Scenes from Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Outdoor area of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Outdoor area of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

The Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012, organized by Naglee Park Garage owners Chris Esparza, Louis Silva, and Brendan Rawson along with the Giant Creative Services team, took place last month on Sat., Jan. 28, 2012.

This beer festival, scheduled so early in the year, was an indicator that 2012 could be a very good year for San Jose craft beer enthusiasts. Well before the 3 p.m. start time, a long line had already formed outside the entrance to the Landmark Ballroom at the San Jose Women’s Club, stretching a number of blocks down 11th Street.

The front of the line at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
The front of the line at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Eager attendees waiting in line
Eager attendees waiting in line

This was the second of the KraftBrew beer festivals, the first one taking place at the same location in April 2011. The attendance at the inaugural KraftBrew Beer Fest was excellent, but the turnout for this Beer Fest seemed to dwarf the attendance at the inaugural event.

Also, though last year’s festival was organized and well run, the four main parts of the beerfest – the food, music, beer education station, and the pouring stations – were fine-tuned just that much more this second time around.

More than a few folks, deterred by the long line, decided to go elsewhere. But once inside, most if not all festival goers had the pleasure of enjoying good food, music, and beer.

Of note was the growing involvement of the South Bay craft beer community, including Faultline Brewery and Kelly’s Liquors.

Many already know that good music and beer make for a great experience. Add to the combination a community that is thirsty for good beer, and something even better is bound to occur. Such was the case at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012.

The next Kraftbrew Beer Fest

Soon after the January 2012 KraftBrew Beer Fest took place, the date for the Summer KraftBrew Beer Fest was announced for Sat., July 21, 2012 at a larger, outdoor space in downtown San Jose. For updates, like the KraftBrew Beer Fest Facebook page and be sure to check out the Naglee Park Garage website on an ongoing basis.

More pics from the Winter Kraftbrew Beer Fest below.

Peter Estaniel (left) of BetterBeerBlog.com and Andrea Lee of San Jose at Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Peter Estaniel (left) of BetterBeerBlog.com and Andrea Lee of San Jose at Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Already a large crowd at the beginning of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Already a large crowd at the beginning of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Pouring stations at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Pouring stations at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Kelly's Liquors and Faultline Brewery at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Kelly’s Liquors and Faultline Brewery at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Fun times at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

The outdoor area of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
The outdoor area of the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Great turnout at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Waiting for a pour at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

Mrs. and Mr. BetterBeerBlog and Kevin Olcese of Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012
Mrs. and Mr. BetterBeerBlog and Kevin Olcese of Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose at the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012

[This post was shared on Examiner.com.]

Related posts:

  1. Naglee Park Garage at it Again with the Winter KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012, Plus Q & A with Co-Owner Luis Silva
  2. Summer KraftBrew Beer Fest 2012 Seeks to Innovate and Engage
  3. Scenes from 2011 KraftBrew Beer Fest Part 1 of 2 – The Non-Beer Post