When time throws you an extra day, you make the most of it! This week on Beer Notes, we are looking at craft beer, Leap Day, and how the two of them go together.
In 46 BC, Julius Caesar added one day to our calendar every four years to make up for the discrepancy between the lunar and solar calendars. It took effect in 45 BC. FeBREWary 29th is this extra day and it makes sense to pour it wisely because it has been a day of traditions, folklore and superstitions since its inception. In Britain, legend has it that St. Bridget convinced St. Patrick to allow women to propose, but they had to wait to Leap Year to do it. Birthdays on Leap Day only come around every four years. If you were born on this day, you’d have to wait till you were 84 to celebrate your 21st and have your first craft beer! In Greece, getting married during Leap Year is bad luck so as many as one in five couples avoid Leap Years.
Breweries take a positive spin and are creating brews to celebrate. Market Street Brewing in Corning NY brewed LEAP YEAR BEER. Three Sods Brewery in London offer a Leap Year Golden Ale. Nickel Beer Company in California brewed a Leap Year IPA.
Checkerspot Brewing Company in Baltimore is planning “A Big Beer Leap Year,” serving kegs of every special edition they have brewed over the last two years. The Maine Craft Beer Coaster is a train from Boston to the Winter Session 2020 festival in Portland Maine on Leap Day where 50 brewers will be waiting.
Shore Craft Beer is hosting their Love on Tap festival in Ocean City on Leap Day. You can tour the Eastern Shore remotely while sampling over 40 beers from 16 local breweries.
Whatever you plan to do with your extra day this year make sure you save some time to relax with friends and family, and savor a local craft beer.
Sources:
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/leap-day-february-29.html
https://nickelbeerco.com/our-beers/
https://www.mt.cm/big-beer-leap-year
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maine-craft-beer-coaster-leap-day-2020-tickets-82965489011
