Celebration of beer, whiskey and music to benefit United Way

In the News
March 21, 2013 –

Celebration of beer, whiskey and music to benefit United Way

In it’s first year, the event saw more than 300 people attend, and over $9,000 raised for the United Way KFL&A. On April 6, the United Way Next Gen’s celebration of beer, whiskey and music will return to the Grand Theatre.

“We’re really trying to listen to some of the feedback that we received last year to make this year’s even better,” said Erin Nolan, co-chair of the Next Gen cabinet and its events committee.

As with last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Sociable will feature food and beverage vendors serving up samples of their wares and live entertainment by local musicians.

“We’re aiming to have 11 beer vendors this year, so at least about 20 beers will be able to be sampled,” Nolan explained.

In addition, she revealed that six whiskeys will be available for tasting.

“Our whiskey tasting aspect of the event has proven to be quite popular. Last year we received the feedback from our attendees that they wanted to actually have more whiskeys at the event. We had three last year, and we’re doubling that this year, we’re going to have six whiskeys to be able to provide quite a diverse sampling.”

Beer and whiskey connoisseurs will also be on hand to provide tours and information sessions throughout the event, and a selection of food will be on hand for attendees to pair with their beverages.

While last year’s event featured a formal stage set up in the Baby Grand theatre, Nolan said some changes have been made to this year’s entertainment.

“We are going to have three or four smaller bands this year… this year we are making it a bit more intimate and a little more interactive with patrons, so the performances are going to be in the main space itself.” The entire event will utilize the lobby spaces of the theatre venue.

The entire focus of the event is to celebrate regional beer, whiskey and music in the company of friends in a casual and fun atmosphere. It’s a concept that has resonated with Next Gen’s target demographic.

“They like going out, they like to have an excuse to get together with friends and having a couple of drinks and try out different stuff,” Nolan said of those between the ages of 25 and 40. “The overwhelming response from people (last year) was that they had a great time and that they couldn’t wait to do it again this year.”

Noland said organizers had high hopes for the event in its inaugural year and were pleased with its success. This year, they are hoping to see even more people attend the event, to the tune of 400.

“The fact that we can do something that has so much interest in the community and that all the funds go toward a really worthwhile cause is great,” she said.

Tickets for this year’s Sociable are $25 and can be purchased at the Grand Theatre box office, 218 Princess St., by phone at 613-530-2050, or online at kingstongrand.ca.Each ticket includes five tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase during the event, which runs from 1-7 p.m.

For addition information about this event or Next Gen, visit www.NextGen-Sociable.ca,or www.unitedwaykfla.ca/nextgen.

Source: Kristen Coughlar – Kingston EMC