Neihardt Beer and Limerick Festival

When: Wed, Aug 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Ferguson House, 700 S. 16th St, Lincoln

Some of the breweries/wholesalers:

Blue Blood Brewing
Empyrean Brewing
Lucky Bucket
Modern Monks at Misty's
Nebraska Brewing
Spilker Ales
Thunderhead Brewing
Upstream Brewing
Zipline Brewing
State Distributing
Three Eagles Distributing
Granite City Brewpub
Republic Distributing
K&Z Craft and Import Distributing

From their press release…

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"There once was a poet who loved beer. All lagers and ales he held dear. So some folks held a fest to pick the beer that's best and everyone had good cheer!"

- Anonymous

LINCOLN -- Famed poet and author John Neihardt loved beer. And when he had free time, liked to pen humorous limericks, which he said were written by "a good friend of mine."

Those two pleasures will be celebrated Saturday, Aug. 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the 5th annual Neihardt Beer and Limerick Festival.

This year, the event will be held in Lincoln at the historic Ferguson House, 700 S. 16th St., adjacent to the State Capitol.

Nearly 30 styles of beers from about 15 craft breweries, brew pubs and beer distributors will be featured at the event. The best beer and best beer-related limericks will be chosen, and some beer memorabilia will be auctioned off.

The event is a fund-raiser for the John Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft, Neb. The State Historical Site there pays homage to the works of Neihardt, the poet laureate in perpetuity for Nebraska and the author of "Black Elk Speaks."

Neihardt lived in Lincoln for several years late in his life, and many Lincolnites still recall hearing Neihardt recite poetry and prose at area high schools and events.

Tickets cost $20 for members of the Neihardt Foundation and State Historical Society, and $25 for everyone else. Tickets are available from foundation members, or by calling the Neihardt Center, 1-888-777-4667.

Designated drivers are admitted free, and rides home will be available. Poets must attend, or buy a fest ticket, to submit a limerick.