Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival

This summer we attended the Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival at Koka Booth Amphitheatre for the first time and had an absolute blast! When we were planning to attend we tried hard to get a couple of friends to go with us to take part of a really good deal on four VIP tickets but sadly the friends are not fans of bourbon and at the time there wasn’t much on the promotion site to really indicate what kinds of beer would be available. The claim is “60 beers, 40 bourbons, and lots of bbq” and that is an excellent description of what we encountered. Getting VIP tickets was absolutely the best decision we made as it allowed us early entry (2 hours ahead of regular ticket holders) plus we got a really cool promo t-shirt with the tagline “Brew It. Taste It. Sip It. Pork It.” along with the tasting glass that came with all ticket prices. Note that the VIP ticket sessions sold out online well ahead of the event.

We knew we would be enjoying quite a bit of booze so we checked into a hotel within walking distance of the event beforehand to avoid any risk of drinking and driving and so that neither of us had to play the role of designated driver that gets irritated by all the happy drunk people. We walked over to the gates about 20 minutes before the early entry time and there was a large crowd already present. The organizers were exactly that – very organized. They were going through the crowd doing ID checks as we waited for the gates to officially open so once the clock struck 12 noon the masses really quickly funneled through showing tickets and picking up the programs, glasses, t-shirts, etc.



view of VIP crowd waiting to enter



Lots of people brought lawn chairs in order to camp out near the stage for the entertainment but being part of the first mass to enter we easily obtained a table under the covered section and basically took turns going to get tastes when we were ready to just hang out. Having a spot to hang out is essential as it allows you to take the time to enjoy a taste versus pounding down taste after taste from being on foot constantly. And having selected a spot overlooking the main tasting areas we could see when a tasting tent was too crowded or had opened up and had front row seats for watching the silliness of some who had imbibed too quickly.

view of lawn area looking up towards covered section

The venue was well arranged with clusters of tasting tents spread out across the lawn as well as sections under the covered area. Having the program map gave us a chance to look over what was available and how to find it so that the “must taste items” were sought out first. Our only mistake was waiting too late to visit Woodford Reserve because when we did get around to them after an hour or so they had already run out. I think this was due to the timing of their class. In addition to just tasting there were several seminars being hosted by various vendors so I am sure their class prompted rapid tastings at their booth.

A note about the food: This was first and foremost a beer and bourbon event. There were several food vendors doing a nice job of providing bbq and Backyard Bistro was cranking out burgers constantly. But this, in my opinion, was not an event to go to if you primary interest is in the food. Keep in mind that this is a multi-day event and that there was another exclusive tasting for Friday evening where they were doing a pig picking so that might be of greater interest for those seeking a special bbq experience. One other food note: as we were entering the venue we noticed groups of people with necklaces made of pretzels (a piece of yarn with a handful of pretzels threaded through). This was absolute genius! Food is not permitted but obviously this was allowed as jewelry and I am sure it made for great between tastes snacking.



a group of pretzel necklace people



There was a great mix of bourbon and beers so for those who aren’t bourbon lovers I would say it still might be worth checking out for the beers. I didn’t think I would do much bourbon tasting but the bourbon soaked cherry they offered as we entered the venue was a good subtle introduction that prompted me to go ahead and give everything a try. And for those who enjoy cigars with their bourbon, there were several vendors providing those and although I do not condone it I permitted Brad to enjoy one and for fun posed with it as well.

So when all is said in done here is the list of everything I tasted in order: Jim Beam Red Stag Bourbon, Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, Jeremiah Weed Peach Sweet Tea Vodka, Abita Turbo Dog Ale, Patron Resposada Tequilia, Brooklyn Brown Ale, Sierra Nevada Autumn Brown Ale, Jameson served with ginger ale, Woodchuck Cider, Absolute Acai Vodka with cranberry juice, Sweetwater Blue Ale, Highland Park Scotch, Makers Mark Bourbon, Mikes Hard Lemon Ade in Pink and then a mix of Mikes Cranberry Lemon Ade and the Lime Ade, Jim Beam R1 Rye Bourbon, Buffalo Trace 1792 Bourbon, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel then Gentlemen's Jack Bourbons, Firefly Sweet Tea Peach Vodka, Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, New Belgium Fat Tire Ale, Oskar Blues Old Chub Ale, Shiner Bock Black Lager. And to keep from becoming some of the folks that too quickly imbibed we shared a huge plate of bbq early on and later two of the best tasting double cheeseburgers from Backyard Bistro.