The next BeerAdvocate fest after Extreme Beer Fest: Cyberspace (Feb. 5 and 6, 2021) will no doubt be held virtually again. Between us, I'm already mapping out the next two or three and would love to get your input. What beer fest theme would you like to see for the next BeerAdvocate fest in cyberspace? IPA? Belgian? German? Funk? Beer Meets Wood? Lagers? Other? You can check out our past beer fests for inspiration here: https://www.beeradvocate.com/events/ Looking forward to your replies... Cheers!
Seems tight to pull off, but a BiL Fest while there’s still some chill in the air would be amazing. (Looking forward to those two barleywines in the Extreme box. ) A Bock Fest would be cool and different for spring, too. Otherwise, I’d be most excited by a German or Lager fest. And speaking of... Oktoberfest is right around the corner.
German would be nice. Also, maybe one (or more) that feature small regional breweries that many BAs would never be able to access otherwise. You could feature a part of the country, a style, etc. Could be fun.
I'd love to see something based on the Beer Meets Wood concept since it can include the wide variety of beer styles that can be barrel aged using all different types of barrels. I regret that I've missed the previous barrel aged fests!
1) Barrel Aged Beers. Any type of barrel whether it be bourbon or rum or whatever. 2) Wide variety of styles from very small breweries from around the country
What if we went through this thread https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/iso-exceptional-breweries-that-opened-in-2020.650705/ And built a fest around them? A "hello world" sort of thing
Belgian Belgian Belgian!!!! Went to Belgian event in Boston several years ago and loved the it. Would like to see you do it virtual.
Well, I just found out that there will be some international availability for the Feb. event, so I have contacted Tim at Half Time for further details and hopefully I can make this work! I’m excited! As for future events, Funk would be of great interest to me, as would the previously mentioned up and coming breweries idea.
How about a beer fest in person? I am not buying into the "new normal". However if that is what needs to be for the next fest how about finding some lambics (I hear Cantillon needs to find a way to sell there stuff in the US).
I'd like a theme of "underappreciated styles". That way we get away from the usual ipa and imperial stouts. The theme could be up to the brewer's opinion of what style(s) is underappreciated and the beer they bring to the table highlights their voice.
Spontaneous fermentations. Passed or not in barrel. I think that every part of the world has its own specialties that can ferment spontaneously, giving life to a product that is always unique and different. Talking about this issue would be very interesting. I said mine, I greet you all.
Pale ales/IPAs/Pilsners. Please nothing with lactose or vanilla!! Nothing super boozy style either! You already have the extreme beer fest for those. I just want real honest beers!
A couple of my favorite fests were Funk Boston and the BA Belgian Beer Fest in Portland, ME. But virtual fest are a great opportunity to do a closer focus. Could be a small range of styles like bochs, farmhouse ales, smoked beers or lambics. Another option is to focus on different regions and offer some of the best beers of a country or an area of the US. But I think an IPA fest, especially one focussing on the what New England has to offer and how those beers compare to other areas of the country/world. I think this would deliver the most appeal.
I would love to see some kind of historical beer fest, although might be tough to find samples. Otherwise a German beer fest would be great.
Damn. 13 years since German Beerfest at cyclorama. Great location but my living room will suffice for another.
Agree wholeheartedly, especially if bocks are an emphasis if German/lager is the path chosen (full credit to @thebeers for the bock idea).
I would really be down for a LagerFest - showcasing all different types of lagers (dark to light) and highlighting lagers from different countries.
I am a German lager fan. Tough to get many of the good German beers here in the US... but maybe this will open some doors?!
Another vote for German beers. I have not participated in prior online tastings, nor have I bought a ticket to the upcoming virtual festival, but German beers would get me to buy a ticket (assuming a vendor that ships to Michigan).
Fruit/Field (To usher in the spring season) Gose (Pairs well with a heart shaped box of chocolates) Rye/Irish Red (For Valentines Day month!) or do a Date Night Beer Fest (pick beers inspired by rom-coms, rom-dramas, or chic movies/shows)
THIS... Regional Fests where only beers from breweries that do NOT distribute outside of the "fest" region. Would really help out some small breweries with exposure and some revenue that they normally wouldnt see. Maybe also negotiate discounts on swag from participating breweries and push links to their online shops. Regions could be groups of 6 to 8 states. you get a box of beers from that region etc. This would be like olde school locals for locals trading. Id be up for doing several of these I believe.
Spring is home to starkbierzeit and ZBF, but both of those are looking unlikely, so something themed around either of those would be nice.
