Hell with the Lid Off 2014

I'm always skeptical of these new age "beer fests" because so many people are trying to cash in on the craft beer craze. I didn't look into yours very deeply, but I'd suggest you figure out what beers are going to be there and what food is being served. I'm especially skeptical of this one, because neither the types or quantities of brews are listed in a place I can easily find, nor is the food described. I'd call and ask.

If the food is good, and the beers are good, then this sounds pretty good - especially since its being limited to 30 tickets per session, which suggests that it won't be over-crowded or that there won't be enough beer. $75 for food (if it's good) plus unlimited beer is pretty okay by my standards.

 

I've only been to one of these before, but it's a great time. It's all barleywines/wheatwines/old ales, organized into flights & verticals. In the past there have probably been around 60-80 different beers & vintages offered. And it's less a "festival" than a large tasting - people sit in booths & are brought the flights & verticals by a server on request - no milling around or standing in line. The food's good, too - gotta love Kelly's mac & cheese. I paid $45 for it, which is about my limit, but from what I hear the $75 is partly due to them digging deeper in the cellar to pull out some older vintages of stuff. I had a blast, but can't/wouldn't personally shell out $75, plus the hangover (oy, the hangover)...

As per the last commentor's remarks, this is a legit event, in my opinion, definitely not someone "trying to cash in the craft beer craze". This is the tenth year they've held it. There doesn't tend to be a lot of publication around it because there doesn't need to be - word gets around & those who are in the know go.

 

LOL at "new age 'beer fest'" - isn't this like the 8th year in a row? I've never been OP but just because I always seem to have a conflict. I have friends that go every year and have a blast, and Kelly's posted some pictures of the flight lists last year on Twitter or Facebook and they looked well worth it.

 

Like I said, "This is the tenth year they've held it". The link the OP shared also has the headline "Hell with the Lid Off Hits 10". And the Wayno poster reads "10th Annual Barleywine Festival".