The Bathtub Beer Fest (Video)

Last night Philly Beer Week held a fundraiser called “The Bathtub Beer Fest” at the National Constitution Center. The event coincided with the Constitution Center’s current exhibit “American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition.” More than twenty regional breweries served their craft brews, many of them out of bathtubs. A diverse array of breweries participated in the event, including Saranac, America’s oldest craft brewery, and Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, perhaps America’s youngest craft brewery. Philadelphia area brewers such as Yards, Victory, Dogfish Head, Flying Fish, Nodding Head, Free Will Brewing Company, and Prism shared their brews. Participants could taste beers, wander the Prohibition exhibit, and listen to the sounds of Hot Club of Philadelphia, a 1920s-era jazz band. There was also a table with the Dupont Speciale Belge, a beer co-brewed by Brasserie Dupont in Tourpes, Belgium and a contingent of Philly brewers specifically for Philly Beer Week 2012. Many attendees came dressed in 1920s costume, as did some of the representatives of the breweries. Don Russell, executive director of Philly Beer Week, explains The Bathtub Beer Fest and the inspiration behind it in this video. Philly Beer Week will take place from May 31 through June 9 in 2013. It may seem like a long time from now, but there is plenty of good beer to be drunk until then.