Frederick Beer Week: May 10th-14th

Though the organizers (including fellow Mid-Atlantic Brewing News columnist Kevin Smith) are behind where they want to be in their planning, their committee is proceeding with plans for a Frederick Beer Week on May 10th-14th, 2011.

"Right now it's a scaled back event from what you get in Baltimore, DC, and Philly," says Smith.  "We're looking at a beer week that will really be, officially, a four-day event in May - the 10th to the 14th. There will be a homebrew competition as part of the kick-off; check the Frederick Original Ale Makers web site for full details on that.  The competition is limited to guild members and categories will include Stouts, IPAs, and Wheats. Entries will be due on April 30, with judging on May 1.  However, Best of Show will be judged publicly as part of the kick-off - either in a small event, or part of a larger event yet to be determined.  The anchor [event] is expected to be a festival on the grounds at Stillpoint (hops) Farm in Mount Airy with food, music, and hayrides. There will be a concerted effort to keep that event family-friendly.

"The organizing committee is made up of Frederick's craft beer business leaders. All three of the breweries are represented, as well as the local homebrew shop and the county's leading hops grower," said Smith, the committe leader and Frederick Beer Week president.