Ommegang’s BCTC is Like Woodstock for Beer Geeks
Monday, August 6th, 2012 by Liz ChattertonI will open this blog post by admitting that I probably should have taken today off. I spent the weekend at Brewery Ommegang for their Belgium Comes to Cooperstown event, one of the most epic East Coast beer festivals there is. To say it was the best weekend of my summer would be an understatement.
As it turns out, camping with a huge group of your favorite people is fun – but camping with a huge group of your favorite people at a world class brewery for two days of incredible Belgian beer tasting, insane food, live music, and new friend making is even better. I consumed more ridiculous beers in two days than I have in the past six months (and I drink my fair share of ridiculous beer) – and I ate like a complete glutton. At one point during the festival I snuck off to use the bathroom. On my way, I shared a moment with a random guy I’d never met before – he looked at me, we both looked at the festival happening below us, and he simply said, "BCTC is like Woodstock for beer geeks." That random guy is right – and lucky for all of us, it’s an annual event. My advice to you is to find a way to get to next year’s festival. You’ll have the time of your life.
I’d tell you more but I’m pretty tired and pictures are worth approximately a thousand words each, so I’ll let these guys do the talking.
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August 6th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
I went with highest of expectations and was greatly short of what was achieved. Kudos and accolades to the good folks at Ommegang for the finest weekend of the summer.
August 10th, 2012 at 4:43 am
Hello. I read about this festival for the first time in my Belgian newspaper (De Morgen). I was attracted by the Flemish word ‘Ommegang’. Had no idea that there was a beer festival in open air with camping, ‘close’ to NYC … I see now these pictures (first one is very attractive) and it gives a slight idea of what it can be… Hope more descriptions will follow. I think I have to discover it when I come to visit NYC once. Have to fnd some friend who wants to combine NY and some beer. Drinking alone is sometimes very sad, isn’t it. A pitty for me it’s not happening during Autumn – my favorite season, but maybe that’s too cold for camping. (Summer in NYC seems to be very hot, we are used to a mild – often wet – climat).
Pros (Belgium).
PS: the beers I am drinking these days are Omer (with a very beautiful logo) and Hopus. Cheers!
August 10th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Check out this video from the 2011 event for another glimpse into the festival – I know I said this in the post – but if you can get there next year, do it. It’s well worth the trip. Cheers!
August 16th, 2012 at 1:39 pm
looks like Pennsic for beer. Now I have some place to consider using my long neglected camping gear.