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Kyle Gibson, owner of The Coterie and founder and organizer of Brews on Buckeye: Indiana Craft Beer & Spirits Festival, says he is excited about the next beer festival.
He says he has felt that way ever since the festival began.
“When we opened The Coterie, there was a lack of craft beer in Kokomo, and we wanted to showcase all of the fine liquids being made here in Indiana,” Gibson says. “In 2015, we debuted Brews on Buckeye, and it was a huge hit!”
Gibson notes that Brews on Buckeye, which takes place in downtown Kokomo on Buckeye Street, has garnered a large crowd each year, and he expects the same for this year’s festival.
“The fair this year is Saturday, July 31,” he says. “People can look forward to good beer, good liquor, good food, and good people. We have invited some up and coming breweries, along with some of the crowd favorites from years past.”
Gibson says Brews on Buckeye Craft Beer is the only Kokomo craft beer and craft spirits festival that celebrates all the tasty treats that Indiana has to offer. It’s also been an important addition to Kokomo’s downtown district.
Gibson is glad he has been able to present more crafty beer and spirits to Kokomo. He opened The Coteire in 2014, with his co-owner Dustin Ogle, and says he has been able to bring more great beer and food to the local community. The festival has become a big extension of that.
Gibson says it’s an array of tasty Indiana breweries and distilleries, food trucks and wonderful people.
Brews on Buckeye attracts a lot of different beer and food vendors who are able to give Kokomo residents a great taste of what they have to offer. All of the participants are on hand to give people what they do best: make great beer and food.
Gibson’s vision for the future of the fair is very optimistic. He believes it will continue to grow and prosper from year to year. He has positive feelings about it.
“The future of the fair is bright and looks like it might eventually outgrow the stretch of north Buckeye we are currently on, so hopefully we will need to expand and conquer another area of beautiful downtown Kokomo,” Gibson says.
The event’s confirmed breweries include: 450 North Brew Co., Bad Dad Brew Co., Burn’em Brewing; Cavalier Distributing, City Wineworks, Craftroads Beverage, Elm Street Brew Co.; Four Fathers Brewing, Half Moon Brewery, Hoosier Brew Co., McClures Orchard, Misbeehavin’ Meads, Off Square Brewing, Sun King Kokomo, Viking Artisan Ale, Westwind Brew Co. and Windmill Brewing.
Distilleries include 12.05, Old 55, West Fork Whiskey and Desnuda Tequilla. Local food includes The Coterie, Oscar’s Pizza and The Struggle Bus.
Brews on Buckeye is set for July 31. The event is rain or shine, with no refunds. Designated driver tickets are $10, including free non-alcoholic drinks all day. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/brewsonbuckeye; purchase advance tickets at www.event.ontaptickets.com/events/brews-on-buckeye-2021-7-31-2021.
