28 Jun Red, White, And Brew Fest Will Be An Uplifting Craft Beer Event With Unique Features
by Mark E. Lasbury for Indiana On Tap
Redemption Alewerks is sponsoring and organizing the inaugural Red, White, and Brew Festival, set to take place October 14th from 2-6 on the American Legion Mall. This festival is designed to both honor and benefit veterans of the area by financially supporting Azimuth, a veteran-owned and run website that acts as a clearinghouse of information on veterans services, programs and benefits.
The festival may be on October 14, but you can help the cause at all the pre-parties too. image credit: Red, White, and Brew Fest
Over a dozen local craft beverage producers have committed to pour at the festival, which will also have more than twenty booths dedicated to veterans’ services, musical entertainment, and food trucks. The breweries and distilleries already committed to serve beer include TwoDeep, Hotel Tango, Perrin Brewing out of Comstock Park, MI, Broad Ripple Brew Pub, Blake’s Hard Cider, Cannon Ball Brewing, Centerpoint Brewing, and Grand Junction Brewing with more to come in the next week or two. John Knight, a partner in Grand Junction Brewing told me that, “This festival is a great opportunity to support the people who have given so much to this country. My own son just returned from two tours of duty overseas, so joining in with this festival just seemed right.”
The primary charity partner for the festival is Azimuth, a listing of veterans’ services begun in late 2014 by Matt Hall. When Matt returned from Afghanistan where he served as an Infantry Company Commander, many veterans and families of veterans asked he knew how to get hold of a certain government department or if was possible to talk with a professional about reintegration into civilian life. This was compounded by civilians asking what kinds of specific help they could provide for veterans and their families. Matt’s experiences on his day job as Director of Veterans’ Affairs for the City of Indianapolis reaffirmed the need for some kind of database of services and organizations.
As a result, he started Azimuth to help build a bridge between veterans and the support services that people wish to provide for them. The website collates the different programs and makes them searchable by location and type. The online directory has a board of directors and sets up booths at events that veterans might attend to publicize their free service. Therefore, Azimuth will be at the Red, White, and Brew Fest to speak with veterans and civilians and to take donations.
The American Legion Mall is a perfect location for a craft beer festival to support veterans. image credit: Google Street View, 2014
The chance for craft beer fans to thank veterans and to support services for them is reason enough for a great festival, but the organizers have found unique ways to include and support the craft beer community in this endeavor as well. For Red, White, and Brew, pre-parties will be held at each of the participating breweries or distillery/cidery. These parties will allow people to purchase tickets for the festival at a reduced rate, and information about Azimuth and other veterans groups as well as donations can be had.
The pre-parties serve more than one purpose. Increased visibility for the festival and the cause are a primary function, and this includes being able to appeal to possible attendees in the individual neighborhoods of each participating brewery. But also, the parties support the breweries that have chosen to participate. In general, festivals are taxing on breweries, even when stipends are paid to help cover the cost of the beer. In this case, however, fifty percent of the ticket sales at their brewery will go to help defray the cost for the beer and time required to participate. In this way, the breweries can feel supported at the same time they are donating their time and product to veterans’ affairs. Of course, if you have been moved by my words to the point of action right now, you can buy tickets at Event Brite (use this link).
The second unique feature of this festival is the pricing and serving options. VIPs will receive a tasting glass and unlimited pours from the participating vendors, while general admission tickets will be much cheaper and will allow people who may not want to spend the entire afternoon at the festival to also participate. GA attendees will have access to the entertainment and veterans’ services booths, while pints and drinks from the participating vendors will be for sale to those same attendees. This is a new format as far as I know, and it will be interesting to see how it works out.
Azimuth is a worthy supporting partner for the Red, White, and Brew Festival. You can donate now if the mood strikes you. image credit: Azimuth
The pre-parties are also important for the different ticketing options. While VIP tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $50, those purchased before the day of the event will be $40 and those purchased at the pre-parties from participating breweries will be only $35. Likewise, GA tickets will $15 for both day of and prior to the event, but will be available for only $10 at the pre-parties.
The first pre-party is planned for Hotel Tango, July 6th, from 5:30-7:30, while Redemption’s pre-party will be held from 7-9 on July 21. Stay tuned for additional pre-party locations and dates. Even if you are unable to attend the festival, please attend a pre-party and support Azimuth and your local craft beverage producer as they do their part for veterans. Josh Smith of Redemption told me that while the aim of the event is to have a good time and raise money, “This is really a chance for us to give back to the veterans who have given us so much. It is their sacrifices that allow us the luxuries of free speech, peaceful transfer of power, pursuit of happiness, and ….. craft beer festivals.”
For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities please contact Matt Hall matt@azimuthlist.org
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