20th annual Vermont Brewers Festival
This past weekend was the 20th annual Vermont Brewers Festival. This is a yearly fest that Alan and I try to attend. It is such a fun time and at such an amazing venue, Waterfront Park. I purchased the tickets weeks, if not, months in advanced. It used to never sell out and you could buy tickets at the door but with everything else it has gotten more popular and you have to purchase the tickets online weeks before the event. Since purchasing the tickets I found out that I have a gluten intolerance and have been trying to stay away from gluten. If you know anything about beer then you know that to avoid gluten one must stay away from beer. All last week I was on the fence as to what to do. I could sell my ticket and then purchase a designated driver ticket, which would have been MUCH cheaper. I could keep my ticket and play it by ear and if I wanted to sample a beer I could but to try to limit the intake. Or I could just suck it up, enjoy the night and pay dearly for it later. I chose the latter.
Alan and I typically walk down to the festival and either have a little picnic beforehand or bring money to buy the food that they have inside the gates. We have always brought Sirius with us too. Unfortunately, this year they had a strict no dogs allowed policy so that was out. We still walked down since it is only three miles and we wouldn’t have to deal with parking and then figuring out how to get home, or paying for a taxi. Plus, walking home sobers you up a little bit too! Our friends, Beth and Joe walked down with us and hung out for the fest. Joe, is a brewer and is opening up his own brewery next summer so it was fun to attend the brew fest with him since he is so knowledgable and knew a lot of the brewers that were there.
Beth and I
Alan and I
While waiting for Alan, Joe and Beth to get a beer I was standing around and who do I see? Emily from Sweat Once a Day. Embarrassingly, I get really excited when I see her. She is a blogging celebrity and the nicest, most down to earth person ever! Not to mention a 3:08 marathoner! I mean, come on. Girl is ridiculously athletic! I got to catch up with her a bit which was awesome. She has some crazy running plans coming up and can’t wait to hear more about them and read her recaps! If you haven’t checked out her blog you are seriously missing something! DO IT NOW!
Aside from getting to meet and see people that I haven’t in a long time another one of my favorite things to do at the Brew fest is to take pictures of the lake. You can get some incredible sunset photos and it is a nice time to just stop and relax and remember that you live in an amazing place. Yes, I get sappy at the brew fest and am so thankful that I live in Vermont!
For real, how can you not appreciate that! Thanks again for another amazing night. See ya next year, Craft brews!
