SAVOR DC is not returning

I recently read that SAVOR DC, the all-you-can-drink food and beer pairing event, won't be coming back to DC this year. I'm of two minds on this: on one hand, I very much enjoyed (most) of the times I went. SAVOR was my first big event to which I was invited, and holds a special place in my heart for that reason. Pre-pandemic, it was held at the historic National Building Museum and was always such a good time: I got to enjoy some amazing beers, meet some interesting folks, and try breweries I've never heard of. The food was always tasty and there were even pre-event parties with brewers at places like Meridian Pint. We'd always leave with bags full of free samples. 

Last year, the event moved to the Anthem, and while I enjoyed it, there were some issues. Besides getting Covid-19 from the event last year, I had an unfortunate experience with Brewer's Association staff. I'm normally a pretty relaxed kind of guy, but I felt unfairly treated. While a follow-up call did a lot to smooth out those ruffled feathers, including a promise to change some procedures, it looks like they opted not to do the entire thing.

I do hope another event takes its place and gives the good people of the DC area a chance to enjoy delicious food and beer in such an august setting. While the craft beer movement has moved somewhat away from its heyday, when breweries would push the envelope and create crazy-good beers, there's still an opportunity for brewers to showcase their products and reach new customers. Let's hope something like that still happens in DC.