March 5, 2015
For the 10th year, the Edmonton International Beer Fest is returning, and like previous years, it’s bigger and better than ever.
This year, the event plays host to eight live bands, three beer instructors, and an estimated 25,000 attendees, something Sean Farmers, the owner and organizer of the event said seems like a far leap from the event’s humble beginnings a decade ago.
“We started at Dinwoodie lounge over at the University of Alberta. It went really well the first year, it sold out. We moved it to the Shaw Conference Centre, and it has grown immensely. Every year it grows and grows,” he said.
The event teaches people how to taste beer, how to pare it with food and how to properly appreciate the subtle differences in the roughly 300 different options available, but while the event could be considered a learning experience, Farmers said it leans more on the side of fun than academia.
“Beer is more than just beer. It is about the experience you have while you’re drinking it. You can appreciate it, you can try a bunch of different things. You can home in on the things you like,” he said.
“People aren’t going to turn their nose up at you if you don’t know anything. The whole idea is to take a traditional trade show, and combine it with a craft beer festival. There’s lots of education, there are about 300 different types, if not more.
“Over and above that, we have eight local bands, we try to support local music, and we have a craft beer village. It’s lots of local stuff, stuff that you can only get here.”
Adding to the festivities is the event’s beer school, which features three teachers, all sporting impressive resumes.
For food fans, an Amazon best-selling author, David Ort, will be on hand. Ort, who penned Canadian Craft Beer Cookbook, is an expert in pairing beer with food. His sessions will be called Beer 101.
For fans of seafood, the shucker king will be in attendance. Patrick McMurray, known as Shucker Paddy, and the record holder for shucking oysters, is also a beer fanatic. He will be teaching people how to pair and shuck at the festival’s beer school.
Farmers said having people like this in attendance is important because the festival is about more than just throwing back a few beers, it’s about the experience.
With that said, the main attraction is still, of course the beer.
“There’s lots of exciting things we incorporate. There’s an on-site liquor store,” Farmers said. “If people find something they like, they don’t have to find where to buy it. They can buy a six-pack and have it with their friends.”
Source: International Beerfest celebrates tenth anniversary
Each year we aim to have the highest level of entertainment. This year is no different!
Check out our amazing musical line up for Beer Fest 2015, March 06- 07 at Shaw Conference Centre.
Lyra Brown
Born and raised in Edmonton, Lyra Brown’s innate ability for writing stories, poems and lyrics began at an early age. Raised in a family of musicians, there was no shortage of musical knowledge and inspiration in her household. At 16, she invested in a four-track recorder, which she has used to record and produce over 50 songs.
Lyra’s homemade recordings captivated local audiences and led to substantial opportunities in the music industry. For example, in March 2008, Lyra was asked to open for Metric’s Emily Haines at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto, Canada. Lyra has been showcased on CBC television, was named the winner of the 2009 Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Competition, and has had countless songs played on CBC, CKUA, and CJSR.
Source: Lyra Brown
Photo Courtesy of Malorie Shmyr.
Cadence & Nathan
Cadence and Nathan are a sibling duo originally from Sudbury, Ontario and are now based in Edmonton, Alberta.
After dipping their toes into the Edmonton music scene (Cadence as a solo act, and Nathan accompanying various local bands), they decided to combine their musical talents and perform together.
A unique blend of pop, country, and folk, citing such musical influences as Evan Dando and Julianna Hatfield, the pair write songs that are both honest and poignant. With Cadence on acoustic guitar and Nathan playing dobro, their sound is a fresh take on the singer/ songwriter genre.
Source: Cadence & Nathan
Photo Courtesy of Erin Walker – Walker Photography
Rob Taylor
Rob’s artistic life began as an enthusiastic child eager to play his Aunt’s piano or hear his Grandfather play harmonica. Since then, his journey has been an inspiration for many great songs. He’s an expressionist whose presentation is full of sound and fury. He stands alone as a musical bard, reeling stories with a spontaneity guaranteed to captivate attention. Rob has also fused his guitar and vocal talents with Celtic, Rock and Blues ensembles.
Source: Rob Taylor
The Moanin’ After
The Moanin’ After, led by Edmonton-based songwriter Michael Dunn, goes to great lengths to recall a time when a few certain values still meant something to country music. Commitment to songwriting and musicianship. Honesty. Heart.
Their first record, Come On Out Back To The Shed Tonight, co-produced by Michael Dunn and Harry Gregg at Big Dreamer Sound in Edmonton, and released in May of 2013 helped bring Dunn, as the writer, to a larger audience.
Source: The Moanin’ After
Braden Gates
A born raconteur in both his songwriting and song introductions, he is often compared to a young Loudon Wainwright: for his similar grimacing as he hits the notes and the sharpness of his observation and sly humor. Drawn to those with a story to tell, Gates aims to communicate these stories in a way that brings people together – which is often the case in one of his intimate live shows. Gates’ second album, Ferris Wheel, is a combination of intricate guitar work, driving fiddle playing and honest story telling.
Source: Braden Gates
Carrie Day
Alberta based folk/roots singer-songwriter who has gained a reputation for her breathy vocals, poetic lyrics and skilled arrangements that channel raw emotion straight to the listener’s heart.
With a style of her own, Carrie Day’s sound may be described as a cross between Joni Mitchell and Cat Power. She is an emotionally charged artist with an exuberant stage presence, and a keen ability to capture listeners and warm their hearts. An introvert and shy by nature, Carrie’s songs showcase both her musical talents and her gift of reflection.
Source: Carrie Day
Photo Courtesy of Glenn Eilers
