The Crooked Antler Beerfest: Spring’s First Pour
The 9th Annual Crooked Antler Beerfest didn’t just break tradition this year; it cheerfully shattered it. For nearly a decade, Beerfest had been a February ritual, a mid‑winter gathering where cold hands wrapped around colder cans. But this year, the co‑founders made a bold call: Beerfest was moving to April. And as it turned out, April welcomed the event like an old friend.
The day arrived with the kind of weather that feels personally tailored: warm sun, soft breeze, and a sky so blue it looked freshly polished. By early afternoon, eighteen Beerfest regulars filtered into the yard, each carrying a dish, a beer, or a story they’d been saving since last year. The long tasting table stretched across the lawn like a wooden altar to hops and camaraderie.
A Feast Worthy of Legend
Before the first beer was cracked, the potluck demanded attention. There were dips, wings, homemade breads, and a suspiciously perfect pasta salad. But the dish that stole the collective heart of the crowd was the armadillo eggs, jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and sausage, wrapped in bacon, and cooked to smoky perfection. They vanished so quickly that several attendees questioned whether they had imagined them.
“Whoever made these deserves a medal,” someone declared.
“Or at least first pick of the cooler,” another replied.
A New Generation Joins the Tradition
This year also marked a milestone no one had anticipated: the arrival of the first second‑generation Beerfest participant. Josh’s son, Gio, joined the lineup, not as a spectator, but as a full competitor. He arrived with a grin, a carefully chosen sour, and the kind of enthusiasm only someone experiencing their first Beerfest can bring.
There was something quietly meaningful about seeing him at the table. Beerfest had always been about friendship, tradition, and the stories that accumulate over time. But seeing Gio step into the circle made it clear that this wasn’t just an annual event anymore; it was becoming a legacy.
And the kid didn’t just show up. He placed in the top ten, earning nods of approval from veterans who had been honing their beer selection craft for years.
Josh tried to play it cool, but the pride was unmistakable.
The Beers That Ruled the Day
The tasting began with the usual ceremony: bottles lined up, scorecards distributed, and the first round poured with reverence. The competition was fierce, but three brews rose above the rest:
- 1st Place: Sack Lunch – Blueberry Fluffernutter (Josh) — a sour so nostalgic and strange that it somehow tasted like childhood and adulthood at the same time.
- 2nd Place: Orange Creamsicle (Mike B) — bright, sweet, and dangerously drinkable.
- 3rd Place: Infinite Ghost (Cameron) — a double IPA with enough bite to make even seasoned hop‑heads raise an eyebrow.
The votes were close, the debates spirited, and the bragging rights immediate.
The Moment No One Will Forget
Late in the afternoon, as the sun dipped low and the playlist drifted into classic sing‑along territory, the event delivered a moment destined for Beerfest lore. Fueled by equal parts confidence and carbonation, Shane attempted and completed two full super laps around the tasting table.
Not casual laps. Not leisurely strolls. Super laps.
He moved with the determination of a man on a mission, greeting each participant, sampling beers midstride, and somehow maintaining perfect balance. By the time he finished, the crowd was cheering like they’d witnessed a sporting miracle.
“Never been done before!” someone shouted. “Never will be done again!” another countered.
But the legend was sealed.
A Vote for the Future
As twilight settled in and the last of the armadillo eggs were mourned, the group gathered to discuss next year’s milestone, the 10th Annual Crooked Antler Beerfest. Ideas flew around like bottle caps: a themed event, a camping edition, a brewery takeover.
Then someone suggested a South Shore Beer Crawl, and the idea landed with the satisfying thud of a perfect pour. The vote was unanimous. Beerfest was hitting the road.
A Spring Tradition Is Born
As the night wound down, the group raised one final toast to the weather, to the beers, to the friendships, and to the unexpected joy of seeing a new generation step into the circle.
April, it seemed, had given Beerfest a new identity. A lighter one. A warmer one. A version of the tradition that felt like it could last another decade and maybe even pass to the next.
Results – Full list
Crooked Antler Beerfest 
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