Beer Appreciation

The “PUB”lic Speaks – Gullifty’s Beer Gaarden Fest 2007

One again I had the pleasure of being part of Gullifty’s annual “Beer Gaarten Fest” and once again we asked attendees to vote for the beers they liked best and thought were most interesting.

Of course, it can be difficult for attendees to pull themselves away from the beer, conversation and delicious food to do something like vote for a beer. But, it is the American way after all. So, like last year a bit less than half the attendees voted, and the winner of the Best Beer of the 2007 Gullifty’s Beer Gaarten Fest was Erdinger’s Hefe Weisen Wheat Ale. A close second was Victory Brewing’s FestBier. (Please see more detailed results below).

The most interesting beer for 2007 was selected as Leinenkugels Sunset Wheat, followed by Sly Fox Royal Weiss.

What is the common thread here? Well, like in the voting in 2006, Beer Gaarten Fest attendees went for brews light in taste and body. While last year a light Pale Ale (Flying Fish) and German Wheat Beer (Franziskahner) were the top two beers – this year a German Wheat Beer (Erdinger) and a light golden ale (Victory Fest) also finished on top.

Though the weather at the event wasn’t hot, it’s clear the beer enthusiasts at the event continue to prefer lighter tasting lagers and ales – but at the same time, they are selecting beers with real taste! All four winners from the last two years are quality brews either with old European heritage, or a fresh product from a great local brewery (Victory of Downingtown, PA or Flying Fish of Cherry Hill, NJ). Speaking of beers with great taste from great local breweries, this year Legacy Brewing of Reading, PA was the most mentioned brewery at the event (with either best or most interesting beers).

The back of the ballot offered a three question “Beer Appreciator’s Quiz”. Those that took the challenge generally did well. 75% knew that all beers are “ales or lagers” – though I one person did check that they were all “the coldest tasting”. Only 56% of the voters knew that Guinness Stout had only about 12 calories more per 12 oz serving than Bud Light. Three quarters of those that voted guessed that 40% of the grain grown in ancient Egypt was used to brew beer. I had no idea how knowledgeable the Gullifty’s beer crowd really was. Join us next year and expand your beer knowledge and palate!

BEST BEER

First Place

Erdinger Hefe Weisen

Second Place

Victory FestBier

Third Place (tie)

Legacy Hedonism

Legacy Midnight Wit

Fourth Place

Leinenkugels Sunset Wheat

MOST INTERESTING BEER

First Place