Highlights
- This event featured a booth serving homebrew from the local home brewing club, LAGERS (La Crosse Area Grain Enthusiasts & Related Specialites). I only had a chance to try two of the homebrews, but these two beers were two of the standouts from the beer fest and not just because they were homebrews. What a great idea and great way to promote the industry.
- It was great seeing most of the Lift Bridge guys there and hanging out with them afterwards. Also, we had a chance to say "hi" to Chris from Furthermore. There weren't as many familiar faces as we are used to, but it was great seeing a few. Too bad we didn't have a chance for more chatter.
- Bodega is a must-see beer bar in La Crosse worth checking out. They have a good beer selection and a cool lazy-susan-type cooler for beers. Plus its a comfy place to hang out.
- Sconie liquor stores open on Sunday! Between the McGs and us, we spent almost $240 on beer at a liquor store on Sunday. Did you hear that, Minnesota, $240! I didn't think we'd have enough room in my sub-compact, but once we chopped Scott's legs off and tossed our luggage on the side of the road, the beer fit.
- My god was it crowded! That's why I didn't try any wine or very little cheese. There were far too many people in the confined area of the fest.
- There weren't many hard-to-find beers nor special offerings from most of the breweries (at least that I saw). Luckily, Lift Bridge had their oak-aged Harvestor, which gave us beer dorks a go-to treat.
- We didn't get a chance to get to Pearl Street, which was disappointing. Shame on us for poor planning.
I agree, there were way too many people there. I think they must have oversold the event. I went with some friends who have gone for a few years and they said it has never been nearly as crowded as this year. I also agree that the beers weren't as great as at the MN beer fests.
ReplyDeleteAnd oh man, you didn't try Pearl St? I really loved their Hefeweisen, and their Dankenstein was also very tasty. I put all my chips in their bucket because of that Hefeweisen though.
Did you get a chance to try the Nordic Creamery cheese? They were in the middle sorta under that overhang area. They use goat milk and it was super delicious.
Luckily we picked up a bunch of Pearl Street on Sunday, so we didn't totally miss out. I don't think I had any Nordic Creamer (I'm not a goat cheese guy), but I did have one with cinnamon and pecans (that might have been Nordic). I picked up a couple of pounds of it, but my friends are holding it for me.
ReplyDeleteI found the crowds to be a real downer. Had it been less crowded, I would have been able to try more cheese and some wine.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the cheese from Nordic Creamery. I think that is the cheese you got, Mag.
I wrote up my impressions here.