As the World Beer Festival Turns

Another April has stormed in like a lion, and another World Beer Festival has stormed through downtown Raleigh. And storm it did.

If you were at the WBF this weekend, you probably got caught in the torrential downpour of people, vendors, and beer. Despite the rain though, I think we all had a good time. I met some new friends, reconnected with old ones, and even learned a thing or two about pairing beer and food with Julie Johnson of All About Beer Magazine. If you missed out on one of the small, informal educational sessions make sure to catch one at the WBF in Durham later this year. Julie spoke to us about the different types of food and the whys and hows they can be paired with different types of beer. From picked okra to buttery almonds, Julie has a great beer suggestion for each of the four items we sampled. I spoke with her after the tasting, and while I was surprised to learn that she isn’t officially Cicerone-certified, she is definitely one of the most educated women in North Carolina that I’ve ever met when it comes to beer & food. The informational sessions at the WBF this year ranged from homebrewing to beer tasting for beginners – so there’s definitely something for everyone. Do make sure to check that out at your next festival!

We were glad to see our favorite NC Breweries – Fullsteam, Foothills, Big Boss – as well as many other local, national, and international breweries that poured us fine samples of hops, malts, and yeast all night. A big thank you to all the breweries that showed up and stuck through the rain, lightning, and wind to keep us supplied with our favorite drink!

Even with the rain and crowds, we were still able to take a few pictures of the event. Hope you enjoy!

Were you excited to try something new at WBF-Raleigh?  Let us know!

Do you have pictures from WBF-Raleigh? Upload them to our Flickr group!

Want to keep drinking craft beer in Raleigh? Check out this article on Bitchin’ Brews about bars, breweries, and beer in Raleigh!