Clarington Craft Beer Fest: guaranteed Hip-roaring good time

When the lovely Tasha asked me to help spread the good word about the Clarington Craft Beer Fest - August 20 at Manantler Brewing's back lot (which is actually a helluva lot more scenic than it sounds) - I was only too happy to oblige.

Great people, great beer and a great location in the historic Bowmanville Foundry brownfield site in downtown Bowmanville. What can I say? I'm in.

Tasha, who is serving as Event Co-Ordinator for this event, said there will likely be seven breweries on hand (including Manantler), along with a special guest from the spirits industry. One food truck - Jam"Eh'Can Eats - has been confirmed, with a couple more still ironing out scheduling issues.

There will be several bands playing (on a flat bed truck!), which makes sense since Brewmaster James plays in about 173 bands (rough estimate) himself. West Hammock, described by Tasha as the "Bowmanville/Oshawa heartthrobs that everyone wants to see," has been confirmed for the event.

"We don't have anything like this in Bowmanville," Tasha said in explaining the genesis for the beer fest. "We have Ribfest, but no beer festival. We have a great craft brewery here so we thought it was time."

"It's exciting."

I reminded Tasha and Trevor, Everyone's Favourite Cellarman, when we spoke last week that August 20 is also the date that will be forever known in this country as Tragically Hip Day, as the legendary Canadian rockers will play their final ever show on that day in their hometown of Kingston.

Way ahead of you, Tasha said.

The beer fest runs from 2 pm to 10 pm and the Hip show has been moved to 8:30, so the plan is to show the concert, which is being broadcast on the CBC, in the brewery's subterranean bar/tasting room on some sort of big screen TV.

"People can stay outside for the last couple of hours of the beer fest or they can come in and watch the concert. The Hip will be here one way or another."

Anyone lucky enough to have tickets to that show are welcome to get the party started that day in Bowmanville, she added.

There will be also be a special beer being brewed for the event, Trevor said, hinting it will likely be a German White Ale to commemorate Camp 30, the secret POW camp located nearby during the Second World War.

"We have so many beers on the wall and they're all tasty but this one will be truly Bowmanville," he said "Camp 30 is a part of Bowmanville's history and there's a lot of great stories there. So this will be a special beer."

So far Old Flame, Beau's All Natural, Church Key and Manantler are confirmed for August 20. William Street (Cobourg), Brock Street and Big Rig may be there as well.

"It will be hectic, but I know the day will be beautiful," Tasha said.

Tickets are available for $25 at Ticketfly and ccbf.ca and at the brewery. The price, which goes up to $35 at the door, includes a sample glass and five tokens.

See you there!