Great Lakes Brew Fest

[steveh]

Racine, Wisconsin
Racine on the Lake Festival Park
09-18-2004 3 – 8 pm

Tickets on sale 07-01-2004

GLBF
c/o 4643 Ruby Ave
Racine, WI 53402

brewfest@wi.rr.com

• 40 Craft breweries
• More than 80 craft brews
• Complimentary event pint glass to first 500 entrants
• Unlimited sampling
• Fine cuisine
• Brewmasters on premise
• Win a year's supply of craft beer

Sorry - all this and no ticket prices. :/

S.

[BluesHarp]

hmmmmmm.......:cool:

[chazwicke]

You guys going?

[steveh]

Runnin' it past the usual suspects now, getting a reading on interest, but the chances are good that I'll be going. The location is pretty close to me (even closer than BluesHarp I believe), so that makes it all the more enticing.

S.

[davesarman]

I think I'll be in NC for a wedding that weekend, otherwise I'd try and make the trek...I'll have to check the calendar...

[BluesHarp]

Racine is about a half hour or a little better by backroads...I will have to seriously consider it. I'll check with my designated driver.;)

MSN maps says 51 minutes.

[Bruno_78]

I just ordered my tickets for this fest. It's a little further for me, about three hours I think, but it'll make for a great motorcycle ride.

Should be a good time.

[steveh]

Wow - 3 hours? Really? You sure? It's less than 3 hours from Gurnee to Mad Town. You takin' all back roads?

See youse there! It does, indeed, sound fun. I'll introduce you to my home-brew clan and cuz Paige.

S.

[Bruno_78]

Yahoo said it was somewhere around 4 hours, they're usually off by about 20%. So I estimated 3 hours.

[Bruno_78]

Looks like we'll be getting into town around noon for the fest, anyone want to get together beforehand or after?

[steveh]

Whew - weekend down, back to work - beerfest to look forward to! Bruno, I'll probably be driving up with a friend and we'll try to time for the gate-opening I'm sure. I'll have a crew of other friends and relatives in attendance, as well as other RB.commers - Blues..? Any decisions made?

Not sure about post-fest events...as we'll be headed home and will probably wind down before hand for safety-sake. Then there's the big game to prep for the next day!

S.

[Bruno_78]

Big game?

[chazwicke]

Yes, The Redskins. :D

[chazwicke]

The Redskins are EVERYONE'S favorite team.

I know some of you will claim otherwise but we all know that in your hearts the Skins are your favorite. Go ahead and claim it isn't so but secretly we'll know it is. :D

[Bruno_78]

is that a hockey game? Where are the redskins located?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
The Redskins are EVERYONE'S favorite team.

Dream on Leon! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

See! I knew some of you would not admit it but deep inside we all know the truth.:D

[b3s]

Originally posted by chazwicke
The Redskins are EVERYONE'S favorite team.

I know some of you will claim otherwise but we all know that in your hearts the Skins are your favorite. Go ahead and claim it isn't so but secretly we'll know it is.

the redskins are interesting because that was the last NFL team vince lombardi coached ;)

[fretlessman71]

By the end of this year, you'll all be Seahawks fans... just you wait and see! :D

[O2 Mash]

I used to live in Illinois and I was a Bears fan (especially in '85), now it's GB Packers all the way! America's team, Baby! I know you'll all be watching tonight. :p

[steveh]

33 hours and counting! Blues, I haven't heard for sure if you're coming or not. ??

S.

[Bruno_78]

I'm so excited! My first beer fest.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
33 hours and counting! Blues, I haven't heard for sure if you're coming or not. ??

S.

As luck would have it, I've been sick recently...in fact, it's only been the last couple days I've ventured down to the basement office to use the computer.
Apparently, I've got a virus that decided to take up residence in my liver; I've had a high fever and extreme joint and muscle pain for a couple weeks now. They've ruled out all the nasties such as Hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus, or any malignancies; so it looks like I just have to ride it out.
I haven't even had a beer in over two weeks...hmmm, maybe that's the problem ;) . At any rate, I won't be making this fest, but am looking ahead to Quivey's Grove.
Have a good time, give my regards to any other Realbeerites who make it.

Cheers

[Bruno_78]

That's too bad. Sure to be a good time. Just concentrate on getting better. We'll be thinking of you.

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I've got a virus that decided to take up residence in my liver;

Eee-yuck. Sorry to hear man, I really hope you're feeling better soon. Take it easy and we'll catch you on your rebound. We'll be sure to leave enough beer for Quivey's!

S.

[chazwicke]

Get better soon! (Those guys are probably glad your not going because it's more beer for them! :D )

[steveh]

Well, for an inaugural beer fest, the Great Lakes Brew Fest was a hit. While some of the brewers didn't have their beers available on tap, many did - and some good home-brew from 2 local brewers' clubs - my old pals included.

RealBeerites included my cuz Paige, Bruno and his girlfriend, and yours truly. Add to that friends, unexpected old friends, and somewhere around 700 other beer lovers - mix in libereral amounts of brats and pulled-pork sandwiches -- not to overlook some great beer and a great time was had by all.

For Bruno's first beer fest, he couldn't have done much better!

S.

PS - to whoever wanted info about some Capital Brewing procedures direct from the source, I apologize - I racked my brain and couldn't remember what it was - Kirby is probably relieved to not have suffered an onslaught of my questions. Again.

[Yeastie Boy]

I attended the GLBF this weekend as well, and had a fantastic time. I was also suprised to see so much bottled beer. One gentleman informed me it was because the beer came from local distributors, not the brewery...does that sound right?? Anyway, the crowd was great, I met some really cool people, drank some (ok more than "some") really great beer, and am counting the days 'till next year. Only one drawback - Capital lost most of their keg of Autumnal Fire (mmmmmmm) to a leaking compression fitting. I almost cried....a 2-3oz teaser and no follow up.

ps: I was the one with the pretzel necklace to keep me company!

[Bruno_78]

Oh, I think I remember seeing you. You had a beer in your hand, didn't you?

[steveh]

Originally posted by Yeastie Boy
One gentleman informed me it was because the beer came from local distributors, not the brewery...does that sound right??

I heard something similar, don't know why that would make a difference.

Only one drawback - Capital lost most of their keg of Autumnal Fire (mmmmmmm) to a leaking compression fitting.

Something about a faulty 'O' ring (good thing they weren't trying to break the earth's gravitational pull) - then I thought about all of the equipment the 2 HB clubs had with 'em - they were bound to have a replacement! Too late though, all gone. I saw Kirby later - he was taking it pretty well...then again, I'm sure he has 24 hour access to holding tanks! ;)

S.

Yeastie - check out the link in the first post on this thread - Quivey's Grove always has Autumnal Fire too - it's usually the first keg emptied!

[steveh]

Yeastie - check out the link in the first post on this thread - Quivey's Grove always has Autumnal Fire too - it's usually the first keg emptied!

Sorry, miscue - try here (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4336).

S.

[Yeastie Boy]

I think Quivey's Grove is the first place I had Fire. Unfortunately, this year my friend has the nerve to get married that weekend. So GLBF was my sole opportunity. Do you know of anyplace in Madison (Bars or restaurants) that have it on tap????

[steveh]

Originally posted by Yeastie Boy
Do you know of anyplace in Madison (Bars or restaurants) that have it on tap????

Besides the Bier Garten at Capital? ;-) I imagine you'd be able to find it at many places in and around Mad-Town. It's pretty popular around Milwaukee as well - try Benno's out on the west side.

Here's Cap's phone: (608) 836-7100 I'm sure they can point you in a good direction in the neighborhood your selfish friend will be married. ;) In fact...why not bring a pony keg to the reception! The Chicken Dance will never be the same! As well it shouldn't.

S.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh
Eee-yuck. Sorry to hear man, I really hope you're feeling better soon. Take it easy and we'll catch you on your rebound. We'll be sure to leave enough beer for Quivey's!

S.

Thanks for the kind wishes, Steve...Bruno and Chaz as well; sounds like I missed a good time :( . I do believe I may have finally turned the corner and am on the road to recovery.
My family is having our annual Oktoberfest party in two weeks, so I have added incentive!
The cruelest part is that I bottled a Scottish Wee Heavy right before I got sick and haven't been able to taste it yet.

Hopefully this weekend, with a bit of luck, I may be able to give it a try as well as brew my double IPA.

Cheers, guys!

[steveh]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
I do believe I may have finally turned the corner and am on the road to recovery.

Yay! Thank goodness, I was gonna write here today to see how things were going. Glad it's better - and there's no repercussions on beer consumption!

S.