Beer Festival at Convention Center?

[Robin Garr]

This fest is most definitely a for profit event. I expect Bud, Miller, Coors to be fully represented.

Joel, I'd have been inclined to think the same, but if you check the Website, the list of participating breweries looks like a solid mix of legitimate craft beers and imports. The only glaring exception is Blue Moon, and of course because it's a "stealth" micro, most people don't realize that it's just relabeled Coors.

Here's a link: Check it out and see if you see any other ringers on the roster.
http://www.topofthehopsbeerfest.com/lou ... weries.php

Yes NABC had lots of representatives. I mean stale by beer being flat from the keg. NABC did not have this issue. None of the locals did besides one of the Browning offerings (I do not remember which brew it was).

Well, it's good to hear that our beer wasn't stale!

[Robin Garr]

Yes NABC had lots of representatives. I mean stale by beer being flat from the keg. NABC did not have this issue. None of the locals did besides one of the Browning offerings (I do not remember which brew it was).

Could it have been the Browning's Helles? They were pouring it at Slugger Field without much head the other night. I assumed this was due to careless service from booth staff accustomed to Bud Light drinkers who get mad if their cup isn't full, but maybe it's the nature of the beast?

I would hasten to add that if you try something you like, write down some notes so that you can do a little research on your own later. cheers!

Write it here, 33 Beers Tasters Journal. This is one of the simplest and coolest tasting tools I've seen.

Robin, it might have been the helles. As you said, there was zero head when the volunteer poured it.

I am going to have Brian check on the beer in the ballpark today. It is Helles, by the way! Thanks for the heads (!) up.

I haven't been to a game during the current homestand, but plan to be there on Sunday and taste everyone's craft beers to see how they are doing. It's expensive. Someone's gotta do it.

Yes NABC had lots of representatives. I mean stale by beer being flat from the keg. NABC did not have this issue. None of the locals did besides one of the Browning offerings (I do not remember which brew it was).

Whenever this happens to me I always wonder if it isn't a dirty tap line fouling up the beer. Flat tasting beer seems to be endemic with outdoor festivals (and a couple bars that will remain nameless) and I suspect that cleaning tap lines is one of the last things on a festival organizer's mind.

Also serving good beer in a plastic cup doesn't do the beers any favors either.

[Robin Garr]

Whenever this happens to me I always wonder if it isn't a dirty tap line fouling up the beer. Flat tasting beer seems to be endemic with outdoor festivals (and a couple bars that will remain nameless) and I suspect that cleaning tap lines is one of the last things on a festival organizer's mind.

Also serving good beer in a plastic cup doesn't do the beers any favors either.

Hello? Slugger Field?

Yes that was another thing i was hoping to get. Just some souvenir glassware that could serve as your tasting glass for the event. Setup water stations to rinse out the glass instead of wasting hundreds of plastic cups. I would not have minded if they added it in to the festival cost.

Update re: Helles at Balllpark. It has been served from a cold plate, and at 32 degrees you will not get much (if any) head on the beer. Brian talked w/ the very nice woman pouring and hopefully it will be poured closer to the 38 degrees that will give it more "life". Thanks for everyone supporting the craft beers at slugger field.
To also let everyone know that on thursdays when the bats are in doing their $1 beers, inside Brownings you can also enjoy Brian's brews for $1 from 5-7.

Have a great holiday weekend.

To also let everyone know that on thursdays when the bats are in doing their $1 beers, inside Brownings you can also enjoy Brian's brews for $1 from 5-7.

Have a great holiday weekend.

See Todd Antz on WHAS talking about The Keg Fifth Annual Fest of Ale. The KFoA donates a portion of the proceeds to the Crusade For Children, a local charity. Also, The KFoA will have brewery Reps from all the local breweries on site to answer your questions as well as expert beer and wine reps from local distributors. If you beer money is tight, chose wisely and spend local.