
On Saturday, they're taking a rare moment to step out of their brewing boots and enjoy the party with fans. Barrier will be pouring eight of their brews at the event, including a never-before-tapped Smoked Belgian Wheat Ale called Le Pete. For a brewery that only produced 500 barrels per year before its expansion (to a 1500-barrel system this summer), Barrier brews up a dizzying array of unique styles and hybrids, such as their Cairn Scotch Ale, Rembrandt Porter, MollyCoddle English Mild, and Greenroom Pale Ale. On Saturday, they're pouring a full spectrum of rare brews including the Icculus Kolsch, Craven Belgian Red, Bittersweet Pale Ale, and the “Unimperial IPA.” Additionally, Barrier will be curating a selection of beers from local breweries from the region that they admire for the remaining six taps at the venue: Kelso, Greenport Harbor, Victory, Troegs, Southern Tier, and Carton Brewing.
Craft beer geeks should be making a bee(r)line to this rare tasting spectacle, so arrive early as the party is open to the public, or stick around late into the night in the spacious indoor beer garden at 61 Local. Afterward, the venue (a longtime supporter of the brewery) will be serving up whatever kegs aren't spent for the rest of the week, and generally pour at least a couple of Barrier beers on any given night.
“61 Local embodies what beer is all about. It's about coming together, connecting with your community, getting to know the people you live with, sharing stories, exchanging ideas, finding inspiration, and having a good time,” said Craig Frymarck on the venue.
We pestered Craig for a few more questions on what to expect at the event, as well as from the brewery over the next few years.