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Beerfest 2008 Begins

Posted by Danielle D'Ornellas / August 6, 2008

15 Comments

Beerlicious Beer FestivalWhen I say Beer Fest, I don't mean the 2006 film starring Jay Chandrasekhar, I'm talking about a Toronto summer tradition for fans of the hops, the Beerlicious Festival at Historic Fort York. Running from Thursday August 7th with the Bowman's Ball, through sold-out dates on Friday and Saturday and ending on Sunday August 10th, this marks the 13th year for the festival and they don't seem the least bit concerned with that superstitious number!

This year, to add some spice for Beerlicious regulars, Thursdays' Bowman's Ball kick-off event has a special guest component, a performance by the British ska band, The English Beat. What better way to start the festival than with some beer and a good round of Mirror in the Bathroom?

The breweries represented at Beerlicious have always run the gamut from frat-friendly, to award winners from all across the globe. For example, in one corner you'll have Red Stripe providing fest-goers with funky straw hats, or Coors giving away foam funnies, while in the other you'll have brewmasters explaining the process in creating masterpieces such as the Belgian beauty Duvel or the unique, oak-aged perfection of an Innis and Gunn.

Now for some tips for first time attenders. Always bring extra money as the ticket price only includes 5 tokens which will be gone faster than you can say, well, anything. While the festival does have ATM's they also come with high convenience fees. Save yourself the trouble and anticipate your drinking ahead of time. Also? Sunscreen and perhaps an umbrella as the forecast calls for rain. Thirdly, make sure to bring TTC tokens. While there are cabs lined up at the exits, getting into one can be as dicey as New Years, the streetcar will be your friend. The last tip is mostly for women, but bring extra tissues or some toilet paper in your purse. Trust me, with the size of the lineups for the port-a-potties, you don't want to be caught...wet-handed.

If you haven't already purchased your tickets for the festival, don't hesitate! Today is the last day to purchase discounted online tickets to guarantee your attendance. Friday and Saturday have already sold out, but Thursday and Sunday are still available. See you at the festival!

Image: Toronto Beer Festival by blogTO flickr-pooler stillsinflux

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Joe / August 6, 2008 at 12:30 pm
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The 'liscious naming convention is becoming very very annoying. Ronces-, Beer-, Summerde-. Net thing will be a porn industry eent called cockaliscious. People need to be a little bit more original.
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jamesmallon / August 6, 2008 at 12:37 pm
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Went once years ago. I'll never return. I can go to any decent pub, get most of the beers I want, a seat, some shade, food if I want it, toilets I am not afraid to use, the music isn't too loud to ignore, no entrance fee, and all of it a closer stumble home. No brainer.
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jamesmallon / August 6, 2008 at 12:43 pm
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$40 or $50 to get in, and only $5 of beer tickets! The fact that there are days sold out illustrates the Toronto-Effect: no matter how crappy and expensive the team or theatre event, it will be sold out in Toronto. This goes along with the Toronto-Corollary: the most middling theatre/music must end with a standing-ovation, and people believe 'this is the year' for their team.
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Brad / August 6, 2008 at 12:49 pm
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This thing is too big.
I wish the nice little beer festival that was at St Lawrence Market a few years back would return, much more intimate.
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Elle Driver / August 6, 2008 at 01:09 pm
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Is this the same people who used to organize the St. Lawrence beer festival? I went to that about 4 or 5 years ago, and it was fantastic: no entrance fees, and you could walk around the whole market with your beer (it felt like I was in Europe again!) You also paid $2 for your first beer and a free keepsake half-pint glass that you refilled at other beer stands.

I went the following two years, and it just didn't compare. The beer was more expensive, no free glasses, less beer stands and but many mediocre food vendors, and you were forced to stay and drink only in a small gated area.
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Danielle / August 6, 2008 at 01:11 pm
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The 40/50$ tickets are for The English Beat performance on Thursday as well.

This will be my third year attending and I've found the exhibitors pleasant, the crowds pretty easy going, security quick to catch anybody creating any trouble and live-action foosball? Fun all around.

This is an outdoors festival, not a day at the pub.
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ronotoe / August 6, 2008 at 01:33 pm
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I've been to the festival a bunch of times and it's a good go with friends. my only complaint is that I wish there were more of the smaller micro brews from else where. there are some incredible brews being made down south in the states, and even here in canada we have some really great stuff that isn't really being showcased.

still fun though.
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handfed / August 6, 2008 at 02:04 pm
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Down with the Beer Store monopoly!!
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Ben / August 6, 2008 at 02:42 pm
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I like the beer store. They have the best employees and lots of beers.
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Ratpick / August 6, 2008 at 03:05 pm
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I'm only going if there will be a Telus/Rogers/Virgin tent where I can sign up for a mobile service, a Mastercard/VISA tent where I can sign up for a credit card, and maybe some Peruvian musicians selling CDs. Oh, and there MUST be a heavy security presence and the more corporate logos on plastic banners, the better.
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rek / August 6, 2008 at 04:54 pm
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Save time and just mail your money directly to Belgium/Japan/USA. End the monopoly!
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breerion / August 6, 2008 at 04:59 pm
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beeeer...
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Ratpick / August 7, 2008 at 08:39 am
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@ Joe, RE: the "licious" naming comvention.

First Canadian Place (as in the bank/brokerage/corporate law tower) is holding "FCP Licious" this summer.

I hereby declare the "licious" fad PLAYED.
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Joe / August 7, 2008 at 09:38 am
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Thank you Ratpick. I'm glad others see it.

An I apologize for the spelling in the last post, dyslexia kicks in again, i need to proof more.
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Mike / August 11, 2008 at 09:19 am
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I've gone the last 4 and I have to say this one was a big disappointment. Even giving allowances for the weather, which nobody could control, this year was extremely poorly organized. It opened late, there were not enough booths selling tokens, and there were not enough toilets resulting in a day spent standing in various lines. I noticed there was also a lot less freebies than in previous years. Who was Inbev trying to fool passing off Stella Artois as a premium beer requiring double tokens it's the type of beer you buy in gas stations in Belgium? It felt less like a promotional event and more like a cash grab this year.

Perhaps it's time to scale back. Loss the mass market brewers and cut back to the craft brewers.
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