Thirsty Orange worthy of Top 5 billing
JOHNSON CITY—Another one in the books or rather in the glass so to speak. This year’s 4th Annual Thirsty Orange Brew extravaganza -- ranked as one of the top 5 beer festivals in the U.S. by BeerYeti.com – did not disappoint. The event served as the terminus for the first Annual Tri-Cities Craft Beer Week, an 8-day beer bonanza showcasing beverages from breweries from Kingsport, Jonesborough and Johnson City in TN as well as beers from breweries in Bristol, Abingdon and Damascus, VA.
The Thirsty Orange festival, held on an open grass courtyard, in the shadows of east Tennessee State University, saw an exceedingly warm spring day, with the majority of the over 2500 attendees breaking out the shorts, sun dresses and tees. Event promoter, Aaron Carson of Superfly Fabulous Events, said “This festival is unique, in that we bring together homebrewers and pro brewers in the same space. You have the passion of homebrewers and the established products of professional brewers and it generates a fun and inviting atmosphere”.
Aaron Carson of Superfly Fabulous Events at the 4th Annual Thirsty Orange Brew extravaganza beer festival, first Annual Tri-Cities Craft Beer Week, Johnson City in TennesseeThat seemed to be an understatement as the crowds were lined up in front of tents tasting the various beers and other malt inspired beverages. This, along with corn hole, hula hoops and wire balance props for the festival goers all while DJ Allen Rockhouse laid down beats for the better part of the event. Carson added, “This has really evolved into more than just your typical festival featuring great beer”. The festival also boasted a 5k color run.
As with the past Thirsty Orange festivals, homebrewers were able to have a friendly competition amongst themselves with a People’s Choice award and the Tennessee Iron Brewer Challenge award. As so named, the People’s Choice award was voted on the overall best homebrew by fest attendees. It was won by Steve Dedman, an aspiring pro brewer of Knoxville, TN. He took home the top prize with his Watermelon Kolsch.
The Iron Brewer award, which has homebrewers use the same ingredients, this year, a pale ale “kit”, provided by Carson, with the stipulation of being able to add one secret ingredient of their choice. This year’s title and bragging rights went to Chris Bryant from Kingsport, TN with his Black IPA. His secret ingredient, Wormwood.
“We used midnight wheat for color and dry hopped for 3 days,” Bryant said. He also added, “We really weren’t expecting anything, but when people started tasting and liked it, I thought we might have something special here”. Bryant also gave credit to a couple of his co-brewers, Daniel Rhoton and Mike Peck in aiding with the brew.
As the sun began to set and partygoers made their way from the venue, someone shouted, “beer well done.”—indeed it was.Email Kevin at wscubamedic43@gmail.com
