NOV/DEC 1998

VOL.4 NO.9

Selected Events -- What's Hot in the World of Beer this Month

NOTE: The descriptions below are those given by the organizers of the events, and taken from the Real Beer Page Events Calendar.

5th Annual Maine Brewers' Festival

November 7, 1998 - Portland Expo, Portland, Maine

Festival will feature member breweries of the Maine Brewers' Guild pouring over 80 different varieties of Maine-made beers to an expected capacity crowd of 4000 beer enthusiasts.

The Maine Brewers' Festival is truly that: a brewers' festival. At a time in the industry when most beerfests are run by promotional companies and their staffs, the Maine Brewers' Festival remains faithful to the idea of a real brewers' festival where brewery owners and brewmasters pour their own product and meet beer enthusiasts face to face. This year's Maine Brewers' Festival will highlight the diversity of beers made in Maine: "A World of Beer - Made Right Here!"

An important feature of this year's festival is a more "taster-friendly" admission package that includes a larger tasting glass for shorter waiting lines. As always, a wide range of ethnic and regional foods will be provided by some of Greater Portland's finest eateries; and music will be provided throughout the day and evening sessions. Free coffee will be available for designated drivers from Portland Coffee Roasting Company, and discounted rides with Old Port Taxi will be provided by the Shipyard Brewing Company to help insure a safe festival.

The ticket price includes a souvenir 6 oz tasting glass and 12 sampling tickets for use at any brew booth. Advance tickets are $17.00. Discounted Day Session tickets are available for $15.00 if purchased before September 30.

Hours: Two sessions: 1:30 to 5:30 pm and from 7:00 to 11:00 pm.
Admission: See Description
Organization: Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company
Contact Name: Tickets -or- Hotline
Contact Phone: (207) 842-0800 -or- (207) 772-2739
Contact Email: grittys@grittys.com

24 hours of the Belgian Special Beer

November 7 - 8, 1998 - Antwerp, Belgium

Biggest beer fstival in Belgium. Over 40 breweries present over 140 beers, most of them on tap. Admission is free and each beer costs 35 BEF (about one dollar) per 15 cl glass.

Hours: Saturday 2 pm till 1 am, Sunday 10 am till 10 pm
Admission: Admission is free and each beer costs 35 BEF (about one dollar) per 15 cl glass.
Organization: OBP vzw
Contact Name: Jan Carpentier (chairman)
Contact Phone: +31 (0)3 232 45 38
Contact Email: obp@mail.dma.be

The Great Canadian Beer Festival

November 13 - 14, 1998 - Victoria Conference Center, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

The GCBF is a celebration of the brewer's craft. Only all-natural beers from keg and cask are served - with most of the brewers on hand to answer questions, and accept compliments. We'll also be serving gourmet food, especially catered for us.

Admission is by Advance Ticket only -no ticket sales at the door. Tickets go on sale in mid-September - check the website for details.Admission includes the GCBF Guide (description of the breweries and their beers, who's who and pouring what, notes on CAMRA and beer styles, tasting guide, etc.) and a souvenir four-ounce tasting glass.

We'll also have a display of brewing memorabilia and a display of brewery collectables to browse and buy. *And, of course, there'll be some beer, from 32 craft breweries offering over 100 different beers & ciders. (with profits going to local charities).

Beer samples are still only $1 each!

Hours: Friday 4pm - 9pm, Saturday noon - 8pm
Admission: $10 Advance Ticket only
Organization: Great Canadian Beer Festival Society
Contact Name: Dave Preston
Contact Phone: (250) 474-2411
Contact Fax: 604-474-1297
Contact Email: dpreston@pacificcoast.net

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