We recently sat down with Paul & Kim Kavulak, co-owners of Nebraska Brewing Co. and co-producers of the Great Nebraska Beer Fest (GNBF), to talk about this year’s event. We wanted to find out more about the planning, history, and some of the highlights people can expect at the 6th annual event coming up on Saturday, August 23rd.
>>>
For those that are new to the scene, what is the “Great Nebraska Beer Fest” and
how did it come to be?
Paul: The festival is a spotlight on Nebraska-based
and American craft beer. We seek to promote growth of the overall craft beer
community as well as provide an educational experience about beer at this
event. Our goal is to appeal to everyone from the craft beer novice to the most
educated of beer cicerones and everyone in-between.
Kim: The event started as a cooperative effort with
the Sarpy County Arts Council in 2009. It was originally conceived as a
fundraiser of sorts among the seven or eight Nebraska breweries that were part
of the first ever event. In a way we were going into uncharted waters as there
was limited to no support from some of the other members of the Nebraska State
Brewers Guild. That has changed over time and this event is now the biggest
single contributor to the Guild each year. In the past, a portion of the festival
proceeds have gone to benefit the Histiocytosis Foundation. In
2014, a portion will go to benefit the Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation.
>>> Can
you give us a brief history of the GNBF festival and talk about its growth over
its past six years?
Kim: The first event was held in
2009 on Main Street in Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion. There were about
25 participating breweries and around 100 beers to sample from that year. The
event has continued to grow every year since. The 2010 festival was also held
on Main Street but in 2011, we realized we had outgrown the original festival
site and moved to the Dick’s Sporting Goods parking lot, just north of the
Nebraska Brewing Co. Brewpub where we remained until 2013. Over time, we have outgrown the confines of Shadow Lake and in 2014, GNBF will call Werner Park home for the festival’s sixth year
of existence. We are thrilled to have nearly 80 breweries and almost 400 beers
to choose from at this year’s festival.
Paul: One way we give thanks each year to all the
breweries and distributors who participate is by hosting an Industry Brewers
Night the night before the festival. We invite 300-400 people to a private
event to thank them for their participation in this festival. In 2014, we have
a 98% brewer participation rate meaning actual brewery representatives will be
at the festival to talk and share their beer. We have never before had such
support by breweries eager to showcase their products.
>>> With
the growing number of beer fests that occur annually throughout the nation,
what makes GNBF stand out from the crowd?
Paul: As owners of Nebraska Brewing Co., we have
traveled far and wide to beer festivals nationwide and have developed lasting
relationships with many breweries from around the country. Over time, we feel
we have learned from other festivals as far as the do’s and don’ts and we
strive to implement the best elements into this event. An item that is unique to this festival
is that we arrange to have around 30 outside breweries obtain a 30 day temporary state permit in order to be a part of this festival. These are breweries that do not currently
distribute or have distribution rights in Nebraska and can only be found at
this festival; award winning breweries such as Surly (MN),
DESTIHL (IL), New Holland (MI), and one of the currently top rated breweries on BeerAdvocate:
Arizona Wilderness.
Kim: Another of our goals is to
make this event a great stage for Nebraska as well to the outside market. We seek
out those people who are wondering what kind of beers are available in Nebraska
and to develop the beer scene as a whole in the Midwest.
>>> What
has the move to Werner Park in 2014 meant to the festival?
Paul: The Great Nebraska Beer Fest
has had tremendous growth over its history. The move to Werner Park in 2014
highlights a really great partnership our team has developed with the Omaha
Storm Chasers. The move to Werner Park has meant that we have more resources at
our disposal to put on an better event as well as being able to grow this event
with more regional and national awareness.
Kim: I feel the move has showed that there is
continued and sustaining growth with the craft beer community and industry. Originally, Nebraska Brewing Co. was approached by the Storm Chasers to develop a unique beer for them that
would only be available at Werner Park during games. NBC responded by developing
‘Ale Storm’, a blonde session ale that ended up winning a gold medal
in its very first international competition. We have had a great relationship
with Werner Park and the Storm Chasers for almost three years now.
>>> What
are your thoughts on the long term outlook for GNBF and what is next?
Paul: Obviously, we would like to
continue to grow the festival and continue to raise craft beer awareness in
Nebraska and throughout the region. In 2013, the people who bought
tickets traveled from some 23 different states to experience GNBF. We would
love to see that trend continue. One thing we changed this year it that we actually shortened
the festival by one hour. Last year, we found that many attendees had reached their
limit and were leaving the festival with nearly an hour remaining. As craft
beer advocates, we must be at the forefront for safety and awareness of
responsible enjoyment.
Kim: We want to continue to focus on the overall
enjoyment of the festival experience. We realize that people are spending their
hard-earned money on this event and we seek to make it rewarding and unique. We
hope people will take the time to seek out the informative seminars and enjoy
the festival atmosphere overall.
>>> Anything
else you would like to add for those still thinking about coming to this year’s
event but are unsure?
Paul: This is a true American
craft beer experience and is not a mundane “grocery store” experience where
people have already tried everything being offered there. Our goal is to the be one
of the best regional beer festivals that people seek out to attend each and
every year.
Kim: Omaha Pipes and Drums will
once again kickoff our festival this year. Jone-Z Party Bus will
be running continuous shuttles during the event between Werner Park, the NBC
Tap Room (108th & Harrison), and the NBC Brewpub (72nd
& Hwy 370, Shadow Lake) until 7pm on Saturday. Live bands will again be playing this year’s event
includes the return of local favorite “Grand Theft Girlfriend” for the 6th
consecutive year. We even have a live festival mascot this year! Our barnyard
animal this year is the goat and “Fuggles” the goat will be in attendance and
will be making the rounds at this year’s event for pictures and enjoyment. Finally,
we have once again partnered with the law firm of Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf, and
Lathrop as part of their “Safe Ride Home” program. We hope to
see everyone who can make it out to the festival on Saturday.
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