Calgary’s take at an International Beer Festival hits this weekend at the Stampede Grounds, on Friday and Saturday. I am less familiar with Calgary’s Festival, and am unable to attend as it conflicts with the Aurora Brewing Challenge, Edmonton’s homebrewing competition at which I am judging (along with two dozen other experienced homebrewers and judges). Looking at its promotion, and chatting with a few people in the know, I am curious how it will turn out.
On the negative side, it is run by an events promoter, rather than a beer-related company, and the website seems to highlight attractive young women smiling and holding up little sample glasses. Plus the poster is a little odd.
On the encouraging end, a major sponsor is Coop Wines and Spirits, which is probably a mixed blessing, but a large institutional name may curb some of the excess of the Edmonton version (i.e. stripper poles). Also, the website says it will only have a “conservative selection of other beverages” which I hope means the bulk of the space will be devoted to beer.
If you are interested in going, you can get more information here. And since I can’t go, I would be interested to hear from people who did attend how it rated. Is it a real beer fest, or just another party with four ounce drinks? If it is good, I will try to make a point to attend next year.
May 27, 2010 at 7:47 PM
Went last year; won’t be going again. Basically a meatmarket in a cavernous hall, and very few craft exhibitors. The poster’s about bang on the money.
May 28, 2010 at 11:31 PM
Just got back from Friday nights festivities. It was my first time attending after moving back to Calgary. This fest if fine for people who don’t know a lot about beer and are looking to try some new brews and a drunken good time (which is fine), but offers nothing for those who already have a little bit of beer appreciation under their belt. About 18 breweries/brewpubs generally only offering their flagship or gateway beers. Most booths manned by bubbly server girls (or boys) who knew nothing about the beer they were serving. A quite shocking amount of overly buttery or unintentionally sour beers. Extremely overpriced for the volume of beer you get, with most 4oz samples going for between 4 and 5 tickets ($2 to $2.5). Disappointing all around.