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Monday, 02 June 2008 |
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 Staff photo/Mary Bargdill
Minster Civic Association member Matt Ranly and his wife Beth offer beer samples to visitors of the first ever Bock and Rock held Saturday evening at Four Seasons Park in Minster.
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
MINSTER — Visitors to a local beer tasting event had an opportunity to sample craft and microbrews for what many hope will become an annual tradition.
Bock and Rock, sponsored by the Minster Civic Association, met with success Saturday evening at the Four Seasons Park in Minster.
Visitors received a tasting guide which helped describe the 75 varieties of beer that could be sampled with the commemorative sampling glass. They could rate the beer samples as “loved it,” “just OK” or “never again.”
Beer options included German, English, Belgian and American beer served at eight tables. The Wooden Shoe beers also were offered. All beer was provided by Cavalier Distributing out of Cincinnati.
Well-known brands such as Budweiser or Miller were not available for sampling at Saturday’s event.
Minster native Ryan Kelbel, who resides in Dayton, said he enjoyed the beer tasting event. His first two beer samples were Mendocino Bock and Augustiner Maximator Dark.
“I’ve been to (Dayton) Ale Fest and at Columbus Ale Fest for three years,” Kelbel said. “(I appreciate) being able to sample different kinds without having to commit to a six pack. Plus there’s more varieties than at a store.”
Bock and Rock was the brain child of five Minster residents who had held beer tasting events in their homes. Two years ago they began kicking around the idea of hosting a larger beer tasting event that would be open to the public. They attended the Dayton Ale Fest, as well as the beer tasting event that was held in St. Henry in 2007.
In February, Minster residents Jim Stubbs, Marc Pelletier, Dale Dahlinghaus, Shawn Sharp and Andy Phlipot met with the Minster Civic Association to set the plans in motion for Saturday’s event.
The Civic Association then approached Minster Council for the go ahead to hold Bock and Rock at Four Seasons Park.
“This hopefully will be an opportunity for people to try new things.” Stubbs said.
Phlipot, owner of The Wooden Shoe beers, credited the growing popularity of microbrews and craft beers with a 20 percent growth during the past year.
“The nature of the beer industry is changing,” he said.
Two tents were set up Thursday on the northwest corner of the Four Seasons Park. Minster Civic Association President Mark Prenger said Friday’s heavy winds created a little extra work for the volunteers.
“Last night the winds were so high it pulled some of the stakes out,” Prenger said. “It’s great. We hope everybody has fun and stays safe.”
Prenger said the event drew not only local residents, but also visitors from the Lima and Dayton areas.
“This is working out great,” Prenger said. “It’s been phenomenal the amount of volunteers from the community.”
Prenger said they were looking forward to another successful Bock and Rock in 2009, but the date has yet to be set.
Members of the fire department cooked up brats on the grill and served non-alcoholic beverages. A local band, Delimit, performed for the crowd.
“I think it’ll be something people will enjoy,” Mayor Dennis Kitzmiller said. “I think the entertainment — it’ll bring a good crowd.”
Proceeds from the event will go toward the Minster Civic Association and the Minster-Jackson Township Fire Department. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 09 June 2008 )
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