Hundreds Expected at Annual Brew Fest

Beer, beer and more beer is what’s in store for attendees of Barrington’s eighth annual Brew Fest from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 9.

The event is taking place under the brat tent in the North commuter parking lot of the Barrington train station, 201 S. Spring St. Hosted by the Barrington Area Council on Aging, all proceeds will benefit the organization.

“We will have a whole variety of different craft brews that will be available for people that are attending,” said Joyce Palmquist, executive director of the Barrington Area Council on Aging. “We probably have at least 50 samples of different beers.”

Those in attendance will be able to sample brews from local and regional breweries like Wild Onion, Sand Creek, Flossmoor Station, Mickey Finn’s and more.

Beer drinkers will have the opportunity to expand their palate at the event and learn about each brew they are tasting.

“If you don’t know anything about beer, everyone thinks you drink Bud Light,” she said. “As you start to understand beer better, you realize that there’s many different flavors and types.”

The Brew Fest is more than just a drinking party. There also will be food, live music, games and shopping.

“Something new this year that we haven’t done before is we’re going to have a few vendors that are beer-related,” Palmquist explained.

Some of those vendors include Connoisseur magazine, a homebrew club called Club Wort, and Brew and Grow.

“Brew and Grow sells home beer and wine making supplies, so if you wanted to make your own beer or wine at home, they have all the supplies that you need.” Palmquist said.

Tickets to 2011 Brew Fest are $35 in advance, and $40 at the door. Admission price includes a souvenir glass and beer tastings. The first 750 people who purchase tickets will also receive a free Brew Fest T-shirt.

Advance tickets can be purchased at , Onion Pub, , or online at www.barringtonbrewfest.com. There is a service fee for tickets purchased online.