The Savor event included 42 dish pairings with 144 different craft beers from 72 small and independent craft brewers. Attendees also were able to sample a variety of food, including artisanal cheeses, sushi rolls, chocolate truffles and oysters.

In addition to sampling beer and food pairings, each attendee received a bottle of Savor Flowers, the first annual Savor collaboration beer that was brewed by The Boston Beer Co., Boston, and Milton, Del.-based Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. (For more on the beer, visit Beverage Industry’s New Products section.)

Savor 2011 sold out faster than ever, but the events extended beyond Savor’s defined craft beer and food experience and featured local events including “Crabs and Craft” and beer brunches and burgers, the Brewers Association states. The Brewers Association reports 17 brewers participated in more than 40 events during Savor Beer Week D.C.

In addition to events for beer enthusiasts, craft brewers participated in a Hill Climb to meet their senators and representatives. The Brewers Association is working to grow the House Small Brewers Caucus and to rally support for the Small BREW Act, which would recalibrate excise taxes for America’s small brewers. On June 3, 39 brewery owners and 19 state guild leaders visited offices in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the association reports.

“We were pleased to have 39 small brewers on Capitol Hill [June 3] to tell their small business stories and express their appreciation of Congressional representatives’ support,” said Brewers Association President Charlie Papazian, in a statement. “It’s not enough just to make great beer. The story of small business success by today’s 1,700-plus American small brewing companies is a fascinating chapter in America’s economic comeback. People, quality and main street community involvement have been the themes of small brewers’ success.”