Beer Me: Monticello Lions’ Brewfest Raises Glasses and Funds

Micro-breweries are popping up all over the country and fans of these small batch brews are exploding in numbers. There's likely a perfectly brewed beer for every lager-lover's taste-bud out there. That's probably why last year's Monticello Lions' Brewfest had nearly three times the attendance they expected. This Saturday they're expecting even more IPA imbibers and Brewfest organizer Chad Vokaty is seriously excited about it.

Topping 900 last year, the Monitcello civic group is expecting close to 1200+ to make it out to the edge of the mighty Mississippi's West Bridge Park this time around.

Vokaty says that when it came to organizing this year's event they took a combination of a bigger is better and if it ain't broke don't fix it approach. Adding several beer makers was the key to this year's Brewfest, and he says the big catch for them was getting Brooklyn Park micro brewer Surly on board for the sampling.

The Brewfest isn't just a gathering of beer lovers, though, it's an honest-to-goodness fundraising event for the Monticello Lions. Last year, the group raised enough money to cut a $10,000 check to the local food shelf.

You can get tickets for the event online here and save $10 off the gate price of $30. In addition to the commemorative beer sampling mug you get, you'll hear music provided by The Blue Hazard Band. The Monticello Lions' Brewfest runs on Saturday August 17th from 3pm til 7pm at West Bridge Park on the banks of the Mississippi River in Monticello.