Celebrating beer

By Andy Steinke of thenewsdispatch.com

MICHIGAN CITY — In just two weeks, 56 breweries from across the country will converge on Michigan City for three and a half hours of “ultimate beer sampling.”

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa is hosting its fourth annual Brewfest from 1:30-5 p.m. April 12 at the casino’s Stardust Event Center.

Assistant General Manager Jack Elia, who has shepherded the event from its infancy, said he thinks of Brewfest as an educational event.

”With the craft beer craze, we wanted to bring breweries together and have people taste them,” he said.

With approximately 250 beers to test, Elia said he believes there is a drink for everyone’s taste buds – from beer as light as water to beer so heavy it’s like “drinking mud.”

”It’s amazing how one person will like a beer and the next person in line will say, ‘I hate that beer,’” he said.

In its first year, Brewfest attracted about 700 people, Elia said. This year, the casino expects to sell 2,000 tickets, three-quarters of which have already been spoken for.

The casino will erect a large tent outside the event center to help accommodate all of the event-goers.

Three ticket packages are available this year: the Brewmaster, the VIP and general admission.

The Brewmaster package ($99) includes a noon lunch with New Holland Brewing Owner Fred Bueltman – aka The Beervangelist – and an early-admission VIP tasting from 1-3 p.m. It also includes access to barrel-aged beers, sour beers and firkins; a wristband, pint glass, bottle opener, T-shirt and lanyard.

The VIP package ($75) includes the VIP tasting and early admission from 1-3 p.m. to sample the barrel-aged beers, sour beers and firkins. It also includes a wristband, pint glass, lanyard and T-shirt.

General admission ($40) includes the main tasting from 1:30-5 p.m. and a pint glass.

Guests who come as designated drivers will receive a wristband, T-shirt and soda or water for $15.

A silent auction during the event will benefit the United Way of La Porte County. Auction items will include a mini-fridge, coolers and beer-themed collectibles.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.bluechipcasino.com.