The second annual “Smoke In The Valley” craft beer and chili fest to benefit youth sports and emergency services is Saturday (Oct. 6) in Seymour.
Last year the event, which was downtown, drew more than 1,000 people, and raised nearly $40,000.
This year’s event will be at the Seymour Community Center on Pine Street.
And Howard Stern-writer/beer-loving perv Richard Christy says he’s going to be there — at least according to a Facebook status he posted Sept. 23 plugging the event (see photo).
The event runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 in advance, and $40 at the gate.
“VIP” tickets are also available — $45 in advance and $55 at the gate — to get into the event at noon.
Click here for ticket information.
Last week the Valley Indy caught up with one of the event’s co-chairs, Matt Bronson, to talk about what people can expect.
Valley Independent Sentinel: So this is the second year for “Smoke In The Valley.” How did it all come together?
Matt Bronson: “The group that puts it on is Seymour Tradition, a softball organization. Basically it was put together as one of their fundraisers, but because it’s a community organization, they wanted to reach out and help some other groups in town, so this event was put together specifically to help the Valley first responders, as well as all the sports in Seymour as well.
Every sporting league in town, from soccer to football to everything else, gets a check from this event, as well as fire and EMS.”
VIS: Last year’s event was a success, from what I’ve heard.
MB: “We had 1,200 people there last year. We’re hoping to double it this year.”
VIS: What’s new?
MB: “There’s a bigger beer list, and a lot more restaurants. One of the comments we had from people going last year was we needed to have more food, so we’ve added several more restaurants.
There’s also more music — two stages, and six bands.
We’ve changed pretty much everything. And going along the lines of it being a community event, we teamed up with Seymour Pink and we’re doing a 5K that morning for Seymour Pink. It’s a pretty cool thing.”
VIS: You work as a sales manager at Saranac Brewing Company. Something tells me you’re going to say that’s your favorite beer.
MB: “I would have to say that’s my favorite beer, yes.”
VIS: Right. How about this: are there any new breweries you’re particularly excited about being at the event?
MB: “Some of the new breweries that have come into Connecticut are going to be there. Massachusetts’ Element Brewing. Charter Oak Brewing from Connecticut.
Willimantic Brewing Company is sponsoring a home brewing contest, so that’s a huge addition.
It’s just a great list this year, and I think we have some really solid beers down there.”
VIS: Home brewing contest?
MB: “Yeah, (Monroe-based brewing supply company) Maltose Express as well as (Yankee News Brew Editor) Gregg Glaser are doing the judging. The winning brewer’s going to be brewed by Willimantic Brewing Company.
We’ve had about 20 entries to it. Some of the beers look fantastic.”
VIS: There seems to be a lot more home brewing going on nowadays.
MB: “Home brewers are doing things now that 15 or 20 years ago even the big commercial breweries weren’t doing. There’s been a real renaissance in craft brewing. Personally I’m looking forward to the home brew contest as much as trying out some of the other breweries that are going to be there.”
VIS: Why the renaissance?
MB: “The palette has changed with the consumer. If you look at where the craft beer industry is as a whole, it’s up 15 percent this year, with domestic down a couple of percentage points. I think the consumer’s palette has really changed more toward the higher end beers.
And you can go and get the recipe for every beer out there. It comes out just like it would if you pick it up from the store.”
VIS: OK, I’m getting way too thirsty right now, let’s change the subject. There’s going to be a chili contest too?
MB: “If you’re a beer fan you know there’s a beer event every weekend. Most weekends there’s multiple beer events. You need to so something to set yourself apart. The chili contest is just another way of getting people out there. The contest is open to everyone, there are even a few restaurants involved.”
VIS: Anything else you want to mention?
MB: “All of our sponsors. We have them listed on the website. If none of them were involved, none of this would happen. And we get quite a bit of support from the community and the town of Seymour. It’s a real community event and good people put it together.”
