Pretty good theme, huh?
This weekend, there are three festivals in Downtown and Midtown where much beer will be consumed. I’ll be at all three. Here are the details:
Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest, Saturday, 1-5 PM
This festival, held in the parking lot behind LifeLink at Cooper and Walker, will prove that you don’t have to fly to another part of the country to get a great craft beer. They’re limiting the event to 400 attendees so that everyone will be able to talk to the brewers and learn about what they’re drinking. There will also be an education tent where people can learn about beer and brewing. They’ll have food for sale by Chef Ben Vaughn and Au Fond Farmtable. Tickets are on sale here through 10 PM tonight. $25 for CYCA members, $30 for everyone else, $5 more if you buy a ticket at the gate tomorrow (if they don’t sell out).
Attn Downtowners: Anyone want to split a cab down there? I’m planning on having a pre-game beer at the Saucer at noon, then walking to the Peabody or Beale about 12:40 to find a cab. Feel free to meet up.
First Annual Fall Beer Festival at the Flying Saucer, Sunday, noon-10 PM
The Saucer will be selling tasting cards for this event – 10 tasters for $20. You’ll get to try some beers not seen in this area. They’re blocking off the street, and there will be 8 tents featuring Sierra 30th Fritz & Ken; Sierra 30th Charlie, Fred, and Ken; Sierra Celebration ’09; Sierra 30th Charlie & Ken; Stone IRS; Yazoo Cask Sue; Schlafly; and Oktoberfest selections. This is their first time doing an outdoor beer festival, but if they hold it to the same high standard as their beer dinners, it should be an outstanding event.
SMA Oktoberfest, G.E. Patterson between Main and Mulberry, Sunday 3-7 PM
This is not so much a beerfest as the other two events – only Ghost River will be there – yet it is the festival I am looking forward to the most. Oktoberfest has always been one of the best events of the fall, and this year it will get even bigger, as they block off the street. Pam & Terry will provide the music, the Ghost River beer will be flowing (as well as wine), and Harry’s Detour and Circa will provide delicious Oktoberfest food. I’m putting the over/under on how many plates of food the Nuh-Uh Girl will have at 5. Free for SMA members, $10 for non-members.
Note that since the Saucer’s festival runs from noon to 10, you have plenty of time Sunday to attend both events. You can even do it Ryburn style and attend the Saucer’s festival before AND after SMA Oktoberfest if you choose.
What to wear to these festivals? This is likely the last time this year we will see temps in the 90s. Ladies, it’s time to put those tube tops on display one last time. Guys, I couldn’t care less what you wear. I’ll be sporting my brand-new “Wooooo Pig Sooiee” Arkansas Razorbacks shirt at the CY beerfest.
I have more stuff, so look for a “Friday update” post later today.