The inaugural Asbury Park Beer Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 8 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park. Two sessions will be open to brew hounds—the first from noon to 4 p.m. and the second from 6 to 10 p.m. Redevelopers Madison Marquette, who have sponsored the Asbury Park boardwalk revitalization, coordinated the monumental event with rock station WRAT (95.9 FM).
The wondrous beer display seems somewhat analogous to the eclectic citizenship walking the boardwalk. There are Stone Pony musicians, young families, alternative life-stylers, and people of every race, creed and color residing at this historic Monmouth County municipality. Recent improvements to Asbury Park’s waterfront have given the colorful seaside community a newfound vigor.
Several international craft beers and a few iconic retro beers (Schaefer/ Pabst Blue Ribbon/ Old Milwaukee/ Piels Real Draft/ Colt 45) will be available at this autumnal gathering. Beer aficionados will want to try offerings from Germany’s Arcobrau and Weltenburger, Belgium’s Steenebrugge, Palm, Rodenbach, Boon and Duvel, plus England’s Theakston’s Old Peculier. American brewers include Sam Adams, Brooklyn Brewery, Blue Moon, Blue Point, Erie, Harpoon, Keegan’s, McSorleys, Ommegang, Peak Organic, Magic Hat, Sierra Nevada and Spoetzl. Jersey’s own Flying Fish, Cricket Hill, Boaks and Kane will also bring appreciable libations.
So celebrate the Columbus Day weekend at Asbury Park’s capacious Convention Hall. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tix are available through Ticketmaster.com or Stone Pony Box Office. Part of the proceeds go to charitable agencies such as Clean Ocean Action and Best Day Foundation (a children’s organization).
