We had somewhere around 1200 folks for the first Kickoff event for the first Huntsville Beer Week. We didn’t really have a goal for attendance, but it was much better than we were expecting. Our goals had more to do with making sure it was a fun event, a good show, and that the beer flowed. From talking to the folks as they started leaving, it seems like we met that goal as well. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Now get prepared for all the Beer Week events next week. Keep an eye on the calendar to the left for all the special events.

If you can find some at retail, we’re going to let them exhaust their supply. Tickets are available at the Gate for $30. That’s only a $1 surcharge for waiting. We never really announced a door price, so we wanted to be generous. The $1 is more about the time saving of making change than anything else.

See everyone at the festival.

We hope everyone considers their plans after the Southern HOPSpitality festival. Several options are available to be safe and not drive while under the influence of alcohol.

• Bring a designated driver or get dropped off and picked up
• Get a taxi
• Stay the night across the street

Homewood Suites is offering their “Friends and Family Rate” to all festival patrons. This hotel is literally across the street from the venue. The discounted rate is $89 and can be claimed by clicking here or by calling (256) 895-9511.

Just a few days away from the official opening of Huntsville Beer Week at Southern HOPSpitality. Tickets for the kickoff event will no longer be shipped. If you purchase a ticket online you must claim them at the Will Call booth outside the festival on Friday.

There may be some late additions to the lineup of events – just a few things that haven’t been quite nailed down yet. For the most part, however, the schedule is set.

For a little while at least, we’ve decided to give you the option to either have your tickets shipped or to be put on the Will-Call list. All tickets are shipped from Madison, and most buyers have reported receiving their tickets in a minimum of two days after buying them. If you live outside the Huntsville metropolitan area, we highly recommend you use the Will-Call option.

If you have any problem receiving your tickets, send an email to event@huntsvillebeerweek.com.

Just a fair warning – today is the last day we mail tickets for the Southern HOPSpitality Kickoff event. After today, you will automatically be added to a Will-Call list. The Will-Call booth will be located outside the venue in Providence (there will be a sign).

So buy your tickets online today to save a little time!

Details keep coming in, but here are a few big reasons to buy tickets to Southern HOPSpitality, the kickoff event for Huntsville Beer Week.

• It will be the one place in the world where all Alabama breweries are represented – Avondale, Back Forty, Blue Pants, Good People, Straight to Ale, and Yellowhammer.
• The Huntsville debut of Avondale Brewing Co. This Birmingham brewery just opened in June and will be bringing their Spring Street Saison and an IPA.
• Blue Pants will debut their 2011 batch of Pinstripe Stout as well as a one-off English Brown Ale.
• Straight to Ale will showcase a year-aged Unobtanium as well as the rare Laika Imperial Stout.
• Yellowhammer’s IPA and Hop Revival Double IPA will be served through a whole-hop infuser, aka “Randle.” For you hopheads, this means the beer will be dry-hopped as it enters your glass.
• Sweetwater will be bringing their Crank Tank Rye’d Ale, the first time this rare beer has been seen outside of Georgia.
• Thomas Creek is offering up their rare Dirty Monk Belgian Porter and Banana Split Stout.
• Lazy Magnolia will be serving their Ship Island Ale, the first time this new seasonal has been available in Huntsville.

Believe it or not, there are more things in the pipeline. Also, don’t forget to buy your tickets to Southern HOPSpitality to help us kick off Beer Week. Tickets are starting to move fast.

Big A Convenience Store in Madison is offering a 40% off growler special on Tuesday and Thursday to coincide with the local Tap Takeover events in Madison. The idea is to stop by and get a growler after you leave the other events.

Sweetwater has two special nights on Tuesday – a “Pint Night” at Famous Joe’s and a Tap Takeover at Humphrey’s, plus another Pint Night at Mellow Mushroom on Wednesday.

1892 East is hosting a $4 Pint Night on Wednesday. All draft beers will have recommended food pairings.

Mason’s Pub is hosting Terrapin Thursday… on Thursday. Still waiting on a few details on that one.

The Blue Pants Tap Takeover at Famous Joe’s has been moved to Thursday due to a scheduling conflict with the brewery. You will be able to Keep the Glass while supplies last.

Last but not least (I think I remembered everything), Vintage Wine and Cigars will be hosting a Cigar and Beer Pairing on Friday. Price is a suggested $5 donation to Smiles 4 Troops.

We’re still waiting on confirmations on many ideas, but in addition to being the one place in world to try beers from all the Alabama-based breweries, Southern HOPSpitality will also debut the 2011 edition of Blue Pants Pinstripe Stout and it will be the only place to try their English-style Brown. Their Brown is a one-off being brewed just for the festival.

Yellowhammer will be bringing a whole hop infuser to serve at least two IPAs through. For those who aren’t aware of what this is – it’s basically dry-hopping an IPA as it goes into your glass.

More to come.

You should start seeing these in the stores and such later this week or early next week. The white space on the bottom-left is for the venues to list their own beer events. Click the image for the full size.