“It’s better than I could have hoped, and the weather was absolutely perfect” shared Joe Waizmann, founder of Dayton’s 12th Annual AleFest.
The lines were several hundred people long when the gates opened at 2:00PM and a continued flow of “ale-ficionatos” arrived at Carillon Park over the next several hours. Just looking around there was not one face without a big smile on. The beverage tasting festivities included food (pulled pork, DLM brownies and pretzels and smoked sausage) as well as a live raffle and music (Phat Like Dad).
Top things to experience at AleFest:
- Cask Ales. Unlike the majority of beers served up at AleFest served in bottles, some brewers brought a special treat for ale-fans. These ales were brought to Carillon in the cask that they aged, presenting a super fresh and unique experience.
- Beers of fruits and grains. One notable difference this year was the growth of the ales and lagers with unique flavorings like raspberry, blueberry, cherry, wheat, rye, oat and even double chocolate!
- More IPA’s! India Pale Ales are extra bitter or “hoppy” tasting. So named due to the way the beers were prepared for their long journey in the old world by the East India company traders. IPA’s can also be looked for strong taste and high alcohol content (watch out for the double IPA’s and triple IPA’s with alcohol content well over 7%)
- Festival atmosphere. Alefest party-goers were all drawn to the event for their love of craft beers making the well behaved celebration very enjoyable for all 5,000 AleFest fans.
Joe Waizmann promises an even bigger celebration next year. In his words, “We are going to blow it up!”
Well Joe, thanks for letting us put this on our calendar for next year.
