It's Always Sunny in Somerville

As he does twice a year, Mike Proske turns the block in front of Project P.U.B. and its sister pub Tapastre into a pedestrian mall that rivals any other--albeit for just two days in a row. His sister Sarah and mom Susan do yeoman's work to help him handle the crush of "to-do's" that are required for the event to run smoothly.

And in those two days, Proske estimates that 4500 beer nuts of all age ranges descended on the event he has made into a staple of the Somerville scene for the past few years--The Somerville Craft Beer Festival.

That's despite predictions of rainy weather, for at least the first day of the event, too. When I met up with Mike and told him the crowds were great, his comment was, "You should have seen it yesterday."

He did manage to preserve "yesterday" for posterity in this short video.

So I believe him.

When you consider the caliber of breweries he invites to this annual event, it really shouldn't be hard to believe. In attendance were: Brotherton Brewing Company, Angry Erik Brewing, 902 Brewing Co., Kane Brewing Company, Allagash Brewing Company, Stone Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., Cape May Brewing Co., Three 3's Brewing, Lord Hobo Brewing Co, Sixpoint, Dogfish Head, Icarus Brewing Co., Melick's Town Farm, Tröegs Independent Brewing, Czig Meister Brewing Company, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, Ironbound Hard Cider , Downeast Cider House, Carton Brewing, Brix City Brewing, Flying Dog Brewery, Maine Beer Company & Cypress Brewing Company.

That's quite a lineup. And what the PubScout likes is the ability to purchase a larger portion than a four-oz. pour. Carrying and enjoying a 16 oz. Maine "Lunch" while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the event and chatting with fest-goers, topped off a spectacular day of riding on two wheels with friends.

What I also watched with enjoyment was a new wrinkle called "Brews & Brushes" that Proske threw into the mix. The idea capitalized on a growing trend of "Paint & Sip" events, and the "classes" were not only full, they were dead serious about what they were doing.

Under a shady tent, Mike's artistic girlfriend Jen Vasta had painting classes going, while the would-be Rembrandts sipped three 4-oz. portions of some excellent beers. I'm guessing the beers were not sufficient in quantity or ABV to turn Rembrandts into Picassos, but everyone doing it was intensely focused.

While Saturday, according to Casey and Lindsay (top picture) saw a younger singles crowd, Sunday's attendees ran the gamut, from just four-month old Mackenzie (below) to geezers like yours truly and the guy trying to photobomb Mackenzie's pic. The crowds that gathered under the shady Beer Tent sat elbow to elbow, enjoying their beer and food samples, exactly as they do when Proske brings his Oktoberfest Beer festival to town in the Fall.

Honestly, the town fathers should give this guy some kind of award or at least recognition for what he does to make Somerville an annual beer destination. Maybe rename North Bridge St. between Main and High "Proske's Promenade?"

Cheers!

The PubScout

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