“The roar of the crowd still gives me Goosebumps!”

2011 Philly Beer Geek Natalie DeChico collaborates to create Philly Beer Geek Basil IPA

exclaimed Natalie DeChico as she recalls her win as 2011 Philly Beer Geek last June at Manayunk Brewpub. Along with over $2,500 worth of beer-centric prizes and the title as Philly Beer Geek, Natalie DeChico collaborated with Head Brewer Doug Marchakitus of Manayunk Brewery to brew the official beer of the Philly Beer Geek 2012 Competition:  Philly Beer Geek Basil IPA. 

As an assertively hoppy India Pale Ale, the new brew promises to mirror the personality of its designer.  Basil, a culinary herb often used in Italian cuisine, is the magic ingredient that illuminates the soul of this beer at 58 IBUs and 6% ABV.

A firkin of Philly Beer Geek Basil IPA will be on-hand in time for the Philly Beer Geek Semi-Finals Competition at the Manayunk Brewpub, Philadelphia, on May 23, 2012 where a beer-studded line-up of Celebrity Judges will choose the cream-of-the-crop, out of more than a dozen competitors, to advance to the Finals on June 7, 2012.

Jeff Lavin of Hulmeville Inn is the "model" of supreme Beer Geek Sponsorship - honored as "Home of the Philly Beer Geek" for two successive years in a row

The Philly Beer Geek Competition, in its fifth year, is an ever-evolving event.  As May rolls into June, bar owners are ramping up – planning events for Philly Beer Week, opening their outdoor patios, and changing to light-and-airy summer menus.   Here at Philly Beer Geek, we have designed a new way for these movers-and-shakers to participate in the Philly Beer Geek Competition – with very little effort.  Look at it as the Philly Beer Geek E-Z-Pass.

Nearly every place has a beer geek who stands out from the crowd … someone who dreams about being Philly Beer Geek at night, who imagines the roar of the crowd as their name is announced as the 2012 Grand Champion. 

Become their sponsor.  Simply by registering as a Philly Beer Geek Sponsor, you have the privilege to choose that Beer Geek to represent your establishment. 

You can work with them to brush-up on beer trivia, tell them little known facts about your place of business, and coach them as if you’re Andy Reed himself.  When they win, YOU will be awarded honors as “Home of the 2012 Philly Beer Geek.”

Remember, you have to register before May 20^th, 2012.  We need the name, email, and phone number of your Beer Geek Competitor by May 20^th so we can give them important information.  All Sponsored Beer Geeks will compete in the Semi- Finals on May 23^rd at Manayunk Brewpub at 7pm.  Help them prepare by getting us their information quickly. 

Six of those Beer Geeks will go on to compete in the Philly Beer Geek finals Competition on Thursday, June 7^th – also at Manayunk Brewpub at 7 pm.  They could win a treasure trove of beer centric prizes worth over $2,000.  You will earn their respect and be a hero in their eyes forever.

So be a Beer Geek Hero.  Go Philly Beer Geek E-Z-Pass!

2011 Philly Beer Geek Champion Natalie DeChico, flanked by Carolyn Smagalski and Jason Harris.  Read the Full Story here… And The Full 4-segment Interview of Natalie DeChico:

Natalie DeChico Philly Beer Geek 2011 – Interview – Part 1
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172295.asp

Natty Eisbock Beer Geek ’11 Talks About Beer – Part 2
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172297.asp

Philly Beer Geek 2011 Natalie DeChico Sounds Off – Part 3
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172308.asp

PBG 2011 Natalie DeChico Future Ambitions – Part 4
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art172311.asp

Natalie De Chico, 2011 Philly Beer Geek, is full of compliments for Steve Hawk who reigned as Philly Beer Geek in 2010.  Natty Eisbock, dressed as a sexy heart-throb in Mat Falco hair, remarked, “Steve Hawk is a F*ckin’ Rock Star!”  She didn’t exactly use those words, but “artistic license” allows us to exaggerate her comment.  (Just check out the latest political campaign as proof of this “naked truth.”)  That’s show biz, Folks!

 Steve Hawk served well as 2010 Philly Beer Geek, pouring beer and raising funds for Pancreatic Cancer at the Hulmeville Inn; fielding questions and comments at the 2011 Brewer’s Plate at the Penn Museum; and presenting a tutored beer tasting at the Generation to Generation Glass Art Show at the Liberty Museum.  When Natalie DeChico took over with her win in 2011, any average beer lover would have dropped out of the picture.  But Steve Hawk is no average beer lover. 

Dedicated to Philly Beer, Hawk made a commitment to advance the city’s beer culture in every way he could, even after his reign had ended.  Armed with talents beyond our wildest dreams, Hawk re-designed the Philly Beer Geek website to be user friendly and adaptable, and he’s not finished yet.  Check in often for changes and updates to the wild, wooly and wonderful world of Philly Beer Geek!

The purpose of the Annual Philly Beer Geek Competition is to pay tribute to Philadelphia beer and to those who craft, celebrate, or consume it with enthusiasm and pride. To this end, our illustrious panel of judges will select and reward, as Philly Beer Geek 2012, the individual who exhibits the greatest universal knowledge and passion for Philadelphia Beer.

How to Sponsor a Qualifying Round

• Win a Qualifying Round at a Sponsoring Beer, Brewpub, or Restaurant
  See Event Calendar for places, times, and dates. Check back often for additions and changes.
• Win one of 6 spots at the Philly Beer Geek Semi-Finals 2012 Competition
• Win the Philly Beer Geek 2012 Finals Competition
• Enjoy the GLORY!
• Qualifying Rounds are now being held. See Event Calendar for places, times, and dates. Check back often for additions and changes.

• Contestants must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
• Contestants must win a Qualifying Preliminary Round through a sponsoring Beer Bar, Brewpub or Restaurant in order to be eligible for the Semi-Finals Competition.
• At the Semi-Finals, 6 contestants will be chosen to compete in the Finals to win.

• Sponsors and organizers of Philly Beer Week or of the Philly Beer Geek Finals Competition
• Principal owners and head brewers at breweries, brewpubs or restaurants
• Principal owners at licensed beer retail outlets
• Principal owners of beer importer companies
• Principal owners of homebrew supply stores
• Principal owners of beer distributorships