It’s the Third Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest, a celebration that combines the fine old Irish tradition of Bloomsday with the fine new American tradition of a beer tasting. Co-sponsored by the Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, the event will mark the 105th anniversary of Leopold Bloom's fictional journey through the streets of Dublin in the James Joyce novel, Ulysses. Bloom’s journey included stops at more than a few pubs. At the Bloomin’ Beerfest, the available brews will originate with a dozen or more of Arizona’s top craft brewers. The event will kick-off at 7pm, on Saturday June 6, when The Phoenix Pipe Band leads guests into the Irish Cultural Center grounds in downtown Phoenix.

The price of Bloomin’ Beerfest tickets includes admission to the event, 16 tickets which can be presented to taste the wares of participating craft brewers, and a souvenir tasting mug. Presale tickets can be purchased online for $25 from May 4 through June 4 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/66128 ($35 at the door). Beer tasting ticket sales are limited to 500 persons. Non-beerfest admission to the Bloomsday celebration is $10 at the gate.  Additional tickets for beer or food will be available for purchase on site.

The Center has reserved a block of rooms at the Lexington Hotel (formerly the Best Western) at a discounted prices of $59 for Saturday night.  Please call 602-252-2100, and ask for the group: Bloomsday.

At the June 7 Second Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest, the Irish Cultural Center's Great Hall  will ring with two sets of traditional and contemporary Irish and Scottish tunes performed by The Fiddlers of the Academy, led by Jane Hilton. This diverse group includes students of all ages brought together by their passion for Celtic music. Students travel from throughout the valley and outlying communities to study and play together in The Academy of Irish and Celtic Studies housed at the Irish Cultural Center.    In addition to the music of The Academy Fiddlers, the Bloomin’ Beerfest will feature dramatic readings from the James Joyce classic novel Ulysses, the wares of about a dozen of Arizona’s premier craft brewers and the energetic music of The Chuckawalla Rhythm Kings. Irish and festival food will be available for purchase.  The price of Bloomin’ Beerfest tickets includes admission to the event, 16 tickets which can be presented to taste the wares of participating craft brewers, and a souvenir tasting mug. Presale tickets can be purchased online for $25 until June 5 at www.azbrewguild.com ($35 at the door).  Non-beerfest admission to the Bloomsday celebration is $10 at the gate.  Gates open at 7pm.   For more information about the Second Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest call 602.315.0834. Bloomin’ Beerfest Sponsor Best Western Hotel Downtown Phoenix is offering a Bloomin’ Beerfest rate of $69 plus tax. Reservations are available by calling 602.252.2100.   The Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation (ICLF), a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation, operates the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix in partnership with the City of Phoenix. ICLF’s partner in this event, the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, is a statewide organization of small brewers dedicated to producing quality ales and lagers. They also produce events to familiarize the public with the fine brews produced by their members. Event sponsors include the 2008 Arizona Irish Festival, Barmigo.com, Wild Bucket and the Best Western Hotel Downtown Phoenix.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2008
CONTACT: Jacqueline Carro ~ Marketing & Public Relations
O. 480.839.1445
F. 480.491.4196
C. 480.495.8924

FACT SHEET Second Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest!

Who: Bloomin’ Beerfest Committee and Irish Cultural Center & Learning Foundation Plus the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild!

Contact: Betty Brackenridge. 602.315.0834

What: Second Annual Bloomin’ Beerfest!

When: Saturday, June 7, 2008 @ 7pm

Where: Irish Cultural Center

Cost: $10-$35

Brought to you by The Irish Cultural and Learning Foundation and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild.This will be a unique event combining the fine old Irish tradition of Bloomsday with the fine new American tradition of a Beer Tasting. We will celebrating in grand style, commemorating Irish author, James Joyce, and his groundbreaking novel, Ulysses, with beer tasting, readings from the novel, Irish music and food. Order you tickets early!

When: Saturday, June 16th, 2007

Where: At the Irish Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix
1106 N. Central Ave. — Phoenix, Arizona
5 pm - 10 pm

Admission: $25 presale, or, $35 at the gate. Presale tickets available May 24 — June 14 at: azbrewguild.com

What is Bloomsday?