Lisle Ale Fest

All in all the Ale Feat was fantastic this year. This is our second year in a row and we are very pleased with the expansion.
I would like to see a few more food booths and a better way to display the art so it was more of an event I know they’re working on it and they did a really good job transitioning from year to year.
We will be back next year!

My husband and I attended the 2^nd annual Lisle Ale Fest. Loved the event and hope to attend every year! Although uncontrollable by event coordinators, the weather was perfect. I noticed a few changes to beer offerings after the programs were printed but an excellent selection overall. Lots of fall offerings — Oktoberfest, pumpkin beers & ciders. You are provided with a stamp card upon arrival. Sample sizes were very generous. We couldn’t finish our cards and had plenty to drink! I never felt like it was too crowded and the lines moved quickly. Ample seating was provided to eat, take a break or enjoy the live music. The live music was excellent by the way. We didn’t eat, so I can’t speak to any of the food vendors. Very well run & an enjoyable experience overall.

We had the pleasure of attending the 2^nd Lisle Ale Fest and had a wonderful time. There were a nice variety of beers, with a focus on Oktoberfest and Pumpkin flavored ales. Having attended several festivals in the past, we splurged on the VIP passes which allowed early entry and a few other perks like a reserved seating area and port potties. There were over 100 beers and several good food trucks to fortify you between drinking. In the end it was worth it because the place got crowded fast and the extra time to sample brews was worth it. The volunteers were fun and knowledgable. A big plus of this festival was the 3pm start, this meet as things were winding down you could walk downtown to several other places to continue the night. If they do it again we’ll come back.

I was honored to attend the first annual SOLDOUT Lisle Ale Fest. A month back when news of the beer fest spread around town I knew I had to attend. I like beer, blues, bbq and my hometown, Lisle of course.
For a first run around, the fest was a hit. I was impressed. It ran smoothly. Everyone had a good time. If one didn’t, it wasn’ the fest’s fault.
How It Worked: A $ 40 beer ticket included 18 3-​ounce samples of over 80 beers along with a glass pint. Beer lovers held on tightly to their beer tab card and with each sample came a mark on the card.
Beer: The selection and quantity were plentiful in my beer novice opinion. From IPAs, to brown ales, curry flavored beer to ciders something for everyone. The more rare beers included Leinekugel’s Bid eddy Ryewine ale and the Big Eddy Russian South, Goose Island’s Bourbon County brand Stout and Casimir, Left Hand’s Week Sauce Stout which is only brewed for craft beer week.
Now as I stated the beer vendors crossed off a drink from your card with each sampling. This is not totally correct. A couple (plus few more) either forgot or purposely did not check off your ticket. Also, many vendors were heavy handed with the drafts and gave you closer to a 5 oz sample. I’m not complaining! It turned out I had almost half of my card unchecked by the end of the evening. My friends are heavier drinkers and they were not complaining of a beer shortage either.
Now give anyone copious amounts of beer and your bladder will soon be calling. Midway through the shindig, I turned around and boom there are 40 people in line for the toilets. The line snaked midway through the fest grounds. However, possibly due to my sense of time being skewed, the line moved quickly. There were even employees making sure each toilet had adequate toilet paper. I appreciate that!
I had a great time at the fest and will definitely attend next year’s. Being its first event, it will only be better.