News

April 13, 2008

Beer fans have plenty to sample

Crowd at annual festival at Split Rock could enjoy beer from 30 breweries, 15 countries.

RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent

LAKE HARMONY – About 1,500 beer connoisseurs gathered at the 12th annual international beer festival at Split Rock Resort and Golf Club on Saturday afternoon.

The crowd occasionally howled out loud and some tasters wore bright green shirts that read “Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder.” Loud music played from a live band named the Fuzzy Bunny Slippers and revelers of all ages shared a jovial time.

The International Beer Festival is about sampling beers from around the world, not about drinking, according to Shelly Lutz, director of golf and special events for Split Rock. The event started over a decade ago as a way to promote local micro-breweries. It morphed into an event offering beer from 30 breweries and more than 15 different countries.

Tasters paid $25 at the door and walked with glass in hand through the various displays to sample beer with brand names like Aiko, which is made in Lithuania, Efes from Turkey, Moretti from Italy and Zywiec from Poland. Representatives from the manufacturers and the local distributors served up the drinks and fielded queries from true beer enthusiasts.

Jeffrey Boam, sales manager for Ace Beverage in Eynon, Lackawanna County, said beer has become like wine.

“The people here care about beer. This is not a drunk fest,” Boam said. “They ask pointed questions about how it is made and we love to answer them,” he added.

Boam said Ace Beverage will dole out 60 cases of 10 various imported beers.

With the potential legalizing of beer sales in large supermarkets, Boam foretells a very bright future in beer sales in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Pat Verrastro, from T. Verrastro Beverage Company, West Hazleton, offered 30 different imports for tasting. The best way to decide what beer to buy is to try it first, he said.

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