By Troy Gardner
“Mmmm … Beer” – Homer Simpson (1990)
Sure, I could tell you about those amazing turkey cardamom meatballs from the food truck. Or I could write about the two great party bands that rocked The Green. How often do you get to hear live music with horns anymore? There was even a cornhole game!
I could write about any of those things, but I’m going to stick with what I know best: beer. The suds flowed freely this past Saturday at the third annual Beer Festival. More than 20 craft brewers – large and small – participated in what has become a late-summer tradition in Central Park. Pre-sales for SBF III exceeded last year’s total attendance. Apparently, I’m not the only one who looks forward to this first-class event staged by the Master Community Association every August.
Whereas overall beer sales have been as flat as a warm can of Schlitz, craft beer sales increased 12% by volume during the first half of 2012. Nowhere is that growth more apparent than Colorado, where it seems like a new brewery opens every few weeks. Recognizing the trend, the big national brewers are getting into the game. Beer Festival was representative of what’s going on in the industry today, featuring a mix of local, regional and national brewers.
The beauty of the event is that beer geeks and novices alike can rub shoulders and compare notes on their favorite brews. What a great chance to step outside your comfort zone and try that coffee stout or double IPA. The best part of the night is that moment when you discover that beer that you can’t wait to tell your friends about.
Next time you’re thirsty, think about grabbing a craft beer. And give me a call.
