Okay, who's going to Shirlington on 10/8?

[Derekt2]

I know I am! One of the best fests in the area, IMO.

[chazwicke]

I'm planning on going to the fest during the day and the McCartney concert at MCI that evening. If the Macca tickets fall through, I'm headed to the beach.

[Insidious Rex]

I'll be there. Hovering around the Ayinger tent.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
I'll be there. Hovering around the Ayinger tent.

I'll most likely be found near Maredsous.

[chazwicke]

We should get a group photo showing all the realbeer folks to post here.

[Insidious Rex]

We could meet in front of cap city at some given point. Or in the middle near the band stand. Im gonna be there fairly early though because I cant stay late this year.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
We could meet in front of cap city at some given point. Or in the middle near the band stand. Im gonna be there fairly early though because I cant stay late this year.

I'm up for that and will be there pretty early too (I like to beat the crowds). What time is good for everyone? Maybe we can swap cell #'s later in the week via PM.

- Derek

[Insidious Rex]

Sounds fair. Although Ill be easy to pick out. Ill be the one in the ugly red and white hawaiian shirt. Just tap me and ask for Insidious. :D Maybe we could meet in front of the Cap City entrance on the hour early on. Like 1 or 2.

[Derekt2]

Chaz, Rex,

How about meeting in front of Cap City at 1 PM? I will be wearing an off-white "Support Your Local Micro" t-shirt and shades. I'll recognize Chuck so now we just need to find you, IR, and that should be easy. Anyone else?

And who's bringing the camera? I will ask my wife too but we often forget -- as in never remember it -- so this may not be a chore best left to me. I suppose if nothing else we can get together for a beer, right?

Seeya Saturday.

- Derek

[chazwicke]

If I'm there, I'll have my camera. ! sounds good in front of the Main Cap City entrance?

[Derekt2]

Is there more than one entrance? I meant the one on the street facing into the beer festival and almost always facing Cap City's tent where they have their cask O'fest.

[chazwicke]

That is the one I was thinking of.

[MeridianFC]

I'd like to attend this I'm just not sure I'll be able to. If I can I'll show up at the above referenced location.

[Derekt2]

I'd like to attend this I'm just not sure I'll be able to. If I can I'll show up at the above referenced location.

Have you been before? I've been twice and it is my favorite local fest. It's a lot more "fun" that Old Dominion's and the food choices are much better too. Really well worth going to especially since last year they did a $10 all-you-could sample deal that was awesome.

[chazwicke]

I've been before but it was several years ago. I also liked it.

Anymore or our illustrious local Real Beer folk attending?

[Beefsteak]

Haven't heard about this yet. Anyone have a link w/ more info?

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Beefsteak
Haven't heard about this yet. Anyone have a link w/ more info?

Saturday, October 8, noon to 7 PM. Village at Shirlington (wher Cap City is). Oompah band, good food from several vendors, great variety of beer. Admission fee last year was $6 - 10 depending on which option you chose (one is buy tickets as you go, the other is all-you-can try). Go for the $10. It's the much better deal, especially if you will stay a couple of hours and sample more than 3-4 brands (meaning each sample is 4 oz. I think).

[Beefsteak]

Originally posted by Derekt2
Saturday, October 8, noon to 7 PM. Village at Shirlington (wher Cap City is). Oompah band, good food from several vendors, great variety of beer. Admission fee last year was $6 - 10 depending on which option you chose (one is buy tickets as you go, the other is all-you-can try). Go for the $10. It's the much better deal, especially if you will stay a couple of hours and sample more than 3-4 brands (meaning each sample is 4 oz. I think).
Thanks. Sounds good, I might have to check it out.

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by Derekt2
Admission fee last year was $6 - 10 depending on which option you chose (one is buy tickets as you go, the other is all-you-can try). Go for the $10. It's the much better deal, especially if you will stay a couple of hours and sample more than 3-4 brands (meaning each sample is 4 oz. I think).

Isnt it $20 this year? http://www.capcitybrew.com/events.htm

And whats the story with bringing kids? It says "family friendly" but Ive been there many times and know the crowd tends to get younger and drunker and rowdier as the day goes on. My thinking is that Ill sample for a while then maybe hit one of the restaurants there for a bite or just go somewhere else.

[Derekt2]

Still a good deal. I definitely drank $20 worth of Belgian ale, Double IPAs and such. I found that the fest was fine for kids from about noon to 4. After that it does get a little hairy. I don't think I've ever stayed past 5 or 5:30.

[chazwicke]

The restaurants get crowded too.

[champ]

Friends - I'm new to the Real Beer community. I will def. be at the Shirlington Brew fest, along with my regular brew fest road trip team. Wanted to share the info that I am on the Cap City listserv and they sent me a coupon for two for one admission for the Shirlington brew fest. Perhaps there is still time to sign up and get a coupon too.

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

Welcome Champ. I forgot to mention the coupon too. I got that email a couple of days ago. Hope all the RealBeer folks can get together at 1 at least for a photo.

[imperial]

I'm thinking about checking it out. I've never been to the Shirlington location -- what's the closest metro stop to there?

[champ]

Alas, Shirlington is not Metro friendly. I guess your best bet would be to get off at the Pentagon and take a bus from there (forget which route). As the crow flies, the closest stop is Ballston, but that would be quite a hike and I don't think there's a bus that goes from Ballston to Shirlington.

The easiest thing to do would be draw straws with your friends to see who gets to be the designated driver...

[chazwicke]

I've not yet arranged a driver. As a last resort, I'll have my son drive me.

[champ]

Ok, so I consulted the Bus Schedule - you could take Metro to Pentagon stop and then take either the 7A or 7F Southbound and then get off at Quincy & 28th Street. The buses run north and south in half hour intervals til about 9pm. Here is the schdeule in acrobat format -

http://www.wmata.com/timetables/va/7.pdf

Shirlington is close to the Pentagon, so it's not like you'll be spending all day on the bus. If you can't find a designated driver, this is your best bet.

[Insidious Rex]

Wait! Whats this two for one deal!? How come I never got that I think Im signed up for Cap City spam. If anyone still has theirs forward it to blakkdog<AT>hotmail<DOT>com if you dont mind. It would be most appreciated.

As for getting there yeah its tricky. The C&O bike path goes right by the place if you happen to live along that route. I used to when I was in Falls Church and it was a 20 minute bike ride on a nice day. Course then you have to get back... Wonder why they dont do shuttles from the other Cap City's since they are nearer metros or from the Pentagon or Ballston stop itself? Seems like it would be a good gesture and they would definitely drum up more business.

[champ]

http://www.fishbowl.com/clt/cpcty/pc/200509/2/oktbrfst.htm

[Insidious Rex]

Vielen dank!

[Insidious Rex]

Well as bad luck would have it, Ive come down with an infection in my leg. So Im not sure about Saturday now (they have me on cipro...) but Ill still try to make it crutches and all. At least Ill be easier to pick out now. :D

[champ]

the alcohol will kill whatever ails you

[chazwicke]

I'm looking forward to it but I hear the weather forecast is a bit ominous.

[chazwicke]

This is the response I got from my inquiry:

Anyone know what breweries will be attending the Shirlington Fest this Saturday?



Please excuse the funky formatting:



Capitol City Brewing Company

Capitol Kolsch

Oktoberfest

Sierra Nevada

Pale Ale

Harvest Ale

Victory Brewing

Victory Prima Pils

Victory Golden

Victory Moonglow Weizenbock

Shenandoah Brewing

Valley Fest Lager

Old Rag Mountain Ale

Chocolate Donut Stout

Gordon Biersch

Marzen

Export

Founder's Brewing Company

Octoberfest

Wise's Weiss



Boston Brewing

Sam Adams Boston Lager

Sam Adams Octoberfest

Old Dominion Brewing

Dominion Octoberfest

Rock Bottom Brewing

Rocktoberfest

Spout Run Porter

Thoroughbred's Grill & Brewing

Octoberfest

Belgian Wit

Brewery Ommegang

Hennepin

Rodenbach

Capitol City Brewing Company

Amber Waves

Oktoberfest

Redhook

Redhook ESB

Redhook Autumn Ale

Legend Brewing Company



Legend Pilsner

Legend Okt



Sweetwater's

Great American Restaurants Pale Ale

Octoberfest

Abita Brewing Company

Abita Turbodog

Abita Purple Haze

Allagash Brewing Company



Allagash White

Allagash Triple

Flying Dog Brewery

Doggy Style Pale Ale

In Heat Wheat

Rogue Ales

Dead Guy Ale

St. Rogue Red

Brutal Bitters

The Global Brewer's Guild



Chimay Triple

Maredsous 8

Lancaster Brewing

Lancaster Hop Hog

Lancaster Oktoberfest





John Harvard's Brewhouse

Sucker-Punch IPA

Punk-n-Spice

Clipper City

Peg-Leg Stout

Baltimore Marz-Hon

District Chophouse

Oktoberfest

Hefeweizen

Dogfish Head

90 Minute IPA

Punkin' Ale

The Raven

The Raven Special Lager

Troeg's

Hopback Amber Ale

Troegenator Doublebock

St. George Brewing Company



IPA

Golden Ale

Lager

[Insidious Rex]

No Ayinger this year?? Was there any Germans in that list at all?

[chazwicke]

I saw a couple of Belgians but you never know what else just might show up.

They are still actively trying to get volunteers to pour beer as well.

[MeridianFC]

FWIW I won't be able to attend. The wife gets the day off and I get the baby. On the plus side my attendence at the SPBW Cask Fest in Charm City is on.

[Derekt2]

Man, I wish we could get something like that RA fest closer to VA. I'd love to go but I don't trust myself to drive back from Baltimore after it. Maybe someday.

[chpup]

Well, I guess I am a little late to sign up and get coupon for Shirlington tomorrow. Can I get it off a web site anywhere or will any of you fellow attendees post it for me? Much appreciated!!!

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board Chpup. Try the link above in this thread.



I'm still planning on attending tomorrow as long as it is not a steady downpour.

I'm hoping the rain will keep the crowds down.


As for the SPBW Real Ale Fest, I'm on for that as well. I've sent away for 4 tickets but right now only 2 are spoken for. I'm planning on spending the night up there.

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by Derekt2
Man, I wish we could get something like that RA fest closer to VA. I'd love to go but I don't trust myself to drive back from Baltimore after it. Maybe someday.

That's why God invented hotels. :D

[Derekt2]

God has no idea how cheap I am. Altough in this case more by necessity than choice!

[chazwicke]

Dear Fellow SPBW Members,



Get Your Tickets Today!!!



Go To www.spbw.org



The time is NOW to get your tickets for this year's real ale festival. This is our biggest event and we're counting on you to support it. Go to the link below or contact me to get tickets. You can also get tickets from any officer of the club. Call your friends or co-workers and treat them to a unique event.



Cheers

Dominic



The Society for the Preservation of Beers from the Wood

www.spbw.org



PRESENTS

The Chesapeake Real Ale Festival

Saturday, October 22, 2005

1-6pm

Hosted By

The Wharf Rat at Camden Yards

206 W. Pratt Street

Baltimore, Md. 21201



Bigger and Better than Ever

Featuring 20 or more Regional and National Cask-Conditioned Beers

Great Food Will Be Available, Plus Music and Giveaways

This is the Region's Premier Real Ale Event



Tickets:

$20 in Advance (includes unlimited sampling)

$25 at the Door (includes unlimited sampling)



Go to: www.spbw.org

Or contact: Dominic Cantalupo @ 410-963-5466


Just wanted to Bump this notice

[chazwicke]

And Dominic has sent me a list of a few hotels that are close by if anyone needs it.

[chazwicke]

Here is the scoop re: rain tomorrow:

What's the plan for the festival if it is pouring rain? Will the beer and
> the pourers still show up?
>

The show will go on rain or shine. Cap City's Andy Cook said he ordered
extra kegs today to guarantee plenty of beer. Volunteers/pourers will show up
unless there neighborhoods experience biblical proportion flooding. Volunteers
will be excused only if they have to chop holes through their roofs to exit.

Fox weather just said the heaviest rains were going to be west of us...gots
to be true if they say it on TV.

The unique nature of their block party venue provides shelter whether the sun
shines brightly or when its wet because of all the awnings on local
businesses and all the tents set up just for the Fest.

Keep the faith and let the gemutlickeit happen!!!!!!!

[chazwicke]

Ok I hope to see several of our fellow real beer folks out tomorrow at the fest. I'll be the fat blond guy wearing green khakies and an orange polo shirt. I know, I know, I'll look like the great pumpkin but several folks from different area beer sites that I post at have asked how they can identify me so I'm gonna wear the orange polo (Even though it is not St. Patricks day.)

1:00 at the Cap City entrance. Do we have a final tally of who is gonna be there?

[Derekt2]

I'll be there unless it's pouring in which case I'll show up later and look for you and Rex anyway.

- D

[Derekt2]

We never made it. Just as we were about to go it started to pour in earnest and the rest of my group bailed before we hit the road.

Who made it and how was it? This is the first year I've missed and boy am I sorry.

[zoom6zoom]

It was just too nasty to venture out... (as the old joke goes, " I wouldn't put a Knight out on a dog like this...")

We got six inches of rain at my place (after getting only 11/100's of an inch since August 8th). Killed my other plans for the weekend too, which was to hit the Wings of Freedom airshow over in Manassas - they were offering B17 rides (expensive (~$300), but worth it for the experience) which I was looking forward to.

[D0nc0smic]

i made it there near the end since i was in the area anyway and they had cut the admission in half since the taps were closing soon. The crowd was getting kinda rowdy by then, but thats what happens after 6 hours of all you can drink beer. I'd say the most pleasant surprises of the beers i samples were John Harvard's Punk-n-Spice, since i don't usually like pumpkin beers, and the founders Wise's Weis was one of the best of that variety i have tried.

[chazwicke]

Rex, Theakston, Beerking and a couple others made it as did I. It was only the hard core as it was very wet. I was soaked by the time I left. There were plenty of folks that I know, who are not yet Realbeer members, who showed up as well. Sometimes I felt like I was drinking half rain and half beer. Actually there was plenty of cover and the beers were good. Not sure which was my favorite. I enjoyed myself and hated to leave but my ride was ready to go and I had the McCartney concert to get to afterward. I did get one picture which I'll post later. It is of Rex, Myself and Theakston.

[Insidious Rex]

It was good to see you out there Chaz. Im glad I got a chance to go despite being mostly immobile and mostly drenched. It definitely kept the crowds down. You rarely had to stand in line long for a taste. That being said, Id take a sunny day and two good legs over pouring rain and crutches in a split second…

[chazwicke]

Very good meeting you too. Next time will be under fairer conditions i'll bet. I gotta respect a guy who comes out in torrential down pour on cruches. That is dedication! like I said only the real hard core folks who I know came out.

I'll post the picture tomorrow. I made it to the beach on Sunday and will return home tonight.

[champ]

Man, I should visit the boards more - I got there with my friends at 1pm right near the Cap City entrance. We drank until 6pm. By then it didn't matter how wet it was.

Sorry to miss you and the other RealBeer revelers, Chaz. Perhaps round two at next weekend's Maryland Brewers Oktoberfest?

[chazwicke]

I can't make that one. Gotta help the Inlaws that weekend. But, The weekend of the 22nd I'm going to the Real Ale fest up in Charm City at the Pratt Street Wharf Rat. And I know several other Realbeer folks are going as well.

[Soontobepcv]

I'd almost say I regretted going, but it was worth it to try some interesting beers like the Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale, and a couple good ones (finally) from Shenandoah.

[chazwicke]

Here is the picture as promised. Left to right: Insidious Rex on crutches, Chaz doing his Great Pumpkin impression and Theakston. If anyone is going to the Real Ale fest in Baltimore on the 22nd, I hope to get more photos. Sorry to the other Realbeer folks who did not make it for the picture but that were couragous enough to brave the storm for good beer.