On Saturday, July 26, 2014, the Humane Society of Berks County held the 9th Annual Pints for Pups Beer Tasting and Festival. For the second year in a row the festival was held at the Reading Liederkranz with an “Oktoberfest in July” feeling. All proceeds from Pints for Pups went directly to veterinary and pet care programs for people and animals in some of the most underserved and impoverished areas.
Every attendee received a program and a commemorative pint glass upon arrival featuring art by Adrienne Trafford. VIP guests received an extra hour of beer tasting, which included many unique beers like Weyerbacher Brewing Company’s newest brew, The Jester’s Tree Imperial IPA.
Due to the popularity of the event last year, a second beer tent was added for this year’s event. Some of the breweries in attendance included Coronado Brewing Company, Great Lakes Brewing Company, Harpoon Brewery, The Brewer’s Art, Blue Mountain Brewery, and Green Flash Brewing Company.
Sly Fox was on hand with cans of their Helles and Grisette. There was also a can crusher at their stand, which entertained the guests. Lancaster Brewing Company had a variety of beers, including their Strawberry Wheat Beer, served with a strawberry-shaped fan. The Other Farm Brewing Company, a nanobrewery in Boyertown, was also in attendance.
My favorite beers of the day both came from Golden Avalanche Brewing Company. Head Brewer Colin Presby and Brewer Tom Scoglio were on hand serving up two new beers. For VIP hour they served up batch 2 of Sunburnt Summer Saison brewed with lemongrass and citrus peel. After that kicked, they debuted Hop Helmet, a 6.5% ABV red lager hopped like an American IPA. This “big cousin” of their Hop Hat IPA is fermented cold with lager yeast and dry hopped with Simcoe hops. Stop by the Kutztown Tavern soon because both the Sunburnt Saison and Hop Helmet are expected to be tapped this week!
I can’t forget to mention that I was in the house working the Berks County Homebrew stand with my fellow homebrewer and friend, Don and my favorite designated driver, Rich. We met several awesome people from those who have homebrewed for a while but had no idea there was a local homebrew club to those who have never homebrewed before but were interested in checking it out. We had equipment and ingredients on hand for the attendees to check out.
Picnic food, including BBQ sandwiches, hot dogs, German potato salad, vegetarian baked ziti and an all-you-can-eat salad bar, was included in the cost of the ticket. Live music from Josef Kroboth entertained the crowd. The band played everything from traditional polkas and waltzes to American and European standards and pop, Latin, Country, Rock, and Novelty tunes including the Oktoberfest favorite „So a schöner Tag“ (Fliegerlied).
The best entertainment of the day was watching all the pups in attendance. After all, that is what the day was all about! There were tasty snacks and beverages available for the dogs to sample at Spike’s Doggie Bar hosted by Awesome Dawgs Dog Training and The Dog Store.
Overall this year’s Pints for Pups event was loads of fun. The weather was beautiful, and there was plenty of seating for everyone to relax and enjoy the day. The breweries on hand served up a variety of delicious brews, and the food was delicious. Be sure to check out next year’s Pints for Pups to not only have an awesome day, but support a great cause.
More pics from Pints for Pups 2014
