My parents came down to the Savannah Craft Brew Fest 2015 on Labor Day Weekend. Admission fee then unlimited 2 oz samples from 64 breweries, probably 150 different beers, ciders, and meads.

Pre-brew fest

We sampled 50 different drinks. The meads were too sweet for me, but fun to try (Mom loved them a lot…). Two years ago IPAs were too plentiful at the festival (much like the market at the time)… this time there were plenty of sours. And I was plenty happy. I drink a lot of local beers, so it was nice to step out of my geographical location and see what’s going on.

Sample glasses and pretzel necklaces

5 Favorite Finds at Savannah Craft Brew Fest 2015

1. Small Town’s Not Your Father’s Root Beer

Not Your Father’s Root Beer

I heard the bottles have some after-taste, but the Small Town draught tasted exactly like delicious root beer with no hint of its 5.9% alcohol content. It makes me want to go up to Chicago and try their Apple Pie beer.

2. Anderson Valley’s The Kimmie, The Yink, and The Holy Gose

The Kimmie, The Yink, and the Holy Gose Ale

Anderson Valley‘s gose has been on my list to try for a long time, and now I regret all the missed days. Gose (Go-zuh) are sour wheat beers brewed with coriander and salt. Sour and salty. I’ll now be on the look for other gose, including Westbrook’s.

3. Weyerbacher’s Tarte Nouveau

A delicious session sour from Pennsylvania. I’ve never had anything from this 20 yr old brewery… I’ll be on the lookout now.

4. Thomas Creek’s Coffee Oatmeal Stout

Coffee Oatmeal Stout

A well done oatmeal stout with heavy, fresh coffee notes. I had previously knocked this brewery down on my list of beers to try after having their artificial tasting Vanilla Cream Ale, but this was smooth and worth giving Thomas Creek a third look.

5. Victory’s Festbier

Festbier

An Oktoberfest beer did make the list! I’m still developing my taste for malty beers, so this beer’s balance of malt and hops was perfect for me. Victory makes some excellent beers.

The festival was a success — we stayed the whole time and enjoyed ourselves (but not too much, either!). I came home, watched football, and dedicated myself to recovery.

Ginger ale, coconut water, and 2 water bottles

Tried any new beers lately?

Ever been to a Beer Festival?