Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n15)
99 bottles of beer on the lawn - part one - By Sarah Davis
posted: Jul. 27, 2007
The Broad Ripple Microbrewers' Festival proved to be a hit with everyone-including the Gazette staff. We have view points on numerous beers from three different writers... Enjoy.
By Sarah Davis
On Saturday, July 21st, brewers from all over Indiana and the Midwest descended upon Optimist Park in Broad Ripple to share their craft with the beer lovers of Indy. Three beer tents, several food vendors and a music stage were set up in the park, and shortly before the gates opened at 3pm, the line was down the street with those anticipating the tasty brews.
The festival is an annual production of the Brewers Guild of Indiana; the proceeds from the $30 admission are shared with non-profit organizations Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Indiana Chapter and Northside Indianapolis Chapter of Optimists International.
Soon after the gates opened, the scene was bustling with thirsty adults of legal drinking ages. To entertain the crowd, locals Tim Brickley and the Bleeding Hearts performed original music from their new album Everything that Ever Was, and covered some crowd favorites from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Dylan and Grateful Dead. The music was placed so it could be heard at all the beer tents, making a fun atmosphere for mingling and tasting. The tent also provided some much needed shade for those wanting to rest in between beers.
The second band to take the stage was the Stone Martin Band, also from Indy. Former members of Sindacato and No Regrets joined forces to form this bluesy rock quartet with the soulful vocal styling of Sue Pope-Brown. Playing rock and blues standard such as "Hey Pocky Way" and "Feels Like Rain," the Stone Martin Band rocked it into the evening.
To provide some friendly beer drinking competition, games such as a keg toss and corn hole were provided at the festival. Nourishment was supplied by Yats, Hoghead's BBQ and BadaBoomz Burgers, making lots of hungry drinkers very happy.
As a female, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the designer of the portable toilets onsite. Most of the time, it is an unpleasant experience to use these, especially when lots of beer drinking is involved. But thanks to the addition of a double door handle on the inside, there are no more awkward balancing acts! Also appreciated was the addition of a purse hook inside the door! So whoever you are (and you are probably a woman), I salute you with a great big cheer of fine microbrew!