"Brewfest" - Do we have one ?

I was talking to my buddy in Chattanooga last night and the conversation turned to the Southern Brewers Festival (a.k.a."Brewfest") they hold on the Chattanooga Riverfront every August. According to my pal, this "Fest" (in it's 17th year) features 30+ breweries and draws 10-12 thousand people. In addition to beer swilling opportunities the festival features lots of food choices as well as (national) music acts.

So, I guess I haven't paid that much attention...I know we have a couple of (I'm told) excellent local (but moderately sized) beer festivals in town...Most recently the "Festival of Ale"...but I'm wondering, do we have (or have we ever had) anything of this size and scope in Louisville ?

Just curious.

The short answer is - No. Whether or not we should have one (or could have one), I'll let others debate.

The short answer is - No. Whether or not we should have one (or could have one), I'll let others debate.

Thanks Matt...no debate necessary, I was just thinking that if we did have one similar to their "Brewfest that I'd invite buddy up for it.

I was talking to my buddy in Chattanooga last night and the conversation turned to the Southern Brewers Festival (a.k.a."Brewfest") they hold on the Chattanooga Riverfront every August. According to my pal, this "Fest" (in it's 17th year) features 30+ breweries and draws 10-12 thousand people. In addition to beer swilling opportunities the festival features lots of food choices as well as (national) music acts.

So, I guess I haven't paid that much attention...I know we have a couple of (I'm told) excellent local (but moderately sized) beer festivals in town...Most recently the "Festival of Ale"...but I'm wondering, do we have (or have we ever had) anything of this size and scope in Louisville ?

Just curious.

Depends how you measure. Fest of Ale, yesterday, had that many breweries. Great Taste of the Midwest, in Madison WI, has 150+ breweries but only sells 6000 tickets. While the latter isnt local, I use it to show that the greatest beer festival in the universe (in my, and many others, opinion) is much smaller in attendance than the one you are talking about.

Now, they are both BEER fests, not music fests that happen to have beer or food fests that happen to have beer, so it depends what you mean. I dont know the Chattanooga one, but it doesnt sound as its main focus is the beer.

Depends how you measure. Fest of Ale, yesterday, had that many breweries. Great Taste of the Midwest, in Madison WI, has 150+ breweries but only sells 6000 tickets. While the latter isnt local, I use it to show that the greatest beer festival in the universe (in my, and many others, opinion) is much smaller in attendance than the one you are talking about.

Now, they are both BEER fests, not music fests that happen to have beer or food fests that happen to have beer, so it depends what you mean. I dont know the Chattanooga one, but it doesnt sound as its main focus is the beer.

All true. I guess it also depends on what a person is looking for...Myself, I kinda like the food and entertainment aspect.

On a (sort of) related note...I'm gonna be kinda curious to see how the (renamed) Smokin' on the River - BBQ, Blues and Brews Festival does the weekend of June 17th and 18th. I know NABC is supposed to be represented but I don't know it what level, also don't know if other brewers will be represented. David ? You got any other details ?

http://www.smokinontheriverbbq.com/

http://www.musiccitybrewersfest.com/home.html

My favorite beerfest is the one in Nashville, TN. It has about 60 brewers, a couple of bands, and some pretty good food, including some tasty bbq. They have 2 sessions and limit the # of tickets which makes it a very enjoyable event. The focus is on the beer, but music and food are an option, plus it is only steps away from some of the best live music joints in the county.

I suggest the best brewfests concentrate on beer, food and education. Music is okay for after parties. Brewers and lovers of good beer attend these fests to talk about beer. It is our customer's chance to have us one-on-one. When the education facet is removed, all you have is a drunk-fest.

Great Taste is great if you can score a ticket. Music City is close and ok, but the last time I attended the bands where cranked too loud and I couldn't converse with the fine people that paid to attend.

http://www.louisville.com/louisville-events/louisville-brewfest-mellwood-arts-center

http://www.louisvillezoo.org/events/brew.htm

I like the Mellwood Arts Center for events, festivals, art fair.

The zoo can get alittle crowded/hot but worth going to at least one. It's one price for food and drink samples.

Great Taste is great if you can score a ticket.

My group has had about a 50% hit rate the last two years. You just got to send off enough entries to guarantee everyone a ticket.

Overpaying on ebay is also an option.

Last year tickets were being sold outside the entrance for face value.

Music City is close and ok, but the last time I attended the bands where cranked too loud and I couldn't converse with the fine people that paid to attend.

One thing I really like about Great Taste is that all the music is acoustic. Plus the flugelhorns. Two years ago, we ended up set up right next to the traditional swiss flugelhornists. They borrowed our chairs during breaks. We didnt mind, the youngest of them was about 96.

LIBA does have the Louisville Brewfest - I think this upcoming one will be the third that they've held. Definitely not as big as the Chattanooga one, but it's something.

Bluegrass Brewing Co.
Cumberland Brews
Falls City Beer
BBC Tap Room
Kentucky Ale
The NABC
Upland

http://keeplouisvilleweird.com/Beer/tabid/73/Default.aspx

On a (sort of) related note...I'm gonna be kinda curious to see how the (renamed) Smokin' on the River - BBQ, Blues and Brews Festival does the weekend of June 17th and 18th. I know NABC is supposed to be represented but I don't know it what level, also don't know if other brewers will be represented. David ? You got any other details ?

http://www.smokinontheriverbbq.com/

After much back and forth, it would appear that there will be a craft beer tent under the control of Cluckers (fine wings, BTW) with some semblance of BBQ available, and with a lineup of craft beers pouring. These include two NABC and some from World Class Beverage; exact choices have not been revealed to me.

After much back and forth, it would appear that there will be a craft beer tent under the control of Cluckers (fine wings, BTW) with some semblance of BBQ available, and with a lineup of craft beers pouring. These include two NABC and some from World Class Beverage; exact choices have not been revealed to me.

What the heck...it's a start. Hope it goes well from the beer angle.

It should be fine, not so much making points about pairings and such, but intorducing folks to craft beer. I'll be there much of the day and early evening on Friday; come and chat if you're around!

Steve,

Is there much to see at a BBQ competition on the first day (Friday?). Can't make it to Jeff on Saturday which would seem the more interesting day.