Charlotte Beer, Bourbon and Barbecue Festival

On Saturday I attended the Charlotte Beer, Bourbon and Barbecue Festival, part of the traveling festival show put on by Moorea Marketing. They also put on several other shows across the southeast. I was joined by more than two dozen members of the Charlotte Beer Club.

It was in the 90s and part of the event was held in a parking lot, so it might not have been ideal for Bourbon sipping, but it was still nice to get samples of Eagle Rare, Blanton's, George Dickel Barrel Select, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel and Elijah Craig 18 Year Old. The beer selection included everything from Chimay to Mickey's Malt. Favorites on hand included Saranac Pale Ale, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Heavy Sea's Loose Cannon and Pilsner Urquell. There were also several good barbecue vendors on site, so the fest lived up to its three promises.

One of the hits of the event was the Woodford Reserve tent, which gave out samples of Woodford steeped in peaches and ginger. It was a real treat on the hot day.

My overall suggestion would be to move this event to mid-May or late September and get it out of the middle of the North Carolina summer. The heat was oppressive and the organizers were lucky to have avoided the afternoon thundershowers that have rolled through these parts on a regular basis this year.