Eat, drink, and be merry was the prevailing attitude at World Cafe Live's inaugural brewfest.
The event that showcased beers and breweries at Penn-affiliated public radio station WXPN's new Walnut Street building was appropriately named "BEATS" -- for brewing exposition and talent show.
The three keys to the show were beer, bands and food.
And there was plenty of beer. On tap were more than 20 breweries and beer-related vendors.
Performers entertained the crowd throughout the afternoon.
While few Penn students attended -- likely due to the 21-and-over age requirement -- several hundred attendees were present, eagerly awaiting a chance to try the offerings. Most of the attendees were local Philadelphia residents.
What's on Tap, a vendor located on South Street, sold various beer-related items, such as mugs, T-shirts and glassware.
Pat Edwards, wife of an Appalachian Brewing Company representative, described the event as "the ground floor of something big."
Many of the breweries on hand offered up to five different varieties of malted beverages.
Imbibing all of the types seemed difficult to some, but many attendees rose to the occasion.
Two such participants, Tim Ackerson and and his wife, Suzanne McMurphy, both of whom are Penn employees, describe themselves as "home brewers."
"We are studying to become beer judges," McMurphy said.
McMurphy and Ackerson noted the combination of the venue and association with WXPN as their main motivation for attending, along with the desire to improve their knowledge of brewing.
Lindsey Kerr, who had never previously attended a brewfest, was "thrilled" by her experience. She expects to attend more brewfests in the future.
Performing throughout the afternoon were five bands, all with a connection to one of the breweries at the event.
Sam Calagione of the Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware was one such performer. Calagione performed as part of a two-member hip-hop band, the Pain Relievers. Calagione's group initiated the musical festivities.
Calagione seemed pleased with his performance and the crowd's reaction.
"I rock the mike, and I rocked the mike right," Calagione said.
World Cafe Event Specialist Suzanne Woods was also extremely pleased with the event and the turnout.
She had been "confident that it would be a sellout," and she was proven correct.
Organizers were so delighted with the event that they are already beginning the plan the next brewfest. According to Woods, the event will likely occur sometime in the summer.
