Mohegan Sun Brewfest 2014

If you're going to have a craft beer fest then quite possibly the best place to have it is Mohegan Sun. So, we threw a few things in the Armani overnighter and headed out of town for a relaxing, fun weekend away at Brewfest 2014.  We were not disappointed.

We spent the afternoon meeting with brewers and sipping some very nice beer.  Shiner Beer was there with a great Oktoberfest, Blackhog had a Granola Brown, Yuengling gave us their Black and Tan, Victory Brewing Company featured Old Horizontal and then there were our perennial favorites such as that Thomas Hooker Brewing Company Watermelon Ale.

I'm an IPA kind of guy and we sampled some great IPAs from Grey Sail Brewing, Mayflower Brewing and good old Long Trail.

As if all that wasn't enough we had heard in advance that one of our favorite bands, Everclear was slated to appear in the Wolf Den that very night.  For those who may not be familiar with Mohegan, this is the spot where free concerts are held nightly.  We met lots of new friends from around New England, fellow fans, as we gathered for the show.  The concert was great, Everclear playing all of their big hits as well as some new songs from an upcoming album.  

After a bite to eat and some prerequisite people-watching we were exhausted so went up to relax in our room.  Impeccably clean and invitingly comfy, we flipped channels on the large flatscreen, our legs up on the foot pillows of the huge beds.  Ahhhh.   We've never had a room yet that did not boast a gorgeous view of the countryside and Thames River, rain or shine.  That night a thick fog had rolled in as the new arrivals snaked their cars around to the valet entrance.  We rested, feeling spoiled that there was plenty of dining, clubbing, things to do and people to see all without even having to take a step outside.

The next morning we awoke to a tray of fresh coffee. We snoozed and relaxed more, reading the Sunday paper delivered to each room and catching up on all the social media on our tablets and phones from people near and far, including other attendees. Eventually we prepared and dressed for the Brew Brunch.  This year it was held in the Uncas Ballroom as the smaller venue where it usually takes place was under renovation being turned into, so we hear, a mini palace of magical modernist cuisine.  We can't wait to go back for that!  Mohegan is also undergoing a major addition that will feature a 14 theater multiplex due to premiere in January 2015.  We've often thought that maybe it would be fun to catch a new movie while there for the weekend.

Needless to say, the Brunch was appropriately decadent.  Just look at that Schnitzel Benedict drenched in Bearnaise Sauce.  There was also a carving station and some great pastas with brew-based sauces and brew-braised meats, fresh pastries and rolls along with all the coffee and juices one could want.

So far, we've attended every Brewfest and it remains one of the great Fall events we look forward to each year.  Hopefully, we'll see you there next year.