Beer Carnival 2014
I first fell in love with beer when I was studying abroad in New South Wales, Australia.
There's a stereotype out there that no one drinks like the Aussies, and while I can neither confirm nor deny if that's true (LOL!), I would rather say that the Aussies I met are just so darn good-natured and social that when you add delicious beer to the mix, good times can't help but follow.
I wasn't a big drinker in high school or college, but after spending a few months in Wollongong (yes, that was the name of my town), I soon developed a genuine appreciation for a full-bodied ale, lager, or good old fashion beer.
The brand that initially won my heart back then is called Toohey's New, and though I've branched out quite a bit from those beginnings, you never forget a first love.
To this day, I am unable to pass a World of Beverages without the urge to pop inside and see if they've begun importing Toohey's. (To my great sadness, they have not. Yet. All they've got is Fosters, which has the tagline "Australian for beer," yet I didn't meet a single Aussie who drank it, go figure.)
Anywho, fast forward to now, my palate continues to appreciate the many flavors and strengths of a good beer, and I will never turn down a frosty one. (I even worked at a brewery for short time after graduation; shouts out to Max Lagers!) I've got friends who brew their own beer, and am always keen to broaden my horizons.
And that, my friends, is why I am looking forward to the 5th Annual Beer Carnival this Saturday!
That's right, folks; it's a beer festival AND a carnival, and you can bet that thousands of beer lovers will be pouring (pun intended) into Atlantic Station on April 5th, to enjoy 100+ beers, carnival games, activities, DJs, and great food.
Featuring beers from around the world, festival goers can sample myriad styles from their favorite breweries: traditional staples, premium craft beers, seasonal brews, ciders, and even gluten-free options.
Formerly called the Winter Beer Carnival, this year’s event is being thawed out and moving to a new early spring date.
Here are the deets:
- WHAT: 5th Annual Beer Carnival
- WHEN: Saturday, April 5, 2014
- TIME: 1:00 – 5:00 pm; VIP Ticket admission at 12noon
- WHERE: Atlantic Station’s special event site / 20th Street at Fowler Street - 241 20th Street
- TICKETS: $40 Advance / $50 Day of Show; Includes all the beer you can safely consume, a commemorative Beer Carnival sampling glass, plus unlimited carnival games and activities.
- VIP ticket - $65 VIP ticket; includes all of the above and early admission at 12 noon, access to the VIP area featuring an exclusive selection of premium beers, VIP seating, and restroom areas
Tickets are on sale now, so be sure to grab yours. As much sampling as you'll be able to do, the ticket price is a helluva bargain!
Wondering if your favorite craft beer will be there? Ready to discover some new favorites? Peep 2014's beer lineup:
- Abita Brewing Company
- Ballast Point Brewing
- Bell’s Brewery
- BridgePort Brewing
- Brooklyn Brewery
- Budweiser
- Chimay Brewery
- Crabbie’s Ginger Beer
- Fat Cat Brewery
- Goose Island Brewery
- Heavy Seas Beer
- Innis & Gunn
- Jekyll Brewing
- Jopen Beer
- Lagunitas Brewing
- Monday Night Brewing
- Mother Earth Brewer
- New Belgium Brewing
- New Holland Brewing
- New Planet Brewing
- Ommegang Brewery
- Peak Brewing
- Redbridge Brewery
- Shock Top
- Sierra Nevada Brewing
- Starr Hill Brewery
- Sweetwater Brewing
- Terrapin Beer
- Three Taverns Brewery
- Unibroue Brewery
- Wells & Young Brewing
- Wild Heaven Craft Beers
- Woodchuck Hard Cider
Visit their website for the full beer lineup, in case there are any last minute changes. The Beer Carnival is held rain or shine, and attendees will receive a commemorative glass (while supplies last), so you'll be toasting for the rest of the year. :)
* * * * *
Now that the event is over, let me tell you how it went! It was a hoot.
Pretty fun!