We here at DCist know you like quality beer. The response to our coverage of the local beer scene over the years has been fantastic, for one. We had no idea we’d get bombarded with 200+ comments and emails for the pair of SAVOR tickets last week, though. There were so many great stories to read through that I honestly wish I had more tickets to give away as so many people deserved them.
But we had to pick one winner, and we did. Below is Eric’s winning submission:
“I split a bomber of Ommegang Three Philosophers with my best friend at a Korean restaurant on the south side of Chicago (where BYOB is common).
That night, I shared my story of surviving cancer and I thanked her for her unwavering support. I was diagnosed when I was 19, and she and I had met soon after. We became very close friends at a time in my life when I trusted very few people. She never knew my story until that night, two years after we met. We sat talking for hours, long past when the Ommegang bomber was empty. But sharing that beer, and my cancer story, with this close friend was one of the most important beers and days of my life. I’ve been lucky enough to share amazing beers and amazing stories with a lot of people, but those two together stand out.”
His story was truly at the intersection of life and beer and is a celebration of the two. From all of us at DCist, thank you for sharing your favorite beer with all of us us and have a great time at SAVOR on Saturday night.
We’d be remiss in not giving a shout-out to Tamara West Elliott, who proved that it’s possible to find the one you love even over crappy beer. And to the rest of you—thanks again. We’ll try to do more stuff like this, since it’s obvious that the words “free” and “beer” can get just about anyone to fess up to the funny, the poignant and the embarrassing.
For those who weren’t able to get a hold of those coveted tickets, there are so many incredible beer events all over the city this week in preparation for the finale at SAVOR. Check out the list that ranges from Sierra Nevada’s Record-Breaking Tap Takeover at ChurchKey to the annual post-SAVOR brunch.
