First, there have been many updates to the Magic City Brewfest website. The finalized beer list is up, along with a venue map, and information such as the fact that Tier Two “food & beer” tickets are completely sold out. You can still get beer only tickets at TicketMaster or at the Sloss Museum Store.
Poke around on the site and see what there is to see. Note that there will be a limited number of printed beer list/venue maps available at the event, but if you want to be certain to have a printed copy of your own, we recommend you print them out and bring them with you. Also note that the beer list cannot be perfect. There will undoubtedly be some late-breaking additions and subtractions, but it will be very close to what you’ll see at the event.
Also, if you were on the fence about driving into Birmingham for the event from somewhere a little ways out of town, you might want to go ahead and take the plunge because Howard Johnson is offering a really, really low rate of $54 a night for Brewfest attendees.
A final note for now. Many of you are aware that we had advertised free Primavera coffee again for designated drivers like we had last year. I regret to inform you that I personally messed that up and didn’t coordinate the details with Primavera in time for them to arrange staff to work their booth — it was a detail that got overlooked in the extensive planning for such a huge event.
So Primavera won’t make the Brewfest this year. But before you start rioting in the streets, please realize that DDs will be getting FREE FOOD for the first time ever, which I think more than makes up for it. DDs will be allowed to roam the food court and enjoy the offerings of our restaurant partners listed on the Food page. And we’ll be sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages pouring for both DDs and all patrons.
I can’t wait for Friday and Saturday. See you there.
13 Comments
I just perused the site and am planning on taking public transportation there and back and was wondering if there was any info that could be shared for the out of town guests.
Any help is appreciated.
Also a suggestion for next year would be to make arrangements with area hotels to provide shuttles to/from the venue as a way to attract beerfest attendees.
Just a thought!
Sadly, Birmingham is a public transit wasteland. I don’t think you can use it to get to and from our event. But working with a hotel on a shuttle for next year is a good idea, and we’ll put it in the hopper. Thanks.
While I am extremely excited about the brewfest I can’t help but be disappointed that some beers are designated for tier 2 only. I don’t believe they were denoted last week when I purchased my tickets. What is the reasoning behind the exclusivity?
The reasoning is stated on the event website. There simply isn’t enough of those beers to pour outside the tier two area. Some other beers are also supply-limited but will be in the tier one area — ultimately where to place a particular beer is a decision of the wholesaler, not Free The Hops. They are supplying the beer. If they feel like they need to put it in the food court, they do.
But you can count those beers on one hand, out of over 200 at the fest. I promise you you’ll not be able to sample every beer at the event under any circumstances. No one could get to that much beer.
This same scenario occurred last year, only no one in FTH was notified of it until the day of the event. At least we have advance notice this time.
My bad. I should have read on the site for the answer. I know it is only a few but two happen to be two of my top targets, Ayinger and SS RIS. Thanks for the response and I’m sure it will not hamper my evening in the least.
While Sam Smith RIS is a stellar beer, i think you’ll find the other imperial stouts at the fest are even better. At least IMO. Especially Yeti, which is a personal favorite. I’m also looking forward to trying Good People’s RIS, which no one but Jason (the brewer) has ever had before.
I am certain that Yeti is better and after sampling GPBC at the RCBF I wouldn’t doubt that their’s is better as well. It was a spur of the moment post. I actually wanted to delete it right afterward…
Don’t know if you’ve had it, yet. But… you don’t even have to wait for the fest to try an awesome RIS. North Coast Old Rasputin RIS is named after Rasputin for a reason, it is… BAD ASS. And it is… at the grocery store! The Yeti drank purty good, too.
Well I’m in Huntsville so I’m still waiting but yes I’ve had Rasputin. It is an excellent beer though I have a 6 pack of Storm King I’m working through that I’ve enjoyed more than any other stout I’ve tried.
ahhhh…i’ve been waiting to get my hands on some Storm King. going to Green’s this week so hopefully they have it
ROGUE XS, FTW!!!!!!
Agreed, it is one of my favs too! I bought my tier 2 tix before riley signed, so excited!
Anyone feeling thirsty all of a sudden? I sure am …