Four years ago, an idea was fermenting for the selection of brews offered at the Mid-Atlantic Food, Beverage & Lodging Expo.
Instead of a traditional beer garden with the usual suspects of domestic beers, why not host a microbrew garden with a regional flavor?
Consequently, the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation (MHEF) MicroBrew Garden was born.
"So we were not only given the opportunity to expose a different type of beer," he said. "We were able to promote the beers that were being made here in Maryland."
The garden is more than an opportunity to get a cold beverage. While they may taste and purchase the brews, attendees also can talk with the brewers and gather information about their products.
Discovering new products and better ways of doing business in their establishments is a key reason restaurateurs and foodservice operators visit the expo, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 and 20 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md.
"This gives the tavern owner and other operations a chance to check out these things," he said. "Rather than just seeing it on a shelf and guessing, they can actually taste the product, learn about the product and see how it would fit into what they are offering already in their restaurants."
Two breweries will feature a total of four beers this year. Baltimore-based Clipper City will provide Loose Cannon and BaltoMarzHon, the latter of which is a "definite niche Baltimore-type" brew, Weston said. Brewer's Alley in Frederick, Md., will offer India Pale Ale and Brewer's Alley Pilsner.
On a philanthropic note, all proceeds support the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation. The Restaurant Association of Maryland set up the foundation, which has a school-to-career program that works with high-school students aiming for careers in the foodservice industry. The foundation also promotes training, food safety and alcohol awareness, and funds a scholarship program.
Since the garden is becoming a more established part of the show, Weston expects an "overwhelming" response at this year's expo as more people specifically seek out the brews.
"It's not something that they have to stumble upon," he said. "They're out actually looking for the beer garden so they can see what beers are on tap this year and see what's new."
Located in the center stage area, the garden also benefits from prime placement.
"We put the beer garden right in the middle of the action where everyone will come across it a couple of times," Weston said. "We hope at least half of the people who attend the show will stop by the beer garden, ask questions and maybe try a beer or two."
