Beer and Bluegrass
Over the weekend, we were really fortunate to attend the Great Leap Beer Harvest Fest out in Mutianyu. For a year we've been hearing about the fantastic craft beers produced by Great Leap in their brewery near the Great Wall and served in their Tap Room down in the heart of Beijing. Unfortunately, we have never had the opportunity to try any of their beers, either in their own pub or any other establishment that also serves them. Good beer is hard to come by in Changping, so I was really looking forward to enjoying what Great Leap had to offer.
The Harvest Fest was held on a farm near the brewery under the Great Wall. Unfortunately, the smog was so thick, we could not even see any bit of Wall. We were told that normally, the view from there is spectacular. We did have some decent food, with the kids really enjoying the fresh pork from a pig raised on the brewer's spent grains. The vegetarians in the family had less selection, but we did get to have beer.
Of the four beers served (Honey Ma, IPA, Pale Ale, and a Stout), Honey Ma was my favorite, followed closely by the Stout. Randy was a big fan of the Stout, if only because of his allergy to hops. Can I just tell you how much I enjoyed sipping these wonderful beers?
Also greatly anticipated by us was a performance by local bluegrass band Randy Abel Stable. Again, they are people we have been hearing a lot about for quite some time but have not previously had a chance to see them perform live. One guy we've gotten to know through twitter and now baseball, Peter, plays banjo with them, and another friend, Sarah, has sat in with them on a few occasions on vocals.
These guys did not disappoint. They played bluegrass, folk, honky tonk, original songs and even a few Dead covers at the end of the night.
In one of those great coincidences of life, we learned that Randy, the lead singer and harmonica player, hailed originally from New Castle. It was one of those conversations that started off with a "yeah, they're from Pittsburgh, too" and ended with the Western Pennsylvanians narrowing it down to the exact names of the small hometowns that no one has ever heard of except for other Western Pennsylvanians. Had we the time, we would have figured out several people we all know.
As it grew dark, and fairly early because of the smog, there was a bonfire. This was an especial hit with Myles.
Randy Able Stable continued to play, closer to the fire and unmiked. I kept remarking to Randy (my husband, not the singer) that it did not feel like we were anywhere near Beijing, or even in China. It felt more like being back in Kentucky, where this sort of thing was more common.
It was a fantastic time for all of us, and a welcome change from our usual Changping lives. Beer and bluegrass are often hard to come by in these parts. So extraordinary and so normal at the same time.
The Harvest Fest was held on a farm near the brewery under the Great Wall. Unfortunately, the smog was so thick, we could not even see any bit of Wall. We were told that normally, the view from there is spectacular. We did have some decent food, with the kids really enjoying the fresh pork from a pig raised on the brewer's spent grains. The vegetarians in the family had less selection, but we did get to have beer.
Of the four beers served (Honey Ma, IPA, Pale Ale, and a Stout), Honey Ma was my favorite, followed closely by the Stout. Randy was a big fan of the Stout, if only because of his allergy to hops. Can I just tell you how much I enjoyed sipping these wonderful beers?
Also greatly anticipated by us was a performance by local bluegrass band Randy Abel Stable. Again, they are people we have been hearing a lot about for quite some time but have not previously had a chance to see them perform live. One guy we've gotten to know through twitter and now baseball, Peter, plays banjo with them, and another friend, Sarah, has sat in with them on a few occasions on vocals.
These guys did not disappoint. They played bluegrass, folk, honky tonk, original songs and even a few Dead covers at the end of the night.
In one of those great coincidences of life, we learned that Randy, the lead singer and harmonica player, hailed originally from New Castle. It was one of those conversations that started off with a "yeah, they're from Pittsburgh, too" and ended with the Western Pennsylvanians narrowing it down to the exact names of the small hometowns that no one has ever heard of except for other Western Pennsylvanians. Had we the time, we would have figured out several people we all know.
As it grew dark, and fairly early because of the smog, there was a bonfire. This was an especial hit with Myles.
Randy Able Stable continued to play, closer to the fire and unmiked. I kept remarking to Randy (my husband, not the singer) that it did not feel like we were anywhere near Beijing, or even in China. It felt more like being back in Kentucky, where this sort of thing was more common.
It was a fantastic time for all of us, and a welcome change from our usual Changping lives. Beer and bluegrass are often hard to come by in these parts. So extraordinary and so normal at the same time.
Comments
(Buffalo-->Olean-->Allegany)I am so glad you got some good beer! I was just telling my friend Tim about your experience finding the beer at the grocery store then not finding it again. I think I would die. Even if I don't drink beer terribly often, just knowing it's there in the grocery store if I want it is reassuring...