Ogden Beer Fest rings in spooky season with second event
OGDEN — After making its debut in the spring with an event that saw some 1,100 thirsty Ogdenites pack into The Monarch, Ogden Beer Fest is back to ring in the spooky season.
“Boo’s & Brews,” presented by Ogden Beer Fest, will be raising spirits on Oct. 19 from 4-10 p.m., once again at The Monarch. Tickets start at $23 and include entry into the event, as well as five complementary sample pours.
Additional samples can be pre-purchased, or purchased at the event, which is expected to sell out. Non-alcoholic tickets are also available for a reduced price. To purchase tickets, go to https://www.ogdenbeerfest.com.
In keeping with the season, event co-founder and lead producer Chase Burch told the Standard-Examiner that attendees are encouraged to come costumed.
Boo’s & Brews fills the void left by the now-defunct Peculiar Pours event, and it’s riding the momentum of a strong first showing from Ogden Beer Fest, according to Burch.
“The first event was, I would say, just overwhelmingly successful,” Burch said. “Honestly, our biggest problem was — when we sold out and we had so many people there — that we just were doing our best to kind of keep up with the capacity and the volume.”
Burch promises a more streamlined process for the second event, which will feature craft creations from a bevy of breweries (and distilleries).
Vendors for Boo’s & Brews include Ogden Beer Company, Red Rock Brewing Co., Epic Brewing Co., UTOG Brewing Co., Roosters Brewing Co., Kiitos Brewing, Uinta Brewing Co., Proper Brewing Co., Second Summit Hard Cider Co., Sugarhouse Distillery and Ogden’s Own Distillery.
The event also boasts food from Lucky Slice and Weller’s Bistro, in addition to live music spun by Ogden beatmaker Bryson Dearden.
While Utah may not seem like a hotbed for beer and brewing to outsiders, Burch says a sneaky-good scene exists in the Beehive State.
“I think, at first glance, most people would say that because of all the rules surrounding alcohol and beer in Utah, that it would kind of be oppressive. But it’s quickly become apparent to me, especially after doing Beer Fest last spring and working with all the great breweries and distilleries in the state, how opposite that actually is,” Burch said.
“The culture is just very alive and well and vibrant and passionate.”
Burch further praised the goodwill that exists between the myriad breweries that have sprung up here.
“It’s nice to see that it’s not cutthroat and super competitive in an exclusionary way,” Burch said. “They’re collaboratively working together to create great things, which is good for everyone.”