PEI Beer Festival

[PEIBeerGuy]

Yessss...
Makes me feel a bit better about having to miss the Fest this weekend!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-ed ... l-584.html

Organizers of the province's new beer festival hope to debut a beer using Island-grown hops.
The first annual Prince Edward Island Beer festival is scheduled for Sept. 24, featuring more than 50 brews including a number from the region.
Campbell Webster, organizer of the festival, says a new beer from P.E.I. should be ready in time for the event.
"We're talking to a group that's developing a new beer with hops grown here. So they've been working with great care over a fair number of years getting ready to launch a new beer," Webster said.
Patrons will be able to choose from two tasting sessions, he said, featuring regional, national, international and micro-brewed beers.

I'm a bit relieved as well as disappointed that I don't have a hand in starting up the first one here. I suppose I shouldn't get my hops (heh heh) up too high, but... bring it on!

[mr x]

Great stuff for you guys, although Canada's best beer will be served at xxxxx on that date...

http://www.peibeerfestival.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[hogie]

They don't have the beer list up yet but I emailed them to at least find out what breweries are participating...

Wonder who is making the beer with PEI hops?

[PEIBeerGuy]

I was thinking of doing the same thing myself.

I would think Gahan is the safest bet on who's making the brew with Island hops.

[jeffsmith]

Very interesting. I may have to organize a trip to visit family that would coincidentally fall on the same weekend.

Please do keep us updated when you hear more about the brewery lineup. I had heard about this event and assumed it was an LCC event to gauge interest in new beers they were considering stocking in stores. Glad to see there's more to it than that.

[PEIBeerGuy]

Just to edit my last post - apparently, there's a new brewery slated to start up here soon, and they aim to be 100% local, using their own barley and hops. I'm thinking this event would be a good debut for them (and possibly the reason for the event in the first place, depending on who is behind it). Maybe they're the ones behind that new beer...

[chalmers]

All I can tell from that homepage is that they will have all 3 colours of beer: dark, red and blonde.
Hopefully they put up more details soon. But as X said, most BNs in the city will be at Hoptoberfest that day.

[mr x]

FYI:

Name: PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND BEER
FESTIVAL
Owner: Campbell Webster
6 Pownal Street
Charlottetown, PE C1A 3V6
Registration Date: June 22, 2011

[hogie]

No surprises in this list really, except that Gahan are just a maybe.

There are more to come...here are a few...

Propeller
Picaroon's
Garrison
Pumphouse
Moosehead
Likely a new PEI brewery to be on sale for the first time...
All the major breweries
Maybe Gahan

Will be over 60 different beers...

Thanks
Campbell Webster

[jeffsmith]

"Maybe Gahan". I'm surprised that they wouldn't be all over it. Very curious what the "more to come" are. Really hope they invite more than just the usual suspects.

[PEIBeerGuy]

Glad to see one of us got a reply at least. I'm surprised @ Gahan, too. Although... I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't bother trying since they kind of have the market cornered for the moment here. Meg @ Garrison said they wouldn't be there (same time as their Oktoberfest)... maybe the organizers are just going to offer the HYP and Tall Ship that has been sent to our stores. I'm not won over by the list of brewers, but it could have been worse... I'll probably go.

[jeffsmith]

Meg @ Garrison said they wouldn't be there (same time as their Oktoberfest)... maybe the organizers are just going to offer the HYP and Tall Ship that has been sent to our stores.

I'm kind of wondering if this really is just a "see what the Island likes in craft beer" type of event that is quietly backed by PEILCC. Seems they might be just planning on bringing in bottles from all those breweries and not reps from the actual breweries, just to see what would sell in the stores.

I know I'm being skeptical and a bit of a pessimist, but it just seems weird they'd say Garrison would be there, when they clearly won't be. I would love to see the organizers completely prove me wrong though and bring in some of the other craft/micro breweries from the Maritimes.

Unless things change a bit, I can't see myself forking over $37.50 plus the cost of the bridge & gas to go.

[mr x]

I can guarantee you better beer and food in HFX in that day.

[jeffsmith]

I can guarantee you better beer and food in HFX in that day.

I have no doubt about that at all.

PEI is just an easier destination for us with a 5 month old because we have a place to stay and a babysitter (my Mom is on the Island).

[PEIBeerGuy]

A semi-complete list of participants & beers is up:
http://www.peibeerfestival.ca/exhibitors/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Like I said before, could be worse, could be better. So far, the only currently non-liquor-store stuff is Garrison and Picaroons.

As an Islander, I'll just be happy to drink some (hopefully fresh) Garrison, Picaroons (I've never encountered their diacetyl issues, and I have had all their brews in bottled form), and maybe one or two others.
Also hoping that Island participants will be added (I've been told they hope to add them shortly).

Hey, it's their first go at it... if I don't give it a bit of a boost, it'll never improve, right?

[jeffsmith]

My big fear (for lack of a better term) is that Campbell Webster is doing this because the PEILCC is cutting him a big cheque and not because he gives two shits about exposing the Island to good beer. Also, if it doesn't make him big bucks this year, it won't be back again for another year. Yup, pessimistic ol' me again, but it's a shame that someone with the love for the suds isn't running the show…

For all I know, he could be a big beer lover—however, he doesn't have the greatest track record for being the most scrupulous individual, especially when there's cash on the table.

[KitrGy]

Cmon guys, whether he is a craft beer junkie or not, I think we all should be happy, somewhat, that at least events promoters are jumping on current new trends and for us that do truly want better beers here in the sometimes late to receive province I cannot see anything bad from this event. I do hope that we will soon have some great craft beers like the rest of the country, but be patient, remember some thought the link would destroy the "island way of life". We souldn't shun the promoters of this event. Money or not at least he's taking a chance on better beer on PEI. Never know, maybe we will all be surprised, and some great beers may appear.
Cheers to great beers
On PEI

[jeffsmith]

I absolutely hope that the event succeeds I guess I was just hoping to see the craft beer front and centre rather than all the big breweries.

As I said, I hate being the pessimist here, just don't want to get my hopes up and be disappointed.

[KitrGy]

Hey Jeff we will have to expect that, but take the good that may be there, and it's PEI, maybe a couPle years before Dogfishhead or Stone Brewing hits pei. But all in due time, as some would say; the island way. I'm optimistic, we have to be. Remember snowboarding? It took about 7 years to hit here after the rest of the world. Hope we get the island beer scene rolling.
Cheers,
Don

[jeffsmith]

I do remember snowboarding at Brookvale and being one of the few on the hill. Two planners hated all of us.

Like I said, I really hope this event succeeds and opens some Islanders eyes to some new/different brews. I just hope that the event is put together really well so it doesn't leave a bad taste (haha)in Islander's mouths and set craft beer back even further on the Island.

[PEIBeerGuy]

Snowboarding? It took us even longer just to get CANS again!

I'm not getting my hopes too high, just based on what's listed, but that's just me... I've had them all before. To most Islanders, it's decent variety. I'm just keen to support it, see how it goes, and hopefully encounter a tasty surprise or two.
I'll be sure to cover it well on my site.

[jeffsmith]

I'll look forward to reading about it. Really wish I was able to make it over that weekend.

[PEIBeerGuy]

I'll take your share...

[KitrGy]

Great analogy with the cans. Lol that's PEI.
I'm hoping for a pleasant surprise as well. We'll see.
I tapped a fresh keg of IPA this evening. Mmm!
Btw what's your flavor PEI Beer guy? Do you like hops?

[PEIBeerGuy]

Do I?


I loves me hops. I don't know if I could say I had one favourite style, but, if I was forced to, I think I'd have to say IPA or Double IPA (and I prefer the hoppier American slants over most English ones).