Brewers Helping Neighbors
By Molly Farrar
On Thursday, February 6, a group of Gastronomy students attended Brewers Helping Neighbors in the South End, an event benefiting United South End Settlements, a community outreach organization. In true Gastronomy student fashion, our goal for the evening was to enjoy good food and drink. However, beyond that, we learned more about the wonderful programs this community center provides, as well as networked with small, local businesses.
The United South End Settlements’ mission is “to build a strong community by improving the education, health, safety and economic security of low-income individuals and families” living in the South End neighborhood. Events such as this one, provide vital funds to the community center and its many youth, adult, and senior programs.
At the sold-out event, we enjoyed tasting numerous samples provided by the local restaurants and breweries represented, while a jazz band played in the background. Highlights of the food available included deviled eggs with steak tartare and crispy shallots from Back Bay Harry’s, and mini Irish stout cupcakes with espresso cream cheese frosting from South End Buttery.
As for the beer, the usual suspects were there, such as Harpoon and Samuel Adams, but we focused our attention on the smaller breweries in the area. A favorite for those in attendance was Banner Beer Company, a relatively new company started by Todd Charbonneau, former Head Brewer at Harpoon Brewery. From talking to him, we learned that he focuses on creating flavorful session beers, defined by their low alcohol by volume (less than 5%). The Banner All Nighter ESB was definitely one of our favorite beers of the evening!
Overall, it was a great night filled with good company, food, and beer, all for a great cause. What more could you ask for?
Molly Farrar is in her first semester in the Gastronomy program and just moved to Boston from Virginia. She can’t wait to see what the city looks like without a blanket of snow!