The first known can-only beer festival, Canfest, took place at the Grand Theater (where it is rumored that Garcia once played guitar) in the Grand Sierra in Reno, Nevada on October 23, 2009. Thirty-two breweries from eight countries had beers available for sampling. Attendees also enjoyed beer pairings with ice cream chocolate and cheese. I spoke at Canfest as did Ginger Johnson of Snap Communications! One of the topics I addressed was the environmental impacts of cans versus bottles. The Green Lantern has some interesting ideas on the topic.

Canfest also included a judging in four categories. Here are the results:

Pale Ale/IPA: Gold:  Poleeko Gold Pale Ale, Anderson Valley Brewing Co.

Silver:  Furious, Surly Brewing Co.

Bronze: Cornerstone IPA, Rochester Mills Brewing Co.

Dark Ales:  Gold:  Gordon, Oskar Blues Brewery

Silver :  Old Chub, Oskar Blues Brewery

Bronze:  Guinness Stout

Other Ales:  Gold:  Bavik, Brouwerij Bavik

Silver:  Sunbru Kolsch, Four Peaks Brewing Co.

Bronze:  Bavik Rose, Brouwerij Bavik

Lagers:  Gold:  Wisconsin Amber, Capital Brewery

Silver:  Little Yella Pils, Oskar Blues Brewery

Bronze:  Coors Light, Coors Brewing Co.

Best-in-Show:  Gordon, Oskar Blues Brewery