New England’s devotees of hops, barley, and malt came together this past weekend at the Park Plaza Castle to revel in their love of all things beer at the Winter Jubilee.

At each of the three sessions, a near-steady line of aleheads joined the ranks already inside sipping on offerings from more than 60 brewers from around the world.

Amid soaring brick arches and wrought-iron balconies, hundreds came in from the cold to sample all the brews they could handle (responsibly, of course) from complementary and perfectly portioned mini beer steins for the very reasonable ticket price of only $40. The crowd milling about to live music was varied in every way you could imagine, with everyone having in common their adoration of a tall, frosty one.

Staples of Boston bars, bistros, and backyard barbecues were among the brewers in attendance – Sam Adams, Lagunitas, Long Trail, Otter Creek, Victory, Brooklyn Brewing, Saranac, Shipyard, and Narragansett.

But for a proper journey, one was well-advised to try some lesser-known brewhouses:

• Wormtown Brewing Company out of Worcester poured tastes of a Barley Wine that knocked your socks clean off with a high alcohol content and unique tropical flavors of banana, pineapple, and coconut.
• The Heavy Seas line from Clipper City out of Baltimore looked to the oceans for their maritime themed Extraaaarghdinary Beers, such as the malty but not overly spiced Winter Storm Ale.
• Innis & Gunn from Scotland also scored high marks for their unique beers aged in oak barrels –the batch that soaked in Dominican rum casks offered up a sweet, spicy nose and smooth, mellow finish.

Everyone in attendance had a great time and learned a little something they may not have known from the well-spoken brewers. But if you didn’t make it to the Winter Jubilee this time around, fear not, beer lover.

Beer Summit is planning their next event this spring in the same spot on April 15 and 16. Mark your calendars and stretch out your drinking arm in preparation, and we’ll see you there.