After introducing alcohol sales to Cullman Oktoberfest last year, Smith Farms owner Rodger Turner wants to go even bigger this year. His flagship event for 2012? Cullman’s first-ever brewfest.
The brewfest tastings have become popular across the nation, charging an overall ticket price for unlimited samples of hundreds of different brews.
The event will be hosted on Clark Street in front of the Rotunda building in the warehouse district from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 during the kickoff weekend. Tickets go on sale Monday at Smith Farms and Werner’s Trading, and cost $30 in advance or $35 at the gate. Due to a state law limiting free samples, attendees must pay one-cent per drink.
Neighboring cities Huntsville and Birmingham both host successful brewfests at different times of the year, and Turner is hopeful his event can bring in locals as well as regional beer aficionados.
“You get to come in and try all these different beers and drink as much as you like,” Turner said. “It’s a chance to try some beers you may never have had a chance to experience, right here in Cullman. I think this could be a huge thing for Oktoberfest.”
Turner said he hopes the Cullman ‘fest, dubbed Taste of the Biergarten, can capture some regional buzz thanks to a line-up of craft brewers from all over Alabama, as well as national breweries. Beers such as Stella, Becks, Hoegaarden, Kona, Tommyknocker, Great Divide, Greene Flash, Clown Shoes, Ballast Point, Avery and several others will all be featured.
“We’ll have every brewery from Alabama featured and it’s a great chance to check out some different breweries from around the state,” he said. “We can really show folks what we have locally and get them some exposure.”
After hosting a popular biergarten last year at the Rotunda, Turner said he plans to expand at this year’s festival, with more space and more events tailored to each night of the October 6-13 downtown event.
“We’ll have live music, karaoke and hopefully the huge screen for football and sponsors,” Turner said. “Smith Farms and Designs by Grace are also teaming up for an elegant five-course German wine and food meal one night, as well as a German food and beer dinner another night.”
A full schedule has yet to be announced, though Turner said musical acts Rollin’ In The Hay, Caddle, Telluride and the gospel group Joyful Hearts have all been confirmed. He is also looking to add a few more acts to the line-up in the coming weeks.
“We’re really excited about it and we think it’ll be much bigger than last year, and hopefully grow even more,” Turner said.
Turner’s events are being held in conjunction with the festivities already planned by the Oktoberfest board, and chairman Ernest Hauk said he hopes the brewfest will be a positive addition to the festival as a whole.
“Anything new that can be added for people to enjoy is definitely exciting,” he said.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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