Brewfest 2010

Beer lovers can sample a large variety of craft brews in one location in central Iowa this weekend. The Fifth Annual Brewfest is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. today (Saturday) at Principal Park in downtown Des Moines. Jeff Bruning, a consultant for the event, says attendees can taste test more than 400 different varieties of beer. “We have a lot of beers that you normally can’t get or are hard to find,” Bruning said. “You can come down and sample these beers…some are special releases, some are brewed specifically for Brewfest and some are hard to get or are coming to the state for this one time.”

More than a dozen Iowa based breweries will offer samples. “I think there are currently 25 breweries in the state of Iowa. We have over half of them coming,” Bruning said. Two relatively new Iowa breweries will be the Brewfest for the first time: Toppling Goliath from Decorah and Twist Vine Brewery from Madison County.

The event gives distributors a unique opportunity to speak directly to consumers and vice-versa.  “There are going to be quite a few brewery reps there, people who know what they’re talking about, so you can ask them questions about what’s coming from the brewery…or what should I try,” Bruning said. Tickets to Brewfest are $23 in advance or $28 at the gate. For more information, visit BREWFEST D-S-M DOT COM.

(Radio Iowa)