the 2007 Flying Monktoberfest

Our third weekly craft beer column in the Auburn Corner News. This one focused on our participation in Huntsville’s Flying Monktoberfest. The thumbnail to the right links to an image of the Corner News article, or click here for a .pdf. The original text is copied below. The end result appearing in the paper is a little bit different than the original. More pics from the Flying Monktoberfest are located in this Album in the Photo Gallery.

Campaign for Better Beer in Alabama
by John Little

Beer lovers from Auburn, Montgomery, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and many other smaller towns gathered Saturday night for the state’s first ever Flying Monktoberfest, a craft beer appreciation event and fund raiser for Free the Hops, Alabama’s grass roots campaign to change the state’s archaic restrictions regarding the production and sale of many of the world’s most highly regarded beer styles. Many great beers were shipped in for the event from respected breweries such as Rogue, Terrapin, Brooklyn Brewing, Boston Beer, Lazy Magnolia and Bruisin Ales.

But the homebrewers had the most fun of the night. They had their own special area elevated slightly above the rest of the folksy Flying Monkey Arts Center floor, giving them just a touch of beer deity status. Twenty-three five-gallon kegs of a wide variety of excellent homebrewed beer styles were served to a very appreciative crowd.

From Dan: “We had homebrew clubs represented from everywhere last night, and their homebrew was one of the big hits of the night. The Auburn Brew Club, the Antioch Sud Suckers (ASS), and Huntsville’s own Rocket City Brewers introduced a lot of people to some incredible homebrew last night, and people really dug it. This event would not have been nearly as good if you guys hadn’t shared your incredible beer. Heck - my boss liked the homebrewed English IPA served by the Auburn Brew Club so much, he’s going to expand the office kegerator from 2 taps to 6.”

From Rich: “I cannot tell you how many people (myself included) expressed their absolute wonder at the homebrew offerings. Auburn, ASS, RCB… all excellent stuff and friendly, personable folks serving. The incredible Robust Porter, the awesome American Stout, the tasty Pumpkin Ale, the wonderful Barrel Aged Strong Scotch Ale, the impressive Dopplebock … you guys did an outstanding job, all of you.”

From Matt: “And the home brewers - HOLY COW. You guys saved the day! The home brew was incredible. My only regret is that I didn’t get any of the American Stout. But, that barely wine (Jack Daniels barrel aged) knocked my socks off. The home brews were so impressive.”

Entertainment was provided by local bands Stone Groove and Hot Soup, and tons of food was supplied by local eateries that are eager to be able to serve their customers better beer. The reception from folks was unanimously positive. Lots of people asked about how they could get involved in Free the Hops.

Wouldn’t it be great if Auburn could host its own craft beer festival? If you have any ideas, experience or energy to make this happen, step on up! Contact other craft beer lovers in the Auburn-Opelika area through the Auburn Brew Club’s website. And for more information about efforts to change Alabama’s prohibition era beer laws, check out www.freethehops.org.

Filed under: Events, In the News