HOME | BREWS | ENTERTAINMENT | GALLERY | TICKETS & INFO | DIRECTIONS, HOTELS & RESTAURANTS | CONTACT US
More than 2200 beer aficionados gathered in Library Park in September '09 for the 4th annual Brass City Brew Fest – featuring 125+ breweries and brewpubs showcasing 300+ domestic and international brews.
The Brew Fest is an opportunity for beer lovers to sample a daunting variety of craft brews. According to many observers, it's the largest beer fest in Connecticut in terms of the number of beers presented and one of the largest in New England – not bad for a festival that's only been around for four years! Proving its appeal, the Brew Fest has drawn attendees from more than 90 towns in Connecticut and a dozen states up and down the East Coast.
In 2009, four free mini Beer & Brewing Seminars were held throughout the day and a similar series will be presented this year (see description of '09 seminars at the bottom of this page).
Attendees enjoyed a great selection of hearty food from local eateries, three live bands provided entertainment and the annual Grand Street Cruise – a free classic car show – has been held in conjunction with the Brew Fest since '07 and will return in 2010.
PLEASE READ ALL HELPFUL INFO BELOW – WE'RE MAKING SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THIS YEAR
2010 TICKETS - ON SALE JULY 9th!
IMPORTANT!: ONLY 2000 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD THIS YEAR
Including paid attendees & sponsor guests, we had approximately 2200 attendees in 2009 & we plan to not exceed that crowd size this year.
We expect this event WILL SELL OUT – So plan to buy your tix ASAP!
GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS
1-5 pm / Advance Price: $30 / Day-of-Event: $35
Provides entry to & sampling in all tents except the Belgian Tent
**** PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE HERE » » » ****
For Advance (Cash Only) General Admission Ticket purchases, please visit these Downtown Waterbury locations:
• Main Street Waterbury office, 83 Bank St, 4th floor
• Waterbury Development Corp, 24 Leavenworth St
• Cafe Europa, Exchange Place
• Boru's Bar & Grille, 357 West Main St
• Drescher's Restaurant, 25 Leavenworth St
• The Local Public House, 457 West Main St
OR:
Mountview Plaza Wine & Liquors
727 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck
203.729.5445 / terrylboyd@aol.com
NEW THIS YEAR: VIP (Very Intimate Preview) SESSION
12-1 pm / $10 additional ($40 total)
Only 500 tickets will be sold for this Very Intimate Preview Session
VIP attendees will enjoy the festivities right thru 'til 5 pm
VIP tickets will go on sale July 9th ONLY at Mountview Plaza Wine & Liquors. Purchases made in-store are cash only, while phone purchases can be made by credit card (there will be a $2 fee per ticket for phone/credit card orders). VIP tickets purchased by phone will be available for pick up by attendees at the Will Call table at the Brew Fest – they will not be mailed.
Mountview is located at 727 Rubber Ave in Naugatuck, CT / 203.729.5445
The BELGIAN BEER TENT is an additional $10
A limited number of tickets are sold at the entrance to the Belgian Tent on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the Brew Fest only.
WE HEARD YOU – SO WE'RE MAKING EVEN MORE CHANGES!
We heard your feedback loud & clear about the gate entrance procedure, so we'll be running things a bit differently this year . . .
VIP Session (12-1 pm) ticket holders will be able to begin check-in at 11:30 am. At check-in you'll present your ticket, have your ID checked & receive a hand-stamp so that when the gates open at 12 noon for the VIP Session you'll walk right in.
All advance ticket buyers of General Admission (1-5 pm) tickets will begin check-in at the gate at 12:30 pm. At check-in you'll present your ticket, have your ID checked & receive a hand-stamp so that when the gates open at 1 pm you'll walk right in.
Signage at the gates will clearly guide you thru the check-in procedure & into the Brew Fest, so you don't need to memorize any of this.
We also heard your feedback regarding crowd size, so as noted above:
WE'RE ONLY SELLING 2000 TICKETS THIS YEAR.
Our prime objective is to preserve the quality of this event for both the Brewers and Attendees. Too big a crowd makes it difficult for you & the brewer to interact -- which is what a successful beer sampling fest is all about . . . for You & the Brewers!
We're also adding 2 more beer tents & stationing less Brewer tables in each tent. We believe this will relieve some of the congestion inside the tents.
Restroom facilities?!? We got it right in '08, but despite adding more the wait was still more than acceptable at times in '09. Short of asking everyone to bring their own, we'll simply do our best to get it right this year.
Of course, we'll count on you let us know how all the changes worked!
Send us a note anytime: brasscitybrewfest@gmail.com
Once again . . . WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE!
Miscellaneous:
- Attendees must be 21+ w/ a valid State-issued picture ID (or Passport)
- Food & non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase
- This event will be held RAIN or SHINE (plenty of tents!)
- No pets please! No exceptions.
DESIGNATED DRIVERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND FREE
Identify yourself at the gate as a Designated Driver and you'll be given a distinct wristband. DD's under the age of 21 are allowed.
Event proceeds benefit Main Street Waterbury, a non-profit organization committed to the continued revitalization of Downtown Waterbury, CT.
# # # # # # # #
2009 BRASS CITY BREW FEST SEMINARS
1. Beer Tasting 101 - 1:30 pm
Presenter: Gregg Glaser - Internationally Renowned Beer Writer (All About Beer, Yankee Brew News, Modern Beer Age); www.gregg-glaser.com
Mr. Glaser will take the attendees through a discussion of beer, its origins, evolution and discuss the various styles of beer. Attendees will learn how to properly taste beer, e.g., what to look for in appearance, “nose”, and on the palate related to the various styles of beer tasted. Bonus: Each attendee at this seminar will receive a complimentary copy of the current issue of All About Beer and Yankee Brew News.
Beer Tasting Component: 5 different beer styles
# # # # # # # #
2. Beer in Revolutionary America - 2:15 pm
Presenter: Albin Weber - Fifth CT Regiment (Re-enactment Expert & Fine Wine Expert)
Mr. Weber is an active leader and participant in American Revolutionary War Re-Enactments in CT and the Northeast. In his role as a militia man by day and a tavern keeper by night, he will discuss the role of the tavern and beer at the time of the Revolutionary War era. You will also gain a perspective of the American vs. English views of Colonial America as it relates to the industry.
Beer Tasting Component: A beer brewed from an original George Washington recipe.
# # # # # # # #
3. Homebrewing – Science or Art Form? - 3:00 pm
Presenter: Tess Szamatulski - Homebrewer, Author and Co-Owner of Maltose Express (CT’s Friendliest and Largest Beer & Wine Making Supply store, 246 Main St., Monroe)
Mrs. Szamatulski will give the audience a presentation on the art of Homebrewing including a presentation on how to get started, an overview on homebrewing and tips on how to become a successful home brewer. Time will be allotted for question and answer session by attendees. A great opportunity to ask those questions about homebrewing you always wanted to!
Beer Tasting Component: Two “clone” brews will be tasted and discussed
# # # # # # # #
4. Microbrewery Challenge: Bottles vs. Cans - 3:45 pm
Presenter: Rob Leonard - Owner, Head Brewer of New England Brewing (Woodbridge, CT)
Rob will discuss the pro’s and con’s of bottles versus cans and explain why cans can be a more effective delivery vehicle than bottles for quality micro-brewed beers. He will also give attendees an overview of the challenges of establishing and maintaining a microbrewery
Beer Tasting Component: NEB’s Beers, Draft vs. Can, Taste Comparison