22 Dec Circle your calendars: these are the festivals you need to attend in 2016
It’s getting into the deepest, darkest part of winter, and as we wind down 2015 and start thinking about the wintry abyss lurking on the other side of the holidays, it’s always good to consider what we’re looking forward to in the new year. Personally, during this festive time I like to try to carry on the feelings of good cheer by lining up my drinking schedule for the coming 12 months. Indiana has too many great beer festivals to jam-pack into one article, so I’m limiting myself here to the five I look forward to the most.
Take a look and start lining them up – finally you have a use for that day planner that grandma gets you every Christmas.
#1. Gnawbrew (July 21-22, 2016)
Of all the beer festivals in Indiana, Gnawbrew is by far my favorite. Come Christmas morning I won’t be ripping apart wrapping paper or seeing what Santa left me under the tree, I’ll be checking the website obsessively to get my tickets to this awesome beer, art, and music festival. Homebrewing, a community beer chest, local breweries, food trucks, art, music, comedy, and conviviality are all on the docket in Brown County this July. For the first time ever, Gnawbrew organizers have decided to include a two-day VIP option for the die-hard fan. The festival is smaller than some of the others on this list, which translates into short to non-existent lines and a lot more of a community feel. It also helps that camping is included in the cost of a ticket: don’t worry about driving logistics, just stumble on back to your tent when you’re done sampling to sleep it off.
What’s the cure for your post-holiday winter blues? Beer, of course, and lots of it! Winterfest is the definitive Indiana beer festival, with a few out of state brewers thrown in for good measure. Held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, this festival packs a lot into an afternoon. Many breweries bring special goodies to tap throughout the afternoon, so it’s a great way to try some experimental/rare brews. The firkin tent, home of many high-gravity and barrel-aged finds, is also not to be missed. In terms of amount of beer in one place, this festival really takes the cake. With the number of brewers lined up for this year’s Winterfest at 90+ and climbing, you will need a heck of a pretzel necklace.
#3. CANvitational (TBD)
CAN you hear that? It’s the sound of hundreds of beers being cracked open and poured in the heart of downtown Indy. Not only is CANvitational, usually held in September, a great last hurrah for the summer, it’s also a celebration of canned craft beer. If that seems like a niche market, head to this festival to be proven wrong! Last year’s event boasted 45+ breweries from all over the world pouring some excellent canned beers, as well as food trucks and musical entertainment. For out of towners (or even Naptown natives who want to make an event of it) CANvitational partners with the Omni Severin across the street for deals on accommodations.
#4. DigIN (August 28, 2016)
Ok, ok. DigIN is is technically a food festival. That doesn’t mean that you can’t also find some great and varied beer offerings there as well, though. Three different beer tents supplement the food lineup, and there are also also a large number of Indiana wineries for anyone who (heaven forbid) doesn’t get into beer. VIP tickets include access to an exclusive tent and rest area, where select brewers tap specialty offerings consistently throughout the day. The best part of going to a food festival for the beer? There’s plenty to munch on between samples!
A list of Indiana beer festivals isn’t complete without including the Bloomington Craft Beer Festival, held in the old Woolery Mill. This is a great festival, due in large part to the smooth organization of the last few years. Less time in lines means more time to drink beer! There’s also a firkin tent at this festival for the beer enthusiast who likes something off the beaten path. If you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of breweries and options at Winterfest, Bloomington might be a good option for you. With 50-60 breweries in attendance, it’s easier to make the rounds and not feel like you’re missing out.
Did I miss a great festival? Is there one event in particular that you just can’t wait for? Let us know in the comments!
Tristan
Posted at 14:42h, 22 DecemberAlong with Winterfest and Bloomington Craft Beer Festival, can’t forget Indiana Microbrewers Festival next summer–all of which directly benefit Indiana’s brewing community through Brewers of Indiana Guild.
Douglas Talley
Posted at 09:40h, 07 JanuaryThank you so much for including us on this fantastic list. We sure are in some great company and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the hills of Brown County in July! Cheers.
Key Of D Booking Agency LLC
Posted at 12:57h, 07 JanuaryWe represent many talented artists so please check out the website when deciding your entertainment! Looking forward to all these festivals!