Heart of the Order
Aaron Judge, Didi Gregorius, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez and Aaron Hicks fill that bill for the Yankees this year. Tim Gannon (R.), however, does it for the Washington's Crossing Brewfest this year and every year. And it's why that fest knocks it out of the park, year in and year out.
It's also why the Washington's Crossing Brewfest--in its eighth year now-- is sold out of 2500 tickets almost a week in advance of the actual event. Almost seventy quality breweries, all selected and approved by Gannon (whose day job is behind the bar at Newtown's fabulous Isaac Newton's Pub), bring the beers Gannon tells them to bring.
Which is as it should be. The Yanks in that intimidating batting order above know how to hit. Gannon knows beer. Moreover, he knows which beers will be homeruns at this annual festival hard by the banks of the Delaware. That Gannon also seems to have an "in" with the weather gods doesn't hurt, either, as the festival has enjoyed mostly sunny days during its 8-year tenure.
Yet even one that yours truly attended in the rain some years ago was a whopping success, because the organizers had the sense to plan for it and raise tents for cover. And while the ground at that fest may have squished a bit underfoot as we scurried to the taps, the enthusiasm for--and enjoyment of-- the beer didn't fall a notch.
Besides, in close quarters like those beneath a tent, you get a chance to meet and chat with folks. And there are no nicer folks (see Jess and Katrina below) than those who attend beer fests, whether it's sunny or raining. Check out The PubScout's Gallery here to see some of them. Download any you want for free.
A line began forming long before the gates opened at 12:30 PM, and it stretched back a quarter mile all the way to PA 32 from the gate. The planners knew exactly how to move that line along quickly and they also knew how to direct the massive number of cars that visit this fest so that the process was seamless and effective.
Make no mistake: it takes superb planning, teamwork and machine-like coordination to pull off a successful event that attracts this many beer lovers year after year. From re-enactors, to food vendors to entertainment, all the cogs in this machine are exceptionally well-oiled.
But because he determines which beers make it into the festival, Gannon is the heart of the order that powers the event. Perhaps that's why newbies who enter the event hang an immediate left to take quick advantage of the closest beer vendors--not that there's anything wrong with that, as every vendor allowed in has quality stuff. But the savvy beerfest veterans proceed directly to the end of "Brewery Row," where sits the last "vendor."
It's called "Tim's Lair," and the lines to get to those taps were the longest of any. Why? Because the guests know that Gannon knows his beer and will only offer the most outstanding stuff. In fact, so successful has this event become, that Gannon oversees another one just like it in the Fall and, by all accounts, it's every bit as good as the May festival. Tickets for that one--set for October 27-- go on sale next week.
In the end, though, good festivals are run by good people, and good people attend good festivals. No nonsense, no drunkenness or hooliganism, no posturing. Just lots of good folk enjoying great beer at a great location. And plenty of porta-potties.
Gannon and his WCB team have hit yet another one out of the park.
Even past the end of that line which, for a while, at least, stretched out to Rt 32.
Cheers!
The PubScout
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