University News

PAS Plans Beerfest for Sept. 23 at The Forum

September 18, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The Performing Arts Society (PAS) at Western Illinois University will hold its ninth annual Beerfest from noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Forum in downtown Macomb. 
 
New this year is a table reserved for fine bourbon tastings. 

Admission tickets (which do not include beer tasting tickets) are $10 for the public and $5 for students. Individual tickets for sampling are $1 each, and attendees must be at least 21 to enter.
 
This year's event will also offer a $30 package option, which includes a VIP wristband, unlimited flat rate sampling, special gift, a food package, a Bourbon County vertical flight tasting and bourbon tasting.

More than 60 beers will be available for sampling, and Jimmy John's will provide mini subs on a first come first served basis.   

Samples from regional breweries will be available, including Bent River, of Moline, IL; Front Street, of Davenport, IA; the Iron Spike, of Galesburg, IL; Lagunitas, of Chicago; the Boston Beer Company, of Boston, MA; Sierra Nevada, of Chico, CA; and many more. 
 
According to event director John Finn, PAS raises money through donations and events, such as Beerfest, to support the arts for the community. A large portion of the money raised benefits youth arts programming. 

Funds raised through Beerfest benefit:

• Youth Performing Arts Series – More than 7,000 area school children attend free, live educational, performing arts shows. PAS pays all expenses to bus the students, teachers and chaperones to these live performances.  

• Summer Music Institute – PAS provides $7,000 in scholarships to the Summer Music Institute Jr. High and High School summer camps. 

• Community Arts Grant - PAS has a new grant that benefits local artists. Every six months, PAS will support an arts initiative that impacts the community. 

• WIU Arts Grant - PAS supports arts projects created by WIU staff or faculty.

• New This Year - PAS will support a Senior Arts Series, created specifically for assisted living residents in the community.  

Beerfest is sponsored by The Cafe, The Forum, Hy-Vee, Jimmy John's, the PAS, Regional Media, Tri States Public Radio and the Western Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC).  Tickets can be purchased at the door.   

For more information, visit wiu.edu/cofac/pas/beerfest.php, call (309) 298-1618 or email Jill Beck at JK-Beck@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Sydney Young (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing