This past Saturday I attended the Keg Liquors Fest of Ale in Clarksville, IN and aside from the insufferable heat (which I'm still not going to complain about because it's better than ice & snow) it was a great day. With a seemingly almost endless list of breweries and brews it's hard to give enough credit to Keg Liquors for organizing this event to benefit the Crusade for Children. With approximately 40 breweries pouring samples for around 150 beers everyone was bound to find many beers that they liked, a few that they loved, and some they didn't care for. I am no different, but for kicks and giggles lets just look at the ones I LOVED!
One was the Merlot-a-Trois from Cumberland Brewery here in town. The brew is a Belgian Triple that is aged in oak Merlot barrels from a local winery for 4 months. This is a 9.2% ABV beer that has a delicious Belgian yeast character that the fruit flavors from the Merlot barrels compliment so well. This was the first time I had had this beer and it was so delicious that I went back for seconds later in the day.
The next beer that I was huge fan of was the Barbarian Honey Ale from our own BBC. This Spiced American Strong Ale blends six malts from four countries, local honey, and their brewer's secret spices. The result of the balance between the malts, honey, and spices is a pure, deep golden, deceptively strong (8.3% ABV), but super drinkable beer that has quickly become one of my local favorites; one that I look forward to every spring (and if you want some you'll have to wait until next year because I was told that we were drinking off of the last keg left).
Lastly, one that I tried from New Belgium that I'd love to learn more about (and drink again for that matter), their Lips of Faith Vrienden Ale collaboration with Allagash. This was described as a beer brewed with the slightly fruity hibiscus flower, the aromatic Brettanomcyes, and the flavor boosting Lactobacillus. It was so smooth and creamy, yet fruity and floral that I was very impressed with this beer from the brewery that brings you Fat Tire (one that we can't get in Kentucky just yet); so if you want to find this one you'll probably have to venture across the river.
All in all it was a great day and a great event. I've heard that over 1,000 people attended and that they raised approximately $7,200 for the Crusade for Children which outpaced the total for last year. Our kudos go out to Keg Liquors and their owner Todd Antz and I'm looking forward to next year's event.
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