Special Event) Great Nebraska Beer Fest 2014

Saturday August 23rd, 2014 was my first time attending the Great Nebraska Beer Fest. In short, I had an amazing time. I tried quite a few good beers as the afternoon progressed, and I definitely took advantage of the VIP ticket that I had, retreating periodically to the VIP tent to relax and regroup. Of course, I also arrived at one pm and got in an hour early to the event, a great VIP perk.

VIP Glass, Dragon's Milk Hat

The venue, Werner Park, was great. I had expected something like wall-to-wall crowds after the General Admission ticket holders entered at two. While lines did grow slightly in areas, the variety of booths and sheer length of the area compensated for the increased numbers. Moreover, kudos to the stadium designer. The place is oriented just right so that the shaded area increases inside the grounds as evening approaches.

Despite my planning and coming up with two lists of must-visit and should-visit booths, I simply did not get to all the beers that I wanted to try. Some were out before I got to them, and others I just didn't know about until it was too late. One company, Heretic Brewing, must have not made it to event because I never did see them.

The most notable beers for me:

1)Surly Brewing Co - Darkness) So smooth it's dangerous. Stout. ☆☆☆☆
2)Kinkaider Brewing Co - Jalapeno) The initial burns just a touch. The mid has flavor, and then the drink finishes with warmth. ☆☆☆☆
3)Peace Tree - Templeton Black River Gumbo Stout) Cask-aged in Templeton Rye barrels. This beer is thick and chewy just the way I like it.☆☆☆☆
4)Surly Brewing Co - Cocoa Bender) Rich coffee and chocolate notes. ☆☆☆☆

My favorite beer for the event:

New Holland - Dragon's Milk)  This is a bourbon barrel aged stout. Not only does it have a light roasted taste to the background, but it has that nice oak barrel bite.☆☆☆☆

Most unusually good beer:

Cigar City Brewing Co - Cucumber Saison) Initial is ale-like, but the finish is briefly cucumber, light and crisp. ☆☆☆☆


Here's the full list of what I tried:

Firestone Walker Brewing Co - Opal) Nice lemony citrus Saison. ☆☆☆

Surly Brewing Co - Darkness) So smooth it's dangerous. Stout. ☆☆☆☆

Cigar City Brewing Co - Cucumber Saison) Initial is ale-like, but the finish is briefly cucumber, light and crisp. ☆☆☆☆

Kinkaider Brewing Co - Kölsch) Good and easy to drink, just lacking in unique character. ☆☆☆

Kinkaider Brewing Co - Jalapeno) The initial burns just a touch. The mid has flavor, and then the drink finishes with warmth. ☆☆☆☆

Zipline Brewing Co - Cask-aged Harumeku)  Everything I hoped it would be. Spring citrus with the barrel's lovely background effect. ☆☆☆

New Holland - Dragon's Milk) This is a bourbon barrel aged stout. Not only does it have a light roasted taste to the background, but it has that nice oak barrel bite. ☆☆☆☆

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - Vieille) Decently tart. ☆☆☆

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - Surette) Too tart, but a great contrast to the day's heat. ☆☆☆

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project - St. Bretta) Tartness is just right, and very smooth. ☆☆☆☆

Grimm's Brothers Brewing Co - Master Thief) The finish of this porter is warm and alive. ☆☆☆

Cigar City Brewing Co - Hunapu's Imperial Stout) Bitter and bitey finish, but the initial and mid are near heavenly. ☆☆☆

Cigar City Brewing Co - Vanilla Maduro) Great finish, but the mid lacks that chewability I want. ☆☆☆

Kinkaider Brewing Co - Porter) Guinness like initial. Rather roasted in the finish. ☆☆☆

Crane Brewing Co - Ruby) Really does taste like the beets it is made from. ☆☆☆

Crane Brewing Co - Duchamp) Decent. Smooth and floral hopped. ☆☆☆

Crane Brewing Co - Blackberry) Puckered up too much. ☆☆☆

Blind Tiger - Basil Beer) Basil and Beer are not the best of friends. ☆☆

Firemen - Brown Ale) Good initial and mid, but the finish was not smooth. ☆☆☆

Tallgrass - Halycon) Too much bitter hoppiness for a wheat beer. ☆☆

Martin City Brewing Co - Hibiscus Prickly Pear Saison) The tartness overwhelmed the other flavors too much for me. ☆☆

Lucid - Goslar) Tart yes, but the other flavor aspects of a Gose aren't pronounced enough. ☆☆

Lucid - Smoked Amber) Light amber, and the smokiness stays in the background. ☆☆☆

Modern Monk - Chocolate Stout) The chocolate is there but rather thinned out.☆☆☆

Boulevard Brewing Co - Saison Brett) Okay, but more tart than I expected. ☆☆☆

Grimm's Brothers Brewing - Farmer's Daughter) An Oktoberfest with an unusually robust flavor profile. ☆☆☆

Peace Tree - Templeton Black River Gumbo Stout) Cask-aged in Templeton Rye barrels. This beer is thick and chewy just the way I like it. ☆☆☆☆

Surly Brewing Co - Cocoa Bender) Rich coffee and chocolate notes. ☆☆☆☆

Founder's - Porter) Already like this one. Had it just to confirm that my taste buds were not compromised. They weren't. ☆☆☆

Lagunitas - Kinky) Light, refreshing. Way too easy to drink. It's basically a soda though. ☆☆☆☆

Blue Blood - Pod's ESB) Very drinkable with a light citrus to it's hops. ☆☆☆