So many choices, so little time…
National Harbor – Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival
“Variety is the spice of life.” Someone said that once… or twice. It’s a philosophy that kind of sticks with me, especially when it comes to food and drink. Ah yes, sweet variety. As a foodie, you just can’t live without it.
A couple of weeks ago, June 20th, I decided to run that little philosophy through its paces. How else? With lots of beer, of course! A few of my friends and I gathered together at the National Harbor that day for a beer tasting extravaganza, namely The Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival.
As you may know by now, I’ve got a bit of a thing for beer. I can respect and understand that some people don’t like it. Actually, I didn’t like it so much at first. Then I found out there are more complex flavors than… oh say, Coors Light. Belgian and German beer seem to be high on the list for me these days, though I have found some great domestics as well.
Going to any tasting with friends who enjoy the same food or drink, I would imagine, makes for tons of enjoyment. Our group of friends (3 of us, plus 2 designated drivers) went from vendor to vendor, tasting beer, and sharing with each other our experiences and what we thought of the flavors. I got to try some of their favorites that I haven’t tried and vice versa. Arguably more fun than tossing Mentos in bottles full of soda! By my estimates, we tried anywhere between 20-30 different beers, most new to all 3 of us.
We didn’t try any bourbon, but the barbecue was pretty good. Lots of people were there that day, so we had to wait in lines for both BBQ and drinks. It wasn’t too bad since the lines usually moved at a decent clip. The great thing is we each received a souvenir – the tasting glass, which is pretty nice looking. It has a couple of lines on it to designate where the vendors stop pouring for bourbon and beer. Events went on throughout the day, though we didn’t get to check them out since we were too busy boozin’. There were some live bands playing good music and Jack Daniel’s was there with a mechanical bull. Need I say more? Good times.
Hmm… Oktoberfest at National Harbor? You bet.
Most surprisingly tasty brew of that day: Saranac Pomegranate Wheat
While we’re on the subject of beer and BBQ… have a happy and safe 4th of July!
Man, I hate you. I actually live in Rockville and I wanted to go to that event , but I found out 3 mo. ago that I have a Candida yeast infection of the lungs and my Dr. has advised me to avoid all fermented food and drinks for at least 4 months, but I should be OK for Oktoberfest. Man, I’m gonna get so wasted! SEE YA THERE!!
My friend also suffered from this illness. Wow, I really admire people like you two. I wouldn’t be able to stay on a yeast free diet. No beer, soy sauce, dairy, sugary drinks and bread for 4 whole months!!! But you gotta do, what you gotta do to keep that stuff from growing in your lungs. Stay strong and make up for lost time at Oktoberfest
I took my girlfriend because she came all the way from Phoenix to visit me and she had never been to a bbq fest. Plus, she really likes me when she’s drunk.
Ummm if a girl comes all the way from from AZ to the DC area, then she already likes you alot. I guess you men just cant figure that out?
I sure do hope for good weather. Last year it was too humid and when I took a pic with a girl in costume, her fake ass tan rubbed off all over my white tee.
Are you gonna buying a costume?
After you mentioned it, the thought crossed my mind for a split second. But… nah… I think I’ll show up in regular clothes. Maybe next time? lol
I hope the St Pauli Girls they hire are nicer this year. Last time they were so stuck and I actually overheard one saying how much she hated taking pictures with fat guys like myself.
I’m not a beer fan. I prefer a good wine instead. I guess living in a California wine country helps.
You’re lucky to be living in a place with lots of wine variety. When I lived in CA, I found some nice choices right there in my grocery store. Mmm… I do enjoy good wine as well.
Did you also go to the wine festival???
I wanted to, but the plans didn’t really pan out. Perhaps next year.
AND WHY NO PICTURES OF YOU GUYS WITH HALF OPEN EYES?
Because… I would just be setting myself up with future incriminating evidence. lol
I know what you mean dude
The only bad thing about guys @ beer festivals is that most have beer bellies
My husband almost got slapped that day. On the ride home, he fell asleep in the car, woke up later and told me that I looked like his wife, only prettier. Arrrgh!!
Yeah, I wanted to go, but I really need to lay off the sauce. I get messed, call my ex gf and start crying like a dummy.
Was the guy in the first photo holding a beer boot? I really want one!
Hey, I really want one too! I didn’t really see any glass boots there. Maybe they had some available at one of the vendors near the gate… not sure. Ah well, I should be able to get one at Oktoberfest.
Are you from the Oxon Hill area?
Hope they don’t run out of beer like they did last year
I read somwhere they’re going to triple the amount of beer…getting thirsty
May you should tell your wife to get you a beer of the month club membership for your birthday or for xmas. Just drop a hint here and there.
Hehe… I suppose I would if I were married, or had a girlfriend.
I live in CA and recently we had a beer festival and a cooking with beer contest. It was fun to see all the different recipes people came up with.
HAVE YOU EVER TASTED SANTA’S BUTT? SORRY, I JUST HAD TO GO THERE! BTW….. IT’S A REAL BEER FROM GOOD OLE ENGLAND.
OH AND WHAT ABOUT VERY BAD ELF?
I haven’t tried either one. Sounds interesting though. I’ll look into it.
Yes so little time…this event ended way too early
I totally agree
I’m already counting down the days till oktoberfest
I took my wife. She didnt like beer before this, but we found a beer she realy liked. Those that claim they dont like beer is because they have not found a beer they like.
Im just back putting in my request for more beer stories
Saranac Pomegranite is actually my dads favorite and we always order these by mail.
Was there a beer you just didn’t like?
I usually avoid IPAs in general, though there are some I like from draft. There was one (or two?) from the festival I didn’t like, but I usually don’t remember them. I usually just remember the ones I like.
To me IPA’s are an acquired taste..yuck!!!
Cool drinking glass!
Don’t drink too much beer or you’ll get moobs
My boyfriend is ready for his training bra
Girl my bf outgrew his training bra & I think they’re like an A-cup. Yeah, his man boobs are bigger than mine
:*)
While you lived in Bakersfield, did you ever go to Brews in the Valley??
Sorry, I meant Brews in the Village & what about Bakersfield Beer Fest?? And did you also like the regional cookoffs like the chili, menudo or chile verde cookoffs?
I’ve only heard of the Beer Fest and wanted to go. I didn’t really have anyone to go with whenever they had them. Those other ones sound great too! Did you go to any of them? I’ve only gone to the Kern County Fair, which was fun.
I’ve been to both beer events and they’re both great. Like most festivals and cook offs in Bakersfield, they benefit a charity and that’s always a good thing. Usually the menudo, chili and other stuff are part of the Latin Food Festival. There are also alot of street vendors and you can buy stuff like street style tacos, sopes, arepas, southamerican tamales and desserts like churros, atole, dulce de leche, champurrado, tres leches cake and empanadas. Not to mention the Mexican frozen treats, which are just delicious. Also, the live latin music is one of the reasons I always go back. They play everything from salsa, merengue and during the award ceremony they have a live mariachi band.
All in favor of a Latin Food Festival @ NH say I
mmmm warm churros with dulce de leche filling
I do miss those authentic churros. Yum!
<('-'<) Beer makes me happy!!
National Harbor is taking off!! We just bought a 1 bd 1 bath condo for 200k, we think it’s good investment!!
I think that really is a steal. Very nice. Once Disney puts up that hotel, everything there will go up in value.
I really do hope they go through with the Disney Resort. I used to live in the area and I remember they were going to build a history themed park and almost 10yrs went by and they scrapped the whole project.
Tonda is right that is a steal. I looked at apts. at National Harbor. A 2bd, 2bath, waterfront place is about 1.1mil, one just like it, in the same building, but not facing the water is about 499k. So if you can afford it, buy, buy, buy and in few years I am sure you can double, if not triple your investment.
Did anyone say churros?? I’m so there!
Hey Tonda how come you guys didnt try the bourbon?
I guess we weren’t really in a “bourbony” kind of mood. My friends and I are probably a little more into beer and wine, at least when it comes to bourbon, though I do dabble in the hard stuff every now and then.
Not even one bourbon sample!!
Tonda can you just imagine the traffic once they build that Disney Resort?? Aggghhh!!