Each year, the night before GABF, the Brewers Association holds a reception at Wynkoop for the brewers. This year, instead of being confined to an increasingly crowded upstairs, we had the entire brewpub, all three floors, to ourselves. As always, it’s the first chance during the week for every one newly arrived in town to get together and say hello, drink a few beers and enjoy the relative calm before the storm.

Chris and Cheryl Black, owners of the Falling Rock, Mark Dorber, formerly the publican of the White Horse in London (and now owner of the Anchor, his new venture) and Glenn Payne, of Meantime Brewing.

Peter Hoey, brewmaster at Sacramento Brewing showing great taste in fashion, along with Rich Norgrove from Bear Republic and Arne Johnson of Marin Brewing.

Steve Dresler, head brewer at Sierra Nevada, and Tom Nickel from O’Brien’s in San Diego.

Celebrator publisher Tom Dalldorf, the Beer Fox Carolyn Smagalski, and Dave and Dianne Alexander, owners of the Brickskeller in Washington, D.C.

Ralph Olson, from HopUnion, and me at the end of the reception.