Recap of FriendFest

by theelvee_w2oe3m February 24, 2011

February 24, 2011

This past weekend was a fun event I had never heard of before this year: FriendFest, held at the Kutztown Fairgrounds. FriendFest benefits Friend, Inc. to help fund programs and services for low-income individuals and families. This was an interesting event because it combined beer and wine. Typically you find a festival is one or the other. The event was crowded but no overbearingly so, especially for an indoor venue. There were a couple bands that played however it was far too loud when you got to the beer/wine tables close to them. Ouch. Otherwise it was a great event. Cool little wine and beer tasting glasses that allowed for generous pours and a lunch (hoagie, chips, brownie, and Gatorade) was included with the ticket. Nothing really surprising in the line-ups of both beer and wine. Blair’s Apple Wine was pretty good as I had never had that before. One thing I found out: I don’t like mead. At all. The craziest thing there? Quite possibly Woodchuck’s Spring Cider. Made with lots of maple and it taste like you’re drinking oversyruped pancakes. Cloying but interesting. Below is a round-up of the beers served, some of the wine that was there, and some snaps.

Troegs Java Head, Hopback
Lost Coast Great White
New Holland Mad Hatter, Poet
Lancaster Hop Hog, Milk Stout
Weyerbacher Fireside, Winter Ale
Long Trail Hibernator, Imperial Porter
Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard
Brew Works Insidious, Knuckleball
Sam Adams Boston Lager, Latitude 48, Noble Pils
Woodchuck Winter, Granny Smith, Amber, 802, Spring
Strongbow
Yuengling Lager, Light Lager, Bock
Straub Regular, Special Dark
Sly Fox Pikeland Pils, O’Reilly’s Irish Stout
Stoudt’s Scarlet Lady, American Pale Ale, Gold, Pils, PumpkinFest, Winter