Wanted to write a post-event review, in case anyone searches on this or is thinking about going in the future. It was a really nice event. You never had to wait for a beer, you got a nice souvenir glass for tastings and the beer was pretty free flowing. It wasn't a huge event, but I could see that change in the future. If it does, they'll probably have to change venues.
Which would be a bit of a shame, b/c it was a nice setting in a wooded area, right next to the golf course. But parking was 'just enough' for the amout of people who showed up, b/c you're sharing the parking lot with golfers. If it expands from the ~250-300 people who showed up, they'll have no choice.
Now - onto the beer. We got to sample the pizza beer from
Walter Payton's Roundhouse. I didn't get the 'pizza in a glass' taste that got them some press recently. It was more like beer with oregano. Not as bad as I had braced myself for, but not anything I would order again. They had a Chocolate beer which, to me and the fiancee, should have been called vanilla beer, b/c that's all you tasted. No chocolate at all and not anything I would order again.
Emmett's Ale House in Oswego had a nice vanilla cream ale. I don't usually care for beers with a strong vanilla flavor. Emmett's had a huge vanilla aroma - just like putting a mug of A&W cream ale up to your nose. But the vanilla flavor was subtle. I liked it and could see ordering it again.
We had four favorites of the fest, two of them being both of
Two Brothers' offerings - their MemoriAle Alt and Domaine Dupage French Country Ale. These were easily the maltiest beers at the fest, which was a nice break from all the cream ales, kolschs and various wits and hefes being offered.
Our other two favorites were a real surprise for both of us.
Rock Bottom Brewery in Warrenville had an India Brown Ale and a Steam/Cali Common that were both very good. The India Brown was extremely similar to an IDA I brewed about a year ago. We weren't expecting much from RBB. In fact, even though it is not far from home and I used to live in Warrenville up until ~six years ago, I have not stopped in there in a decade! So this was a surprise for us and we have resolved to give them another shot soon.
The only downside to this fest was that there were only two porta-potties. Some people affiliated with the event told us that last year, eight were ordered and it was way too many. This year, they ordered four (which would have been perfect, IMO) and Waste Management only delivered two. Hopefully next year, WM will get it right.
All in all, a sold event. The fiancee declared it a 'must do' again next year and I agreed!
