Harvest Beer Festival in Anne Arundel Co. Sept. 17th

From the press release:

Annapolis, MD: The Inaugural Harvest Beer Festival at Homestead Gardens will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 2-6pm. The first of its kind in our area, The Festival features 15 Breweries; including Chicago based Goose Island, Widmer Brothers, local favorite Fordham and newcomer to Maryland, New Belgium Brewing Company. Your $35 ticket allows you the opportunity to sample over 50 outstanding import and craft beers, chat with the experts, a souvenir etched glass mug, free parking and entry to the Brewer Sessions -all on the beautiful grounds of Homestead Gardens.

The Brewer Sessions will address multiple components of beer. Paul Pendyck, the foremost authority on Cask Conditioned Ale in the USA will speak to all aspects of Real Ale and the continuing renaissance of Cask Conditioned Ale in the United States. Billy Smith, Brew Manager for Red Hook’s Portsmouth, New Hampshire Brewery will talk about Dry hopping – techniques, nuances and new technologies. John J. Hall, Senior Brewer for Goose Island Beer Company will discuss Goose Island’s history with barrel aging. Eric Salazar, Lead Brewer in charge of Sour and Wood Ales for New Belgium Brewing Company will talk about the ever increasing popular Sour Ales as they march east across the USA and Levi Duncan, Chief Brewer for Starr Hill will delve into the intricacies of off flavors in Beer.

Live music by local favorite Rob Levit Quartet will entertain and Homestead Gardens will have their grills Blazen –even an Oyster bar for the occasion. The Harvest Beer Festival benefits Scenic Rivers Land Trust (SRLT), a non-profit organization that has been preserving land in Anne Arundel County for over 23 years. SRLT currently holds easements on 48 properties, totaling over 2,100 acres and influences the management of thousands of additional acres. Their efforts support the conservation of forests, farmlands and open space land along the waterways of Anne Arundel County.

Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.harvestbeermd.com and will be available at the door.

Homestead Gardens is on Central Avenue (Md. Rt. 214) in Davidsonville, southwest of Annapolis; the Old Stein Inn is nearby in Mayo and is scheduled to reopen this week, if you need more German in your beer.