They did it again, those smart-as-a-whip workers from the Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events. They managed to make the annual Valpo Brewfest an amazing success. This is the fourth year running for the Brewfest and each year it gets bigger and better.
Tina St. Aubin, Executive Direction for the VCFE was at the fest with a slew of dedicated volunteers who did everything from scan tickets to selling t-shirts to handing out the commemorative Brewfest glasses to the guests.
“We’re about 20% bigger this year in breweries and attendants this year,” St. Aubin said happily. “And we changed our layout so that we could fit more tents in. We’ve got the VIP tent, we have more merchandise than in years past, but the whole focus is still a beer tasting. This is a fun event. Everybody’s happy, we’ve got blue skies, we’ve got tons of good beer, great food, and so all the ingredients are there.”
An event like this is such a boon to any community that houses it because it’s a major boost to tourism. About 50% of the Brewfest attendees were from out of town, and there were 3000 people that bought tickets to this year’s event. The Brewfest is so popular that tickets actually sold out months early.
“We’ve got a lot of breweries here that we represent,” Jeff Leetz, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Indiana Beverage said. “We’ve got over 250 different beers here. Brewfests in general are great for breweries to get their beers out there and get them sampled.”
The Breweries in attendance this year were: Abita Brewing Company, Sun King Brewing, Barley Island Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Bell’s Brewing, Blue Moon Brewing Company, Argus Brewery, Boulevard Brew Co., Crispin, Crown Brewing, Dark Horse Brewing Co., Chicago Beer Company, Atwater Block Brewery, Figure 8 Brewing, Flat 12 Bierworks, Finch’s Beer Company, Four Horsemen Brewing Company, Goose Island, Harpoon Brewery, Leinenkugel’s, Left Hand Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing, New Holland Brewing, North Coast Brewing Co. Oaken Barrel Brewing Company, Brewing Omnegang, Stone Brewing co., Boston Brewing Company, Brewery Omnegang, Shoreline Brewery, Schlafly Beer, Shiner Bock, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Upland Brewing, Victory Brewing Company, Woodchuck Hard Cider, Sixpoint Brewery, Foundery Brewing Co., Hinterland Brewery, Bos Meadery, Tysanena, Burn Em’ Brewing LLC, Evil Czech Brewery, Great Divide Brewing Co., Greenbush Brewing Co., Cutters Brewing Co., Sprecher Brewing Co., Triton Brewing Company, The Devil’s Trumpet Brewing Co., Green Flash Brewing Company Co., Kentucky Ale, Hop City, Kona Brewing Co., Lexington Brewing Company, Redstone Meadery, Summit Brewing, Unibroue.
“Brewfest is so amazing because it gives us a chance to get out here and show off our beer to consumers,” Neil Davey, Sale Rep for Figure Eight Brewing in Valpo, said. “Each year we get a little bit bigger which is the way to do it; just let the folks get a little more educated on what’s out there. There’s more to beer than fizzy yellow corn water.”
And the guests at Brewfest did educate themselves. You could hear in depth conversations between brewmasters and a patron as he or she answered question after question about their beers. You could see people sipping their beer slowly then scribbling in their thoughts on each different brew in the notes section that was provided in the Brewfest pamphlet. The craft beer bug phenomena has caught on and now many who enjoy that sudsy refreshment no longer look at is as a drink, but as an experience that requires attention and slow enjoyment.
Steve Murray, owner and head brewer of Burn’em Brewing was at the Brewfest for the first time this year as a representative for his own company. He and his crew poured some lovely beers that pleased many a person, especially a Collaboration beer (Belgian white IPA with hints of raspberry) that Burn’em and Figure Eight put together and served for the Brewfest.
“We’ve grown so much and this is our tenth fest. We have some great beers today like our Main Stay which is a cream ale, an oatmeal stout, an imperial cream ale and another which was called Mr. T. but that sold out in the first hour,” Murray said with a grin. “We’re having a great time. We’ll be here next year and every year after that.”
As customary, attendees vote for their favorite beer at the Brewfest, and the winner will receive the Hoosier Brew Award. What’s special this year is that the voting could be done using the VCFA app that is available for Android or iPhone.
Everyone had a fantastic time at the Valpo Brewfest trying all of the great beers and enjoying the great weather as well as each others company. When you want an event to go to that’s going to leave you happy and eager for next year, go to the Valpo Brewfest. The VCFE won’t disappoint you.
Sponsors for the 2013 Brewfest
Bison Financial Group
Oak Partners, Inc.
Indiana Beverage
Art Hill Auto Group
Innovative Successful Environments
Sun king Brewing
Bell’s Inspired Brewing
Triangle Liquors and Trail Inn Liquors
Woodchuck Hard Cider
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Click here to find out more about Valparaiso Community Festivals and Events, and find the VCFE on Facebook!
Find out more about Indiana Beverage by clicking here. Then find them on Facebook!