Baltimore is bringing it all together for the 2nd Annual Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival.
The festival boasts more than 40 different kinds of bourbon, from popular brands such as Jim Beam and Wild Turkey to more obscure brands including Buffalo Trace and Noah?s Mill.
Last year?s event nearly sold out with more than 4,000 people traveling to the fairgrounds for tastes of bourbon from all over the U.S. This year, event presenter Greg Nivens said, tickets were selling faster than he could count. “Our advance ticket sales have been through the roof. People will get to try stuff you can?t get on a regular basis. There are some really rare bourbons out there, and this is the only place you can try them.”
Neil Graff, spokesperson for Beam Global Spirits and Wine, a global premium spirits company that represents Jim Beam Bourbon, will be bringing seven types of bourbon to the festival: Flagship Jim Beam, Jim Beam Black, Maker?s Mark, Knob Creek, Basil Hayden, Baker?s and Booker?s.
“Bourbon is the only truly native American spirit,” Graff said. In 1964 Congress recognized the liquor as a “distinctive product of the U.S.,” meaning that all bourbon has to be distilled and produced in the U.S. for it to be a true bourbon. Besides the liquor, more than 60 beers will be on hand for those who aren?t so keen on drinking straight bourbon.
Hugh Sisson, owner of Clipper City Brewing Co., will be bringing along samples of Heavy Seas Loose Cannon (Clipper City?s best-selling product), Heavy Seas Peg Leg and Clipper City BaltoMarzHon. It will also bring the world premiere of Sisson?s newest creation, Oxford Class Organic Amber Ale, from his new certified organic beer line.
Though Sisson will be speaking at the festival about pairing different beers with barbecue, he says he is quite the bourbon connoisseur. “I like bourbon quite a bit. I know there will be bourbons there that I haven?t tried yet, and I?m looking forward to trying them.”
IF YOU GO
2nd Annual Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival
WHERE: Timonium Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium
WHEN: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday
TICKETS: $15 to $40*
*All proceeds from the event will benefit Sister Slippers, an organization dedicated to providing new shoes to children in need.
