Gearing Up for the 13th Annual SWIRCA Brewfest

20 Jul Gearing Up for the 13th Annual SWIRCA Brewfest

By Brooke Armbruster

The Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA) is gearing up for the 13th Annual SWIRCA Brewfest presented by Tin Man Brewing. This award winning festival will take place this weekend, July 22-23, 2016 on the historic Bosse Field (23 N Main St.) in Evansville, Indiana. This year is also the first time Brewfest has expanded into a two-day affair with a BrewMile on Friday and the main event on Saturday.

Brewfest will feature over 300+ craft beers from all over the country, including selections from 16 Indiana microbreweries. This is a great chance to meet the brewers and sample specials from local favorites like Turoni’s, Tin Man, and Carson’s Brewery, alongside household names like Sun King Brewery, Daredevil Brewing Co., and Triton Brewing Co. The Ohio Valley Homebrewers will also be in attendance with over 20 unique brews you can only get in southwestern Indiana. This event truly uses beer to bring Indiana together as the layout has been altered so all Indiana breweries in attendance will be stationed together.

It is also worth mentioning that this is also the only festival in southern Indiana to also host wine and spirit vendors so there will truly be something for everyone! Samples of local food will also be given out so whether drinking or driving, attendees will be guaranteed a good time.

The BrewMile will be held from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, July 22 in the Bosse Field parking lot. The event consists of a competitive mile, fun run, and relay. Participants will begin at the “chug station” where they chug a beer before running a lap—four beers, four laps. Relay teams are made of four people who will each chug a beer and run a lap. Entry fees for individual races are $25 and relay teams are $60. All BrewMile participants will need a DD registered and with them at the event. Prizes for the competitive mile and relay include VIP tickets to the Brewfest.

All proceeds from the BrewMile and Brewfest will benefit SWIRCA’s programs, most notably nutrition services such as the Home Delivered Meals program. Aside from nutrition services SWIRCA also provides seniors with case management and home care and maintenance.

BrewFest gates will open for VIP Access from 5-6 p.m., with general admission beginning at 6 p.m. The festival will conclude at 9 p.m. Between all the beer, food, and southern hospitality there will be no better way to beat the mid-summer heat!

Tickets for BrewFest are $35 in advance, $40 the day of the events. All attendees will receive a commemorative glass for unlimited craft beer samples. Purchase tickets today at http://www.swirca.org/brewfest-brewmile-tickets-now-sale/ or by calling (812) 464-7800

This is a 21+ event. All attendees must show a valid photo I.D. at the door. Evansville’s Unity Taxi Company will be providing free rides to all festival attendees.