable food and organic farming communities have welcomed the idea of a ‘terroir,’ a distinctive regional aromatic profile, in regards to vegetables, fruits, meats and cheeses. Chester County’s own Brewmaster and President of Victory Brewing Company, Bill Covaleski, will be joined by renowned wine author and Daily News Columnist, Marnie Old, in discussing the controversial topic of embracing the terroir of lagers and ales.

Following the debate, participants can form their own terrior theories with an exclusive tasting of Victory’s unreleased and flagship beers led by Bill Covaleski. “During the VIP session we will serve two specialty versions of our Braumeister Pils made with Tettnang hops. The choice to serve these beers relates directly to Fair Food’s mission as we work with family farms in Tettnang, Germany to secure these noble hops. These farmers are clinging to an agricultural tradition that is only sustained by brewers like us who choose to purchase their special hops.”

Proceeds from both tickets benefit Fair Food, a Philadelphia non-profit dedicated to bringing healthy local food to the marketplace and promoting a humane, sustainable agriculture system for the region. Learn more about Fair Food by visiting fairfoodphilly.org. This event sells out faster than you can say support local, so be sure to grab your tickets for the The 8th Annual Brewer’s Plate asap!

Photographs credited to LeeAnne Mullins-Hudak and R. Kennedy for GPTMC. View more scenes from 2011′s Brewer’s Plate by clicking here.

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