Success Starts with "The Stacys"
Running a wildly successful beer and spirits festival is usually the bailiwick of seasoned pros in the business. But two "newbs" got the job done yesterday at the fabulous Heldrich Hotel in New Brunswick.
Stacy Alexander and Stacy Martin (left) combined their talents to produce the first-ever Craft Beer and Spirit Festival to benefit the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. That group exists to serve youth by making a positive difference in their lives, matching children with a caring volunteer who becomes a mentor, a guide and a friend.
And speaking of children, I actually got to meet the real "Pliny The Younger," too.
And though none of those children were in evidence at yesterday's event, three hundred adults were in the house to take advantage of the more than twenty-five craft beer, cider and spirit vendors who were on hand offering samples of their wares.In addition to the liquid choices, some excellent, rather high-end food choices were also part of the ticket cost, and the attendees approved mightily. The PubScout can attest that the Wurst sliders and the BBQ Beef Sliders were top of the line.
And with so many quality beers, ciders and spirits there, having something in your belly was a darned good idea for the four-hour event. I'm not a spirits guy, but there were so many choices on hand to slake various types of thirsts and appeal to beer/spirit/cider nuts in all three genres, I knew food would be critical. As soon as I saw Greg Zaccardi's Ramstein reps offering his outstanding Imperial Pilsner, I ambled over to the wurst/BBQ beef slider areas, where Stacy Alexander and Mayor Cahill were (above). It was a brilliant move. Others stood in fast-moving lines for the Roast Carved Caraway Pretzel Crusted Loin of Pork, not a dish you'll find at many beerfests. Manolo's Best Farmstand Chili was even on hand passing out samples of some incredible vegan chili.
In fact, the whole aura of the event was an interesting mix of both the classy and the common. The venue was the main ballroom of The Heldrich, one of the classiest hotels in the area. The Stacys had organized everything so efficiently, that the lines of attendees that began assembling at 3:30 for this 4 PM event were made to feel like guests instead of cattle. A sweet jazz combo, not a high-decibel band, offered background music, which allowed one to actually speak and interact with fellow fest-goers. And many of them, including yours truly, were very casually attired. Yet, all of them were thoroughly enjoying the experience.
Because apart from the products available, part of the appeal in any festival of this nature--at least for me-- is getting to meet some wonderful people, either behind the tables or in front of them. In the first category, there were "Merk" Merkel from the ever-growing Beach Haus, Josh from Smuttynose, Rob Muscatello from the legendary Southern Tier, Brewer Kyle McDonald from New Brunswick hotspot Harvest Moon Brewpub, Todd and Bob, owners of Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington, the inimitable Ray Disch and the lovely Jenna from Tito's were all more than happy to discuss their products. The PubScout has always said you meet the nicest folks around beer events, and proving that this day were people like Mayor Jim Cahill (who tapped the ceremonial Keg), Fran, Kelly, Frank Kropf and family (who won the award for cutest and youngest beer nut in Frank III) Elissa, Chris and the absolutely delightful, new-to-the-craft-beer-scene--and happily engaged--Shoby, depicted below. Pictures of many in attendance can be found in my Gallery on this site, and are free to download., provided you share where you got them.
It's not easy to hit a grand slam in your first at-bat, either in baseball or in beer festivals, but the Stacys have done just that. The 2nd Annual Craft Beer and Spirits Festival looks to be one to put on your beer calendar.
I know I'm putting it on mine.
Cheers!
The PubScout
