I got back from Julio’s a little while ago. It was a lot of fun. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a line. Luckily, we weren’t too far from the front. A cop came around and checked ID’s, followed by a guy to stamp our hands and then a guy handing out bracelets. Since this was a free beer fest, they limited you to 10 samples, followed by another 5 if you went back for a second bracelet. By our 10th beer, the place was crowded and hot and we were ready to get out. So we skipped the last 5. The store is huge, and very well organized. The fest was organized on the outside aisles, leaving plenty of room for people actually shopping. I honestly don’t even remember what I tried, but I tried a lot. The ones that stick out in my head are the following:
- Mayflower IPA and Porter
- Péché Mortel
- Mikkeller Jackie Brown
- Long Trail Belgian White
- Gritty’s Pale Ale on cask
- Dupont Avril
- Berkshire Brewing JB Brown (brown ale aged in Jim Beam barrels)
- Alesmith Speedway Stout
- Liefman’s Kriek
- Opa Opa Stout
- Wild Blue
- Abita Strawberry Harvest Lager
- Lost Abbey Judgement Day, Serpent Stout, and Red Barn Ale
- Founders Blushing Monk
- Samuel Adams Boston 375 Colonial Ale
Now, I know that’s more than 10 beers, but Susan and I shared samples. We paid $2 for a sampling glass (money went to some charity and we got to keep the glass), or we could’ve just gotten a plastic cup for free. There was lots of food and hot sauces to be had as well. All in all, it was a very good day and it was very well organized. We picked up a mixed 6 pack before we left as a sign of our gratitude for the free beer. I got some beers unavailable in RI (and some I haven’t seen at Yankee Spirits):
- Jolly Pumpkin Bam Noire
- Arcadia HopMouth Double IPA and Cocoa Loco
- Victory Ten Years Alt (brewed in 2006)
- Abita Strawberry Harvest Ale
- Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA
I can’t wait to try some of these beers, though I think I’m all beer’d out for the day. I am dying of thirst and I’m exhausted. I think this is something I’ll likely attend again.
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