Real Ale Festival FAQ
Where is the festival?
Inside and outside of the first DuClaw Brewing Company ever! (16-A Bel Air South Parkway, Bel Air, MD 21015)
How much are the tickets?
$45 per ticket.
Do you sell Designated Driver Tickets?
No, but $15 gets you round trip bus service to and from the event from our restaurants at the Bowie Town Center and Arundel Mills Mall. The buses depart Bowie at 10:45 am and Arundel Mills 11:15 am the morning of the event, and make return trips shortly after the conclusion of the festival.
What time is the festival?
12pm to 4pm
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased here, beginning July 9th for DuClaw Brewing Company PINT CLUB members, and July 23rd for general public.
Do you take cash, check, debit, or credit card?
Debit and credit cards only (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover), viva la finance charge!
Will tickets be sold at the door?
Maybe. There are only 525 tickets available, so we’re expecting an online sell-out in a matter of minutes that will result in many of you sending us hateful emails later. If there are any available the day of the festival, they will be for sale at the door, but keep in mind, THERE ARE ONLY 525 TICKETS AVAILABLE, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.
What do I get if I am a Pint Club member?
First shot at the tickets AND a discounted ticket price just for being you! PINT CLUB members can purchase tickets 1 week before the mere mortals and will receive $10 off the advertised ticket as a bonus because... well, because we love you guys and gals!
What do I get for the price of my ticket?
All the beer you can eat, all the food you can drink, the band Acoustically Sound playing live, AND The Jim Wagner Kissing Booth.
Are group discounts available?
Nope.
Are there any hotels near the event?
Not only near, one of them is hooking us up! Call the Ramada Conference Center Edgewood and mention that you’ll be attending DuClaw Brewing Company’s Real Ale Fest and you’ll receive a discounted room rate ($69). People really do win at Real Ale Fest!
Can I bring my child?
If your child is 21 years of age or older, sure. If your child is under the age of 21, then not so much. This event is intended for mature audiences only.
Will there be food available?
Yep! An all you can eat buffet featuring...
• Roasted Pig
• Build Your Own Burger Slider
• Hotdog Sliders(Certified Angus Beef Hotdogs)
• Blackberry Meatball Sliders
• Huli Huli Chicken
• Buffalo Dip
• Chipotle Chicken Hushpuppies
• Shrimp Jalapeno Rangoons
• Grilled Corn on the Cob
• Grilled Veggie Pasta Salad
• Caesar Salad
• Cheese Display
• AND Spiced Peach-Caramel Rum Cake!
Will there be water and soda for sale?
Yep. We want you all to get home safely… and well hydrated. You can also purchase pints of beer and cocktails from the bar.
Why are the tasting cups plastic?
Safety first! We know that tasting real ale out of anything other than glass (or ceramic?) is sacrilege, but plastic doesn’t shatter and end up embedded in your foot when you drop it.
What breweries will be there?
So far we’ve got...
• Flying Dog Brewery
• Flying Fish Brewing Company
• Stillwater Artisanal
• Heavy Seas
• Stone Brewing Company
• Stoudts Brewing Company
• Barley and Hops
• Red Brick Station
• Pratt Street Ale House
• Pub Dog Drafthouse
• Brewer's Alley Brewery
• Franklins
• Troegs Craft Brewery
• The Brewers Art
• Oh, and DuClaw Brewing Company, too.
Will there be entertainment?
Yep! Acoustically Sound will be playing live, and, have we mentioned the Jim Wagner Kissing Booth?
How can breweries run out of beer?
Each brewery is only bringing two casks of beer, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Where can I get driving directions?
www.realalefest.com
www.mapquest.com
www.duclaw.com
DuClaw Brewing Company of Bel Air (410-515-3222)
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Um, hello, MacFly? The food is free and you’ve already paid for the beer, so, no, you may not.
Can I leave the event and re-enter after doing so?
Yes. We are either going to go with a microchip that we will implant directly into your brain after you enter the event that will then beep when you leave and/or re-enter, OR there will be a stamp or wristband of some kind.
Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, humans only UNLESS your dog is “on the job”: Service animals are permitted.
Will the festival be canceled if it rains?
Bring your slicker, your umbrella and your rubbers, err, galoshes cause we’re doing this thing rain, shine or HURRICANE.
Can I leave my car overnight?
At your own discretion. DuClaw Brewing Company will not be responsible for lost or damaged vehicles (we’re looking at you, Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott). We encourage attendees, when possible, to carpool, use our bus service (see below) or take public transit.
$15 gets you round trip bus service to and from the event from our restaurants at the Bowie Town Center and Arundel Mills Mall. The buses depart Bowie at 10:45 am and Arundel Mills 11:15 am the morning of the event, and make return trips shortly after the conclusion of the festival.
Can I volunteer at the Real Ale Fest?
No. Because of liability issues, only professional brewers and DuClaw Brewing Company staff may work the event.
Can I get paid to work at the Real Ale Fest?
If we won’t let volunteers work for free, what chance do you think you have of getting paid to do it? Buy a ticket and start drinking already.
How can I be a participating brewery next year?
Glad you asked! Contact Jim at brewmaster@duclaw.com and tell him that if he can pry his lips off of the strange women lined up at the Jim Wagner Kissing Booth for a few minutes you’d like a vendor packet for next year’s festival.
What is a “Firkin”?
A firkin is actually the name of an eleven-gallon keg that holds cask-conditioned ale (real ale).
What is “Real Ale”?
“Real Ale” is served unfiltered, whereas the yeast in conventionally served ale has been filtered out to give it a "clear" appearance. Real ale is served at "cellar" temperature (50-55°F), unlike conventional ale, which is served cooler. Finally, real ale is lightly carbonated so it almost appears "flat" compared to conventional ale.
Why should we attend this event?
If all of the Breweries, free food, live music, etc weren’t enough, you’ll also be helping a great cause. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to FARM (Fallston Animal Rescue Movement), an organization that rescues animals from shelters that will eventually put down un-adopted animals and find loving homes for them.