Every one loves a BrewHaHa

Food, entertainment come together for BrewHaHa
Date	February 23, 2012
Section(s)	Our Town
Byline	By LINDSEY ADKISON The Brunswick News
Kurt Stradtman is always on the lookout for a good time. It's the major reason the St. Simons Island resident is drawn to the BrewHaHa, hosted Saturday by Coastal Kitchen on St. Simons Island. The annual event provides a variety of beer samplings along with food and entertainment. Stradtman certainly understands why it's been a big hit with the locals. "You get to sample all the varieties of beer at once. You find the ones you like and dislike, that way when you go to a nice restaurant with friends, you can advise them on what types of beer you'd recommend. They'll think you're a beer connoisseur," he said. Of course, to truly give that impression, one needs a few pointers. Among the beers available for sampling will be labels like Aveda, Terrapin, Sweetwater, New Belgium and many others. Brian Green, owner of True Vine Wine and Gourmet in Brunswick, is a pro at the sample process. To properly appreciate the brew, he encourages samplers to use all of their senses. "Tasting beer is much like tasting wine, in that it incorporates most of our senses: sight, smell, feel and taste. First off, ensure that you are not tasting a beer that is too cold, as flavors and smells will be masked," he advises. From there, Green suggests looking at the mix, to take stock of its color and consistency, as well as it's "head," or the amount of foam the beer produces. "The next steps are to swirl the beer in the glass to release the aromatics and then take a couple of quick sniffs and think about the different aromas. Since most of the tasting experience comes from the sense of smell - this is important," he said. "Finally, taste the beer by taking a sip and letting it rest in the mouth before swallowing. This is where you discern the 'mouth feel' and the different flavors in the beer." If beer isn't reason enough to attend the event, there are plenty of others. The BrewHaHa brings together multiple elements that make coastal living ideal. Held in the courtyard of the Morningstar Marina, just off the F.J. Torras Causeway on Lanier Island at the Frederica River, it offers a picturesque backdrop of boats on the water. Then, there's the entertainment. Two local bands will perform followed by the up and coming folk-rock band, Seryn. For his part, Jeff Montaigne, owner of Coastal Kitchen and BrewHaHa organizer, is excited to offer such an eclectic mix. "Mason Waters and the Groove All-Stars will kick things off at 2:30 p.m. (Saturday) and they will play until 4 p.m. Then, Soul Gravy will play from 4:30 to 6 p.m.," he said. Seryn, the headliner, will take the stage a little after and play until the festivities end at 8 p.m., Montaigne said. "Seryn has been featured on MTV. They've received all sorts of accolades throughout the Southwest. This will probably be the last time that they will be playing in a small venue. They are getting bigger every day," Montaigne said. Overall, the elements of the BrewHaHa create a perfect mix and often serves as the unofficial kickoff to spring. More than anything, however, the event is a fundraiser. "The proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Coastal Georgia," Montaigne said. If you go BrewHaHa will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the courtyard of Morningstar Marina, off the F.J. Torras Causeway on Lanier Island at the Frederica River. Admission is $10 per person. Individual sample tickets may be purchased. A wristband which allows for an unlimited amount of samplings costs $20. Food and entertainment will be provided.