Introducing the First Annual Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Week May 8-13, 2017
Ipswich, MA – Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Week, May 8th-13th, 2017, is a week-long series of special events celebrating Ipswich’s clamming & brewing culture, culminating with the “Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Fest” on Saturday, May 13th, at the downtown Ipswich Riverwalk area.
All proceeds from the Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Fest will benefit local nonprofits that help with the conservation of clams and the clamming industry: Ipswich River Watershed Association, and the Green Crab R&D Project. “Ipswich is a town known for its clams, among many other things. When the brewery learned that a large portion of the clam beds in Ipswich were being wiped out by “green crabs”, an invasive coastal species, we knew this was an issue that wasn’t getting the attention it deserved. Can you imagine the North Shore without clams? We can’t, which is why we are proud to be partnering with these organizations that are taking action.” says Brewery Owner & President, Rob Martin.
Many of the week’s events will take place at the brewery’s onsite restaurant, the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table. The final event of the week, the Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Fest, will take place at Ipswich’s downtown Riverwalk area. “To our knowledge, this is the first time that event attendees will be able to enjoy the beautifully restored Ipswich Riverwalk area with a beer in hand.” Commented Marketing Manager, Mary Gormley. The brewery also plans to have an adjacent section of downtown blocked off so event attendees can stroll from the main stage music area on the Riverwalk, to the seafood tasting pavilion and cask pavilion, and through the vendor area where the second music stage is located. Ipswich Tapmobiles will be pouring beer in multiple locations.
Summary of events for the week: Monday, May 8th- Saturday, May 13th A week-long photography exhibit, at the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table, featuring photos of local clammers, by Ipswich, MA based photographer Terri Unger.
Monday, May 8, 7pm-9pm: “Tales at the Table” Attendees will enjoy traditional cask ales and a hearty tavern dinner, in the private dining room at the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table, while listening to true tales of sword fights, scandalous romance, and bloody brawls, all from Ipswich’s storied past.
Tuesday, May 9, 7-8:30pm Green Crab Tasting & Panel Discussion, at the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table, featuring passed green crab hor d’oeuvres and cask ales. Panelists include: Ipswich Shellfish warden, Scott LaPreste, Roger Warner of the Green Crab R&D Project, and Wayne Castonguay, Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association.
Wednesday, May 10, 7-9pm “Paint & Sip Night” with the Wicked Art Bar at the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table.
Thursday, May 11, 7-8:30pm Flights and Bites: Cask Ale Night, with author and cask enthusiast, Randy Baril at the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table.
Friday, May 12, 7pm- 8:30pm “Meet the Clammers Clambake”, enjoy a clambake dinner prepared by the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table, and hear the exciting stories of four Ipswich, MA clammers.
Saturday, May 13th, 12-6pm Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Fest, located in Downtown Ipswich, MA on the Riverwalk area and adjacent streets. Featuring live music on two stages, beer and food trucks, specialty cask ales, an oyster shucking competition, Seafood Tasting Pavilion, and activities for all ages. Not a seafood fan? A variety of food options will be available for purchase at the food trucks, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. The Seafood Tasting Pavilion, which will be open from 12-3pm, will feature food samples from local restaurants competing for the judge’s and people’s choice awards. Participating restaurants will be encouraged to use green crab in their dishes. There is no fee for admission to this family friendly event. Sponsors of the Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Fest include: Institution for Savings, EBSCO, New England Biolabs, Ipswich Shellfish Company, Tedford’s, and First Ipswich Bank.
For tickets to any of the week’s events or for more information on the first annual Ipswich Ale Cask & Clam Week, visit http://www.ipswichalebrewery.com/caskandclam.html. Tickets for all events go on sale April 1st.
### Residents of Boston’s North Shore were first introduced to Ipswich Ale Brewery during the spring of 1991. With over 25 years of history behind it, Ipswich Ale has been in existence longer than nearly every other craft brewer in New England. Since that time, the Ipswich Ale portfolio of brands have developed into a tradition shared by not only the residents of eastern MA, but across New England. In January of 2016, Ipswich Ale Brewery opened an onsite restaurant, the Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table, which features 15 tap lines of Ipswich beers and an eclectic lunch and dinner menu. Ipswich Ale Brewery & Ipswich Ale Brewer’s Table are located at 2 Brewery Place, Ipswich, MA 01938.
Learn more at ipswichalebrewery.com and follow us online:
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The Green Crab R&D Project is organized for the purposes of turning an invasive coastal species into delicious gourmet food. Invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas), originally from Europe, are swarming in U.S. coastal waters, wiping out clam and mussel beds and destroying eel grass. They’re bad news – but, luckily, they taste great. We are turning an ecological minus into a culinary plus for chefs. Learn more.
Ipswich River Watershed Association is the voice of the Ipswich River for fish and wildlife. The river system that the Ipswich River is a part of is the source of drinking water for more than 330,000 people in 14 communities – one of the most important natural resources in Massachusetts. Learn more.
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