Hanoi, of course, graced us with a rainy morning but that did not stop the crowds from showing up to the Hanoi Craft Beer Festival this past Sunday. Thankfully was only a drizzle and the rain subsided by the afternoon. Sure it was still gloomy, but that did not stop the festival-goers from having a grand old time as always.
However, this year was quite different from the previous beer festivals in Hanoi. It was the first time that the event only showcased breweries from Hanoi. It was great to see Hanoi spotlighting its native beers finally. Of course in previous years it would not have been possible, but now that Hanoi has seven breweries within the city it is no surprise that this city's craft beer scene is growing. Whereas previous years have been a music festival that slowly increased the craft beer served. After all in the whole of Vietnam the craft beer scene is still very new only about two years old. As well, this one shifted its focus with the new addition of a contest for the best beer with a public vote and a panel vote, which I was one of the panel judges. It was simple as the public would simply write on a card which beer they liked most, and the winner would be decided in an old fashion vote. While the panel vote was more complicated as we judged the beers on four criteria, appearance, aroma, drinkability, and mouthfeel. In the end, all the points we awarded would be added up and the winner announced. The winner getting a keg of their beer sold at the great little beer spot, Standing Bar.
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Thomas (Furbrew) talking with Chris (A Taste of Hanoi)
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It was an interesting mix of beers we had to try as each brewer gave us something different, none of them the same in any way. Furbrew had it's Bia Pho, a spiced specialty beer that is reminiscent of the traditional Vietnamese dish. 7 Bridges put in there New York Rye, which was a rich and hearty rye. C-Craft had a special edition beer that was unlike their previous ones. Barett had their generally well received Red Smoky. Thomas Brewery, not to be confused with Thomas from Furbrew, had their Summertime Saison. Moreover, A brewery many might not have known but certainly do now FBT and their Dark Ale. FBT tying for first place with Furbrew in the panel vote. All in all, it was good to see all the breweries show up in full force.
Even the food this year shifted from being booths from big players in the Tay Ho area to smaller and newer purveyors of various delicacies. They were a nice treat to have between the copious amounts of beers I am sure many people were drinking. As said, this was a beer festival that focused on the beer itself. The food only being a support for the main reason people showed. Though one of the surpise breakout moments was the arm wrestling compitition with an older gentleman just utterly destroying the compitition. That until the intense final round where he still won after a long struggle.
In the end, it was a good day. Sure it rained a little in the morning and remained cloudy the rest that did not stop this from being an excellent event. It absolutely did not hurt the festivals numbers as 600 people ended up passing through The 100's gate over the course of the day. Craft beer is growing in Vietnam and Hanoi is growing in its local beer as well. You can see that very well every year with the beer fest. Also, just maybe the Hanoi scene can catch up to the one in Saigon.
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| Panel Judges. From left to right: Chris Javis (Homebrewer), Chris Dunn (A Taste of Hanoi), George Schiefer (Bia Scene), Giles Cooper (Standing Bar), Brian Kekich (Winking Seal Beer Co.), and Nadya Deshkovets (Carlsberg Vietnam). |
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