Cask Fest 2017 pairing beer and history
Beer and history will be on tap at Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake for a unique charity event.
“We felt that Fort George offered a unique venue where beer and history could come together,” said Amanda Gamble, executive director of Friends of Fort George, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with Parks Canada to preserve and promote the heritage of Niagara National Historic Sites.
Cask Fest 2017, to be held May 6 at the fort’s agora, will feature small batch beer fermented in the traditional style of carbonating naturally to allow the malt and hop flavours to develop.
Proceeds of the festival will go to Friends of Fort George to support its youth employment initiatives.
Each year, the group employs between 15 and 20 students to work at Fort George and Brock’s Monument.
Participating breweries include Silversmith Brewing Co., The Exchange Brewery, Niagara College’s teaching brewery, Kame and Kettle Beer Works, Shawn and Ed Brewing Co., Bench Brewing and Fairweather Brewing Co.
“We have always prided ourselves with trying to be a part of new and innovative projects so when the Friends of Fort George reached out to us to collaborate on this community-focused event, it just made sense,” said Kate Brzozowski of Silvermsith Brewing.
Craft breweries are becoming increasingly popular, especially
in Ontario. “Folks are becoming more and more conscious of the food they consume, trying to ensure they are only eating the best quality items,” Brzozowski said. “They are now transferring that school of thought to what they drink.”
The festival will include live entertainment and a variety of local food trucks.
Also, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Canada 150 committee will present its Confederation Celebration at the festival.
“We are excited to see how the first Cask Festival is received and we hope that it grows into an annual event in the future,” Gamble said.
Tickets are $25 and includes a sample from each of the breweries and a souvenir glass. Tickets are available at the participating breweries and at the Friends of Fort George gift shop.