The crowd started to assemble into a clustered line outside of the Black River Coliseum late Saturday afternoon. Soon the chilly air caused a clamor to grow amid those waiting to enter with their VIP ticket to taste some original brews at the Brews in the Bluff event.
The doors opened at 4 p.m. to welcome all who had purchased the VIP tickets that would give them uninterrupted access to the different vendors who had set up with their original brews and were vying for the People’s Choice Award for best brew.
Booths lined the perimeter of the main room of the coliseum, with tables loaded up with samples of a variety of different lagers, stouts, ails and more. While only some of the vendors were in competition for the People’s Choice award, there were plenty of stops along the way for people to sample spirits as well as wine from different vendors.
“Our long-term goal was to have enough brewers to wrap around the entire perimeter of the coliseum, and we almost did that this year,” Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Halter said after the event had ended. “We also added wineries and distilleries. We want to keep building on that.”
Halter personally manned a table at the entrance to the main floor of the coliseum and helped ticket-holders with directions to find what they were looking for, as well as selling commemorative T-Shirts. Immediately next to Halter’s table started the long row of local brewers who are all prepared to share their home-crafted brews.
One such brewer was James Burlison, a member of the “Bootheel United Zymurgist” organization.
“I’ve been brewing beer for about the past 10 years,” Burlison explained. “I just like to experiment with different flavors and make the things I want to try. That’s the beautiful thing about this event; because, we can’t really sell what we make, so we can share it with people here.”
Burlison went on to explain that he primarily enjoys brewing stouts — as was evident with his own oatmeal stout and coffee stout.
Those in attendance were able to peruse every booth on the floor, and after sampling different brews, they would cast their vote for their favorite brewer by placing their ticket in a bowl at the corresponding booth. This year, just as the year before, the People’s Choice Award winner was Travis Taylor, from “Mudflap Molly’s.”
“My staff, as well as our volunteers, did an amazing job,” Halter said. “The sponsors and brewer/distributor support was incredible. We had another big crowd and are appreciative of the support from our participants.”
Halter went on to explain the event had attendees from Memphis, Tennessee, St. Louis, Springfield, and Jonesboro, Arkansas.
“(Director) Greg (Smith) and the Black River Coliseum staff were great, as usual. They had a major event two days before and were able to flip the facility around in no time,” Halter stated. “Lastly, I’m very grateful for my board of directors for allowing us to host fun events like this.”
Halter also praised Castello’s restaurant in Poplar Bluff for doing a good job catering the event with hamburgers and bratwurst. Hundreds of people attended, and some in attendance noted that the “Brews in the Bluff” event seems to get a little larger with each year.