What's in a Name?

If your name is Mike, everything, apparently.

Especially if you need the weather to cooperate with your beer event.

How else do you explain Mike Cerami's ten-year run of perfect weather for his Central Jersey Charity Beer Fest? Or Somerville wunderkind Mike Proske's four-year run of perfect weather for ALL of his beer related events held outside?

Let's start with Cerami. There are few things more depressing than a rained out beer festival, yet the JJ Bittings owner has NEVER had an uncooperative Mother Nature for any charity event he's hosted outside in TEN--count'em-- TEN years.

His event, which always donates the proceeds after expenses to a worthwhile, local charitable cause, has seen nothing but sunny skies. Take Saturday, for example. The morning started out misty, blustery and overcast. But by the time the gates opened in the neat little pocket park known as Parker Press Park, the sun was streaming through the clouds, lifting everyone's spirits.

Cerami has a theory that it was little five-year-old Gabby who parted the clouds from her heavenly perch. Gabby, unfortunately, passed away a week before the event after bravely battling leukemia, and Cerami's event was donating the proceeds to Gabby's family to help with expenses.

And that is why Parker Press Park, in the shadow of the NJ Transit station, was filled with good people seeking the good beer from the fifteen breweries--and a cidery-- that came to offer their wares.

The Barile Family, perhaps the most hospitable family on the premises, is there every year, and seeing Mike and his crew makes the event special for me. Lots of families show up, toting strollers and baby carriers, turning the event into a kind of family picnic.

It was also great to see the lovely Jenny Rosado of the David's Touch Foundation on hand helping to pour for the event.

Gary Rosen of ShorePoint added his usual excellent offerings, and even Charlie Schroeder from Trap Rock was there for the first time, coming at the behest of Bittings Brewer Tom Stevenson. Uno's, Long Valley, Cypress, Demented, Tun Tavern and Bittings all saw long lines of beer-loving customers, but thanks to the expanded list of breweries, it did not take long at all to get your beer of choice.

And there were plenty of good ones to try. Bittings' Bad Boy Oktoberfest, Uno's Good Question, Cypress's Coconut Brown Ale, Clown Shoes' Belgian IPA, Ommegang's Nirvana and Tun Tavern's Apple Stout were just a few of the excellent beers available.

As always, there was a variety of food and a band to add some zest to the event, and this year, Cerami concocted a Keg-throwing event for both men and women, with a $25 Gift certificate to Bittings Brewpub going to the keg-tosser who chucked it the farthest in each category. That's Maria, a Harley rider, below, doing her thing.

In all, another successful CJBF, and Cerami and crew are to be commended, which is different than being blessed. But they're that, too.

Then consider Mike Proske, he of the supremely-seasoned beer nose and palate and current owner of Somerville's fabulous Tapastre restaurant. For four years running--and with multiple outdoor beer events--the guy has never seen a cloud. He does, however, regularly see crowds at his events, bringing a wide range of beer and food lovers, families and even pets to the strip of street in front of his tapas restaurant.

It's a supremely, superbly organized event Mike runs with the help of his mom, Susan, and their many volunteers. Side note: EVERY volunteer I spoke with was upbeat, positive and happy to be of assistance.

That doesn't happen with those who are indentured servants, and it means they are happy to help a guy who appreciates and takes good care of them. Whether they staff a beer tap, work cleanup or monitor regular Masskrugstemmen competitions, they do it with an unforced smile on their faces.

Proske's weather today was an 11 on a scale of 10, and though Sundays are usually slower to get rolling, his crowds were increasing noticeably as the day wore on. The previous day's attendance was in the realm of "crazy," however. Apparently, more people are prone to hoisting a stein and singing "Ein Prosit" on a Saturday, knowing they don't have to get up for work the next day--unless they're preachers.

Proske, too, had many topnotch breweries on hand. Schlafly with their excellent pumpkin ale, Two Roads with their delectable Ok2berfest, Ramstein with Greg Zaccardi's wonderful marzen and many, many more. Excellent brats, and even empanadas were available, as were a novelty food item--bacon wrapped sausages and hot dogs and bacon macaroni and cheese dishes that seemed to be very popular. My beer-cooked bratwurst sandwich and kraut went very well with my Schlafly's Pumpkin, and, surprisingly, Ramstein's Marzen paired up nicely with a homemade chicken empanada. TheOk2berfest (from Two Roads) was exceptional.

Nothing but smiling, happy faces all the way around at this event, including those owned by canines Wunjo and Bacchus (above), whose "Dad" Larry treated them to one of the bacon-wrapped delights.

Can't say as I blame them.

If I had any room left, their "Dad" could have got one for me.

Maybe next time, if the same vendor is there.

But even if he isn't, you can lay odds that the sun will be.

Cheers!

The PubScout