Beer Fest brings brewers and patrons together

The sun was shining for beer fans at the 24th annual Mountain Brewers Beer Fest in Idaho Falls.

Festival goers can try beers from all around the region. For brewers, there is a competition and a chance to get their beers out to the public.

“I like how hands on it is,” said Tim Spanbauer, a brewer with Sockeye Brewing. “A lot of interaction between brewers and the patrons. And just that kind of feel about it. It’s not as stuffy as GABF, it’s just more of a casual party.”

Beer Fest also gives brewers a chance to meet each other and trade ideas.

“On the brewers side, to be able to interact with top notch brewers from around the west and even the nation,” Spanbauer said. “It really helps you with your craft as well.”

The first Beer Fest took place on a strip of grass behind the Shilo Inn. Now, it takes place at Sandy Downs and more than five thousand people attend.

“I see it growing a little bit,” said Bob Brewer, a North American Brewers Association board member. “I see it growing at a very measured pace. If, unfortunately, people lose interest in beer then of course it wont, but it’s moving along, it’s still very popular and it’s turned into a very well operated event.”

All proceeds from the festival goes to local charities. They have raised $1.4 million in the last 24 years. Working together to raise money is one of the highlights for staff and volunteers.

“The whole dynamic of putting it together because you’re all volunteers and you’re spending time and you’re associating with like minded volunteering kind of people,” Brewer said. “So it’s the whole activity of organizing it.”

This year, proceeds from the event are going to “Breaking Boundaries”, a charity that supports diversity and helps those with HIV/AIDS, as well as a few smaller charities.