The “Tion” Dinner

Here are some photos from the “Tion” dinner put on by Bruce Paton at the Cathedral Hill Hotel with the “tion” beers of Russian River Brewing on September 18, 2006.

Bruce welcomes the diners holding a big bottle of Russian River’s Damnation.

Very tasty hors d’oeuvres. On the left is crab gazpacho soup and the right is melon wrapped in prosciuto and cheese.

Natalie Cilurzo arriving, arms laden down with promotinal materials.

The suffering women (from left): Tom Dalldorf’s wife Arlene, my wife Sarah and Natalie Cilurzo after putting promotional literature at every place setting.

While we mingled and drank Temptation. From left: Dave Suurballe, Peter Bouckaert (head brewer at New Blegium Brewing), Bruce Paton and Tom Dalldorf.

Peter Bouckaert and Chris from New Belgium with Vinnie.

Jennifer from the Toronado with my wife Sarah.

Ray Daniels from the Brewers Association chatting with Vinnie.

Then Vinnie and Bruce went up on stage to introduce the first course. Each in turn talked about the beer and then the dish to be paired with it.

Then each table waited for the next course to arrive.

The next to last course, duck breast with Humboldt Fog flan, paired with Supplication. That red rose is actually a single tomato peel.

Our table. Clockwise from left: Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo, Chris and Peter (from New Belgium), John Mallet (from Bell’s), Dave Keene and Jennifer (from the Toronado) and my wife Sarah.

A kind soul at the next table insisted I get in at least one of the pictures.

Dessert was a delicious chocolate bread pudding paired with Salvation.

After the dinner ended, everybody milled about a while longer and enjoyed the Russian River beers. From left: James Costa (from Moylan’s), Arne Johnson (from Marin Brewing) and Vinnie.

All of the brewers who attended the beer dinner.

Bruce with Russian River co-owner Natalle Cilurzo.

Chef Bruce Paton and Brewer Vinnie Cilurzo, our host for a wonderful evening. Thanks guys!