Beer Festival, With Taster’s Choice Voting, This Weekend

OXFORD — The Cork & Keg International Wine n’ Beer Cellar 2008 Beer Festival will be presented this weekend at The Golf Club at Oxford Green. The event will run rain or shine on Saturday, August 23, from noon to 4 pm.

More than 50 of the top brewers from across the United States will be on hand with over 100 samples of beer. 

In addition to beer tasting, the festival will offer food, music, prizes and giveaways.

“We have been asked to do a festival for a few years now,” said Lewis Gotch, the event producer and owner of Cork and Keg International. “There are a lot of people out there who enjoy different beers and are passionate about it. This event offers a huge array of beer. [We have gathered] the top brewers in the country to sample their brews.

“The Golf Club at Oxford Greens lends itself to the perfect festival atmosphere. We expect people to travel from Maine through Maryland to attend. Our goal is to grow this event to be the premier beer festival in New England. It’s very exciting.”

The 2008 Summer Beer Festival is the first Connecticut voting stop for Samuel Adams.  Each year votes are cast for the taster’s choice of which beer will be brewed. This year, the taste-down is between a coffee stout and blackberry wit.   All attendees will have a chance to taste both brews and cast their vote.

Chris Holt, the head chef at The Golf Club at Oxford Green, will be cooking up some great fare for the day. Radio station WRKI/i-95 FM, will be broadcasting live. There will be door prizes and giveaways throughout the day. 

Tickets are $35 and may be purchased in advance or at the festival. Admission is free to any designated driver.

Attendees must be at least 21 years of age to purchase tickets and enter the event.

The Golf Club at Oxford Greens is at 99 Country Club Drive. For additional information call Mr Gotch at 264-8877.