BEER-thoven Drekker Brewing Co. retrospect

Beer Snob | March 4th, 2015

By Krissy Ness

The band wasted no time kicking off the final BEER-thoven fest event as the music bounced off the walls in an excited manner, while guests bellied up to the bar to get one of Drekker’s delicious beers. During the event I was able to speak with a number of people in the crowd and get their perspective on the event and the beer as well.

I spoke with a group of ladies who were laughing and having a good time while sharing a pint. They each had something great to say about the event.

“A good excuse to come downtown, check out new places, and this is certainly one of them. Hats off to Drekker!” Joan exclaimed. This was the first BEER-thoven fest event she had attended, and she thoroughly enjoyed the music and being with her friends.

Cynthia chimed in: “Being open to good music, good beer and friends is why we came!”

Joan mentioned her friend Karen grew hops. Also, it just so happened Karen was Darren’s (Drekker’s head brewer) aunt. “I am happy to see great success in my nephew. Raise a glass!” Karen said.

These three ladies were great sports, and it was wonderful to sit down and talk with them. It was great to talk about culture and beer with people that I normally wouldn’t get the chance to.

It is always a pleasure to talk with the men of Drekker as well. I found out a little known fact about their early brewing days. Darren confirmed that before they had the brewery and found such success, his aunt Karen (from earlier) would allow them to use the hops she grew in her backyard for their beer batches. I love to hear stories of families working together for a common goal: beer.

It was now my turn to belly up to the bar and I tried their signature Beer-thoven fest beer:

Roll Over Beethoven (ABV 6% IBU 31) traditional ESB (Extra Special Bitter) -- This beer is a Vienna malt, which provides a toasty and nutty dryness. Glacier hops were added to this beer for an overall dry feeling in the mouth, but no basic hop characteristics show through in the beer. This deep, hazy, copper-colored beer is medium in body and dawns an exceptional head.

It has been such an amazing experience getting to meet new people in the community who share a love of music and beer, and I am so grateful I was able to be a part of it.

A final word from Beethoven (local realtor/actor Jay Nelson): “It is nice to have people come out to an event and discuss music and history, and get their minds in another place, rather than talking about the Kardashians.”

RECENTLY IN

Recently in: