Whew. That was a doozy.
The Between the Bluffs Beer and Cheese Festival continues to grow every year. This 7th installment was large and in-charge like Marge on a barge, of beer. Golly-pops, it was a hell of a time.
Word is, Joe Steve will have a review for you soon, however, I wanted to be sure to check-in and post a video of some of the events.
I was lucky enough to head into Western Wisconsin a few days early. There was great weather to welcome me to this beautiful part of the country, so I took my opportunity and borrowed a bike to coast my way around some farm roads.
Because I’m fairly certain there are a number of people reading this who have never been to Western Wisconsin, the first bit of the video shows a bit of her beauty. The farms, rolling hills, high cliffs, deep woods, and rocky terrain are a far cry from the flatlands and skyscrapers I’ve become accustomed to in Chicago. The stark differences hit me so much harder nowadays and I’m able to appreciate long quiet rides through the country so much more. Don’t get me wrong,manically attentive urban biking through Chicago is fun, but sometimes it’s nice to pedal and stare off toward the horizon breathing fresh air.
The dog, Professor Barkington, got to run free in the fields and had his first encounter with some pregnant Angus Beef cattle.
Threatening weather seems to be a tradition of BtB; for the last few years we have had forecasts of thunderstorms for Summer’s Opening Ceremonies. After days of Sun and 80 degrees, thunder and lightning ripped through the sky the night before the much anticipated festival. I laid in bed watching the curtains flicker as the hours counted down. As we are used to happening, the weather cleared and was grand when the gates opened.
Joe Steve was kind enough to bring along an extra set of wheels so that we could have a ride before the extravaganza. The bikes helped us to get around the city quickly and gave us prime parking spots.
Once we got our glasses, it was on. Everyone becomes friends inside the gates of BtB. I was very pleased with the Homebrewers addition – very interesting stuff. And the number of breweries was nearly unmanageable - nearly. I didn’t plan on sampling any of the wine, but after a bunch of the breweries ran out of beer (seems sinful, but the number of festers was staggering) it just seemed to find its way into my glass. And the cheese, as usual, was to die for. Grilled, tooth-picked, pepper-jacked, oh man.
All in all, it was an outrageously amazing time that lasted into the night. Of course, no recap or video can do the festival justice – you simply need to come.
See you next year – April 24th, 2010.
sweet video….