Fest of Ale a great excuse to visit Penticton
One of the largest beer festivals in the region, the Fest of Ale is always a great reason to visit BC’s interior and try out some new and exciting beers.
Held in beautiful Penticton, BC on April 7th and 8th, Fest of Ale is provides an excuse to get out of town and enjoy some quality beer. With local breweries such as Bad Tattoo, Cannery, Tin Whistle and Hwy 97, there are lots of possibilities to quench your thirst. Your visit provides an opportunity to explore the ‘beer town in wine country’ while still being able to take advantage of the many local wineries around Penticton and neighbouring Naramata.
This year’s festival will see the largest number of breweries that have ever attended. Many of the attendees are newer breweries, giving us opportunity to try some new beers as well get acquainted with old favourites.
Over Friday and Saturday festival guests will enjoy great beer, delicious food, and music from a number of performers throughout the venue.
In 2016, Fest of Ale was spread across both an indoor and an outdoor space with food, drink and music available in both. When the sun was out the outdoor area was definitely the place to be. Athough indoors there were still plenty of beer and music options too.
Getting to judge once again
The annual beer judging and awards will take place on day two with winners presented on Saturday afternoon. For a second year in a row I’ll be participating in the judging, which is rather exciting. I’m not nearly as nervous as I was last year with one year under my belt already. Not to mention that my group of judges were all eager to help and rather supportive, I expect this year will be even better. I’m already excited to find out which beers will be chosen this year as the whole process of deciding winners last year was fascinating and loads of fun!
Fest of Ale goes digital
So what’s special and different about this year beyond more breweries in attendance? Well the big change is that the organizers have gone digital and embraced Untappd to share all the beers available. Working with the different brewers, Fest of Ale created a venue listing on the Untappd app to list each beer and cider offered by each brewery. Attendees with the app can see what others think about a beer and compare notes quickly and easily.
Simply download the Untappd app on Android, iOS, or Windows and view the different beers available. Checking in beers is made much easier, as will be seeing descriptions and reviews of each beer. Prepare to rack up plenty of badges!
I’m certainly looking forward to heading up to Penticton for this festival. Many of you have heard me go on about Fest of Ale as the first beer festival I’d ever attended so naturally there’s just a wee bit of nostalgia in going up for another year.
Tickets for the festival are available now. If you need a place to stay be sure to check out the Sip & Stay one- or two-night packages at participating local hotels.
Be sure to let me know if you’re coming and we’ll raise a glass when you’re there!
