Over 2,000 people came out on a “brew”tiful Saturday afternoon to attend the 5th annual Blue Chip Brewfest. This is one of the largest events that the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa puts on, and everyone was on deck, ensuring that all of the guests had a fantastic time.
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“Right now craft beer is the most popular thing going on in the food and beverage world, and we love putting this on for Northwest Indiana to celebrate all the craft breweries in the state and the surrounding areas. And we have a lot of regional brewers here today as well as national brewers,” Joel Giannetti, Marketing Manager at the Blue Chip Casino said. “This is our biggest brewfest to date so we’re excited about it.”
The Stardust Event Center was where part of the action took place. Booth after beer themed booth dotted the ballroom, a special VIP area was roped off where VIP ticket holders access to select beers from Indiana. Those who bought the Brewmaster tickets got to have lunch with Tony Magee, Founder of Lagunitas before the brewfest began as well as access to the VIP area. Those who bought general admission weren’t left out of the fun though as they got to get their libations from tons of brewers that were in the Stardust Event Center as well as in a large tent that was set up outside in a roped off area of the Blue Chip parking lot.
Here, even more people tasted even more beer. Live bands were playing in both the Stardust and the tent, and food was available for purchase when the pretzel necklaces that guests wore no longer satisfied them. The United Way of La Porte County was in the mix, selling merchandise to raise funds for their great cause.
“I’ve actually attended every brewfest,” Kim Ramsey, Brewfest guest said. “It’s such a fun day to spend with friends and try some awesome beer. So far I’ve really enjoyed the local breweries beer. Burn’em and Twisted K-8 have great stuff. We’re having a great time so far!”
Everywhere one looked, brewers were in deep conversations with guest, explaining their beers –the taste, the flavors, their inspirations- to the interested listeners. Laughter mix with the sounds of music and chatter as beer lovers compared brews and took notes while they drank.
One brewery in attendance, Figure 8 Brewing from Valparaiso, has been at the Blue Chip Brewfest for a number of Years. Tom Uban, owner of Figure 8 happily poured beer for those who lines up in front of the booth.
“We’ve been here since the beginning and we love coming to this brewfest,” Uban said. “It’s been busy for us so far. We’re halfway through the fest and we’ve gone through our first three beers and now we’ve tapped on our second three beers.”
“I think this is phenomenal,” Jack Elia, Assistant General Manager of the Blue Chip Casino said. “We started five years ago and this event has more than tripled in size. We have 71 tables set up this year and this is probably the largest event that were put on all year.”
If you are looking for more event to attend at the Blue Chip Casino, check out the events page on their website, and get ready for the 6th Blue Chip Brewfest in 2016!
Breweries in attendance: 3 Floyds Brewing, 10th and Blake Beer Company, 18th Street Brewery, Abita Brewing Company, Angry Orchard, Arcadia Ales, Back Road Brewery, Barley Island Brewing Company, Bell’s Brewery Inc., Blue Moon Brewing Company, Boston Beer Company, Inc., Brooklyn Brewery, Bulldog Brewing Co., Burn ‘Em Brewing, Carson’s Brewing Company, Chapman's Brewing Company, Crispin Cider, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Drewrys Brewing Company, Epic Brewing Company, Evil Czech Brewing, Figure Eight Brewing, Flat 12 Bierwerks, Goose Island Beer Co., Great Lakes Brewing Co., Greenbush Brewing Co., Hunter's Brewing, Husa-Guinness Blonde American Lager, Iechyd Da Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Company, Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Michiana Extract & Grain Association (MEGA), Merchant du Vin, New Belgium® Brewing, New Holland Brewing, North Coast Brewing Company, Oberphals Brewery, One Trick Pony Brewery, Oskar Blues Brewery, Pabst Brewing Company, Quaff On Brewery, Redds Apple Ale, Rogue Ale & Spirits, Round Barn Brewery, Sam Adams Brewing Company, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Schlafly, Shiner, Shock Top Brewing Company, Shoreline Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Smith and Forge Brewing Company, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewing Company, St. John Malt Brothers, Triton Brewing Company, Twisted K-8 Brewing, Unibroue, Upland Brewing Co., Victory Brewing, Woodchuck Hard Cider.
