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| The Good Beer Seal of approval. Photo: goodbeerseal.com. |
Founded earlier this year by bar owners Garry Gillis (Burp Castle and Standings), Ray Deter (d.b.a.) and Jimmy Carbone (Jimmy's No. 43), the group strives to "recognize establishments that pride themselves on serving quality, craft beers." With only 15 recognized bars in a city of more than 8 million people, the Seal has yet to become the definitive icon for the city's best spots for suds, but Carbone admits things are still getting off the ground. "We really didn't expect the mayor to make the proclamation," he humbly admits.
For a nascent organization, receiving a mayoral decree after simply writing him a "nice letter" is quite a feat. Carbone believes GBS's support of programs for sustainable food and insistence that members have an "active community presence" was an important factor. "A lot of bars don't make such a good community impact," he told us.
Other requirements include a pub-like atmosphere and "at least 80 percent craft domestic or special imported beers."
Still, July Good Beer Month seems to have taken itself by surprise: Only two major events are currently scheduled. Carbone encourages people who'd like to partake in good beer drinking to keep checking the blog, which will add events regularly.
So pop that top off the bottle, no matter where you are: can't let a mayor with such good intentions down!
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