Lexington Fest of Ales

Last year's was pretty fun, so I expect I'll be going this year as well.

 

It would be nice to see some breweries/distributors put up some beer that you can't already get on the shelf here. I know Lexington is still relatively green as far as beerfests and craft beer goes, but it's never to early to bring the thunder.

 

It would be nice if they brought in some things that we normally cant find in the area. I dont mean special releases from locals. Bring in some Ale Smith, the Bruery, Cincinnati beers, DC Brau, Surly, Ballast Point, or anything you can get in other areas. Or how about some of the limited releases we get here? Bourbon County keg, KBS, Black Note, Cantillion, Some sour love of some sort...

 

You are starting to see more of that kind of thing at beer fests. Kind of a way for a brewer to prospect an area and see what the interest for thier product is. Surly showed up at a Asheville NC brewfest earlier this year. People were really excited to see them.

 

Unfortunately Alesmith, Bruery, DC Brau, Surly and Ballast Point aren't distributed in Kentucky, so it would be illegal to have those beers at the festival.

 

In St Louis, Schlafly holds an event every year featuring breweries that are not distributed in the state - Repeal. In Columbia, Missouri, there will be a beer event soon that will do the same, featuring West Sixth among others.

They do it with a one time license, I believe. I don't know if such a thing exists in Kentucky for a one time/one day distro at an event. But they also do it via relationships with those breweries who are donating time and beer to an event in a state where they don't even sell beer. Not a lot in it for them other than good will or friendly relationships with the folks at Schlafly and elsewhere. Sun King does this in Colorado for GABF, as well.

And that is not to to diss the very hard work Chris puts into making the Fest happen. He's already swamped just getting the stuff that is normally distributed here on tap at the event, working with all the distributors in the area! And he has a day job!

 

Beer festivals all over the country have beers that arent distributed in their area. otherwise, why go when you can get everything at the local beer stops? Last few years, I can go to LB, Shenanigans, Beer Trappe and Country Boy and save some money and get the same things. If theres not an exception then there should be

 

I get your point but not all fests have non market beer and Fest of Ales, as I see it, is also about introducing beer to the majority of people in Lex who don't drink craft.

 

Will tickets sell out? If so, how soon? My son who lives in Lexington is supposed to buy some for us, but he's not always the most reliable person. I will be in Lexington that weekend anyway, and would like to go. Thanks in advance.

 

I bought mine yesterday. $30 bucks each. As for a sell out, I'd expect it to go quickly this year as the Craft Scene in Lexington has absolutely blown up in the last year! Chris has worked tirelessly to bring good stuff in this year so I'm really excited.

 

The kid came through, so I'll see you there. Looking forward to it.