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BUILDING ON FIRST YEAR\u00e2\u20ac\u2122S SUCCESS, PHILLY BEER WEEK ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2009<\/strong><\/p>\n PHILADELPHIA, PA<\/strong> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c The second-annual Philly Beer Week (PBW), which celebrates the city\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vibrant beer culture, will take place from Friday, March 6 through Sunday, March 15, 2009. Co-chairs Don Russell (a.k.a. Daily News columnist Joe Sixpack), Monk\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Cafe Owner Tom Peters and Bruce Nichols, president of Museum Catering Company, are again at the helm of this sprawling series of exciting events. The 10-day event is poised to build on last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attendance, conservatively estimated at 15,000 people who attended more than 100 events.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Philadelphia is, without a doubt, the best beer-drinking city in America,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d says noted author Russell. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so exciting to finally be able to embrace this important part of our regional culture in such a diverse, fun-filled way. Everyone, from amateur drinkers to advanced home-brewers, will find something to interest them during Philly Beer Week.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n The over-the-top 2009 line-up will include beer elite such as: Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River Brewing Company), Tomme Arthur (The Lost Abbey), Rob Tod (Allagash), Garrett Oliver (Brooklyn Brewery), Phil Markoski (Southampton Publick House) and Adam Avery (Avery Brewing). Joining the national line-up will be regional beer stars, among them Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), Carol Stoudt (Stoudt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Brewing Co.) and representatives of brewing powerhouses including Victory Brewing Company, Triumph Brewery, Sly Fox Brewing Company, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Philadelphia Brewing Company, Yards Brewing Company, Dock Street Brewing Company, Flying Fish Brewing Company, Troegs Brewing Company, Lancaster Brewing Company and Nodding Head Brewpub.<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We are very close to announcing some exciting new additions to the 2009 schedule,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Peters. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can almost feel the center of gravity in the beer world shifting. People want to be part of what is happening right here in Philadelphia.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n Already-scheduled 2009 events will include:<\/strong> The Opening Tap on Friday, March 6; the Philadelphia Craft Brewers Festival on Saturday, March 7 and Meet The Brewers Day, with more than 25 participating brewers at a host of local bars and restaurants, on Monday, March 9.<\/p>\n Called a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153coming-out party for Philadelphia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beer culture\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by Nichols, the week-long series of events will represent all aspects of beer culture, from tastings in cozy neighborhood taprooms of locally crafted brews (often for as little as $3 or $4 per draught) to educational offerings such as guided tastings and lectures to prix-fixe beer-pairing dinners across Philadelphia.<\/p>\n Last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s event line-up included: <\/strong>the Brewer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Plate, which paired brewers and chefs for a walk-around tasting and dinner and raised nearly $30,000 for White Dog Community Enterprises, a local charity; the Real Ale Festival, a collaboration between more than 20 local breweries that highlighted cask-conditioned ales; Ladies Beer Tea, a twist on high tea serving tea sandwiches and desserts paired with beers; and The Great Local Beer Reception and Dinner, a celebration of the six local breweries that brought home medals from the Great American Beer Festival.<\/p>\n