With the tagline of “not a glorified beer garden,” Alefort, Treefort Music Fest’s celebration of craft beverages, seemed to own its role in the festival’s second year in Julia Davis Park: BE a glorified beer garden, but in the best possible way of course. Alefort succeeded both in offering a diversity of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options and in creating a safe and welcoming space for festival-goers of all ages. No small feat. The warm weather helped too.
A thoughtful and well-organized selection of beers once again provided the foundation for Alefort. This selection featured quality breweries from the Boise/Treasure Valley area and from around the Northwest — and at $9 (3 tokens x $3 each, before tax) for most options, the pint price was surprisingly reasonable for a festival/live music venue, times being what they are. Additional programming involving cider, poutine and wine broadened Alefort’s audience and appeal.
Oinkari Basque Dancers, paella, and Txotx cider pouring highlighted aspects of Boise’s Basque cultural contributions on Day 2. The Cassoulet Poutine provided gustatory delight throughout the festival. And who knew that Chambongs were so much fun?!? Of particular interest, in my conversations with the organizers at the event, the Zero Proof bar and its Olive Oil & Lemon Spritz generated the most (and least) buzz. Reminiscent of a dirty martini, this alcohol-free mocktail utilized ISH London Botanical Spirit, lemon, olives, and an olive oil drizzle to great effect.
Julia Davis Park itself aided in the creation of beer garden vibes. The experience of enjoying live music and a favorite beverage, out-of-doors, in the sunshine, with thousands of others was quite powerful. The community stepped up and showed out as hosts, volunteers and patrons to create a family-friendly festival that rocked. Next March can’t arrive soon enough!
If the park proved too much in too many senses, local breweries hosted a number of second chance shows and showcases. Much more reasonably-sized crowds attended shows at Barbarian Brewing Downtown, Payette Brewing, Lost Grove’s La Pointe Taproom, and Mother Earth’s Boise Tap Room. Boise Brewing even closed Broad Street between Fifth and Sixth streets to accommodate a stage and a popular line-up of free shows. These efforts, in conjunction with Alefort, help solidify the greater Boise beer scene as one high in quality and (perhaps more importantly) as one high in hospitality. Cheers, ~M
Having tasted, sold, brewed, named, blended, written and thought about, discussed, argued over, and judged barley’s finest use for over fifteen years, I have opinions on the subject. Ultimately, I’m of the mind that if you like it, drink it. If not, don’t waste your liver money on it. Please contact me: thejoyofbeer208@gmail.com.
