We could rename the beginning of summer as "beer festival season": there already was a Belgian Beer Festival in Bálna, followed by Főzdefeszt, and more recently we could drink sudsy specialties at the Buda Castle Beer Festival. Józsefváros - more specifically, the Palace District (Mikszáth Kálmán Square/Krúdy Gyula Street/Reviczky Street/Ötpacsirta Street) - presents its very own beer fest in 2014, integrating local pubs. We can expect a fun drunken time spanning the whole weekend.
Lately, there are more small manufactories and breweries for beer in this country than for traditional pálinka spirits. Craft gastro activities became trendy; just like
makingjam and cheese, and the culture of brewing craft beer and making wine is becoming increasingly popular as well - to our greatest joy. Here we readily raise modest, less-stylish glasses and bottles to our mouths, especially if we know that it has not been filled from corporate-owned containers, but instead came from a smaller brewery. Many are experimenting with flavorfulfruity beers, and IPA and Belgian-style brewing are rather popular, so we can expect some stronger brews. At the Józsefváros Beer Festival, many domestic craft beers make appearances as well.
Those who prefer Belgian beer specialties and would like to drink some Duvel or tapped Delirium Red with their friends will not be disappointed, either. Moreover, since this beer fest does not focus on any continent, country, or beer-brewing techniques whatsoever, we can even find Vietnamese, American, or Japanese specialties.
The festival focuses on cherries as a seasonal fruit, so they tried to collect as many cherry-flavored beers into the Palace District as possible. We can surely expect to be able to try Ludas Brewery's Cherry beer, Zsombói Brewery's Bitang cherry, Legenda's Cherry beer, Belle-Vue's Kriek, Belgian's Kriek, Chapeau's Kriek, Delirium Red, Floris' Kriek, Kasteel Rouge, and Lindemans' Kriek.
The location is not half bad either: instead of the usual festival neighborhoods, the organizers chose to hold the festival on the most charming squares and streets of Józsefváros. Many people find it difficult to leave their own little macro environment, and have not yet discovered the district behind the recently renovated Kálvin Square - they do not know the unique atmosphere of Krúdy Street or Mikszáth Square. Now is the time to drink some beer around these areas.
People often complain about the coupon or festival-card systems at these kind of events, but in order to take part in the Józsefváros Beer Festival, we'll have nothing to complain about. There are no entry tickets or other tricky hassles: everyone can pay with cash, with no minimum purchase amount. The organizers also promised some food specialties and beer snacks will be served, so we can enjoy tasting the hoppy treats for a little longer without passing out.
On Friday, we can drink our favorites for a 50% discount, a festival favoritewill be chosen, and there will be a Fruity Beer Garden and exhibitions of beer glasses and beer mugs as well. We can drink beer at the event from noon until 23:00, or we can begin the program series of the Night of Museums with a taster.
