2nd annual From the Barrel - Des Moines Whiskey Festival will feature over 200 whiskeys
Brian Taylor CarlsonA barrel of a good time is coming up in a few months and it's time to mark your calendars.
The second annual From The Barrel - Des Moines Whiskey Festival takes place Nov. 22-23 at The River Center at 340 SW Third St. The event features two days of food, live entertainment and, of course, whiskey — with much of it produced in Iowa. Tickets are limited and go on sale Friday.
"We're trying to do things better this year to make these events so much cooler," said Tobias Cross, founder of the Des Moines Whiskey Festival. "This year, we're trying to get more emphasis on the music."
Cross recently returned from a trip to Nashville to line up some bands and performers for Friday night of the festival.
Friday
Women N Whiskey Pairing Dinner
The signature kick-off dinner and concert benefiting Susan G. Komen of Iowa takes place on Nov. 22. Enjoy a four-course meal prepared by four of the best female chefs in Des Moines with whiskey pairings from Blue Ox Spirits in Grimes to go with each course. The dessert course will be created by Samantha Daily, a local competitor from season nine of MasterChef.
Other features include:
- Special whiskey pours.
- A special speaking event and question-and-answer from the WNW Sponsor about the whiskey pairings.
- A special acoustic show from a female Nashville performer with details to come.
- Keynote speech and celebrity auction will take place for Susan G. Komen.
- Each attendee receives a commemorative WNW whiskey glass.
Tickets are available for individuals ($99) and tables of eight. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Saturday
Day two of the Whiskey Festival on Nov. 23 includes a full day of food, local music and entertainment, ax throwing, cigars, contests, speakers, games, great causes and whiskey. Festival-goers can spend all day tasting, experiencing and learning about whiskey.
Over 200 types of whiskey will be on hand for tasting, with plenty of fun activities for attendees.
"We were able to double the number of whiskeys this year working with more Iowa distilleries," Cross said. Featured spirits include nationwide, rare, Irish, Iowa local, high-end — and even cheap — whiskey tastings. "This year, we have people from local distilleries who are coming to talk and tell the stories of their whiskey."
Doors open at 11 a.m. for VIP ticketholders or 12 p.m. for general admission. Four ticket tiers are available starting at $50 for general admission up to $175 for a "Secret Speakeasy" ticket and can include:
- A special speaking event during early entry.
- A special tasting from Buffalo Trace only available in the VIP area.
- A special speaking event in the VIP area from Buffalo Trace and a VIP swag bag.
- Eight included whiskey tasting for the day with over 200 options in 2019.
- Acoustic shows, bands, entertainment, activities and games all day.
- A special speaking event and question-and-answer from the Whiskey Fest Title Sponsor about its whiskeys.
- A 2019 commemorative whiskey glass and swag items.
There's even a "designated driver" ticket that does not include tastings for $25.
Details about acoustic shows, bands, speakers and entertainment will be announced in the weeks ahead.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit dsmwhiskeyfest.com or Facebook.
