Monday, October 23, 2006
Brass City Brewfest
This Saturday was the 1st (hopefully) annual 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.
\_/
DED
5 Comments:
 Mike said...-
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?
- 10/24/2006 6:22 AM
 DED said...-
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.
- 10/24/2006 10:06 AM
- jnubel
said...
-
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
- 10/24/2006 2:09 PM
- DED said...
-
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.
- 10/25/2006 12:48 PM
- jnubel
said...
-
"Pilseners and "lite" beers are the lamest beers around."
Manlaw? Agreed...Done!
- 10/26/2006 8:42 AM
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About Me
Name: DED
Location: United States
I'm a stay-at-home Dad who survived dotcom burnout and a
chemical engineering career that fizzled. While the kids are in school,
I'm free to write stories.
I'm a rational environmentalist, science and technology enthusiast, who leans
libertarian, reads and watches sci-fi, drinks and brews beer, and listens to
metal.
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