Chili is one of those things whose beauty, or should I say, deliciousness, is in the taste buds of the taster. Uncle Bobby’s hot-as-pavement-in-August concoction may not appeal to everyone, while Aunt Gloria’s steaming creation made from a generations-old family recipe might be the perfect elixir for some. When it comes to chili, it’s best to throw out the rule book.
To experience the wide world of chili, be sure to make it to the Fourth Annual Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest, scheduled for January 19 on The Strand, where over 80 teams will compete for “Best Chili on Galveston Island” bragging rights and you can sample some of the finest craft beers in the land. Presented by Yaga’s Entertainment, the event is expected to attract more than 6,000 chili-starved beer lovers.
“The Chili Quest and Beer Fest was created after Hurricane Ike as a way to attract people back to The Strand,” said Erin Dhonau, Yaga’s marketing coordinator. “Now, The Strand is back and shops are open, so it’s just another fun event to get us through January before Mardi Gras.”
Dhonau says about a block and a half of 23rd Street will be closed to traffic during the event that begins at 11 a.m. A team of over 30 judges will decide the winners in two chili categories: traditional (strictly meat and sauce, no beans or veggies) and exotic (basically, anything goes). A trophy will also be awarded for “Chili Team Showmanship” and a portion of the day’s proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Galveston.
This marks the first year that the Beer Fest is a ticketed affair, in which guests can buy a souvenir beer tasting mug and punch card to sample over 100 craft and import beers, including offerings from Houston area brewers such as St. Arnold, Buffalo Bayou and Karbach breweries, in addition to nationally distributed brews from the likes of Oskar Blues and Brooklyn breweries.
“This is the biggest year for the Beer Fest yet,” Dhonau says. “Last year it was not ticketed and we had about 30 to 40 craft beers. This year, we’ve got over 100 of the best beers around.”
When the first Chili Quest and Beer Fest was held in 2010, 42 teams participated and the beer was on hand primarily as simply a way to wash down the chili. But in the years since, organizers have made a concerted effort to include some of the tastiest and most popular beers created by small batch brewers. A home brew competition is also scheduled, in addition to a jalapeno eating contest, washer pitching tournament, a margarita making contest and the Beerfooter 5K Run for Fun, which takes place along the Seawall. The trophy presentations will be held at Saengerfest Park.
Yaga’s Entertainment is the driving force behind two other hugely popular Island events: April’s Galveston Island Food & Wine Festival and September’s Galveston Island Shrimp Festival. The company also plays a huge role during Mardi Gras Galveston, coming up February 1-12.
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