The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival has been gaining steam during recent years. Nashville's got one, Charlotte's got one and, since starting this year, Raleigh has one as well. Technically, however, the festival is held at the Cary Koka Booth Amphitheatre at Regency Park, in the town of Cary, N.C., near Raleigh. The promoters promise a day of beer sipping, bourbon tasting, live music, barbecue and even a cigar area.
Features
Entry into Raleigh's Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival includes access to samples of more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons, as well as the chance to listen to bourbon experts. Among the liquors represented are Ancient Age 80, Blanton's Single Barrel, Eagle Rare Single Barrel (ten year), Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel, Fighting Cock, Jim Beam Black, Kentucky Vintage, Old Crow (three year), Old Grand-Dad 100, Rock Hill Farms, Van Winkle 12 year Special Reserve and Wild Turkey. The breweries come out in full force, with both commercial operations, such as Amstel, Heineken, IPA, Red Hook and Sierra Nevada, as well as smaller labels, including #3 Sirius Ale, Censored Copper Ale, Coffee Stout, Magic Hat #9, Shocktop and Wild Blue.
Effects
All of that beer, bourbon and barbecue does not come without consequences. Hence, the festival also hosts a Beer Belly Competition. In a nod to the judging procedures of "American Idol," the audience determines the winner of the competition, based not just on overall girth but on personality. The winner earns the title of Cary's Best Beer Belly and goes home with a trophy in the shape of a beer mug.
Benefits
One of the great benefits of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival in Raleigh is that it takes advantage of the long, sunny days of mid-August. Another benefit is that the organizers know tap excellent musical talent to entertain the masses as they are sipping and smacking. The 2008 festival saw a horn band marathon concert by Bull City Syndicate, as well as an appearance by the Part Time Blues Band. Special lectures and tastings on the subject of bourbon rounded out the activities.
Types
Depending on the ticket price you wish to pay, you have access to different parts of the festival. The top tier ticket, available only in advance, costs $40 and is called the VIP Tasting Glass. The price covers admission, a souvenir glass, a VIP session in the Tasting Theater, unlimited samples, early entry into the event and a festival T-shirt. The Regular Tasting Glass ticket is $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. It covers admission, a souvenir glass, bourbon college sessions and unlimited samples in a four-hour span. The Designated Driver Ticket costs $20 and covers admission only. None of the tickets cover the price of barbecue.
Warning
As with many festivals, the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival can be a victim of its own success. As the afternoon wears on, crowds descend upon the grounds and the lines for tasting and even for purchasing barbecue become extremely long. Because of the crowding, the people pouring the beer and bourbon do not have the luxury of chatting about the sterling qualities of their beverages. Also, if the day is extremely hot (quite likely in Raleigh in August), and the bourbon is not kept cool, it is not as pleasant of an experience. Organizers have promised to be more prepared for crowds at the next event, in particular assuring that there will be more barbecue vendors on hand.
Tags: Beer Bourbon Festival, Bourbon Festival, covers admission, Single Barrel, admission souvenir, admission souvenir glass, Beer Belly