Help choose the best beer in Nebraska at the 2nd annual Neihardt Foundation Beer Festival, Saturday, July 31st from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the Country Pub, 409 Main Street in Bancroft.
Participants can vote on the best Nebraska-brewed craft beer provided at the festival, as well as the best overall brew.
More than a dozen craft breweries and distributors will offer 20-plus styles of unique lagers and ales.
A local home brewer, the Rev. Philip Hale, will be on hand to explain the craft; delicious appetizers and an auction of beer-related items round out the activities.
Tickets are $20 per person. Advance tickets for $25 include a glass Neihardt mug. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Neihardt State Historic Site at 1-888-777-4667 or on-line at neihardt@gpcom.net or from any foundation board member and various businesses in Bancroft. Must be 21 to participate in the tastings; ID required.
The event is a fund-raiser for the John Neihardt State Historic Site in Bancroft. It also pays homage to the great love of beer of Neihardt, Nebraska’s poet laureate in perpetuity and the author of "Black Elk Speaks."
Among the Nebraska breweries participating are Gottberg's of Columbus, Nebraska Brewing of Papillion, Upstream of Omaha, Spilker Ales of Cortland, Modern Monks of Lincoln and Lucky Bucket of LaVista; as well as several national breweries.
The next afternoon, August 1st, is the State legislated 45th Annual Neihardt Day. The outdoor program begins at 1:30 p.m. and is focused on the short story, featuring both Neihardt’s work and those of Mark Twain, a contemporary of Neihardt. A Chautauqua style presentation of Twain, portrayed by Wally Seiler of Alliance, and a reading of Neihardt work by Walt Duda of Omaha, will be emceed by Ron Hull of NET.
Lunch and beverages are on sale from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. The museum exhibits and gift shop are open from 9:00 – 5:00. The program, funded by the Neihardt Foundation, the Cuming County Visitor Bureau, and the Nebraska Humanities Council, is free and open to the public. Some bleacher seating; bring lawn chairs. For more information, call 1-888-777-4667 or Neihardt@gpcom.net.
