REAL ALE FESTIVAL FAQ

Where is the festival?
Inside and outside of the first DuClaw Brewing Company ever!
(16-A Bel Air South Parkway, Bel Air, MD 21015)

How much are the tickets?
$45 per ticket.

Do you sell Designated Driver Tickets?
No, so pace yourselves.

What time is the festival?
12pm to 4pm

How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased here, beginning at Midnight, EDT, August 18th for DuClaw Brewing Company PINT CLUB members, and August 20th for everyone else.

Do you take cash, check or credit card?
Credit cards only, viva la finance charge!

Will tickets be sold at the door?
Maybe. There are only 525 tickets available, so we’re expecting an online sell-out in a matter of minutes that will result in many of you sending us hateful emails later. If there are any available the day of the festival, they will be for sale at the door, but keep in mind, THERE ARE ONLY 525 TICKETS AVAILABLE, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

What do I get if I am a Pint Club member?
First shot at the tickets! PINT CLUB members can purchase tickets 48 hours before mere mortals. PLUS, all PINT CLUB members get a FREE growler kozie at the door.

What do I get for the price of my ticket?
All the beer you can eat, all the food you can drink, DuClaw Brewing Company favorites Smooth Kentucky playing live, Jim Wagner Kissing Booth, games, prizes and lot’s more!

Are group discounts available?
Nope.

Can I bring my child?
If your child is 21 years of age or older, sure. If your child is under the age of 21, than not so much. This event is intended for mature audiences only.

Will there be food available?
Apparently so, we’re just not sure on the details yet.

Will there be water and soda for sale?
Yep. We want you all to get home safely… and well hydrated. You can also purchase pints of beer and cocktails from the bar.

Why are the tasting cups plastic?
Safety first! We know that tasting real ale out of anything other than glass (or ceramic?) is sacrilege, but plastic doesn’t shatter and end up embedded in your foot when you drop it.

What breweries will be there?
Barley and Hops, The Brewer's Art, Clay Pipe, Clipper City, Pub Dog, DuClaw Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery, Franklins, Growlers, Oliver Breweries Ltd., The Raven, and Red Brick Station.

Will there be entertainment?
Yep! One of our favorite bands, Smooth Kentucky, will be playing live, there will be games and prizes, and, have we mentioned the Jim Wagner Kissing Booth?

How can breweries run out of beer?
Each brewery is only bringing two casks of beer, when they’re gone, they’re gone.

Where can I get driving directions?
Click here for directions on our website or check out Google maps.

Can I bring my own food and drink?
Um, hello, MacFly? The food is free and you’ve already paid for the beer, so, no, you may not.

Can I leave the event and re-enter after doing so?
Yes. We are either going to go with a microchip that we will implant directly into your brain after you enter the event that will then beep when you leave and/or re-enter, OR there will be a stamp or wristband of some kind.

Can I bring my pet?
Sorry, humans only UNLESS your dog is “on the job”: Service animals are permitted.

Will the festival be canceled if it rains?
Bring your slicker, your umbrella and your rubbers, err, galoshes cause we’re doing this thing rain or shine!

Can I leave my car overnight?
At your own discretion. DuClaw Brewing Company will not be responsible for lost or damaged vehicles (we’re looking at you, Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott). We encourage attendees, when possible, to carpool or take public transit.

Can I volunteer at the Real Ale Fest?
No. Because of liability issues only professional brewers and DuClaw Brewing Company staff may work the event.

Can I get paid to work at the Real Ale Fest?
If we won’t let volunteers work for free, what chance do you think you have of getting paid to do it? Buy a ticket and start drinking already.

How can I be a participating brewery next year?
Glad you asked! Contact Jim at brewmaster@duclaw.com and tell him that if he can pry his lips off of the strange women lined up at the Jim Wagner Kissing Booth for a few minutes, you’d like a vendor packet for next year’s festival.

What is a “Firkin”?
A firkin is actually the name of an eleven-gallon keg that holds cask-conditioned ale (real ale).

What is “Real Ale”?
“Real Ale” is served unfiltered, whereas the yeast in conventionally served ale has been filtered out to give it a "clear" appearance. Real ale is served at "cellar" temperature (50-55°F), unlike conventional ale, which is served cooler. Finally, real ale is lightly carbonated so it almost appears "flat" compared to conventional ale.

Why should we attend this event?
If all of the Breweries, free food, live music, etc weren’t enough, you’ll also be helping a great cause. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to FARM (Fallston Animal Rescue Movement), an organization that rescues animals from shelters that will eventually put down un-adopted animals and find loving homes for them.