Kiwanis' annual ale fest keeps revelers hopping
What's an ale?
An ale is a beer that's brewed differently from the lager-style beers.
Fred Gray of Janesville's Gray Brewing Co. explained the difference:
Ale: Brewed at higher temperatures, and the yeast ferments on top of the wort, which is essentially unfermented beer. Ales are brewed more quickly than beers and typically produce sharper flavors. Ales can be either pale or dark. They include porters and stouts.
Lager: Brewed at lower temperatures, and the fermentation takes place at the bottom. Making a lager produces dimethyl sulphide, which may sound awful but which produces a smoother taste. Realbeer.com says lagers include pilseners, bocks, maerzens and Dortmunders.
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From left, Jennifer Parks, Amy Wright, Kathy Hughes and Christine Higham sample a variety of beers available at Saturay’s Fest of Ale.
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Sam Ploof pours a sample of Capital Brewery’s Autumn Fire for Fest of Ale attendee Joe Kirkhoff. The annual event raises money for scholarships and the junior Kiwanis clubs in schools.
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A Fest of Ale attendee receives a fresh sample from the dozens of choices available.
JANESVILLE — It's hard not to have a good time with a beer in your hands.
Maybe that's why everyone was smiling Saturday night at the Holiday Inn Express convention center.
About 500 people gathered for the seventh annual Janesville Kiwanis' Fall Fest of Ale.
Those who paid the $50 entrance fee could sample the products of more than 30 brewers from Wisconsin, Illinois and around the country.
The Fest of Ale draws a good crowd to the annual fundraiser, but perhaps none more dedicated than Stacey Dunn, a Janesville native now living in Chicago.
Dunn organizes friends from around the country to come to the festival each year. Thirteen friends came this year from Boston, Alaska and around the Midwest.
Dunn primes her guests with a pre-fest tailgate at her parents' house. The tailgate's theme this year was "shut up and eat your beer." Foods served all had beer as an ingredient.
"I like to show off Janesville in a positive light to all my friends from all over," Dunn said. "It's a good face for Wisconsin."
And Wisconsin needs the PR, Dunn believes: "People make fun of us all the time."
You might think the cover charge would produce a fortune for the Kiwanians and their good works, but that's not necessarily so, said Tom Waller, chairman of this year's event.
"We have a lot of expenses. Hence the price," Waller said.
There was a time when brewers donated the beer. No more after a change in state law, Waller said.
Waller said advance ticket sales were down this year, probably because of the economy.
The money goes to Kiwanis' community-building causes, such as scholarships and the junior Kiwanis clubs in schools, said Kiwanian Robbi Seales.
Local restaurants supplied piles of sandwiches, pizza and other food for the revelers, and the eclectic stylings of Sigmund Snopek's band provided a Wisconsin accent to the atmosphere.
Patrons sampled brews of wildly varying hues and flavors. Names were as colorful as their labels: Lazy Mutt, Billy Bock, McSorley's, Pull Chain Pale Ale, Gray's Wisco Wheat, Lilja's Hop Nest Monster, Mudpuppy Porter and Fuel Café, a coffee-flavored stout.
"You have to train before you come here," joked Stephanie Douglas of Janesville.
Douglas was strictly a light beer drinker before coming to the fest a few years ago. Now, she appreciates the darker brews.
That's music to the ears of people such as Fred Gray, who runs the local Gray Brewing Co. and was a Fest of Ale supporter from the beginning.
People normally wouldn't pay $4 for a pint to see if they liked Gray's No. 1 seller, Oatmeal Stout, Gray said. They're much more likely to try it at a sampling.
If they really like it, they'll become loyal customers, which is important these days, with the ever-growing number of specialty brands clamoring for attention.
Gray said there's probably a beer tasting every weekend somewhere in Wisconsin.
"It's really become in vogue now for taverns to have sampling days," he said.
Patrons typically filled their glasses with two or three fingers worth of brew, so they could sample as many as possible.
Waller said the goal was for everyone to have a good time and drink responsibly.
"It's a beer sampling. It's not a way to get real plowed real fast," he said.
The Kiwanians supplied designated drivers for anyone who overindulged.
For some very hoppy revelers, the 6-10 p.m. event was not quite enough. Dunn and her merry band planned to extend the fun with an after party.
Nov 11, 2009 at 5:10 p.m.
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hannah: thc affects you pretty much the same regardless of how you ingest it. as for you getting tired of what i do. well i dont know where to start...so ill just finish...i dont give a expletive
Nov 10, 2009 at 4:05 p.m.
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What a cool event. I had no idea Janesville had anything like that. I'm in Milwaukee, so these types of things are pretty standard - and a lot of fun.
People don't get trashed. It's a sampling. Might get a good buzz on. It's the post-party elsewhere where people tend to go a bit overboard - but not at the event itself.
Nov 10, 2009 at 3:26 p.m.
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lol. huffy puffy?? i have to wait til after work to do some huffin an puffin:) rarely do i post in anger or even irritation. i do this to practice my rant and pass some time and i know what im dealing with. i apologize for assuming you were blaming me for the pot discussion. its just what peeps do on here cuz its just what i do on here. the mental health thing was just a lame attempt at a burn since you suggested i may have mental health issues. im glad you agree with most of my posts. when its legal feel free to stop into 'kids cafe' and have one of my special tea's...first ones on me:)
i wasnt using this story as an example of glorifying alcohol use. im ok with this setup and actually think its a great networking opportunity. if i still drank i would have gotten my 50 bux worth:) it was in reference to wannabe asking the difference between teaching kids to drink or smoke pot. if legal i would not be ok with companies glorifying marijuana use, but honestly, i would LOVE for that to be the case:)
Nov 10, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
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I would of voted coffee but that is my choice before beer.
Nov 10, 2009 at 2:29 p.m.
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Didja know that beer is the third most commonly consumed beverage behind water and tea?
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:33 p.m.
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First of all, I didn't say YOU were turning this into a pot vs. alcohol debate. It would probably happen with or without your input. I'm also not blaming anyone for doing so. No need to get all huffy puffy about it. Mellow out, dude. You asked "where have you ever seen a commercial or news story glorifying the use of pot for kids??" My point is that you wouldn't, because pot is illegal. But, if this is the news story you're referring to, I don't see it as glorifying alcohol use for kids. If pot wasn't illegal, you may very well see commercials for it the same way you see commercials for alcohol "glorifying" it. Truth be told, I agree with the majority of your posts on the topic of marijuana. Though I don't understand your comment of me being "in need of mental health." That doesn't make any sense.
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:28 p.m.
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Kid I understand what you are saying , but is it not up to the parents to teach and as for ads well yes they could show them late at night right? Have you seen primetime? The pot comment was only to you as a joke. I am sure once it is legalized there will be ads on this also. The whole point of the article was to show that there are other things to do and see. How we chose to associate with this is ones own decision. Is drinking a problem sure, so are other things, gambling, drug use, smoking take your pick. Just going outside can be dangerous so what is the answer I do not know, I suppose things need to change.
Nov 10, 2009 at 1:17 p.m.
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spinmaster: that thought is irrational?? maybe to you and i, but what about to a 12 year old kid watching the superbowl?? or is the thought of that company trying to attract teens to their product irrational too?? if my opinion on why those beer companies run those commercials is irrational, please old wise one, enlighten us on exactly WHY they have those half naked chics promoting their product if not to glorify its use??
you see me turning this into a pot vs alcohol debate?? funny how the blind have selective sight. i made a comment about the first line of the story. didnt even mention marijuana. if you look, wannabe posted and asked me a direct question about pot so i answered and now here you are blaiming me and at the same time CONTINUING the discussion. pot is illegal, alcohol is legal, end of debate?? good thing all people arent as closed minded and in need of mental health as yourself or we may still have the right to own other people...
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:56 p.m.
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" Beer is proof that God wants us to be happy." - Ben Franklin
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:34 p.m.
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If someone is irrational enough to believe that "half naked chics prancing around on commercials" are "implying they are attainable if you drink a certain type of beer," then there's not much that can be done for you. Alcohol should be the least of your worries. Mental health may be an issue. Companies (even beer companies) run ads to make money. Money = success. Success = companies continuing to operate. And why does every story that mentions alcohol have to turn into a pot vs. alcohol debate? Pot is illegal, alcohol isn't. Debate solved. Oh, and it is hard not to have a good time with a beer in your hands. That's just the honest truth.
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:08 p.m.
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one other thing wannabe. where have you ever seen a commercial or news story glorifying the use of pot for kids??
Nov 10, 2009 at 12:05 p.m.
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wannabe: i have nothing against this event. its a beer tasting and they had drivers to get them home. its not about whether smoking pot at home is better, i was just pointing out that from day one our kids are taught by advertising and parents that alcohol indeed makes things more fun and its 'hard not to have fun with a beer in your hand'. half naked chics prancing around on commercials implying they are attainable if you drink a certain type of beer. we as a society totally minimize the potential negatives of alcohol consumption while we GLORIFY that alcohol consumption with a disclaimer at the end that says 'please drink responsibly'...as if thats going to override the half naked females. i was just pointing out its thoughts like 'its hard not to have fun with a beer in your hand' that are the reason alcohol is EASILY the most abused drug we have...
Nov 10, 2009 at 10:11 a.m.
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I like this kind of advertising for small breweries all boils down to drink responsible and it is a tasting. I do not hear you complaining about wine tasting what is the difference. It is a chance to taste all kinds of brew. I guess smoking pot at home is better right Kid? Not a cut just what is the difference of teaching kids to drink or smoke pot, it is about responsibility teach that. I applauded the Kiwanis’ and Fred Gray. And for the price, if I want to do something like this I save my money to do it. Also it brought out of state money.
Nov 10, 2009 at 9:53 a.m.
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Gray said there's probably a beer tasting every weekend somewhere in Wisconsin: What!!!! That is the bloodline of this state
Nov 10, 2009 at 9:25 a.m.
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you all are idiots. it is an organized event as a fundraiser. they provide DD's to anyone who has had too much. you are an example of a society that takes things too far and makes an example out of everyone and everything. i was there for the 3rd year in a row and it was, as always, well organized. the doors are guarded to prevent anyone leaving w/ alcohol. police typically patrol the lot and the area if anyone who has had too much tries to leave. no one was shooting guns out their windows. no one got in an accident that night. the line: "It's hard not to have a good time with a beer in your hands" is a nice intro to a story...that is all. as always on the gazette, local people with not enough to do bravely sit behind their keyboards and make judgmental and often inaccurate statements about whatever is written by the gazette staff. none of you mentioned the exposure and stimulus events like this give to lesser known breweries. or the impression wonderful food of local restaurants makes. INSTEAD, we are all alcoholics driving unguided missiles through the streets of janesville with one plan: to kill someone else. not everyone in this world has the poor judgment and lack of control that some individuals do.
Nov 10, 2009 at 8:22 a.m.
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At $50 a ticket the Depression must be over?
Wow. Yeah kid, we wonder why our children crash the family car into a tree, drunk. Kudos to the Kiwis for having drivers though.
Nov 9, 2009 at 9:08 p.m.
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Beautiful ladies and beer....what is better besides a Democratic victory?
Nov 9, 2009 at 8:16 p.m.
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beer the breakfast of champions!
Nov 9, 2009 at 7:13 p.m.
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"It's hard not to have a good time with a beer in your hands"
unfortunately our kids are taught this from day one...which is why alcohol is easily the most abused drug in existence
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