By Lauren Koblara

There aren’t many things better than an ice cold beer on a hot summer day, except maybe having a choice of over 75 beer varieties while sampling great food and listening to live music, all at a gorgeous outdoor venue. Gather your buddies together and designate a driver because the first annual Cheers to Beer Fest will have you winding down the summer on a high note.

On August 24th, Pat Hoey Productions is creating a beer lover’s paradise at Indian Ranch on Webster Lake. The Cheers to Beer Fest will feature breweries like Wachusett Brewing Company, Off Shore Ales, Long Trail Brewing Company, and Woodchuck Cider ~ to name just a few. While you are sipping your samples feel free to talk to the brewers about the process and ingredients that go into their beers or to have a seat under the Indian Ranch Amphitheatre and take in some live music.

Marlena Hoey, production manager at Pat Hoey Productions, says that Cheers to Beer Fest’s atmosphere will “…provide cold beer on a hot summer night in August, set on a cool lake with great entertainment. It’s a great place for people to get together and enjoy the end of the season.”

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the event website, www.cheerstobeerfest.com. A full ticket is $25 and includes 15 beer tickets, but they are also offering a Designated Driver ticket for $10. Those who purchase a Designated Driver tickets can sample any of the non-alcoholic beverages, from non-alcoholic beers to energy drinks. There will be food for purchase as well as free snacks provided by Cape Cod Potato Chips, Snyder Pretzels, and Cabot Cheese.

Information about Cheers to Beer Fest is available at www.cheerstobeerfest.com or www.myspace.com/cheerstobeerfest or by calling Pat Hoey Productions at 508-832-3300.