This week, I’m heading to BeerAdvocate’s Extreme Beer Fest® (EBF) at Seaport World Trade Center in Boston February 1–2. There are three sessions for EBF: Friday, February 1 (6-9:30pm), Saturday, February 2 (12-3:30pm) and (6-9:30pm).
Sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, the 16th annual EBF will span two days and three sessions, feature over 400 beers from more than 120 independently owned breweries, and welcome 12,000 attendees from around the world. It is said to be the biggest and most diverse lineup to date!
New this year, BeerAdvocate has put forth two challenges to all attending brewers.
- Bring at least one sessionable (5% ABV or lower) beer.
- Bring at least one beer that will make its debut at the fest; the world premiere of a beer or a new twist on an existing extreme beer to stimulate and excite palates.
“The gauntlet has been thrown down. We’ve applied both challenges at previous fests, but this year we’re raising the bar by tasking brewers to bring something extremely sessionable as well as their A-game and something extra special for attendees,” Todd Alström, BeerAdvocate’s said. “I say it every year, but this will truly be the most epic Extreme Beer Fest ever.
On behalf of LIC Beer Project, I will be pouring:
- Heaven Beside You
American Imperial Stout | 11.00% - Higher Burnin’
American IPA | 7.00% - Late Night Sun
American Imperial IPA | 8.50%
So what’s gluten-free? Mostly cider & mead (B. Nektar Mead, Graft Cider, KrafTea Kombucha, Nectar Creek Mead, and Reverand Nat’s Cider). As far as gluten-free beers, none. However, MadTree Brewing Co. will be attending, which brews gluten-reduced beers. Pending your allergy, you’d be able to enjoy their lineup. Hopefully EBF will push the envelope next year and invite some top gluten-free breweries that use extreme, unique grains. See ya’ll there!