April 14, 2024 • 29 mins
Send us a textJoin James and Jerry on our latest episode of West Virginia Talk as we speak to Jamie Summerlin. Jamie is a Gulf War veteran who served in the Marine Corp for 6 years. He is the author of the book "Freedom Run" and is currently the CEO of Guidon Creative who is the driving force behind this new festival in Morgantown, WV. In this episode we will talk about all the amazing vendors that will be coming to participate in this year's event, along with some of the flavors they plan to be offering. There will be over 40 breweries on site! We will touch on some of the other crafts that will have artist displaying their work. The amazing band line up they have in store for attendees. Most importantly the details such as location and prices. Make sure to get your tickets before they are sold out at WVBeerFest.com.Support the show
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hi everyone, we're back. It's the latest episode of West
Virginia Talk. But James and Jerry.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
I'm James, I'm Jerry and Jerry.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
We had our forty third and forty fourth countries download
us this week.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Yeah, they're finally finding a good thing on the podcast
and networks and tuning.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
In Norway and Mongolia.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Norway, I understand Mongolia. Hey, thanks for listening. That's all
I can say.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Hey, everybody knows Mongolians love them a little west by god.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Right, absolutely, Well, who doesn't.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
In Norwegians too, So welcome to the West Virginia Talk
family those two countries. Today we're going to talk about
the West Virginia Beer Fest. That's a huge thing.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Well West Virginia, Morgantown particularly kind of goes hand in
hand with beer.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Yeah, I mean it's like the hippoes town in the state.
So what better place to have it. And talking with
us today is the event organizer, Jamie Summerlin, and Hey,
welcome into the friendly confines of West Virginia Talk.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Thanks guys, happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Setterden, first question, are you still rocking that epic beard?
Speaker 5 (01:12):
Well, you know there's a long story behind it. Answer
your question. Yes, but I figured if I was going
to be Forrest Gump, I might as well look like him.
So there's a whole backstory to that, you know, and
we can talk about that.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Here in a little bit as well.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
All Right, So the West Virginia Beer Fest is Saturday,
April twentieth. This is the event's first ever, right.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Yes, it is for the West Virginia Beer Fest, correct.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
All right, So how did this get started?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well, I've been involved in events over the years. I've
worked with a number of organizations putting on a whole
host of events in the Morgantown and north central West
Virginia area over.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
The past few years.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
I had a group that we were working with that
they wanted to do something a little different this year,
and I said, you know, now's my opportunity to really
expand on what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
For beer Fest.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
I've been working with distributors for years at all these
different festivals, from you know, just a small events where
we got a few hundred people to tens of thousands
at our Mountain Fest motorcycle rally.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
We've done, and we've talked for a long.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
Time about doing a just kick ass, you know kind
of beer festival that would blow this thing up, and
that's what we did. We said, here we go, this
is an opportunity to let's showcase all the West Virginia brewery's.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Well, let's bring the big boys in as well.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
We want to make sure that we've got you know,
people that don't like craft beer, which are you know,
they're out there they want to drink you know, just
regular bowiser or whatever. So we said, let's bring them into.
So that's what we did.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
That sounds great.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Hey, real quickly before we go too much further, this
is going to be held in Morgantown, but we're at
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
So the event's going to be held out at Miland
Park and that facility is over three hundred acres on
property with all kinds of community activities. They've got a
huge aquatic center and track facility there.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
We're going to be in the actual HAZEVILM. JW.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Ruby Community Center. It's about one hundred thousand square feet
under roof. We've got the main community side that is
about fifty thousand square feet, so plenty of room for
us to get all the beers, all the breweries spread
outs have a lot of other vendors there.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
We're actually gonna be building.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Out our bar setup that we use at Mountain Fest.
So we've got about two hundred feet worth of a
bar that we build and we've got a nice little
design we're gonna use for it, so we can stick
all those breweries, the West Virginia ones inside of that
bar and people can walk around and basically do a
core of all the West Virginia breweries and then hit
the trailers on the outside as well.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Fantastic.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
So rain, sleet, snow, sunshine, it's not gonna matter.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
The show is going to go on.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
The show will absolutely go on.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
And I don't care if it's pouring outside, it's absolutely
gonna be pooring inside.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
We're gonna have a great time with it.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
All right.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So let's you mentioned beer, but it's not just beer,
right right.
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Yeah, So we've got artists, we've got crafters. We've got
some great, amazing West Virginia crafters doing woodworking, you know,
just some amazing jewelry.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There's gonna be plenty of food there.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
Our VIP area we've got is set up Mason Jark
Barbecue Catering. It's going to handle the VIP area for that,
So it's going to be a good time for you know,
you to check out some amazing crafters here in the state.
We've also got some awesome musicians. We've got three bands
lined up for the show as well, Grace Campbell, the
New Relics, and Zona Hester who are blowing up all
(04:30):
over the place right now. So we're gonna have plenty
of entertainment, lots of games and activities and fun times
for everybody to be there. And of course, you know,
as mentioned on the site, we've partner with the Country
Roads Trust and so we've got a few guests.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
That are going to be there that afternoon.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
We've got a Country Roads Trust toast that we'll do
at four thirty. We've kind of joked around we might
do the toast at four twenty since it is on
four twenty, but we'll have some fun with it. You know,
we're always trying to find new and unique ways to
make these events fun and so it's going to be
a great time to weekend.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Okay, so you mentioned that it's going to be over
forty breweries there. Some of the big names Bush Budweiser,
cors Yingling, le Bat, Michelo Miller, Paps, Blue Ribbon, Blue Moon,
even Iron City Light, which we all call Icy Light.
Those are beers that a lot of people know, but
some of these are new to me. So let's mention
(05:21):
some and you talk a little bit about each one. Okay,
some of these sound more interesting than others. So let's
start out with Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
Yes, the Green Brier's got some great blends that they have.
They've got Mothman devil ants, they do a wild trail
that they've got. They actually were excited to, you know,
announce you know here a while back ago that they
just opened back up. They'd shut down for a little while,
but they came back, and there's a lot of fans
of their beers here in the state of West Virginia
(05:52):
that are really excited to have them up there. So,
you know, it's always a fan favorite, and we're excited
to host Greenbrier back at the event this year.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
What about screech ol Brewing.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
Screech Owls actually just up the road from us here
in Preston County and Jamison, of those guys, they do
some pretty amazing beers over there. Uh, They they've been
talking about doing some unique ones just for this event,
and so we're we're working with those guys right now
to figure out, you know what all they're going to
be bringing.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Uh. They've got some pale ales that they do. Uh.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
There there's in your Hazy I p A that they've
got who Your Daddy is a really popular one, and
I p A that they've got, uh, Dooley's Irish red
Ales another one, and then they've got a wild and
waterful strawberry ales. So they've got a whole slew of
varieties that they are always working up uh and and
we're always excited to see what they bring in. And
(06:45):
you couldn't find a more fun family beer around. I mean,
these guys are always a good time at the event,
have lots of stories to tell, and they got a
great venue their own, you know, with the restaurant and
stuff too for people to visit.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
So that's the other side of this.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
We want to make sure people are coming in and
not just tasting new and unique beers and things that
they might not get a chance to, but learn more
about these breweries and then go visit them, you know,
and go spend some time at their locations so they
can learn more about what they're doing for me, that's.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
What it's all about. So I'm excited to have those
guys here.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Well, I'm super excited to hear that they're having Strawberry
l because I had a chance to taste that and
I absolutely love that stuff and it's an extremely great
seller in my region. So that right there in itself
makes me want to come out and sample the beers
that are going to be offered.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yeah, we're excited to have those guys back.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
And you know, it's always, you know, depending on what
they're brewing up, and you know, they may show up
with something we have no idea what, you know, everything
that they're coming with.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
But those guys always bring bring good stuff to the events.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Some of these lesser known names I am familiar with
Line and Google everybody drinks that summer shandy. And then
Alician Brewing if you haven't seen an Elician Brewing commercial,
They're they're awesome, They're hilarious, and you got to love
the space dust. But how about Rogue. They have something
(08:09):
called hazel nut brown nectar.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
What is that?
Speaker 5 (08:13):
Well, honestly, that's not even one that I've ever tried.
I've heard some pretty amazing stories out of some of
their beers that they've had at the events. However, they
always have something different and unique, and that's one right
now I'm hoping to get in the next couple of days.
You know exactly the list that they're coming with, But
they always have something new and unique at the event
(08:35):
that they always bring in. So it seems to be
one that when people hear about them, they want to
go try it.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
So they definitely have a fan following as well.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
What can you tell me about ConA Brewing Company?
Speaker 5 (08:48):
That's a very good question, man, and that's one that Yeah,
ConA is one of those breweries that you know, we
found out about here at an event a couple of
years ago, and you know, they don't have a massive
presence here in our area, but they do have a Yeah,
they do have a following, and we did actually at
(09:09):
an event last year. We had a beach that we
hit built and it just kind of happened to be
one of those unique experiences where literally one hundred thousand
pounds of sand we brought in for the beach and
had the flame throwers and all that stuff at the event,
and the ConA seemed to be a pretty big hit there, So.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Check out the ConA big wave. They call it liquid Aloha.
It's got to be interesting.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Yeah, there's you know, there's always something fun and unique
with these breweries. And you know, I love the names
that these guys come up with, and it always seems
to match their themes and and you know what they're
whether it's a summer or fall or winter. And you know,
we're hoping to head into this summer season here with
some you know, some new ones.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
That people get a chance to try out at the event.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
There are a good many Mountain State breweries. They're going
to be represented there. Clint Dennen, Parkersburg Brewing Company, Berkeley
Springs Brewing Help me out if I'm leaving any of
the Mountain State breweries out.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
But yes, Sometown Ales we heard from them this week.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
So Sometown Hills is coming in and so we're excited
to have two or three of their different beers that
they're bringing.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
So yeah, I mean we're gonna have a variety.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
And being as it is the first year coming out
of the Gate, I mean a lot of these people
have worked with me over the years at different events.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
But you know, it's always we've.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Got to you know, kind of jump into it and
figure out how we're gonna make this all work. And
I think once people see the bar we're building and
how that's all going to be set up, this thing's
gonna blow up. I mean, we want this to not
just be, you know, one of the best and biggest
beer festivals in the state of West Virginia. We ultimately
want to make this one of the largest in the region.
And you know we're going to start off for the
bang this year.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Well, there's one brewery coming up, and I hope that
people that are at this fest don't turn their nose
up to it. And I'm sure this company they might
not be aware they're coming from Georgia, but some mountaineer
fans may not want to come to their table because
they're called Terrapin Beer Company. And there's always that West
(11:03):
Virginia Maryland rivalry, but they're out of Georgia, not Maryland.
So there's two more. I wanted to ask you about
interesting names. So you have Big Truck Farm Brewery. Tell
me about that one.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
So Big Truck is a new one to us, that
is one that we have from them ownA distributors here
in Morgantown that they announced to us here a couple
of weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
They're pretty excited about these guys and what they're bringing in.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
You know, again, we haven't had them at a festival before,
but it sounds like they've got some pretty unique stuff
that they're going to be trying out, and it sounds
like it's being a very popular beer in the area,
especially in the college down here, that you know, we're
excited to have a big truck in them.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
The other one's Helltown Brewing.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
The Helltown was at an event last year that was
the first.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
Time that we had anything of theirs, and again, another
unique and popular beer that these folks bring in. They
seem to always switch things up and have something unique
at the festival, not just what they have on the
store shelves, and so it's always a fun time with
hell talent and see what they bring in.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
This doesn't have anything to do with the beers, but
I wanted to get this out there because I know
you've kind of emphasized this on y'all's page as well.
Y'all want everybody to come have a great time. That's
completely understandable, but I think It's also important that we
also mentioned on the podcast, this is a tasting and
sampling show, not a come get drunk place.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Right absolutely.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
I mean, you know, we love putting on festivals and
introducing people to new and unique beverages. Whether it's this event,
there's another tasting and sampling event I do earlier in
the spring with distilleries and wineries around the state as well.
And you know, we always emphasize the fact that we
wanted to be a safe and a fun environment for everyone.
(12:47):
We have security on site, you know, because we always
want to make sure people feel safe and you know,
can have a good time at the event. It is
a twenty one and over event. That does not mean
you can come in and just party your tail off.
You know, we want to make sure that everybody has
a good time and it's safe and fun for everybody.
So we absolutely emphasize that. You know, We've been very
fortunate over the past few years with these events. I've
(13:10):
never had to escort somebody out, you know, We've never
had to have security do it. I think people, you know,
go there and understand what they're there for, and people
can be responsible.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
You know, a vast majority of the time.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
So yeah, we always want to make sure that's out
there and aware for everybody.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Well, I'm waiting for you to organize the beer funnel
and keg stand fest. I'd be there.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Well, well, let me let me let me tell you
about a little thing that we do have if you
ever you know, I don't know if you ever heard
of Mountain Fest, the motorcycle rally aver in Morgantown for
a long time.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I heard Papa Roach is coming this year as well.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
Yeah, we don't have them coming this year, so we're
bringing it back. It's it's been down for five years,
so pre COVID you know, shut it down and so
we ran it for fifteen years.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Here we're bringing it back July fourth.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
We actually have the Kentucky head Hunters, bachelor bearded Irishmen
who are a big party band. Darryl Whorley is going
to be there, all of it less. But we do
have this contraption that we called mountain Festibond, and the
reason we called it that was it is literally a
beer bong made out of PVC pipes. You hook up
your keg to the to the contraption if you will.
(14:16):
There are twenty paps on this thing. There are twenty
valves that people, twenty people at a time can sit
there and get drinks out of this thing whenever we
fill this thing up.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So it's a pretty unique setup.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
It is literally about twenty four feet wide, you know,
so you got you know, your twenty people there to
be able to get the drinks out of That's something.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Where we do take precautions and make sure people aren't
just sitting there and get slashed. But it is a
fun time. So now you might see that back up
a mountain Festigain.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
This year, I did say popa roach, I'm at alien
and form a fan.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
Well you know, yeah, not that they don't have them
there either, Sorry about that, you know, Let's see.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
What we can do for next year.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
I'll be getting some bad info then. Yeah, okay, So
two more we want to talk about because they're catching
my eye. Goose Island Beer and then I like the
name of this one because it's a little bit of
a play on words against the Grain Brewing Company.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Yeah, so those breweries are Goose Island we had last year,
against the Grain I haven't had before. But again, those
are new and unique venues organizations that come in and
give people a chance to try something that they don't
normally get a chance to taste. We're pretty excited about
about the Green bringing their product in this year. You know,
we try to again use these events and these opportunities
(15:33):
to showcase things that people don't normally get a chance
to try out. And you know, that's that's why we
try to put these festivals on, you know, one so
that we can have something unique and that we can
stand on here in our community and be proud of,
you know, as far as events and bringing tourism and
stuff in, but too, it is really a chance to
get people out and an opportunity to try things that
(15:54):
they normally wouldn't and then get them to go out
and visit those locations.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
So I know that being that this is the inaugural event,
I'm sure that you're going to have merch that has
the event on it, right, I mean you're gonna have
shirts and all that stuff.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Yeah, absolutely, So we are pre selling shirts. One of
our vendors, it's been a long time vendor with us,
Big Altis. He always does some great and materials that
he brings to the events and we work with him
to do our inaugural shirts.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
For the event.
Speaker 5 (16:25):
So people have been pre ordering those so they can
get them at the festival, because we want to start
a tradition with those. And I love going to events
and seeing people where you know, first year, you know,
fifth year, tenth year anniversaries, when it's twenty twenty five
years into the events. You know, those people are royal customers,
loyal fans of your events, and they're bringing people with them.
(16:45):
And so yeah, we've got some great shirts that we're
going to be doing this year. For the inaugural for
twenty event.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
You're gonna hook us up with a couple.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Well, you know, you guys show up. We certainly can
make it. It make something happening. I'm sure all right.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Now, people that are coming that I want to purchase merchandise,
this is going to be a cash only correct, So.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Yeah, we can take cash or card at the event.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
So you know, we do require request that people show
up with cash.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
You know, I mean at the end of.
Speaker 5 (17:12):
The day, you are inside of a big, you know,
fifty thousand square foot building. We we do have dedicated
Wi Fi there for our vendors and such, but you know,
you never want to, you know, rely on that stuff
because especially when you get so many people saturated them.
If you've ever been to you know, w football game
or basketball games, you know how those things can fill
up very quickly and bandwidth goes away.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
So we want to certainly, you.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Know, make sure everybody can buy their stuff, and so
you know, cash is preferred, but we certainly can take
cart as well, and.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
There's ATMs on site in case somebody does need some cash.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Yeah, there are ATMs right inside the door in the
lobby there, so you'll be able to get that. You know,
a couple of other things that I wanted to mention is,
you know, for our VIP area that we've got so
they get ninety minutes early admission and we'll have some
unique beers for them to be able to try out
that probably will run out so by the time the
(18:06):
general mission come in. So you know, we always want
to have you know, some unique experiences for those folks
they get in there early to be able to buy
that merchandise early on, get first DIBs on that it's
fully catered for them. So Mason Jar has got a
full menu of items for the VIP area.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
We also offer.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Something that I do at my Chocolate Wine and Shine
Festival every year in February, and we offer a concierge
service for our VIPs. So you know, you go to
a festival, you start buying stuff, you don't want to
be lugging it around. You don't want to be taking
it out to your car and coming back in and
have to deal with all that stuff. So we always
set up a concierge service where people consider VIPs can
(18:46):
bring their items up. We tag it and bag it
for them, put their number from the wristband on it,
and then they pick it up on the way out
the door so they don't have to carry the stuff
around during the show. During the event, you know, they
can go buy stuff, take it up to the concierge,
you know, and then when whatever they leave.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
I've seen people before.
Speaker 5 (19:02):
Back their vehicles up to the door because they bought
so much they didn't realize. You know, they're having a
few drinks and having a good time and they're buying
more stuff and so they end up, you know, buying
a lot more than they expected, which is great for
the vendors. Again, at the end of the day, we're
supporting the vendors and you know, making sure people having
a good time. But the concierge service is something unique
that we've offered for a number of years now at
our festivals and people seem to really love it.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
So you mentioned VIP, So what time does the VIP start?
Speaker 5 (19:30):
Doors open at one o'clock for VIP and they have
until two thirty. The first band, Grace Campbell's going to
be kicking off around one forty five, So we want
to give them a chance to get in there, do
some shopping, you know, pick up some of the items
that they want to buy, be able to get some
samples and tastings done, and then they they have the
(19:50):
facility all of themselves for the first ninety minutes and
then after that, you know, once general mission rolls in
at two thirty, the event and the show goes on
until seven o'clock that evening.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Okay, so VIP starts at one general mission at two thirty.
What are the cost for those And I understand you
have a designated driver ticket available as well.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Yeah, we do, so we've got twenty dollars for designated
driver to be able to get in. We also give
them a five dollars voucher that they can use for
food or items that they want to purchase at any
of the vendors.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
So you know, it's a little nice, you know, gift
for us.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
You know, we appreciate them coming out to making sure
people are safe, so we give them the five dollars
voucher along with their entry into the event. We have
general admission which is forty dollars and that gets you
in at two thirty and that covers your your tasting
cup and then you get a chance to sample and
have a good time that afternoon.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
And then VIP is sixty.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
Five dollars and that covers your VIP dedicated area along
with your catered food to concierge service that comes with that.
So you know, there's always some niceties that we throw
in there for our VIPs.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Okay, So that prett much sums up the West Virginia
Beer Fest, the first ever and hopefully it's the first
of many. Is there anything else you want to add
that we didn't touch base on.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Now, I just appreciate the fact that we have people
that you know, not just come to this festival, you know,
being the first one, and all the tickets we've already
sold for this thing, but those who support all the
events not just the ones that you know, we put
on through God On creative but all the promoters that
are in the state of West Virginia working hard to
put on great festivals. Somebody had actually even asked on
(21:30):
the website today on our Facebook page, you know if
you know about another beer festival they were hoping would
come back, and you know we aren't.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
We haven't been involved. This is in the southern part
of the state.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
But I said, you know, I hope festivals like that
come back because the more festivals we have, the more
that we as promoters have to step up our game
and make each and every event better than the last one. So,
you know, we just want to showcase what we can
here in the north central part of the state. And
then of course, you know, we want to support all
those other promoters and vendors that are out there doing
(22:03):
their things. So you know, just appreciate everybody coming out
being a part of this. We're excited to host the
event WV beerfest dot Com. You know, we're gonna have
all kinds of stuff going on that day and certainly
encourage people to come check it out. Rain shots, shine,
sleeed or hale. It's gonna happen. We're gonna have a
good time there on four to twenty.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Now, if you're going out to this festival, you're looking
for something to do, maybe a little bit before. Maybe
you're not gonna sample a whole bunch, or maybe you
get there to the beer fest early, you sample when
you get done. They also have the second Angle Spring
Tattoo Expo going on in Morgantown that same day, So
I don't know about the rest of you. Every time
I've gotten a tattoo, I've had a little bit of
(22:43):
alcohol in me.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
I've never had a tattoo.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Yeah, that seems to be a common theme. Uh Yeah,
The Tattoo Expo is going on.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
And those guys always put on a great show every
year whenever they have it. They've expanded it out and
doing the Spring event now, and you know, it's a
good time. My son has participated in that event a
number of times the recipient side, and I've got a
couple of artists that are there that I've worked with
over the years for myself, So it's always a good time.
(23:13):
And certainly I want to encourage people to check out
not just stuff here at the festival, but there's a
lot going on in Morgantown that weekend, and we just
want to be a part of it, to encourage people
to get in here and see all that Morgantown has
to offer.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Absolutely well, we've been talking with Jamie Summerlin, organizer of
the first annual West Virginia Beer Fest, and before we
let you go, I want you to tell me about
that epic Beard story late on us.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yeah, so you know, I said, if I was going
to be Forrest Gump, I might as well look like him.
So let's go back about twelve years in twenty twelve,
I had started running at the late age I guess
the spry late age of thirty seven, ran my first marathon,
and then at the age of thirty.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Nine, literally pulled a forest.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Gump ran from Coosbay, Oregon to Rehova Beach, Delaware in
a one hundred days yep yep covered about thirty four
and a half mile the day for one hundred straight days,
and then did the final hundred miles from the Naval
Academy to Rehobeth Beach just under twenty four hours. Raised
about fifty thousand dollars to help start Operation Welcome Home,
a Veterans Facility up here in Morgantown that's put over
seven hundred veterans back to full time jobs since we've
(24:23):
opened it.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
And that yeah, yeah, so that's what kind of started
the whole process. And wrote a book about it called
a Freedom Run. It's available on Amazon, by the way.
And you know that that's got me started into all
these events and you know, started doing the Morgantown Marathon.
You guys are talking about people visiting you know, your website.
I had started the Morgantown Marathon and had a lot
of people tell me nobody's ever going to come run
(24:45):
Morgantown because it's too hilly.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Hilly.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
I mean, we actually used a hashtag, yes It's hilly
because we got asked all the time and I got
tired of answer and I said, sure it is, Yes
it's hilly. So we ended up having into five years
that we ran the marathon. We had all fifty states
and sixteen countries represented coming in to run this race
because it was a challenging race, but it was always
a good time. And so yeah, you know, the beard
(25:09):
came about because I got people, you know, always asking
me if I was you know, are you Forrest Gump
or what I said, well, might as well look like
him now, So that's what started it, and you know,
it's just kind of kept on from there.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
So it's been it's been a fun.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Ride here over the past twelve years, and you know,
we're continuing to put more and more events on. You
can actually visit my website guide on Creative g U
I d o n Creative dot Com Guide onto Military Penant.
My wife and I are both Marine Corps veterans, and
so it's something we're pretty passionate about and proud of.
So guide on Creative dot Com you can visit that
see all the other events that we've got going on.
(25:44):
We've got a lot of festivals happening throughout the year
that we're part of and then roll right back into
it starting at the beginning of twenty five and right
on through the following year.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
So check it out.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
We appreciate you guys giving us an opportunity to share
our story and share about the festival and look forward
to having a lot of your listeners come visit us
this come a weekend.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Well, thank you first and foremost for your service. Yes
to you and your wife and not only to the country,
but also to the communities and to our state.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
That means a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
I tell everybody you know, I'm an unapologetic West Virginian.
You know, We've got a lot to be proud of
in this state, and it's certainly something that I want
to showcase. You know, when we get people here, they
come back because they see the good people that we
have and the beauty that we have here in the States.
And one part of that is all the people that
are putting the efforts in to create some great breweries
(26:37):
and brewers here in the States. And we want to
showcase that here on four twenty and hoping that we
get a lot of people out there this weekend to
help be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Was it an accident that you booked this for four twenty.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
Absolutely not. It was one percent on purpose. Yeah, we
we're going to have some fun with that.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Actually, we are.
Speaker 5 (26:58):
Working on guarantees we're gonna have them there this year,
but we're hoping to follow through with it, you know
in the future, to get sweetwater in. Sweetwaters have some
of their infused stuff that they do, so we'll.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Have a big light display. That's another thing.
Speaker 5 (27:11):
People can get photos in front of that'll be Marquee
letters four foot tall, says WV beer Fest.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then we've got the date. We always do the date.
You know. I had twenty four for the for.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
My event, the chocolate event earlier this year Valentine's Day.
We just kind of spun it around and did four
twenty for the beer fest. And yes, I do have
green light bulbs I'll be putting in there. I mean, hey,
why not, let's have some fun with it. So awesome, yeap,
gotta have.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
A good time, great stuff, And we want to thank
you again, Jamie Summerlin, organizer the first annual West Virginia
Beer Fest in Morgantown Saturday, April the twentieth. VIPs come
in at one and then general mission at two thirty.
Thank you so much for your time and your service.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah, thanks guys.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
So speaking of service, Jerry, our last podcast was clay
Sin and our most downloaded city was Frankfurt, Germany. And
you know it's military, so we want to hear from you.
Send us an email, West Virginia Talk at yahoo dot
com or get on Facebook, West Virginia Talk. Send us
a message, and you know, if you want to hear
(28:17):
something specific about our state that we're not touching base on.
Let us know, let us know what you want to hear, and.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
If we don't have an episode as quick as you
would like, we apologize. We have several that have written
us and asked for a certain podcasts.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
To be done. We've got it on the list. It
just may take a little time.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
To get to a really obscure so it's going to
take a lot of spinning to get that one. But
and then military. I talked to my son about fifteen
minutes before Jamie called me, so good to hear from
him down to Fort Jackson, National Guard Army specialist. So
looking forward to seeing him next month.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
So once again Wes J. Ginia Beer Fest. The first one.
It is Saturday, April twentieth. VIPs coming in at one,
everyone else comes into two thirty, ends at seven pm.
And it's more than just beer. It's it's hard cider.
It's hard what do they call it, cambucha? I mean,
it's just everything that you can imagine and under one roof.
(29:20):
Get your tickets now because they're gonna sell out quickly.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Absolutely, they're gonna sell it quickly.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
So that's gonna do it for our latest episode of
West Virginia Talk. We hope that you enjoyed it listening
to it just as much as we did making this one.
And once again we want to thank Jamie Summerland.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So I'm James.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
I'm sure you've been listening to West Virginia Talk, a
Jay and Jay production
Hi everyone, we're back. It's the latest episode of West
Virginia Talk. But James and Jerry.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
I'm James, I'm Jerry and Jerry.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
We had our forty third and forty fourth countries download
us this week.
Speaker 3 (00:13):
Yeah, they're finally finding a good thing on the podcast
and networks and tuning.
Speaker 1 (00:17):
In Norway and Mongolia.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Norway, I understand Mongolia. Hey, thanks for listening. That's all
I can say.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
Hey, everybody knows Mongolians love them a little west by god.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Right, absolutely, Well, who doesn't.
Speaker 1 (00:32):
In Norwegians too, So welcome to the West Virginia Talk
family those two countries. Today we're going to talk about
the West Virginia Beer Fest. That's a huge thing.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Well West Virginia, Morgantown particularly kind of goes hand in
hand with beer.
Speaker 1 (00:48):
Yeah, I mean it's like the hippoes town in the state.
So what better place to have it. And talking with
us today is the event organizer, Jamie Summerlin, and Hey,
welcome into the friendly confines of West Virginia Talk.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Thanks guys, happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Setterden, first question, are you still rocking that epic beard?
Speaker 5 (01:12):
Well, you know there's a long story behind it. Answer
your question. Yes, but I figured if I was going
to be Forrest Gump, I might as well look like him.
So there's a whole backstory to that, you know, and
we can talk about that.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Here in a little bit as well.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
All Right, So the West Virginia Beer Fest is Saturday,
April twentieth. This is the event's first ever, right.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
Yes, it is for the West Virginia Beer Fest, correct.
Speaker 1 (01:36):
All right, So how did this get started?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Well, I've been involved in events over the years. I've
worked with a number of organizations putting on a whole
host of events in the Morgantown and north central West
Virginia area over.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
The past few years.
Speaker 5 (01:50):
I had a group that we were working with that
they wanted to do something a little different this year,
and I said, you know, now's my opportunity to really
expand on what we're doing.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
For beer Fest.
Speaker 5 (02:01):
I've been working with distributors for years at all these
different festivals, from you know, just a small events where
we got a few hundred people to tens of thousands
at our Mountain Fest motorcycle rally.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
We've done, and we've talked for a long.
Speaker 5 (02:14):
Time about doing a just kick ass, you know kind
of beer festival that would blow this thing up, and
that's what we did. We said, here we go, this
is an opportunity to let's showcase all the West Virginia brewery's.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Well, let's bring the big boys in as well.
Speaker 5 (02:27):
We want to make sure that we've got you know,
people that don't like craft beer, which are you know,
they're out there they want to drink you know, just
regular bowiser or whatever. So we said, let's bring them into.
So that's what we did.
Speaker 4 (02:40):
That sounds great.
Speaker 3 (02:41):
Hey, real quickly before we go too much further, this
is going to be held in Morgantown, but we're at
in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
So the event's going to be held out at Miland
Park and that facility is over three hundred acres on
property with all kinds of community activities. They've got a
huge aquatic center and track facility there.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
We're going to be in the actual HAZEVILM. JW.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Ruby Community Center. It's about one hundred thousand square feet
under roof. We've got the main community side that is
about fifty thousand square feet, so plenty of room for
us to get all the beers, all the breweries spread
outs have a lot of other vendors there.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
We're actually gonna be building.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Out our bar setup that we use at Mountain Fest.
So we've got about two hundred feet worth of a
bar that we build and we've got a nice little
design we're gonna use for it, so we can stick
all those breweries, the West Virginia ones inside of that
bar and people can walk around and basically do a
core of all the West Virginia breweries and then hit
the trailers on the outside as well.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Fantastic.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
So rain, sleet, snow, sunshine, it's not gonna matter.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
The show is going to go on.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
The show will absolutely go on.
Speaker 5 (03:48):
And I don't care if it's pouring outside, it's absolutely
gonna be pooring inside.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
We're gonna have a great time with it.
Speaker 4 (03:54):
All right.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
So let's you mentioned beer, but it's not just beer,
right right.
Speaker 5 (03:58):
Yeah, So we've got artists, we've got crafters. We've got
some great, amazing West Virginia crafters doing woodworking, you know,
just some amazing jewelry.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
There's gonna be plenty of food there.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
Our VIP area we've got is set up Mason Jark
Barbecue Catering. It's going to handle the VIP area for that,
So it's going to be a good time for you know,
you to check out some amazing crafters here in the state.
We've also got some awesome musicians. We've got three bands
lined up for the show as well, Grace Campbell, the
New Relics, and Zona Hester who are blowing up all
(04:30):
over the place right now. So we're gonna have plenty
of entertainment, lots of games and activities and fun times
for everybody to be there. And of course, you know,
as mentioned on the site, we've partner with the Country
Roads Trust and so we've got a few guests.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
That are going to be there that afternoon.
Speaker 5 (04:44):
We've got a Country Roads Trust toast that we'll do
at four thirty. We've kind of joked around we might
do the toast at four twenty since it is on
four twenty, but we'll have some fun with it. You know,
we're always trying to find new and unique ways to
make these events fun and so it's going to be
a great time to weekend.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
Okay, so you mentioned that it's going to be over
forty breweries there. Some of the big names Bush Budweiser,
cors Yingling, le Bat, Michelo Miller, Paps, Blue Ribbon, Blue Moon,
even Iron City Light, which we all call Icy Light.
Those are beers that a lot of people know, but
some of these are new to me. So let's mention
(05:21):
some and you talk a little bit about each one. Okay,
some of these sound more interesting than others. So let's
start out with Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
Yes, the Green Brier's got some great blends that they have.
They've got Mothman devil ants, they do a wild trail
that they've got. They actually were excited to, you know,
announce you know here a while back ago that they
just opened back up. They'd shut down for a little while,
but they came back, and there's a lot of fans
of their beers here in the state of West Virginia
(05:52):
that are really excited to have them up there. So,
you know, it's always a fan favorite, and we're excited
to host Greenbrier back at the event this year.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
What about screech ol Brewing.
Speaker 5 (06:03):
Screech Owls actually just up the road from us here
in Preston County and Jamison, of those guys, they do
some pretty amazing beers over there. Uh, They they've been
talking about doing some unique ones just for this event,
and so we're we're working with those guys right now
to figure out, you know what all they're going to
be bringing.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Uh. They've got some pale ales that they do. Uh.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
There there's in your Hazy I p A that they've
got who Your Daddy is a really popular one, and
I p A that they've got, uh, Dooley's Irish red
Ales another one, and then they've got a wild and
waterful strawberry ales. So they've got a whole slew of
varieties that they are always working up uh and and
we're always excited to see what they bring in. And
(06:45):
you couldn't find a more fun family beer around. I mean,
these guys are always a good time at the event,
have lots of stories to tell, and they got a
great venue their own, you know, with the restaurant and
stuff too for people to visit.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
So that's the other side of this.
Speaker 5 (07:00):
We want to make sure people are coming in and
not just tasting new and unique beers and things that
they might not get a chance to, but learn more
about these breweries and then go visit them, you know,
and go spend some time at their locations so they
can learn more about what they're doing for me, that's.
Speaker 2 (07:13):
What it's all about. So I'm excited to have those
guys here.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Well, I'm super excited to hear that they're having Strawberry
l because I had a chance to taste that and
I absolutely love that stuff and it's an extremely great
seller in my region. So that right there in itself
makes me want to come out and sample the beers
that are going to be offered.
Speaker 2 (07:35):
Yeah, we're excited to have those guys back.
Speaker 5 (07:37):
And you know, it's always, you know, depending on what
they're brewing up, and you know, they may show up
with something we have no idea what, you know, everything
that they're coming with.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
But those guys always bring bring good stuff to the events.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
Some of these lesser known names I am familiar with
Line and Google everybody drinks that summer shandy. And then
Alician Brewing if you haven't seen an Elician Brewing commercial,
They're they're awesome, They're hilarious, and you got to love
the space dust. But how about Rogue. They have something
(08:09):
called hazel nut brown nectar.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
What is that?
Speaker 5 (08:13):
Well, honestly, that's not even one that I've ever tried.
I've heard some pretty amazing stories out of some of
their beers that they've had at the events. However, they
always have something different and unique, and that's one right
now I'm hoping to get in the next couple of days.
You know exactly the list that they're coming with, But
they always have something new and unique at the event
(08:35):
that they always bring in. So it seems to be
one that when people hear about them, they want to
go try it.
Speaker 2 (08:43):
So they definitely have a fan following as well.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
What can you tell me about ConA Brewing Company?
Speaker 5 (08:48):
That's a very good question, man, and that's one that Yeah,
ConA is one of those breweries that you know, we
found out about here at an event a couple of
years ago, and you know, they don't have a massive
presence here in our area, but they do have a Yeah,
they do have a following, and we did actually at
(09:09):
an event last year. We had a beach that we
hit built and it just kind of happened to be
one of those unique experiences where literally one hundred thousand
pounds of sand we brought in for the beach and
had the flame throwers and all that stuff at the event,
and the ConA seemed to be a pretty big hit there, So.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
Check out the ConA big wave. They call it liquid Aloha.
It's got to be interesting.
Speaker 5 (09:32):
Yeah, there's you know, there's always something fun and unique
with these breweries. And you know, I love the names
that these guys come up with, and it always seems
to match their themes and and you know what they're
whether it's a summer or fall or winter. And you know,
we're hoping to head into this summer season here with
some you know, some new ones.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
That people get a chance to try out at the event.
Speaker 1 (09:50):
There are a good many Mountain State breweries. They're going
to be represented there. Clint Dennen, Parkersburg Brewing Company, Berkeley
Springs Brewing Help me out if I'm leaving any of
the Mountain State breweries out.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
But yes, Sometown Ales we heard from them this week.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
So Sometown Hills is coming in and so we're excited
to have two or three of their different beers that
they're bringing.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
So yeah, I mean we're gonna have a variety.
Speaker 5 (10:15):
And being as it is the first year coming out
of the Gate, I mean a lot of these people
have worked with me over the years at different events.
Speaker 2 (10:22):
But you know, it's always we've.
Speaker 5 (10:23):
Got to you know, kind of jump into it and
figure out how we're gonna make this all work. And
I think once people see the bar we're building and
how that's all going to be set up, this thing's
gonna blow up. I mean, we want this to not
just be, you know, one of the best and biggest
beer festivals in the state of West Virginia. We ultimately
want to make this one of the largest in the region.
And you know we're going to start off for the
bang this year.
Speaker 1 (10:41):
Well, there's one brewery coming up, and I hope that
people that are at this fest don't turn their nose
up to it. And I'm sure this company they might
not be aware they're coming from Georgia, but some mountaineer
fans may not want to come to their table because
they're called Terrapin Beer Company. And there's always that West
(11:03):
Virginia Maryland rivalry, but they're out of Georgia, not Maryland.
So there's two more. I wanted to ask you about
interesting names. So you have Big Truck Farm Brewery. Tell
me about that one.
Speaker 5 (11:16):
So Big Truck is a new one to us, that
is one that we have from them ownA distributors here
in Morgantown that they announced to us here a couple
of weeks ago.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
They're pretty excited about these guys and what they're bringing in.
Speaker 5 (11:30):
You know, again, we haven't had them at a festival before,
but it sounds like they've got some pretty unique stuff
that they're going to be trying out, and it sounds
like it's being a very popular beer in the area,
especially in the college down here, that you know, we're
excited to have a big truck in them.
Speaker 1 (11:44):
The other one's Helltown Brewing.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
The Helltown was at an event last year that was
the first.
Speaker 5 (11:49):
Time that we had anything of theirs, and again, another
unique and popular beer that these folks bring in. They
seem to always switch things up and have something unique
at the festival, not just what they have on the
store shelves, and so it's always a fun time with
hell talent and see what they bring in.
Speaker 3 (12:06):
This doesn't have anything to do with the beers, but
I wanted to get this out there because I know
you've kind of emphasized this on y'all's page as well.
Y'all want everybody to come have a great time. That's
completely understandable, but I think It's also important that we
also mentioned on the podcast, this is a tasting and
sampling show, not a come get drunk place.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Right absolutely.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
I mean, you know, we love putting on festivals and
introducing people to new and unique beverages. Whether it's this event,
there's another tasting and sampling event I do earlier in
the spring with distilleries and wineries around the state as well.
And you know, we always emphasize the fact that we
wanted to be a safe and a fun environment for everyone.
(12:47):
We have security on site, you know, because we always
want to make sure people feel safe and you know,
can have a good time at the event. It is
a twenty one and over event. That does not mean
you can come in and just party your tail off.
You know, we want to make sure that everybody has
a good time and it's safe and fun for everybody.
So we absolutely emphasize that. You know, We've been very
fortunate over the past few years with these events. I've
(13:10):
never had to escort somebody out, you know, We've never
had to have security do it. I think people, you know,
go there and understand what they're there for, and people
can be responsible.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
You know, a vast majority of the time.
Speaker 5 (13:20):
So yeah, we always want to make sure that's out
there and aware for everybody.
Speaker 1 (13:23):
Well, I'm waiting for you to organize the beer funnel
and keg stand fest. I'd be there.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
Well, well, let me let me let me tell you
about a little thing that we do have if you
ever you know, I don't know if you ever heard
of Mountain Fest, the motorcycle rally aver in Morgantown for
a long time.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
I heard Papa Roach is coming this year as well.
Speaker 5 (13:42):
Yeah, we don't have them coming this year, so we're
bringing it back. It's it's been down for five years,
so pre COVID you know, shut it down and so
we ran it for fifteen years.
Speaker 2 (13:51):
Here we're bringing it back July fourth.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
We actually have the Kentucky head Hunters, bachelor bearded Irishmen
who are a big party band. Darryl Whorley is going
to be there, all of it less. But we do
have this contraption that we called mountain Festibond, and the
reason we called it that was it is literally a
beer bong made out of PVC pipes. You hook up
your keg to the to the contraption if you will.
(14:16):
There are twenty paps on this thing. There are twenty
valves that people, twenty people at a time can sit
there and get drinks out of this thing whenever we
fill this thing up.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
So it's a pretty unique setup.
Speaker 5 (14:28):
It is literally about twenty four feet wide, you know,
so you got you know, your twenty people there to
be able to get the drinks out of That's something.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
Where we do take precautions and make sure people aren't
just sitting there and get slashed. But it is a
fun time. So now you might see that back up
a mountain Festigain.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
This year, I did say popa roach, I'm at alien
and form a fan.
Speaker 5 (14:48):
Well you know, yeah, not that they don't have them
there either, Sorry about that, you know, Let's see.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
What we can do for next year.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
I'll be getting some bad info then. Yeah, okay, So
two more we want to talk about because they're catching
my eye. Goose Island Beer and then I like the
name of this one because it's a little bit of
a play on words against the Grain Brewing Company.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
Yeah, so those breweries are Goose Island we had last year,
against the Grain I haven't had before. But again, those
are new and unique venues organizations that come in and
give people a chance to try something that they don't
normally get a chance to taste. We're pretty excited about
about the Green bringing their product in this year. You know,
we try to again use these events and these opportunities
(15:33):
to showcase things that people don't normally get a chance
to try out. And you know, that's that's why we
try to put these festivals on, you know, one so
that we can have something unique and that we can
stand on here in our community and be proud of,
you know, as far as events and bringing tourism and
stuff in, but too, it is really a chance to
get people out and an opportunity to try things that
(15:54):
they normally wouldn't and then get them to go out
and visit those locations.
Speaker 1 (15:58):
So I know that being that this is the inaugural event,
I'm sure that you're going to have merch that has
the event on it, right, I mean you're gonna have
shirts and all that stuff.
Speaker 5 (16:09):
Yeah, absolutely, So we are pre selling shirts. One of
our vendors, it's been a long time vendor with us,
Big Altis. He always does some great and materials that
he brings to the events and we work with him
to do our inaugural shirts.
Speaker 2 (16:23):
For the event.
Speaker 5 (16:25):
So people have been pre ordering those so they can
get them at the festival, because we want to start
a tradition with those. And I love going to events
and seeing people where you know, first year, you know,
fifth year, tenth year anniversaries, when it's twenty twenty five
years into the events. You know, those people are royal customers,
loyal fans of your events, and they're bringing people with them.
(16:45):
And so yeah, we've got some great shirts that we're
going to be doing this year. For the inaugural for
twenty event.
Speaker 1 (16:50):
You're gonna hook us up with a couple.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
Well, you know, you guys show up. We certainly can
make it. It make something happening. I'm sure all right.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Now, people that are coming that I want to purchase merchandise,
this is going to be a cash only correct, So.
Speaker 2 (17:04):
Yeah, we can take cash or card at the event.
Speaker 5 (17:07):
So you know, we do require request that people show
up with cash.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
You know, I mean at the end of.
Speaker 5 (17:12):
The day, you are inside of a big, you know,
fifty thousand square foot building. We we do have dedicated
Wi Fi there for our vendors and such, but you know,
you never want to, you know, rely on that stuff
because especially when you get so many people saturated them.
If you've ever been to you know, w football game
or basketball games, you know how those things can fill
up very quickly and bandwidth goes away.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
So we want to certainly, you.
Speaker 5 (17:34):
Know, make sure everybody can buy their stuff, and so
you know, cash is preferred, but we certainly can take
cart as well, and.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
There's ATMs on site in case somebody does need some cash.
Speaker 5 (17:45):
Yeah, there are ATMs right inside the door in the
lobby there, so you'll be able to get that. You know,
a couple of other things that I wanted to mention is,
you know, for our VIP area that we've got so
they get ninety minutes early admission and we'll have some
unique beers for them to be able to try out
that probably will run out so by the time the
(18:06):
general mission come in. So you know, we always want
to have you know, some unique experiences for those folks
they get in there early to be able to buy
that merchandise early on, get first DIBs on that it's
fully catered for them. So Mason Jar has got a
full menu of items for the VIP area.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
We also offer.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Something that I do at my Chocolate Wine and Shine
Festival every year in February, and we offer a concierge
service for our VIPs. So you know, you go to
a festival, you start buying stuff, you don't want to
be lugging it around. You don't want to be taking
it out to your car and coming back in and
have to deal with all that stuff. So we always
set up a concierge service where people consider VIPs can
(18:46):
bring their items up. We tag it and bag it
for them, put their number from the wristband on it,
and then they pick it up on the way out
the door so they don't have to carry the stuff
around during the show. During the event, you know, they
can go buy stuff, take it up to the concierge,
you know, and then when whatever they leave.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
I've seen people before.
Speaker 5 (19:02):
Back their vehicles up to the door because they bought
so much they didn't realize. You know, they're having a
few drinks and having a good time and they're buying
more stuff and so they end up, you know, buying
a lot more than they expected, which is great for
the vendors. Again, at the end of the day, we're
supporting the vendors and you know, making sure people having
a good time. But the concierge service is something unique
that we've offered for a number of years now at
our festivals and people seem to really love it.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
So you mentioned VIP, So what time does the VIP start?
Speaker 5 (19:30):
Doors open at one o'clock for VIP and they have
until two thirty. The first band, Grace Campbell's going to
be kicking off around one forty five, So we want
to give them a chance to get in there, do
some shopping, you know, pick up some of the items
that they want to buy, be able to get some
samples and tastings done, and then they they have the
(19:50):
facility all of themselves for the first ninety minutes and
then after that, you know, once general mission rolls in
at two thirty, the event and the show goes on
until seven o'clock that evening.
Speaker 1 (20:00):
Okay, so VIP starts at one general mission at two thirty.
What are the cost for those And I understand you
have a designated driver ticket available as well.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
Yeah, we do, so we've got twenty dollars for designated
driver to be able to get in. We also give
them a five dollars voucher that they can use for
food or items that they want to purchase at any
of the vendors.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
So you know, it's a little nice, you know, gift
for us.
Speaker 5 (20:26):
You know, we appreciate them coming out to making sure
people are safe, so we give them the five dollars
voucher along with their entry into the event. We have
general admission which is forty dollars and that gets you
in at two thirty and that covers your your tasting
cup and then you get a chance to sample and
have a good time that afternoon.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
And then VIP is sixty.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
Five dollars and that covers your VIP dedicated area along
with your catered food to concierge service that comes with that.
So you know, there's always some niceties that we throw
in there for our VIPs.
Speaker 1 (20:59):
Okay, So that prett much sums up the West Virginia
Beer Fest, the first ever and hopefully it's the first
of many. Is there anything else you want to add
that we didn't touch base on.
Speaker 5 (21:09):
Now, I just appreciate the fact that we have people
that you know, not just come to this festival, you know,
being the first one, and all the tickets we've already
sold for this thing, but those who support all the
events not just the ones that you know, we put
on through God On creative but all the promoters that
are in the state of West Virginia working hard to
put on great festivals. Somebody had actually even asked on
(21:30):
the website today on our Facebook page, you know if
you know about another beer festival they were hoping would
come back, and you know we aren't.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
We haven't been involved. This is in the southern part
of the state.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
But I said, you know, I hope festivals like that
come back because the more festivals we have, the more
that we as promoters have to step up our game
and make each and every event better than the last one. So,
you know, we just want to showcase what we can
here in the north central part of the state. And
then of course, you know, we want to support all
those other promoters and vendors that are out there doing
(22:03):
their things. So you know, just appreciate everybody coming out
being a part of this. We're excited to host the
event WV beerfest dot Com. You know, we're gonna have
all kinds of stuff going on that day and certainly
encourage people to come check it out. Rain shots, shine,
sleeed or hale. It's gonna happen. We're gonna have a
good time there on four to twenty.
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Now, if you're going out to this festival, you're looking
for something to do, maybe a little bit before. Maybe
you're not gonna sample a whole bunch, or maybe you
get there to the beer fest early, you sample when
you get done. They also have the second Angle Spring
Tattoo Expo going on in Morgantown that same day, So
I don't know about the rest of you. Every time
I've gotten a tattoo, I've had a little bit of
(22:43):
alcohol in me.
Speaker 1 (22:45):
I've never had a tattoo.
Speaker 2 (22:47):
Yeah, that seems to be a common theme. Uh Yeah,
The Tattoo Expo is going on.
Speaker 5 (22:52):
And those guys always put on a great show every
year whenever they have it. They've expanded it out and
doing the Spring event now, and you know, it's a
good time. My son has participated in that event a
number of times the recipient side, and I've got a
couple of artists that are there that I've worked with
over the years for myself, So it's always a good time.
(23:13):
And certainly I want to encourage people to check out
not just stuff here at the festival, but there's a
lot going on in Morgantown that weekend, and we just
want to be a part of it, to encourage people
to get in here and see all that Morgantown has
to offer.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Absolutely well, we've been talking with Jamie Summerlin, organizer of
the first annual West Virginia Beer Fest, and before we
let you go, I want you to tell me about
that epic Beard story late on us.
Speaker 5 (23:39):
Yeah, so you know, I said, if I was going
to be Forrest Gump, I might as well look like him.
So let's go back about twelve years in twenty twelve,
I had started running at the late age I guess
the spry late age of thirty seven, ran my first marathon,
and then at the age of thirty.
Speaker 2 (23:59):
Nine, literally pulled a forest.
Speaker 5 (24:01):
Gump ran from Coosbay, Oregon to Rehova Beach, Delaware in
a one hundred days yep yep covered about thirty four
and a half mile the day for one hundred straight days,
and then did the final hundred miles from the Naval
Academy to Rehobeth Beach just under twenty four hours. Raised
about fifty thousand dollars to help start Operation Welcome Home,
a Veterans Facility up here in Morgantown that's put over
seven hundred veterans back to full time jobs since we've
(24:23):
opened it.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Wow.
Speaker 5 (24:24):
And that yeah, yeah, so that's what kind of started
the whole process. And wrote a book about it called
a Freedom Run. It's available on Amazon, by the way.
And you know that that's got me started into all
these events and you know, started doing the Morgantown Marathon.
You guys are talking about people visiting you know, your website.
I had started the Morgantown Marathon and had a lot
of people tell me nobody's ever going to come run
(24:45):
Morgantown because it's too hilly.
Speaker 2 (24:47):
Hilly.
Speaker 5 (24:47):
I mean, we actually used a hashtag, yes It's hilly
because we got asked all the time and I got
tired of answer and I said, sure it is, Yes
it's hilly. So we ended up having into five years
that we ran the marathon. We had all fifty states
and sixteen countries represented coming in to run this race
because it was a challenging race, but it was always
a good time. And so yeah, you know, the beard
(25:09):
came about because I got people, you know, always asking
me if I was you know, are you Forrest Gump
or what I said, well, might as well look like
him now, So that's what started it, and you know,
it's just kind of kept on from there.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
So it's been it's been a fun.
Speaker 5 (25:21):
Ride here over the past twelve years, and you know,
we're continuing to put more and more events on. You
can actually visit my website guide on Creative g U
I d o n Creative dot Com Guide onto Military Penant.
My wife and I are both Marine Corps veterans, and
so it's something we're pretty passionate about and proud of.
So guide on Creative dot Com you can visit that
see all the other events that we've got going on.
(25:44):
We've got a lot of festivals happening throughout the year
that we're part of and then roll right back into
it starting at the beginning of twenty five and right
on through the following year.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
So check it out.
Speaker 5 (25:55):
We appreciate you guys giving us an opportunity to share
our story and share about the festival and look forward
to having a lot of your listeners come visit us
this come a weekend.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Well, thank you first and foremost for your service. Yes
to you and your wife and not only to the country,
but also to the communities and to our state.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
That means a lot.
Speaker 2 (26:14):
Absolutely.
Speaker 5 (26:15):
I tell everybody you know, I'm an unapologetic West Virginian.
You know, We've got a lot to be proud of
in this state, and it's certainly something that I want
to showcase. You know, when we get people here, they
come back because they see the good people that we
have and the beauty that we have here in the States.
And one part of that is all the people that
are putting the efforts in to create some great breweries
(26:37):
and brewers here in the States. And we want to
showcase that here on four twenty and hoping that we
get a lot of people out there this weekend to
help be a part of it.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
Was it an accident that you booked this for four twenty.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
Absolutely not. It was one percent on purpose. Yeah, we
we're going to have some fun with that.
Speaker 2 (26:56):
Actually, we are.
Speaker 5 (26:58):
Working on guarantees we're gonna have them there this year,
but we're hoping to follow through with it, you know
in the future, to get sweetwater in. Sweetwaters have some
of their infused stuff that they do, so we'll.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Have a big light display. That's another thing.
Speaker 5 (27:11):
People can get photos in front of that'll be Marquee
letters four foot tall, says WV beer Fest.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then we've got the date. We always do the date.
You know. I had twenty four for the for.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
My event, the chocolate event earlier this year Valentine's Day.
We just kind of spun it around and did four
twenty for the beer fest. And yes, I do have
green light bulbs I'll be putting in there. I mean, hey,
why not, let's have some fun with it. So awesome, yeap,
gotta have.
Speaker 1 (27:37):
A good time, great stuff, And we want to thank
you again, Jamie Summerlin, organizer the first annual West Virginia
Beer Fest in Morgantown Saturday, April the twentieth. VIPs come
in at one and then general mission at two thirty.
Thank you so much for your time and your service.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Yeah, thanks guys.
Speaker 1 (27:56):
So speaking of service, Jerry, our last podcast was clay
Sin and our most downloaded city was Frankfurt, Germany. And
you know it's military, so we want to hear from you.
Send us an email, West Virginia Talk at yahoo dot
com or get on Facebook, West Virginia Talk. Send us
a message, and you know, if you want to hear
(28:17):
something specific about our state that we're not touching base on.
Let us know, let us know what you want to hear, and.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
If we don't have an episode as quick as you
would like, we apologize. We have several that have written
us and asked for a certain podcasts.
Speaker 4 (28:35):
To be done. We've got it on the list. It
just may take a little time.
Speaker 1 (28:39):
To get to a really obscure so it's going to
take a lot of spinning to get that one. But
and then military. I talked to my son about fifteen
minutes before Jamie called me, so good to hear from
him down to Fort Jackson, National Guard Army specialist. So
looking forward to seeing him next month.
Speaker 4 (28:57):
Awesome.
Speaker 1 (28:58):
So once again Wes J. Ginia Beer Fest. The first one.
It is Saturday, April twentieth. VIPs coming in at one,
everyone else comes into two thirty, ends at seven pm.
And it's more than just beer. It's it's hard cider.
It's hard what do they call it, cambucha? I mean,
it's just everything that you can imagine and under one roof.
(29:20):
Get your tickets now because they're gonna sell out quickly.
Speaker 2 (29:23):
Absolutely, they're gonna sell it quickly.
Speaker 1 (29:25):
So that's gonna do it for our latest episode of
West Virginia Talk. We hope that you enjoyed it listening
to it just as much as we did making this one.
And once again we want to thank Jamie Summerland.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
So I'm James.
Speaker 1 (29:37):
I'm sure you've been listening to West Virginia Talk, a
Jay and Jay production
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