“I always wished I liked beer,” my benevolent grandmother, whom we called Gam, would say now and then, her face wearing an expression both wistful and apologetic. “It’s such a pretty drink.”
It does pretty good things as well – for instance, good works.
This is fortuitous at a time when it’s hard to turn around without bumping into a new craft brewery. A whole lot of them have popped up around here recently, some of them very good at their craft. You probably know about Solemn Oath, right here in Naperville, where some fine versions of brew are to be found. There are also new taprooms in Plainfield, Lemont, Westmont, Lombard and elsewhere within a short drive – by a designated driver, of course, if one is fond of having seconds.
This is a fun trend, the ability to support local business and quench a mighty summer thirst at the same time – and I’m not kidding about those good works. The Naperville Parks Foundation’s inaugural Winter Ale Fest in Frontier Park last year raised $3,000 for the Park District’s scholarship program, and doubled those proceeds this past February.
The vastly popular Midwest Brewers Festival for the past four summers has showcased, and raised funds for, fixing up the banks of the piece of the DuPage River winding through Plainfield that someday will look more like the celebrated Riverwalk just to the north, in the heart of Naperville.
Closer still to home, the new craft beer attraction at Ribfest will have direct philanthropic value this year as well. Among the new features of the upcoming Fourth of July weekend celebration will be a tent featuring some three dozen versions of international and craft beer.
“One of the things people say to us is, ‘I come to Ribfest and what you have are standard, traditional beers,'” said Don Emery, who’s in charge of marketing for the Exchange Club’s signature summer blowout, a huge monetary shot in the arm for local agencies that combat child abuse and other forms of domestic violence. “With the advent of a lot of ale fests that are going on, it’s kind of clear that there’s a market for a lot of different beers.”
Emery said he checked out a couple of craft beer events a couple years ago, and after time ran short to pull together a Ribfest version last year, planners resolved to make it happen this time.
It won’t be exactly like those smaller fests with numerous microbrewers showcasing their wares, since MillerCoors is the event’s beverage sponsor, but Emery is confident there won’t be much disappointment.
“We basically came up with the idea of doing more of an international and craft beer festival,” he said, noting that the brews will come from South America, Europe and the U.S.
He acknowledges that for the true craft beer fest enthusiast accustomed to choosing from 200 options, it might come up short. But most people, Emery said, will find the selection just fine.
“The good thing is we’re going to be able to bring some beers that have never been available in Illinois before,” he said of the untried fluids, noting that they’ll come from subsidiaries of MillerCoors, including Blue Moon and Leinenkugel.
Access to the beer tent will be limited, so those who opt for the $40 advance ticket (which comes with gate admission, music, the family fun area, special events, a voucher for food and a goody bag) will have some elbow room – not to mention protection from whatever the weather gods decide to toss at the fest.
“Hot or cold, rain or shine, you’re going to be in a protected environment,” Emery said.
It’s a pretty impressive way to tap the possibilities that flow from the mystical alchemy of grain, hops, yeast and water. Sounds to me like a pretty good way to do some good with a pretty drink.
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Gam would be pleased.
Twitter @scarlman