The description of the festival that he sent to me:
LJUBLJANA BEER FESTIVAL 2015 (description and goals)
The Ljubljana Beer Festival 2015, to take place for the fourth consecutive time in Ljubljana this May, is a cultural and social event aiming to promote the culture of beer consumption and production to the general public. In spite of the rise of microbreweries, an ever-increasing availability of different beers in pubs and bars, and the education efforts in the correct sampling of beer, beer culture is an area that remains uncharted in Slovenia. Interest in the Ljubljana Beer Festival is on the rise, with the number of visitors increasing almost threefold in recent years. This year the festival is to last 2 days, with some 7000 visitors expected, and will see around 150 types of beer from domestic breweries and foreign imports, as well as gourmet dishes made with beer. The Beer Fest will feature something for everyone – novices will be introduced to a selection of artisan beers, while those with more experience will be in for a top-notch beer craft experience.
The aim of the festival is to support Slovenian brewers and importers, as well as provide access to different types of beer. Even though Slovenia is a country with a prevalent wine culture, its inheritance and natural predisposition to growing hops, as well as the development of microbreweries (such as Human Fish, Vizir, Mali Grad, Reservoir Dogs, etc.) should not be overlooked. It was in fact on the Ljubljana Marshes where 3900 years old beer barrels were found, with old records also describing ‘hube’, serf farms, where hops was grown and beer brewed.
To promote responsible and informative beer sampling, festival beer will be served in return glass tulips, in small quantities, with access to free drinking water to freshen the taste. In this way the consumption of (plastic) waste will also be reduced. The Beer Festival will educate visitors on how to drink beer, promoting its consumption in smaller doses. We wish to show that beer offers a wide range of flavours, is suitable to many occasions, as well as culinary pursuits and food preparation.
The event itself is not just a promotion of beer culture, but also supports the development of Slovenian beer brewing, enabling new cooperation and socializing. A platform for brewers large and small to present their products, the festival allows for direct feedback from other brewers, importers and beer connoisseurs, providing access to experts and opening the doors to anyone who wants to try their hand at beer, be it as a beer lover or someone looking to become a professional.
As a cultural event, the festival sees in attendance many families with children, prompting us to organize a separate set of children’s workshops.
The festival welcomes all brewers, importers, bar and pub proprietors, and beer enthusiasts. All together will bring to life an event to socialize, familiarize and create new cooperation and knowledge about beer. The event is free of charge. The Ljubljana Beer Festival aims to become one of the most recognizable events in this region of Europe, going international in 2016. The festival establishes a tradition of beer lovers and connoisseurs socializing and developing beer culture in the heart of Slovenia.
WHERE TRADITION AND INNOVATION COME TOGETHER
ABOUT:
WHEN: 22 and 23 May 2015 (Friday, Saturday)
LOCATION: Kodeljevo Castle, Kobljarjeva 34, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
PROGRAMME:
FRIDAY, 22 MAY 2015
2 PM – 9.30 PM: BEER FESTIVAL AT KODELJEVO CASTLE
2 PM – 8 PM: CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS IN THE CASTLE PARK
2 PM – 8 PM: EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ABOUT BEER AND WHISKEY
9.30 PM – 3 AM: EVENING FESTIVITIES
SATURDAY, 23 MAY 2015
11 AM – 9.30 PM: BEER FESTIVAL AT KODELJEVO CASTLE
11 AM – 8 PM: CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS IN THE CASTLE PARK
NOON – 8 PM: EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS ABOUT BEER AND WHISKEY/WHISKY
9.30 PM – 3 AM: EVENING FESTIVITIES
DURING THE BEER FESTIVAL THE FESTIVAL SHOP WILL BE OPEN UNTIL 9 PM.
The workshops thus far:
- How to brew beer at home (Association of Home Brewers).
- What do we know about whiskey? (Majda Debevc).
- Characteristics and use of hops in beer (Hop Institute Žalec).
