Just like with Calgary a few weeks ago, the organizers of the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival have generously offered up some prizes for me to give away to onbeer.org readers. So who am I to say no to such an offering?

The festival runs June 14 and 15 at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands. At latest count the number of exhibitors is over 100 with more than 600 different beer. It is a varied list of beer offerings. Nothing most close beer watchers won’t have tried, but there are always a few gems to be found. I noticed there is a meadery, some ciders, Ribstone Creek has their IPA and Great Western presents their brand new Original 16 Copper (more on that another day). Of particular note is that the big boys are limited in their offerings – Labatt’s has only Keith’s Hop Series and Molson has their new Canadian Wheat. Whether that is the organizers refusing their more ubiquitous brands, or the big boys wisely demurring to the nature of the event, I do not know.

But, on to the contest. First, the prizes:

1st Place: Four VIP Guest Passes to the night of the winner’s choice, PLUS a whitewater rafting trip for four with Alpine Rafting.

2nd Place: Two VIP Guest Passes to the night of the winner’s choice.

3rd Place: Two VIP Guest Passes to the night of the winner’s choice.

(Okay, yeah, it really is two runner-up prizes. Whatever. You get free entry to the event. Quite nitpicking.)

What do you need to do? Here’s what you need to do:

Go to the Edmonton Festival website beer list. From that list pick one beer or brewery you most want to try. Send me an email at beerguy [at] telus.net giving me the reasons you really, really need to taste that beer.

I don’t care what the reasons are. Maybe you have never tried it before. Maybe it is your favourite beer ever. Maybe it is the beer you had on your wedding night. However, I suspect saying “because their servers are really hot” won’t make the cut (unless you are referring to Yukon Dave!).

Your answer can be as short or as long as you want. It can be earnest, funny, satirical. Whatever you like. Creativity wins points. As does serious beer appreciation. As usual, I am the sole judge and my decision will be final.

Entry Deadline: Tuesday June 11 at midnight MDT. I will post the winners on Thurday.

Have fun and good luck. I hope to be forced to read dozens of entries over the next week.

And see you at the festival!