Deer River BBQ and Brew Fest 2013

Compared to last summer’s success, the fourth annual festival hit a glitch, when a permit to serve homebrew was denied.  This was publicized in the Grand Rapids Herald Review, and WDIO TV from Duluth.  The BBQ competition, and the BJCP sanctioned homebrew competition continued; there was just no ability for the public to sample the competitive homebrew entries.  The public was able to sample the BBQ entries, beer was available from the on-site stall from the Outpost bar, and the Boreal Brewers had to satisfy themselves by gamely serving homemade root beer and cream soda.

The Deer River Chamber of Commerce runs this event.

As usual, there’s a BBQ dinner the Friday night before for the competitors and event volunteers.  People set up camp in the acres of available space, and the brewers sipped and watched while the smokers and burners set up for a night of barbequing.  Judging for both competitions began about noon, and the public could enter the historic White Oak Rendezvous “fort” beginning at 3 PM.  Both the Boreal Brewers and the Northern Ale Stars (Duluth) provided beer judges.  Live music kept the afternoon hopping, and people enjoyed sampling the BBQ.  But, you could still hear the crickets chirping in what would have been the homebrew sampling area.  Many brewers stayed over Saturday night to share what might have been shared with the public.

Kegged competition beers
Kegged competition beers

Manifold Destiny

Manifold Destiny

 Randy and Andy made it up from Northfield with six COLD kegs wedged into a small car

Randy and Andy made it up from Northfield with six COLD kegs wedged into a small car

 Dawn's smoky light - smell the flavor!

Dawn’s smoky light – smell the flavor!

 Incredible aromas

Incredible aromas

BBQ prep time for competitive judging
BBQ prep time for competitive judging
Everything ready to serve the public
Everything ready to serve the public

  Busy groups of beer judges

Busy groups of beer judges

Judging the Belgians
Judging the Belgians

 DSCN0408

Down to judging the best of show

Down to judging the best of show

 Chasing that elusive aroma

Chasing that elusive aroma

 Wine Creations set up a display stall

Wine Creations set up a display stall
But you could hear the homebrew crickets chirping
But you could hear the homebrew crickets chirping
Last year, WITH homebrew being served
Last year, WITH homebrew being served
Last year
Last year
Last year
Last year
This year - anybody want a root beer?  Anybody?
This year – anybody want a root beer? Anybody?
This year
This year
Serving BBQ to the public
Serving BBQ to the public
Awards
Awards
Awards
Awards

Hopefully we can get the homebrew laws changed for 2014.

Homebrew service areas (2013)
Homebrew service areas (2013)

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