The Beginning of DeLand Craft Beer Weekend

So here we are again.  This is the third year of the DeLand Craft Beer Festival http://www.facebook.com/DelandCraftBeerFestival and we have achieved thus far what we intended to do - make it better each year than the last.  This year represents a huge leap forward as we have added a rare and vintage booth to the already impressive list of beers being poured.

Added last year were our breakout sessions, which are essentially half hour classes on various topics in the beer industry that are held by respected professionals in the field.  We have four classes this year including Jeff Brown of Boulder Brewing discussing the ins and outs of moving into new markets, John Lasseter from Rogue discussing the use of locally grown ingredients, Tom Meonch of Unique Beers on the topic of bottles versus cans, and Bryan Hansen of Craft Brewers Alliance on barrel ageing beers.

But more on the actual festival later.  This weekend begins on Thursday, where the local bars are beginning their kickoffs of this weekend with some great promotions.  Before I headed out to an event in Orlando, I was able to stop into ABBEY delandabbey.com and get a first taste of some of their rare drafts they have pulled out for this event.  Of course, a beer that has been three years in the tasting, a 2009 World Wide Stout http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/occassional-rarities/world-wide-stout.htm on draft was my way to get motivated for a long trip.  Daneaux of Mermaid Juice Brewery was also kind enough to let me sample some of his brew before I left and they were great as always.

ABBEY also has on draft as we speak, Boulder Brewing Hazed and Infused, Mojo Risin Double IPA, and Killer Penguin Barleywine; DFH 120 and World Wide Stout; Holy Mackerel, Mack in Black, and Panic Attack; Lazy Magnolia's Southern Pecan and Jefferson Stout; and of course a list of great Belgians.  \

Tomorrow begins the massive set-up and the next few days are some of the happiest days of my year.  I'm very proud to be a part of this event and feel fortunate that Mainstreet DeLand went for this crazy idea three years ago when we pitched it to them.  Cheers!!