Coming Soon - Beer Fest sponsored by Katy Rotary Club May 1-2

 

Beer Lovers Gear Up For Big Event That
Gives Back To The Community

By Melanie Saxton

David Loesch once attended a Brew Fest in Breckenridge, Colorado that raised money for foster homes. The concept of “fun for a cause” resonated deeply, and he thought it would be an awesome idea for the City of Katy. Three years ago he arranged the first Katy Wild West Brew Fest that drew 1,700 people. The second year attracted 2,700 and more than 4,000 the third year!

The growing popularity of the Brew Fest required a new location to accommodate an anticipated capacity crowd of 7,000 this year. The 2015 event will be held at Katy Mills Mall between Bass Pro Shop and Sun and Ski. This allows fans to enjoy an abundance of craft brews and then conveniently walk to a nearby hotel if they wish (discounted for the event).

Launch Party: Show Me Your Taps!

The 2015 Launch Party kicks off May 1 and will feature new and unique beers that can’t be found anywhere else in town. These special on tap brews are exciting, such as Karbach’s Single Barrel aged in Jack Daniels single barrels. Saint Arnolds will debut a special cask. No Label is brewing up something special with its Don Jala­peño. Fort Bend Brewing is bringing a limited release “heavy” brew. This is an opportunity to enjoy some “one off” beers with the brewers themselves. On May 2, fans can return for one more day at the ever-popular Brew Fest.

In fact, beer lovers will enjoy an astounding 220 beers from 110 brewers, from Angry Orchard to Fruli to Magic Hat to Pedernales to Spoetzl to Wyder’s Cider — a dream come true for those who crave unique craft beers. Notably, the Feb. 25 issue of the Houston Chronicle heralded the most popular beers across the Lone Star State and all will be featured at the Brew Fest:

  • Saint Arnold Divine Reserve Series
  • Buffalo Bayou Secessionist Series
  • Karbach FUN Series
  • Don Jalapeño Ale
  • Blood & Honey
  • Devil’s Backbone
  • Deep Ellum IPA
  • Fire Eagle American IPA
  • Boxer’s Revenge
  • Old Bat Rastard
  • Black Crack

A Booming Industry Gives Back

According to the Brewer’s Association, small and independent American craft brewers make a big economic impact. Beer moves through the three-tier system (breweries, wholesalers and retailers) and includes all non-beer products such as food and merchandise sold by pub restaurants and brewery taprooms. In 2012, the craft brewing industry contributed $33.9 billion to the U.S. economy and more than 360,000 jobs.

Locally, the popularity of craft beer creates an opportunity to give to charities and other organizations such as Brookwood Community, Rain­bow Room and Casa de Esperanza. “Our main mission is to support organizations that really try to look after kids — kids who want to do well in life but may have economic obstacles or family situations to overcome,” says Loesch. Brew Fest recently supported the Katy ISD FFA Auction by purchasing three steers, four pigs and three goats and gave all the meat to local food pantries.

It supports Katy ISD scholarship commitments, extracurricular organizations, campus clubs and the annual “Take Me Fishing Day” at Hutsell Elementary. Other beneficiaries include Katy Christian Ministries, the Annual Rotary Katy Toy Drive and the Katy Freedom Pavilion remembering 9/11. Loesch notes that Mayor Fabol Hughes and the city councilmen are 100 percent on board, as well as 300 volunteers who make the nonprofit Brew Fest event possible. To date, $115,000 has been donated back to the community.

It isn’t just beer that draws people to this event. Music definitely ramps up the festive atmosphere, and crowds have come to expect popular artists. This year is no exception. JT Hodges and Curtis Grimes will perform great Texas country music under the stars. Both have won multiple awards and have held the No. 1 Texas Country Single several times. Two additional bands, Kaos and Horizon, will entertain the daytime crowds and play at the after party.

Notable Sponsors

The Wild West annual craft beer tasting event is sponsored by the Katy Texas Rotary Club. Loesch is a member and notes that Rotarians are great people who generously support worthy causes. Other sponsors in­clude the City of Katy, Beer Connoisseur Magazine, Katy-Fulshear Lifestyles & Homes, 93Q Country, Cane Island, Karbach Brewing, No Label Brewing, Jack Daniel’s No. 7, Loesch Luxury Properties, H-E-B, Chef Martinez, Flemings, 3 Olives, Bistro 829, Babaloo, Texas Mesquite, Frontier Title, Blizzard Blaster, Total Foot Care, Toyota Lift of Katy, Houston New Home Team, Light It Right, Farmer’s Insurance, Papa Murphy’s, Yummy Dog Gourmet Sausage, ER Katy, Extreme Offroad Performance, Frontier Title, Your Total Foot Care Specialist, HoustonsEagle.com, ReMax, Seavers Landscape, Aspen Leaf Design, BB&T, Blizzard Blas­ter, Don McGill Toyota of Katy, HomeWatch Caregivers, SWBC Mortgage, Wrights of Texas, Ace Hardware Cinco Ranch, Brock Orthodontics, Brookwood, Pepper Lawson Construction and Sowell, Alavares & Walls. Additional sponsors may sign on before the event commences.

Visit katybrewfest.com to order your tickets and discover more about this annual celebration. You can also connect on Facebook with 6,000 other fans! The experience will be amazing for those who simply want to mingle and sample beer, as well as aficionados and diehard hobbyists who avidly seek the newest products offered by craft breweries. See you there!