A sizable contingent of Chattanooga's homebrew club, The Barley Mob, was on hand to discuss the many aspects of their favorite pasttime. Pictured (l-r) are: Bret Webber, Mike Roesch, Bob Gordon, Scottie Hightower, Kevin Roweil, Courtney Tyvand, C.D. Pritchard and Dianna Webber.

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Updated: 8/24/03

The material presented on this site is based on information believed to be correct, but is subject to change at anytime. If you have an update, correction, suggestion or any other contribution, please send it to us at: updates@beersouth.com. We welcome your input. (c) 1999 - 2003 by Beer South. All Rights Reserved.

Keep up with southern beer news and events. Subscribe to the Beer South Buzz our free mid-monthly brew newsletter.

9th Annual Southern Brewer's Festival Saturday, August 24, 2002  1:00 - 11:00 p.m. It was a definitely a hot day at one of the South's longest-running brewfest, which was highlighted by home-brewed goodness and rousing sets from a diversified line-up of bands.

The festival takes place in the shadow of the reknown Tennessee Aquarium, which almost single-handedly revitalized the Chattanooga landscape.

While food was available from several food vendors, many attendees opted to dine at area restaurants, like that of festival sponsor Big River Grille and Brewery located next to the festival site.

Brewer Nicky Summerlin (l) of A1A Brewpub in St. Augustine FL next to volunteer Al Burzese (r).

The city's Arts & Education Council is one of the primary beneficiaries of the festival. Shown here at the information station are (l-r) Jewel Berg, Sarah Barket and Lorraine Strubinger.

Up from Atlanta's Gordon Biersch brewpub were brewers Eric Gerlads (l) and Garrett Tomzak (r).

Also sharing in the festival's proceeds were the Knight's of Columbus, who's volunteers poured all beers.

The musical highlight of the festival was opening act Goose Creek Symphony, who put on a terrific show.

Dave Miller of Nashville's Blackstone Brewpub explains his brewing processes to interested attendees.

Rob Stickley (c), marketing director of sponsor Gordon Biersch brewpub group is flanked by friend Jenny Yates (l) and Bret Webber of the home brew club.

Brewer Fred Scheer (l) of Boscos Nashville brewpub with volunteers Greg Shan (c) & Jason Randall (r).

A sizable contingent of Chattanooga's homebrew club, The Barley Mob, was on hand to discuss the many aspects of their favorite pasttime. Pictured (l-r) are: Bret Webber, Mike Roesch, Bob Gordon, Scottie Hightower, Kevin Roweil, Courtney Tyvand, C.D. Pritchard and Dianna Webber.

Norm Randall (r), sales manager for Carolina Beer & Beverage in Moorseville NC, with friend Stacy Brown (l).

Kevin Kinney (c), also the front man for the band Drivin' and Cryin', led his trio though a series of ballads and rocking tunes.

Brewer Crawford Moran (c) of Atlanta's Dogwood Brewery enjoyed the event with former brewery mate John Glendenning (r) and volunteer Carl Labbe (l).

Unique to this event was the presence of two coffee houses that were serving coffee-flavored beer. Ian Goodman (l), owner of the Stone Cup Coffee House, brewed a special coffee blend which was added to a special stout created for Big River Grille & Brewery. Also on hand was Greyfriar Coffee & Tea Company with the version of an expresso stout they had created for the brewery. Kyle Posey (above r) and the two lovely lasses below, Maria Murabito (l) and Jennifer Stone (r), helped serve the coffees, snacks and beer.

Nathaniel Cruse (l) , brewer for both the Chattanooga and Knoxville Hop's, trades tokens for beer alongside Hops manager Mark Chilcoat (r).

The St. Somewhere band from Knoxville kept the groove going into the evening.

Brewer Doug Murr (c) of the Seven Bridges Brewpub in Jacksonville FL and volunteers Bruce Bradford (l) and Jim McAndrew (r).

Running a 10-hour festival is a non-stop task, with the movement of ice and beer a key activity. By the time the event was over, it was expected all of the 148 kegs on the refrigerated trucks would be empty.

Perennial festival favorite Sweetwater Brewing from Atlanta GA was on hand with four of its popular beers. Brewer Frederick Bensch (rc) is flanked by friend Brian Bratton (r) and volunteers Ray Britani (l) and Cliff Crownover (lc)

David Sharpe, brewer for host Big River Grille & Brewery, kept up with the logistics of the kegs.

This trio of law-enforcement ladies was on hand to keep the crowd safe and secure.

Shady spots were prized during the heat of the day. Toward the evening, the site cooled and welcome breezes flowed in from the nearby Tennessee River.

Now in its 9th year, the event is one of the two longest-running brewfests in the southeast.

Clone band Zoso rocked the house with their closing tribute to Led Zepplin and rock-star like good looks.

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