Brewing Demonstrations

Fifth Annual Southern Vermont’s Home Brew Festival September 24, 2011

Last year record crowds descended on the Bennington Brush Company to sample wonderful home brews, enjoy great food, listen to live music, watch brewing demonstrations, get brewing tips, and so much more. Don’t miss the fun when the Fifth Annual Southern Vermont Homebrew Festival takes place on September 24 from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Bennington Brush Company on North Street in Downtown Bennington. Come out to see who will walk away with the bragging rights of having their winning brew prepared and served at Madison Brewing Company in Bennington, Vermont. Cash and other great prizes will also be awarded. What a perfect way to spend a crisp fall afternoon.

Your $35 donation at the door (cash or check only) includes admission to the event, tastings throughout the afternoon, a commemorative tasting glass, live music by Hair of the Dog, voted Best Band (pop/rock/country) by the readers of the Albany Times Union Newspaper, June, 2011. There will be brewing demonstrations by Hennessy’s Homebrew Emporium of Rensselaer and Berkshire County Homebrew Supply of Pittsfield, MASS. Don’t forget the raffle and sweepstakes entries, and a voting chip to let you determine the People’s Choice winner of $200. $10 tickets are available for those not tasting – designated drivers and young people under 21. Children 12 and under are free. There will be food vendors should you get hungry and fun; lots of fun. Talk with the brewers and see just what got them interested in brewing their own beer.

The festival benefits the Bennington Museum, and is sponsored in part by Madison Brewing Company, Wandering Star Brewery, Berkshire County Homebrew Supply, and Berkshire Homebrew Association. This year homebrews will be judged by a BJCP certified panel of judges brought together by Chris Post. Among the judges will be guest judge Michael Madison, founder of Madison Brewing Company. Judged following AHA/BJCP guidelines, there are going to be more winning brews at the festival than ever before. Then there is the Peoples’ Choice Award which gives guests the chance to vote their favorite brew – stouts, ales, lagers, and more. That lucky winner will walk away with a check for $200.

The Bennington Museum is located at 75 Main Street (Route 9), Bennington in The Shires of Vermont. Just a short ride from Manchester, Williamstown, and eastern New York, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in September and October. The Bennington Brush Company, the site of the Brewfest, is on North Street in downtown Bennington. Visit the museum’s website www.benningtonmuseum.org or call 802-447-1571 for more information.

If you missed the event this year, make sure to mark your calendar now for next year!