10th Annual Brewer's Ball Serves Up Hope By The Pint

PENN QUARTER -- Kegs were tapped and the beer flowed liberally at the National Building Museum on Saturday night.

Far from a stereotypical frat party, however, the occasion marked the tenth anniversary of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's (CFF) signature Brewer's Ball.

A plethora of Washington business and community leaders combined with a sea of area beer lovers for the event, which drew a crowd some 1,200 strong.

The highlight of the evening, of course, were the bottomless tastings of a seemingly endless variety of hand crafted brewskis from the 30+ supporting microbreweries, brewpubs, and restaurants.

Helping sop up some of those suds was an equally impressive array of food pairings, from the likes of Jack Rose (venison meatballs), BLT Steak (steak tartar sliders), and Pinstripes (chicken and goat cheese pasta).

Even Whole Foods got in on the action, with the healthy eating giant one of the night's 'VIP Experience' sponsors (along with newly opened Heavy Seas Alehouse, Founding Farmers, and many more).

Such a splendid collection of birch and barley came with a cause, of course. The D.C. Brewer's Ball is one of the CFF's marquee fundraisers of the year, with the nonprofit serving as the world’s leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis.

CFF President and CEO Robert J. Beall was quick to point out, in the event's welcome letter, that nearly every cystic fibrosis drug available today to patients was made possible because of the foundation's support.

And the results speak for themselves, with the life expectancy of a child afflicted by the disease doubling over the past 30 years. Hope for a permanent cure is therefore more deserved than ever and continues to grow, one pint at a time.