Eleven Warriors

I feel like I should've posted this awhile back but better now than never I guess.

On Saturday, April 20, there is a craft beer festival in Youngstown, OH called The Big Tap In. It's a great event and for a great charity (my friends' of course). For those in NE Ohio or anywhere else that would like to attend, check the link for information regarding the event and for ticket sales. The VIP tickets are sold out. They sold out in less than 24 hours of being on sale. The general admission tickets are selling fast and they expect to sell out soon as well. They are 350 tickets ahead of where they were last year at this point. As this has grown, the popularity has increased dramatically too (much like a certain favorite site that we all frequent).

Last year there were over 72 craft beer companies from across the world (15 were international). If you click on the breweries tab on the link, it'll give you the list of companies from last year as well as the beers that each brewery sent over to be tested. I'm not sure when they'll put out this year's list, but it'll be similar in terms of expectations.

They give you a 4 or 5 oz glass and you can just roam around and sample beers from whatever brewery you choose. They do give you 20 tickets, but in the 3 previous years that they have put this on, I think I've given 2 tickets total so there's really no limit to what you can try - except if your liver shuts down. There is also plenty of local food vendors and if you know anyone from the Youngstown area, they'll attest to this area being a beacon of quality local food.

Also note that if you look at photos from 2012, it was in a rather condensed area. This year they have switched the venue back to the original place which is better suited for crowds of that size so claustrophobia shouldn't be a problem.

So if you're interested, check it out. It's a great time with some excellent adult beverages, which has included this beauty.