Archive for August, 2008
Alefest 2008
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 | Events, Tasting Reviews | No Comments
Hanging out with the Pub girls
I have to say that the end of Summer is my favorite time of the year. It’s the beginning of the end of the hot & humid dog days of Summer and the weather starts to become a little more cooler and tolerable. It marks the beginning of football season and lots of anxious anticipation as to how my Steelers and Nittany Lions will fair in the upcoming months. For some, it marks the beginning of a new school year and all the excitement that brings. But for me, it signifies another Dayton Alefest — one of my favorite events of the year.
I have to say that this was one of the best AleFest ever’s, and I have to say that I overdid it a bit this year. Although I had plenty of tickets left over, due to the high alcohol percentage of most of the beers I tried, I was feeling a little too happy long before the event was over. I am very thankful and appreciative that my wife was able to accompany me as my designated driver.
The biggest reason I enjoyed this year’s festival even more than in years past is likely due to this year was the first year I actually arrived early. I was happy to see that they were letting people into the festival area in advance of the actual start time. That allowed people to scope out the tables and plan a strategy for getting the most of the festival.
And plan a strategy I did. I decided that I was going to skip or pass on anything that was normally available and concentrate on those beers that were exclusive to this year’s event. I’m sure there’s a lot I didn’t taste, but with that in mind, here are the top 8 beers I tasted at this year’s AleFest…
- Dogfish Head Festina Peche run through Randall the Enamel Animal filled with Blackberry’s — A little sweet, light & very fruity – the perfect summer beer!
- Great Lakes Barleywine — Aged since January, I was told they only have made this one time. I also got a chance to talk to the Great Lakes Rep, who noticed my Ohio Brew Week shirt. She had a lot to do with co-ordinating this event and she asked me what I thought. When I told her that the folks in Athens seemed a bit disorganized she laughed and said this was by far the most organized they’ve ever been
- Stone 10th Anniversary aged in Oak barrel
- Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA run through Randall filled with fresh hops
- Something from Hopping Frog (perhaps the Silk Porter, but I don’t remember). I do remember the table had one of the longest lines at the festival. I’d love to sample more beers from this Ohio brewery
- Dogfish Head Fort — Strong Ale brewed with fresh Raspberrie
- Goose Island Bourbon Stout (2006 Vintage) — This really aged well. Very drinkable despite the heavy bourbon flavors
- Dogfish Head Raison D’extra — Not sure if they make this any more, but at 20% alcohol, this tasted more like a brandy or cognac.
MVP Points Totals
I’m giving 2 points to anyone who came out this event (4 points for volunteering). And 2 additional points, if like me, you brought a designated driver. Let me know if you attended and I didn’t catch you….
Prev Total August Score New Total
- Todd 85 2 87
- Steve B 85 0 85
- Mike 48 2 50
- Steve V. 48 0 48
- Joe 46 0 46
- Andrew S. 45 0 45
- Chuck 41 4 45
- Andrew W 38 4 42
- Luke 34 2 36
- Jay 33 0 33
- Zombie 32 4 36
- Dave S 31 3 34
- Pete 21 0 21
- Dave H 3 0 3