Jack Diederich (my nick is an old UNIX login, "jackdiederich"[:8]).  I'm an invited speaker this year so I'll definitely be there.<p>At least two automated trading firms sent contingents to PyCon last year so you won't be alone (I think both were state-side).  As for microbrews? Although it started with states that had odd blue laws for liquor licenses (limited regular licenses but unlimited for on-premises brewing) you can now find micro-breweries in every major city and most minor ones.  PyCon always has a beer BoF group.