What else on a Friday Night? Drink (Local) Beer!

I got the report and feel bad that we ran out, but for us at this time, there just isn't any more. As Paul observed, we're supplying two locations and simply can't keep up. It'll be that way until the new brewery is installed (May?) and brewing downtown commences.

First-time events are like that most of the time. It's good to know the game didn't hurt attendance. Next year, I promise we won't run out of beer.

If I had to sum up the event - and the reason for the crowds, I'd turn here:

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/01 ... breweries/

I went. Bought my glass and tickets for what amounts to two beers. Thought it was goofy to have to purchase the "glass" for 2 bucks, but I realize some capital has to made somewhere. I got a Dark Star from BBC, found some friends, scoped at the area, and then we all decided that the crowds and the lack of clear lines were not much interest to us. A number of us had had very long days - I sat through interviews all day and was hoping for a chill event - so we did the next best thing which was getting BBC bottles at the store and then watching the game "at home." The silver lining to the evening was the run to El Mundo right before the kitchen closed. As good as ever and then some.

I'm not sure if I would go back to the event if it is held indoors. Maybe in a larger space, but that space was really dark and not all that "happy." I like the Clifton Center, but really, I like drinking my craft beer outside. Outside, I realize, is probably a big risk for the last week of March.

The event was well intended and the promoters I interacted with were helpful and nice. I'm thinking much will be learned from the event and year 2 will be better.

We weren't invited.

Hope everybody has fun, though.

I think it's great that the metro brewers have an opportunity to "display their wares" but I really-really-really wish L'ville would hold a regional brewfest. In addition to our local offerings there are some awesome beers coming out of the surrounding states these days. To the surprise of some folks a fair number of these brews don't contain apricots, raisins, blueberry's, chocolate or coffee...and many aren't even aged in whiskey barrels.

We do have a regional brewfest (or at least its growing into one): http://www.kegliquors.com/festofale.htm . This year's festival will be on June 6th. Last year, we had over 100 different beers to try, plenty of local and regional breweries on hand, and it was all for charity to boot.

Ironically, I was talking with someone about the Kentucky Ale folks not being at the event last night, and we were wondering if there is anyway we could get them over to our festival.... The main problem that I saw was that they are not distributed in Indiana, so I'm not sure if we can legally have them here for the event.

We weren't invited.

Hope everybody has fun, though.

I think it's great that the metro brewers have an opportunity to "display their wares" but I really-really-really wish L'ville would hold a regional brewfest. In addition to our local offerings there are some awesome beers coming out of the surrounding states these days. To the surprise of some folks a fair number of these brews don't contain apricots, raisins, blueberry's, chocolate or coffee...and many aren't even aged in whiskey barrels.

We do have a regional brewfest (or at least its growing into one): http://www.kegliquors.com/festofale.htm . This year's festival will be on June 6th. Last year, we had over 100 different beers to try, plenty of local and regional breweries on hand, and it was all for charity to boot.

Ironically, I was talking with someone about the Kentucky Ale folks not being at the event last night, and we were wondering if there is anyway we could get them over to our festival.... The main problem that I saw was that they are not distributed in Indiana, so I'm not sure if we can legally have them here for the event.

SWEET !!!...We will be on this like a bad habit. Thanks for the heads up.

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is very keen to do a BIG fest somewhere on the Sunny Side. Granted, many of them already are available for sampling at Fest of Ale.

Todd, maybe it's time you/we put renewed thought into the future of your fest. I know you tried to take it off premise this year and was thwarted by the local bureaucracy. Perhaps some day we should collaborate on something more grandiose. I'm sure there are ways. We just need a unique twist.

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is very keen to do a BIG fest somewhere on the Sunny Side. Granted, many of them already are available for sampling at Fest of Ale.

Todd, maybe it's time you/we put renewed thought into the future of your fest. I know you tried to take it off premise this year and was thwarted by the local bureaucracy. Perhaps some day we should collaborate on something more grandiose. I'm sure there are ways. We just need a unique twist.

Roger, we actually have moved it off premise from our property. We've worked out an arrangement with St. Anthony's in Clarksville to hold the festival on their grounds. It gives us the option of holding the event outdoors as I would prefer, but if we have inclement weather, we can move things inside to their gymnasium that can comfortably hold 1000 people. This will give us a ton more room, and more options than we could do at my store. If we want to be more grandiose, I think there is no time like the present.

Sorry ... I missed that great piece of news!! We'll chat. St A's sounds like a very good first step.

Ironically, I was talking with someone about the Kentucky Ale folks not being at the event last night, and we were wondering if there is anyway we could get them over to our festival.... The main problem that I saw was that they are not distributed in Indiana, so I'm not sure if we can legally have them here for the event.

That's correct, Todd. It's hard to say when we'll open up IN. Like Roger, we've got many irons in the fire (World Equestrian Games Official Beer, Micro-distillery project, etc.). Rest assured, I'll be talking with you as soon as we make the jump to Hoosier Land.

We do have a regional brewfest (or at least its growing into one): http://www.kegliquors.com/festofale.htm . This year's festival will be on June 6th. Last year, we had over 100 different beers to try, plenty of local and regional breweries on hand, and it was all for charity to boot.

Ironically, I was talking with someone about the Kentucky Ale folks not being at the event last night, and we were wondering if there is anyway we could get them over to our festival.... The main problem that I saw was that they are not distributed in Indiana, so I'm not sure if we can legally have them here for the event.

This sounds like a wonderful event. I'm already anxious with anticipation.

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is very keen to do a BIG fest somewhere on the Sunny Side. Granted, many of them already are available for sampling at Fest of Ale.

Todd, maybe it's time you/we put renewed thought into the future of your fest. I know you tried to take it off premise this year and was thwarted by the local bureaucracy. Perhaps some day we should collaborate on something more grandiose. I'm sure there are ways. We just need a unique twist.

Roger,

If by "grandiose" you mean more Brewers...than by all means get VERY grandiose. Not sure why one would require a "unique twist" however...Great beer equals a Great time. Just Pour.

Agreed. I was thinking in terms of unique music and/or food ... perhaps a bit of a departure from the norm.

[Robin Garr]

Agreed. I was thinking in terms of unique music and/or food ... perhaps a bit of a departure from the norm.

Balinese gamelans and an all-tofu menu? Naaahhh ...

Agreed. I was thinking in terms of unique music and/or food ... perhaps a bit of a departure from the norm.

You go boy.

Music = good...hopefully no "Oom-Pah" bands. My wrists are just now healing over from where I cut them during the last Oktoberfest we attended. Four hours of listening to that stuff was like Chinese...make that George Bush water torture.

One note/thought on food...folks don't go to these things concerned about "pairings" (and I personally NEVER worry about them)

Agreed. I was thinking in terms of unique music and/or food ... perhaps a bit of a departure from the norm.

Music is one of the places I would like to up the ante on for the festival. The problem has always been the money for the bands. Once we cover the costs of the festival, I put everything back to the charity, on top of the silent auction amounts. Last year was the first year I did not lose money on the festival, so paying for bands has not been a high priority.

Maybe some additional sponsorship is what is needed to bring in some bands. I really liked the alt-bluegrass that Strattos had for their beer tasting they did a couple years ago. Its a unique style that is still general enough not to drive people away, like the Oom-pah bands that Steve talked about with his Oktoberfest last year.

Alt bluegrass sounds great to me, and I can vouch for its compatibility with drinking. Hardly a night of drinking goes by at my friends' house that we don't throw on some Iron Horse or The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band (the latter of which I suppose is a little bit more rural blues than bluegrass, but it's still not far afield.)