Tuesday, October 02, 2012

Tour de Fat Austin, 2012: October 20


Ft. Collins, CO, September 28, 2012 – Hold on tight, Austin, we’re headed back to finish up another fantastic season in your backyard! New Belgium Brewing’s cycling circus, Tour de Fat, is returning to town for one day on Saturday, October 20 at the West End of Fiesta Garden. Tour de Fat rookies and veterans alike are encouraged to grab a bike and join us for a whimsical day of entertainment and two-wheeled revelry, all while raising money for Austin Cycling Association and Austin Ridge Riders.

For those who haven’t experienced Tour de Fat, it is a thrilling rite of passage that includes an unparalleled costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, eccentric entertainment, local food, unusual bike contests and much more.

The free event, which raises money for local nonprofits through beer and merchandise purchases, has exceeded the $2 million mark for total funds raised since its inception 13 years ago. Last year’s Austin Tour de Fat festival raised nearly $13,400 and had about 2,000 attendees.

The pinnacle of Tour de Fat is the ceremonious car-for-bike swap. In each of the 15 cities, one person will become the center of the show as he or she gets up on stage, hands over their car keys, and pledges to live one year car-free. Tour de Fat is now seeking volunteers in the Austin area to accept the swapper challenge. Each car-for-bike swapper will choose a local bike shop to help turn a $2,250 budget into an ultimate car-replacement commuter bike. Vehicles for Charity will auction the car, with proceeds benefitting local cycling organizations.

To submit a swapper application, go to the New Belgium Tour de Fat Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat), click on events and your city of choice, and upload a video. Applicants may also submit letters about why New Belgium should select them by emailing: trademycarforabike@newbelgium.com.

“As if riding in the most colorful bike parade known to mankind isn’t enough, our entertainment this year will make your heads pop off like dandelions,” said Matt Kowal, Tour De Fat Impresario. “So put together a snazzy costume, hop on your bike and enjoy a day in the park. You won’t be disappointed!”
 
Date:                                               
Saturday, October 20
Parade Registration:                       
9:00 a.m.

Ride Times:                                   
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Entertainment:                        11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location:                                    
West End of Fiesta Garden

Benefitting:                                    Austin Cycling Association – https://www.austincycling.org
Austin Ridge Riders – http://www.austinridgeriders.com
 
Sustainability Support By:
Ecology Action of Texas – http://www.ecology-action.org

Performances By:
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe – http://karldenson.us
Yo-Yo People – http://www.yoyoshow.com
Sssnakenstein – http://www.snakenstein.com 

Price:
Admission – Free
Parade – Suggested donation of $5 or more
Beer – $5 for a 16 oz. pour
In celebration of Austin Craft Beer week, special tappings will also be available for $5 for a 12 oz. pour at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., to highlight New Belgium’s Lips of Faith series. 
A few tidbits about Tour de Fat:

  • Start sewing, collecting and dreaming up something to wear as Tour de Fat encourages embracing your inner costume-loving self. Come dressed up to help put on the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed.
  • Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste. Bring only what you need and watch for proper receptacles. We’ll do the rest! 
  • All performers grab your attention from alternatively empowered stages decked out in recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.
  • This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally. Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.
In 2011, Tour de Fat traveled to 13 cities, attracting a total of 69,550 festival attendees and 41,150 parade cyclists.  It also raised $401,563 and boasted an impressive 90 percent diversion of waste from landfills. 

See https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat for the Tour de Fat credo, schedules, videos and to submit your entry to swap your gas guzzler for a fancy new bike. 

About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Ranger IPA, Belgo IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Shift Pale Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases.  In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship.  For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

Monday, October 01, 2012

Hops & Grain One-Year Anniversary Oct. 7

Need something to help you get over your hangover from the Texas Craft Brewers Festival? On October 7 (the day after the TCBF), Hops & Grain will celebrate its one-year anniversary. Press release from H&G:

HOPS & GRAIN BREWERY TURNS ONEA Celebration is in Order for H&G’s One Year Anniversary WHO:                           The crew at Hops & Grain.
 WHAT:                        Taking place one year to the day from when the first batch of Hops & Grain beer was brewed, is the anniversary fiesta at the East Austin brewery with flowing beer, food via the Backstage Grill and live music. Twelve beers will be featured, eight of which have never been available before and were brewed exclusively for the anniversary, including several Volumes of Oak selections, and the debut of the O-Fest, a crisp, timely Oktoberfest lager. The Hops & Grain team will also host a beer mile competition at 3PM (a drinking game combining running and speed drinking—oh yes!) with H&G founders, Josh and Meg Hare facing off in the final race. It has been quite the first year for the brewery—bringing home gold from the Great American Beer Festival last October, developing over 25 styles of beer and tripling production for next year—and the crew at Hops & Grain can’t wait to celebrate with all of their loyal fans.
 WHEN:                         Sunday, October 7
                                      12 – 5PM
 WHERE:                      Hops & Grain Brewery
                                      507 Calles, Suite 101
                                      Austin, TX 78702
                                             
WHY:                           Because everything (including breweries) deserves a one-year birthday party thrown in their honor that they quite possibly will forget.
  TICKETS: $35 (Includes a limited edition anniversary pint glass, free food, live music and access to the brewery. All attendees over 21 will be able to enjoy free samples of all of the H&G beers.)
                                    *Tickets can be purchased in the H&G tap room, http://www.hopsandgrain.com/tours-taproom/, as well as online at http://hopsandgrain.eventbrite.com
ABOUT:                       Specializing in craft beer and sustainability, Hops & Grain Brewery is located in East Austin (literally at the end of Sixth Street) at 507 Calles, Austin, TX 78702. Hops & Grain Tap Room is open every Friday from 2 – 6PM, and every Saturday from 12 – 4PM with tours of the brewery given on Saturdays at 1 and 3PM. Tours are approximately 45 minutes and include special samples not available in the tap room. For further information please visit www.hopsandgrain.com or call 512.914.2467. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at Facebook.com/hopsandgrain and follow us on Twitter @HopsandGrain.