CLARKSVILLE —
From Benjamin Franklin to Homer Simpson, there’s no shortage of beer lovers in the U.S.
There’s no shortage of brewers either, and on Saturday, the public will have the chance to sample more than 150 craft and import beers from 42 breweries.
Keg Liquors will host its sixth annual Fest of Ale in Clarksville and proceeds from the event will go to benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children.
“It’s definitely growing,” said Todd Antz, owner of Keg Liquors about the festival. “This is by far the biggest lineup yet.”
Last year’s installment brought in nearly 800 ale aficionados and raised more than $5,600 for the Crusade. And year-to-year the growth has been substantial.
“It’s insane how its grown,” Antz said.
When Fest of Ale started, about 75 people were in attendance, Antz said. For this year’s event, he is hoping to top 1,000 attendees at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and raise more than $6,500 for the Crusade for Children, which it is partnering with for its fourth year.
“I think a lot of it is atmosphere,” Antz said, when asked why the festival has become so popular. “I think one of the big things we do ... is get more people that work for the brewers.”
While the selection of beers will include options from overseas and throughout the U.S., local brewers have become the focus, and the event has become somewhat of a local showcase for them.
Regional selections will include New Albanian Brewing Co., Bloomington-based Upland Brewing Co. and Kentucky brewers Bluegrass Brewing Co. and Cumberland Brews. New local breweries for this year will include the reborn Falls City Beer, from Louisville, and a slate of new Indiana-based beer producers, including Bee Creek Brewery, Flat 12 Bierwerks, Great Crescent Brewery and Sun King Brewery.
Along with an increase in brewers, more consumers have begun to pursue craft and specialty beers and festivals are popping up all across the region. Antz said you can probably find more than one beer festival, somewhere in the state, each month throughout the summer.
“There’s definitely a strong movement behind it,” he said.
Fest of Ale keeps adding to its selection and is creating new attractions to keep it from getting stale. New this year will be the House of Hops. It will feature hop-centric beers on tap like pale ales, Imperial Pale Ales and double-IPAs.
While the focus of the event is tasting a cornucopia of beers, the bulk of the fundraising effort comes from ticket sales — $25 in advance and $30 the day of the event — a silent auction and a raffle during the festival.
If pilsners are not your passion, two wineries — Chateau St. Michelle and St. James Winery — will be on-hand along with distributors offering samples of more than 40 different wines.
Hamburgers, hot dogs, brats will be offered by the St. Anthony’s Men’s Club and there will also be live entertainment.
Designated drivers will receive free admission to Fest of Ales, but will not be permitted to join in the tastings. Taxis also will be available for those who may imbibe too many samples and are accessible by contacting festival volunteers.
The event is a rain-or-shine and attendees must be 21 or older with valid identification.
Recent Local News
Hey you, beer me! Fest of Ales set for Saturday
Annual event raises money for Crusade for Children
- Recent Local News
-
-
Ash Wednesday 2012
-
Fundraiser builds a solid foundation: Individuals, businesses give generously to help out NA-FC schools
Early Wednesday morning, the foundation via a Facebook update, announced it had exceeded its goal and raised more than $60,000 at the event.
-
Henryville High School Hornets’ Nest named finalist for state scholastic journalism award
Nationally-known scholastic journalism judge Dan Niles said, “The Hornets’ Nest was a pleasure to read, especially for all the solid reporting and good quality of photos.”
-
Two treated after apartment fire in Jeffersonville
A pan with grease was left on the stove and caught fire, Sharp said. Two people were asleep in a back room of the apartment. They heard some popping and crackling which alerted them to the fire.
-
New Albany man charged with beating child
While the mother initially reported the injury was due to a fall, medical professionals determined the injuries were inflicted and not accidental. Three days after the report was issued, the mother contacted police and changed her story.
-
Report: 1si leader to resign
After attempting to reach Wassmer for comment, he responded via text message with “news release coming out in the morning.”
- Gunman’s body found near scene of shootout in Seymour
- Garbage truck flips in Borden
-
Man killed in morning accident in Clark County
A Clark County man is dead after a fatal accident on his way to work Wednesday.
-
Gahan makes three hires
“Needless to say, I feel like he was a very strong candidate,” Gahan said. “He has management experience, he’s a college graduate, he has a lot of navigation experience along the Ohio River and I think he’s going to be an excellent employee and an excellent supervisor.”
-
Jeffersonville City Council, mayor closer to agreement on hires
Moore has changed his position in regards to a communications director since taking office. Initially, he’d said the city would not have a full-time communications director when the last one, Larry Thomas, was laid off.
-
Clarksville hits snag with wastewater project
The town had reached an agreed order with IDEM that calls for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and collection system including 10 pumping stations around town to be rehabilitated at a cost of about $18.2 million.
-
GCCS still trying to balance 2012 budget
While the board suggested funding options for the administration such as selling off vacant properties and seeking Tax Increment Finance District funds, Daeschner said some of those just aren’t coming through.
-
Emergency planning: Students at Highland Hills Middle get CPR, first aid training
-
New Albany man charged in knife assault
Officers went to Black’s house and found marijuana and marijuana-related paraphernalia in plain view, Whitlow said.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
