Brass City Brewfest
This Saturday was the 1st annual (hopefully) Brass City Brewfest. Waterbury, where the event was held, used to be known as "Brass City" due to the brass manufacturers that used to based there. But like so many manufacturers in Connecticut (and the country) they've died or moved away. Nothing has moved in to take its place and the city has struggled with economic depression and political corruption. The city is trying to revitalize itself but has a long way to go.
It was a beautiful day. It was a bit brisk with the wind, but so long as one stood in the sun, and kept drinking, one could keep warm. Several tents were set up, half for beer, half for food. The cops were on hand to make sure people didn't get rowdy, but it was a mellow afternoon. Everyone behaved. Imagine that.
I saved my list of who was there with what so I'll run through to see what I remember drinking.
Arko Distributors were there with a huge line of Eastern European imports. I had the Black Boss Porter and it was excellent.
Dichello Distributors were there with American and Asian beer. I grabbed a Red Hook Blackhook Porter which is a favorite of mine.
Stone Coast Brewery represented themselves. I had their Black Bear Porter which was very good.
Brooklyn Brewing was there with a couple of their own. I'd never had their Octoberfest before so I went with that. Quite good but Sammy's Octoberfest is still better. Yes, Boston Beer was there, but I wanted to try stuff I hadn't had before or don't get to drink often.
Otter Creek was there and the guy manning the taps was full of pride. Their organic line, Wolaver was represented by their Oatmeal Stout. It was yummy.
The Global Brewers Guild (I'm guessing that they're some kind of distributor), from NY, represented several craft brews. I went with Purple Haze from Abita, a Louisiana based brewer. It was a raspberry ale that was a little on the sweet side, but would make a good dessert beer. They also had Youngs from the UK. I had the Double Chocolate Stout, which was indeed yummy.
Endurance was there from Massachusettes. I tried them at the CT Craft Brewers Festival this Spring. I had the Pale Ale and bought a pint glass because the 4 oz cups were killing me.
McEwan's Scotch Ale was carried by Scottish & Newcastle Importers, who are based out of California. I don't know why they were there. Distributors. Can't figure them out. Anyway, it was a really good Scotch Ale but not as good as Olde Burnside Brewing's Ten Penny Scotch Ale. They were there and it was soooo good. I've got to start annoying the beer guy down at the liquor store. I also had their Tartan Piper Oatmeal Stout which didn't disappoint.
Other CT breweries and brewpubs were there. I grabbed a Damn Good Stout from BruRm@Bar from New Haven, which it was. I also managed to snag an Irish Red Ale from Thomas Hooker Ales from Hartford. It's the best beer from them I've had so far.
Boulder Beer Company made the trek from Colorado. I ended the brewfest with their Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat Ale. It was cloudy and sweet and a good way to wrap things up.
Many more breweries and distributors were there but I spent too much time being social and the event was only 4 hours long. Heh. I remember a couple stouts having a molasses taste to them but I can't remember which ones. I guess I'll have to start looking for them locally. Or wait until next year.
I'll try to add some links later.
\_/
DED
It was a beautiful day. It was a bit brisk with the wind, but so long as one stood in the sun, and kept drinking, one could keep warm. Several tents were set up, half for beer, half for food. The cops were on hand to make sure people didn't get rowdy, but it was a mellow afternoon. Everyone behaved. Imagine that.
I saved my list of who was there with what so I'll run through to see what I remember drinking.
Arko Distributors were there with a huge line of Eastern European imports. I had the Black Boss Porter and it was excellent.
Dichello Distributors were there with American and Asian beer. I grabbed a Red Hook Blackhook Porter which is a favorite of mine.
Stone Coast Brewery represented themselves. I had their Black Bear Porter which was very good.
Brooklyn Brewing was there with a couple of their own. I'd never had their Octoberfest before so I went with that. Quite good but Sammy's Octoberfest is still better. Yes, Boston Beer was there, but I wanted to try stuff I hadn't had before or don't get to drink often.
Otter Creek was there and the guy manning the taps was full of pride. Their organic line, Wolaver was represented by their Oatmeal Stout. It was yummy.
The Global Brewers Guild (I'm guessing that they're some kind of distributor), from NY, represented several craft brews. I went with Purple Haze from Abita, a Louisiana based brewer. It was a raspberry ale that was a little on the sweet side, but would make a good dessert beer. They also had Youngs from the UK. I had the Double Chocolate Stout, which was indeed yummy.
Endurance was there from Massachusettes. I tried them at the CT Craft Brewers Festival this Spring. I had the Pale Ale and bought a pint glass because the 4 oz cups were killing me.
McEwan's Scotch Ale was carried by Scottish & Newcastle Importers, who are based out of California. I don't know why they were there. Distributors. Can't figure them out. Anyway, it was a really good Scotch Ale but not as good as Olde Burnside Brewing's Ten Penny Scotch Ale. They were there and it was soooo good. I've got to start annoying the beer guy down at the liquor store. I also had their Tartan Piper Oatmeal Stout which didn't disappoint.
Other CT breweries and brewpubs were there. I grabbed a Damn Good Stout from BruRm@Bar from New Haven, which it was. I also managed to snag an Irish Red Ale from Thomas Hooker Ales from Hartford. It's the best beer from them I've had so far.
Boulder Beer Company made the trek from Colorado. I ended the brewfest with their Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat Ale. It was cloudy and sweet and a good way to wrap things up.
Many more breweries and distributors were there but I spent too much time being social and the event was only 4 hours long. Heh. I remember a couple stouts having a molasses taste to them but I can't remember which ones. I guess I'll have to start looking for them locally. Or wait until next year.
I'll try to add some links later.
\_/
DED
Labels: beer
posted by DED at 2:00 PM
5 Comments:
Sounds great, although the 4 hours seems way too short.
I'm surprised you'd never had McEwan's Scotch Ale before. Pretty good stuff, huh?
Definitely too short.
Yeah, McEwan's was quite good. I've only been into Scotch Ales for a couple years. Not sure if McEwan's is carried by the liquor store I frequent or if it's one of those beers that's soooooo expensive that even I cringe at the price.
Belhaven Scottish Ale is another good one. I've been keeping to the Oktoberfest brews lately (Becks and Sam Adams) but will look for some porters for the winter. Did you see the latest Miller Lite Beer manlaw? No fruity beers...LOL
Yeah, I saw it. I think they said "No fruit in beer" as in limes, specifically going after Corona. But, of course, if they think it's manly to drink that piss that gets passed off as beer, then I'll be a fruitcake. Let's see how one of those beer fairies handles a porter or a stout. Pilseners and "lite" beers are the lamest beers around.
"Pilseners and "lite" beers are the lamest beers around."
Manlaw? Agreed...Done!
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