Capt Keith's Beer Blog

It was exactly fifteen years ago that I had the pleasure of opening the very first Flying Saucer on 111 East 4th in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square. We’ve carried the torch for craft beer for a decade and a half and it has been an interesting and fantastic ride. What in the world could ever be better than turning good people onto good beer?

Today, I celebrated with close to 900 friends at Lake Ray Hubbard Flying Saucer by hosting a Beer Festival – The Lake Saucer’s very first of an annual event. Twenty Five beers were flowing for the crowd. Some were rare an others simply appropriate for the hot day we had on the lake. The backdrop was beautiful with the lake and the wind and boats full of people coming and going. We even had a few flashers from the boaters….

I had the pleasure of spending this day with Marc Castaldo from Fort Worth’s original Saucer. He and Judson came out to help with the gig. Marc is an old pro at this by now, since his FW beer FALL BEER FEST has been a hit for many years. Marc and I have worked together for 14 years or so and we tend to feed off one each other’s enthusiasm for beer. If you’ve not gone to one of his beer dinners, you’ve missed out. Last week, he hosted one with Duvel Ommegang. His team hand sells these events in the first 3 hours after planning is complete. They know beer and will be happy to turn you on to the markets latest brew. More often than not, it was his team that encouraged the beer’s arrival to Texas and with all of our archaic laws, that’s not as easy as you’d think.

Jorge and Diane are the silent soldiers behind the beer fest. They’ve been to all of them and really orchestrate the event from inception to tear down. BTW – tear down is a beat down after FIFTEEN hours of watching other people drink beer all day.

Its a lot of fun to introduce so many beers to good people and to work with such a solid team. Next year’s event will be in early May to catch some cooler weather. The lake breeze was a pleasant surprise to everyone.

Thanks to all of you who attended the event. Next Beer Fest will be in Austin and after that, we’re headed to Fort Worth.