With so many different styles of beer and even seasonal beers to take into account, it can be difficult to come up with good pairings for every beer on a restaurant or bar's beer list. It is worth the effort to do a little research and you’ll find that beer can be an excellent culinary alternative to wine.

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Join our host (and Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation Board Member) Tom “Beerbo” Witanek as he leads a panel consisting of four of Texas’ top brew masters. In 2019, the Festival featured Southern Star Brewery, Independence Brewery, Real Ale Brewery and Kerrville’s own Pint & Plow Brewing Company, while attendees enjoyed several different types of beers ranging from a crisp Mexican Lager to a bold Belgian Porter. Information on the exact beers and pairings can be found at the Festival Office, the Kennedy Theater Beer or Wine Booths.

“Beer is a great match for food because of the complexity of its flavors, its ability to provide refreshment and to interact with many food flavors,” says Marc Stroobandt, master beer sommelier for the Food and Beer Consultancy, UK. “Even before the meal, beer already is doing its work for food pairing as the hops stimulate the appetite.” When pairing beer and food, it all comes down to matching the food’s flavors to the flavors of the beers. In this program we go directly to the experts to get their advice on mating the best brews with complementary favorite bites.
 

Pre-paid registration is required. Attendees must also have a Festival ticket (valid wristband) for that Festival day. Registration is limited to 100 people. Tickets are available online or at the Festival Wine Booth in the Kennedy Outdoor Theater during the Memorial Day weekend evening concerts. A Seminar ticket includes a souvenir Festival beer tasting glass. Seating begins 15 minutes before the start of the seminar; no late arrivals please.