While the excitement for Philly Beer Week 2016 might not currently be at a fever pitch, brewers and Beer Week staff are very excited for an event happening next week.
 

That’s when Philly Beer Week reps and participating brewers will gather at Center City’s City Tap House Logan to draw winners for the fest’s annual European Brewery Collaboration Trip. 

For the uninitiated, this game of chance randomly selects one local brewer and one very lucky local drinker to travel to Europe to craft PBW’s special collaboration beer, which over the years has become one of the most sought after brews featured during the annual beer blowout. This year’s collaboration will be brewed with Menno Olivier of Brouwerij DeMolen in Bodegraven, Netherlands.

The raffle winner will select his or her brew partner from a distinguished list of local brewers, then accompany him or her on a whirlwind expedition to Amsterdam in January 2016. The package will include two roundtrip tickets from Philly to Amsterdam and two nights of hotel accommodations (winner and brewer). Additionally, Tom Peters of Monk’s Cafe will accompany the lucky pair to offer VIP access and behind-the-scenes tours of other top bars, breweries, and beer spots in the area.

If you want a shot at this once in a lifetime experience, all you have to do is purchase a raffle ticket. Raffle tickets cost $5 a piece, or five for $20. Tickets are available online and will also be available at City Tap House on Tuesday, November 17, before the live drawing at 9 PM. Starting at 6 PM, everyone is invited to sip on special kegs and firkins from breweries participating in this year’s contest. If you can’t attend the drawing, no sweat. The winner does not have to be present to win, but, of course, is encouraged to come out for an evening of great brews.
 

Brewers on this year’s ballot include:

John Wible of 2nd Story

David Wood of Barren Hill

Joe Fazeks of Broken Goblet

Andrew Horne of Conshohocken

Jon Defibaugh of Evil Genius

Matt Eck of Fegley’s Brew Works

Barry Holsten of Flying Fish

Dave Bronstein of Forgotten Boardwalk

Brian Finn of Iron Hill Brewery

Evan Fritz of Manayunk Brewing

Ben Schamberg of Philadelphia Brewing

Chris Rakow of River Horse

Scott Rudich of Round Guys

Christina Burris of Saint Benjamin

Nick Micio of Saucony Creek

Rion Spurlock of Shawnee Craft

Robert Zarko of Ship Bottom

Matt Keasey of Spring House

Brian O’Reilly of Sly Fox

Tim Mayhew of Troegs

Mike McLaughlin of Victory

Scott Bicksler of Weyerbacher
and Tom Kehoe of Yards