As promised last week, this weekend’s events in greater detail.
Yup, the kids have been in school for almost two weeks, we’re on the verge of beginning September, and Labor Day is upon us. It is the unofficial ending of summer…at least it was when I was a kid and school would start after the Labor Day Weekend. Instead, we can look at this weekend as the unofficial start of the fall beer festival season and we’re kicking it off here in Frederick.
Sure, anyone’s weekend will be starting with happy hour on Friday at one of the Frederick area’s fine taphouses, but the first real event of the weekend will be on Saturday afternoon as the folks at Monocacy Brewing Company give you their first cornhole tournament, a charitable event to benefit victims of sexual assault.
Here are the details, courtesy of Jim Bauckman at Monocacy Brewing:
Bags and Beer: Be a Team Player—Drink Responsibly
Preventing and responding to sexual violence is everyone’s responsibility, however, alcohol is often used as a weapon for perpetrating sexual violence. Monocacy Brewing Co. presents Bags and Beer, a Cornhole Tournament to raise money for sexual assault response services. All event attendees will receive take-home bags that include Monocacy Brewing Co. memorabilia, sexual assault information, and resources for the Frederick and DC areas—must be 21 to attend.
Ticket Information (only 200 will be sold):
$30 Single Event Entry Ticket: includes 5 free beer tastings, free food, and brewery tours.
$80 Team Ticket Event Entry: includes entry for two, 5 free beer tastings per person, free food, brewery tours and Cornhole Tournament* participation.
$10 Designated Driver Ticket: Includes entry to event, free food and soft drinks.
Tickets will be on sale from Saturday, July 6 to Wednesday, August 28. Tickets for entry will be $40 the day of the event and $100 for two person team entry ticket.
*Tournament Rules: The single-elimination Cornhole Tournament will be played with rally scoring to 21 points.
Festival Kick-off
If a relaxing game of cornhole for charity with some Riot Rye isn’t enough for you, then head on down to Barley and Hops on Monday for Brews-a-Palooza. Billed as the “working stiff’s” beer festival, Brews-a-Palooza starts at 1:00 PM and is the unofficial kick-off to the fall beer season.
Five dollars gets you in the door and each four ounce sample is a dollar a piece. The almost 60 poured beers will come from 20 craft breweries including the hosting brewpub, Flying Dog, Victory, Troeg’s, Abita, Boulevard, EVO, DuClaw, Ommegang, Rogue, and plenty of others.
To make sure you don’t get shut out, buy your tickets ASAP!
Five Beers To Look For This Weekend
If you’re hitting the Cornhole Tournament, check out the Riot Rye – a smooth ale with a hint of spice from the rye, it’s been a great beer for the fledgling Monocacy Brewing to launch with.
If you’re going to the festival, don’t miss out on the Ranch IPA from Victory – it’s a hop explosion in your mouth; The Truth from Flying Dog – their latest IIPA (quite nice); Sweet Baby Jesus from DuClaw is, on tap, a beautifully smooth beer; and Victory’s Prima Pils. For my money, it’s one of the better Pilsners out there.
If I don’t see you at the festival, until next week, be well and drink good beer.
Slainte.
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