Nebraska’s best state-brewed beer — based on the tastes of folks who show up to sip the entries — will be crowned Saturday in Bancroft, Neb.
More than a dozen craft breweries and distributors will offer more than 20 styles of lagers and ales at the second annual Neihardt Foundation Beer Festival.
The event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Country Pub, 409 Main St. The festival will include national breweries as well as these from Nebraska: Gottberg’s of Columbus, Nebraska Brewing of Papillion, Upstream of Omaha, Spilker Ales of Cortland, Modern Monks of Lincoln and Lucky Bucket of La Vista. Several national breweries also will participate.
A local home brewer, the Rev. Philip Hale, will explain the craft of home brewing. Appetizers and an auction of beer-related items will round out the activities, said Nancy Gillis, the site’s director.
Tickets are $20 per person. Advance tickets for $25 include a glass Neihardt mug. Tickets may be ordered from the Neihardt State Historic Site at 1-888-777-4667 or online at
neihardt@gpcom.net.
Participants must be 21 to take part in the tasting. Identification will be required.
More than 100 people participated in last year’s inaugural event, which pays homage to John G. Neihardt’s love of beer and is a fundraiser for the Neihardt historic site. Neihardt, who died in 1973 at age 92, is Nebraska’s poet laureate and author of “Black Elk Speaks.”
Sunday, annual Neihardt Day activities continue in Bancroft. The outdoor program begins at 1:30 p.m. and is focused on the short story, featuring the works of Neihardt and Mark Twain.
A Chautauqua style presentation of Twain, portrayed by Wally Seiler of Alliance, and a reading of Neihardt work by Walt Duda of Omaha will be emceed by Ron Hull of NET.
Lunch and beverages will be sold from noon to 1:30 p.m. The museum exhibits and gift shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The program, funded by the Neihardt Foundation, the Cuming County Visitor Bureau and the Nebraska Humanities Council, is free.
Some bleacher seating will be available, but Gillis encouraged visitors to bring lawn chairs.
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