Omaha Beer Fest 2012 News and Brewery List

We are proud to be sponsoring this event again this year and it looks to be even better then last year. We will be sponsoring the Beer Academy tent and we are really looking forward to that. Here is the information we received today. More will of course be coming and you will see all of it right here.

Omaha Beer Fest

Friday and Saturday, May 18-19

Stinson Park, 67^th and Center Streets

Friday, 4-8 and Saturday 3-7 (open at 2 PM for VIPs)

There will be over 150 beers, 40 breweries (all American craft breweries this year), hourly Beer Academy classes, live music, and food vendors. Many representatives from the brewing industry will be on hand to meet and discuss their products. The Omaha Beer Fest benefits Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. PPMD is leading the fight to end Duchenne, the most devastating form of Muscular Dystrophy.

· Media sponsors include Z-92, ESPN AM, CD 105.9, Channel 94.1, Omaha Magazine, Nebraska Beer Blog and Omaha Happy Hours

· Corporate sponsors include Aksarben Village, Mojo Smokehouse & Ales, Courtyard by Marriott Aksarben Village, Deffenbaugh, Boulevard Brewing Company, Omaha Steaks, Wisconsin Cheese, and Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, P.C.

· We will announce Beer Academy classes next month

· Food vendors include Jones Bros Cupcakes, Wohlners, and Godfathers

· Live music line-up includes Manouche Moustache and Funk Trek on Friday, and eNVy with special guest Chris Saub and The Polkanauts (from Denver) on Saturday

Connoisseur Night

Thursday, May 17

1316 Jones

7 PM

To kick off the festival, we will be hosting Connoisseur Night – a comparative glass tasting with Spiegelau, sponsored by Boulevard Brewing Company. The 90 minute seminar takes beer enthusiasts through a tasting of 4 different beers out of various Spiegelau glasses. The tasting demonstrates the impact on taste and overall experience of the beer by the glass. The attendees get to sample four Boulevard beers as well as take home a set of Spiegelau Beer Connoisseur glasses.

There will be a new VIP option this year at the festival, sponsored by Mojo Smokehouse & Ales. VIP includes early access (1 hour early at 2 pm), and access to the VIP Lounge with wonderful foods prepared by Mojo, as well as special beers not available in the brewery tents. VIP Experience will be available on Saturday, May 19 only.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, Feb 17. Tickets will initially be available only online at www.omahabeerfest.com. Tax is included, nominal ticketing fees apply.

· General Admission is $30 in advance and includes a tasting glass, unlimited tastings, live music and access to Beer Academy classes. Friday OR Saturday.

· VIP is $50 in advance and includes above, plus one hour early entry on Saturday (2 PM), and access to the Mojo Smokehouse & Ales VIP Lounge with food and specialty beers. Saturday ONLY. Limited number available.

· DD is $10 at the door and includes limited festival entry, free non-alcoholic drink coupons. DD tickets are not available online.

· Connoisseur Night is $60 and includes 90 minute seminar, 4 Boulevard beers, set of Spiegelau Beer Classics glasses, and a GA ticket to the Omaha Beer Fest, good either Friday or Saturday. Limited number available.

Brewery List:

Anchor Brewing

August Schells

Blue Blood

Boulder

Boulevard

Crabtree

Crow Peak

Empyrean

Free State

Goose Island

Granite City

Green Flash

Jaipur

Keg Creek

Lagunitas

Loop

Lucky Bucket

Madhouse

Moonstruck Meadery

Nebraska Brewing Company

New Belgium

Odell Brewing Company

Redhook

Rock Bottom

Sam Adams

SchillingBridge

SKA

Spilker

Summit

Tallgrass

Thunderhead Brewing Co

Twisted Pine

Widmer

Woodchuck

…Plus the following home brew clubs:

Railroaders

South Omaha Brewers

Iowa Brewers Union

Many volunteers will be needed. Online sign-ups available beginning March 1. Volunteers will receive a complimentary GA ticket and Omaha Beer Fest t-shirt. Interested? Pop us an email with your contact info at volunteer@omahabeerfest.com.