10.7 | The third edition of Beervana, the "craft beer enlightenment" event, will be held at Rhodes-On-the-Pawtuxet on Friday, October 7 from 6:30-10 pm.
235 | Beervana will host 75 brewers and more than 160 beers. A distinguishing factor of the fest is that each company is repped by an owner, brewer, and/or other in-house expert. These people are proud of their wares and ready to talk about their passion.
2 | Educational seminars at the fest, featuring Carol Stoudt (aka "the Queen of Hops"), who co-founded the quality Pennsylvania brewery with husband Ed in 1987 (their Fat Dog, an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, is a must-try), and David Yarrington, the executive brewer at Smuttynose in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (Finestkind IPA and Old Brown Dog Ale should always be in your rotation).15 | The increase in percentage of sales of craft beer in the first half of 2011; volume of craft beer sold grew 14 percent. Which has nothing to do specifically with Beervana, but proves the burgeoning interest in first-class brews, which is particularly remarkable in this bruised economy.
5 | Local brewers who concocted Newport Storm '11 (with a fitting 11% ABV). The first collaborative beer by the artisans from Trinity Brewhouse, Newport Storm, Union Station, Coddington, and Mohegan Café, it's brewed with Rhode Island hops and honey and yeast and water, and aged in Rhode Island rum barrels. It will make its world premiere at Beervana.
14 | The highest ABV of the Beervana offerings: iQhilika, a South African wild-fermented mead (though the 13% Firestone Walker Parabola Imperial Stout is the big beer I'll be lining up for).
2.5 | The lowest ABV: Ca l'Arenys' Guineu Riner, a pale ale by the Spanish brewer that is described in the Beervana notes as "amazingly hoppy" (though a reviewer on Beer Advocate opined it's "like IPA-flavored water").
2009, 2010, 2011 | Editions of Lagunitas' Old Gnarlywine barleywine on hand (though the 11% ABV vertical tasting could put a dent in your long-range sampling).
3 | Tips to maximize your experience: a) Plan ahead: make a wish list (see link at bottom of column, then hit the beer-rating dot.coms). b) Pace yourself: Alternate modest ABV brews with the heavy hitters. Drink that water; eat that food (before and during the event). c) Be adventurous: Have a few favorites (say, a beer you love in the bottle but haven't had on tap), but expand your horizons and discover new favorites (and hope you can afford them).
2000 BC | Four thousand years ago, heather was used to bitter beer. Fraoch Heather Ale, from Scotland's Williams Bros. Brewing, is based on an ancient Gaelic recipe. Beer as time machine. Respect the eldest style at the fest!
1000 + $45 | The number of available tickets and cost (in advance; they'll be $50 at the door, but why tempt fate?). Go to beervanafest.com for info.
