A variety of beers were on display and distributed in sample size Saturday during "BBQ and Brewfest" at the recently renovated Event Center Downtown in Opelika.
More than 400 people attended the Brewfest, which offered barbecue sandwiches, samplings of more than 35 craft beers, access to a full bar and live music for $25.
The event began at 4 p.m. with live music and barbecue, and the beer samples were served from 6 to 9 p.m.
The music, which included the bands Good Doctor, Cheaper than Therapy, Cedar Hill, Glow and The Packway Handle Band, continued until 1 a.m.
Lisa Beck, owner of the Opelika Event Center Downtown, said she began planning the event eight weeks ago.
"I did some research on large cities and events that take place in large cities, and beer festivals came up in my research a good bit," Beck said.
Beck said she worked with Gus Clark of Fine Wine and Beer by Gus to select the 35 beers represented at the event.
Clark said variety was the main guideline for selecting beers for the event.
"I tried to stay away from super high-gravities," Clark said. "Other than that, we just tried to have a cross-section of beers. That's why there were so many different styles."
All of the breweries represented at Brewfest are less than a year old.
"By law, if they get a free sample or something from a distributor, they can only do it in the beer world if it's the first year," Clark said.
Breweries represented included Thomas Creek, Choc, Erie, Unibroue and the local Back Forty Beer Co., among others.
Price's Barbecue House, one of the Event Center Downtown's 12 preferred caterers, provided the barbecue.
"You have to provide food at a beer festival, and barbecue just makes sense, and it goes well with beer," Beck said.
"BBQ and Brewfest" will become an annual event, she said.
Clark said the ordinance that limits the amount of time alcohol can be served at an event could possibly be appealed for next year's event.
Harper Carson, 26, drove from Birmingham to attend.
Carson's favorite brewery represented was the Wisconsin-owned and independently operated Stevens Point Brewery.
"I really like the summer wheat and the horizon wheat," Carson said. "I've tried all of them, and those are definitely the best."
Carson said $25 was a reasonable price for what was offered.
"I think it's great because it brings everybody together," Carson said. "Plus, it's a little more family oriented. I think it's a good social event to get people out and for breweries--especially locals--to market their product."\0x2028
Jane and Mike Bracht, 52, of Auburn, used the Brewfest as a way to get out of the house and have fun together.
"It really is just a night out," Jane said. "We have four children--we don't go out very often."
Mike said his favorite beer was the Choc hefeweizen, and that he would definitely return for next year's Brewfest.
"Mike loves beer, so it's great for him to get to taste different ones," Jane said.
Clark said he is surprised and pleased with the community's positive reaction to the Brewfest.
"Our town, a few years ago, would have never embraced this, really, and so it's just kind of interesting being on the forefront of something like this," Clark said.
The number of beers available in Alabama will increase drastically in the next two years, which will provide for a whole new selection next year, Clark said.
"Right now, we have a few hundred different beers in the state," Clark said. "In a matter of like two more years, we'll probably have like 800. This is such an infantile stage we're in--it's kind of neat that we're actually doing something to be involved now."
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