Old West Days weekend is kind of like my coming out party after being holed up for the off-season. The Rotary Wine Fest and the Old West Brew Fest are the induction to summer for those that have been bunking down through the off-season and are ready to celebrate the coming of warmer weather.
Jackson’s version of Memorial Day kicks off with Rotary Club’s Wine Fest tonight at the Snow King Center, which features around 400 wines from around the world, and goes to benefit the Rotary Scholarship Fund.
As a keen veteran of Wine Fest, I know to enter with a curious palate and sound resilience. When you walk in the door ($40), you are handed a souvenir glass and a map. Take note, y’all.
Look at the map. Take note of what is tried and tested on your palate … and set aside. You’ll want to save your favesies for later.
Explore the wines you’ve never tasted. For instance, as Stephan Abrams from The Liquor Store points out, maybe you don’t know that Wyoming has anything to offer in the way of wines, but you’ll discover that this is the first year a winery from Jackson Hole is represented. Find it. Taste it. And maybe hover, because it’s sooo goooood. But wander around and see what excites you. I, personally, usually wind up in a sparkling wine haze.
But overall, don’t forget the reason for the event: Giving back. The Rotary Club, with the support of Wine Brokers, holds the Wine Fest to provide scholarships to local youth. The live auction, which offers the opportunity to own fine pieces of artwork or get a truly amazeballz wine package should not be passed up. Would you really give up the opportunity of $3K in cash? Yeah, no. Buy a raffle ticket, and feel good about doing so because …
You’ve woken up. The day after Wine Fest. And you can either wallow in the abyss that is your dingy couch and feeling all “woe is me” because it’s another Saturday in the Jackson off-season, OR you can get up, put clothes on and meet the rest of the human world on Town Square at the Old West Brew Fest.
With at least 16 brewers, including local faves like SRB, Thai Me Up (oh, Honey Mayhem, you will be mine) and some outside tried-and-trues, there will be no shortage of suds.
With prices ranging from $1 for a taste to $20 (for those I’m going to taste ALL THE THINGS moments) plus a non-breakable commemorative mug, it’ll be sure to soothe any lingering pains.
Deschutes got you duked? PBR got you pummeled? Get out there. Try the locals.
Jackson business owner Jeremy Tofte of Thai Me Up fame says: ” … Many people that do know about Thai Me Up don’t realize we are also a brewery. … We can meet these people at the Old West Brew Fest and invite them to Thai Me Up.”
Like with the wine, I recommend seeking out the brews that are foreign. Try that super hoppy beer or that sexy blonde (Wind River, you know I love you), and then stick to the besties of the day for your fuller mugs.
So, it’s the beginning of summer. Get out there. Try new things. Test your taste buds. Cheers!
