Ale Fest offers 80 brews for tasting
Two basic classifications of beer will be featured Saturday, June 10, at the Lombard Ale Fest: ales and lagers.
But that's not to say there won't be variety. Forty brewers from far and near each will bring two beers, so that's 80 different brews ready for sampling.
Craft beers will be coming from points east - New York - and west - Colorado and California. And beers from a variety of other locales throughout the country will be represented, said event producer Josh Seago.
The fest also will feature several local brewers, including Lombard's own Noon Whistle Brewing, a favorite at past ale fests.
For those looking for a novel beer experience, first-timers will be on hand.
"Every year we try to bring in some new and exciting beers," Seago said.
A raspberry wheat ale that goes under the name Summerly is one of those. The brew is produced by the Pollyanna Brewing Company of Lemont with a recipe that calls for hundreds of pounds of fresh raspberries.
"It's really light and refreshing, easy to drink," Seago said.
The fest is a fundraiser for the Glenbard East High School Booster Club and the Lombard Historical Society, event chairman Bob Difino said.
Difino said the event is helping to pay off the school's turf field bond.
"It covers our bond payment every year," he said. "We're halfway home to paying off the bond."
The fest also features music and food. Local restaurants and food trucks will be at the festival with a variety of fare, Difino said.
"The musical experience is going to be different," he said.
There will be no main stage as there has been at past fests. Instead, about five local performers will play in different performance spaces throughout the fest.
Returning for its third year at the fest will be the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band.
"They'll come marching through at about 4 o'clock," he said.
The fest is partially in Lilacia Park and partially in the street just outside the Lombard train station, Difino said.
The Lombard Ale Fest's location in downtown Lombard makes it easy for fest-goers to later attend Lombard's Cruise Night, a festival in downtown Lombard that features classic cars and live music beginning at 6 p.m., Difino said.
Admission for Lombard Ale Fest is $40 in advance or $45 at the door, and includes 18, three-ounce beer samples. A designated driver ticket is available for $15 either in advance or at the door and entitles the ticketholder to soft drinks and water.
If you go
What: Fourth annual Lombard Ale Fest
When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10; early entry at noon for VIP ticketholders
Where: 150 S. Park Ave., Lombard
Tickets: $40 general admission in advance, $45 at the door; $15 for designated drivers; early entry tickets $50 online
Info: lombardalefest.com