Home brewers show off their beers at WYES tastings | NOLA.com

You can't buy beer made by Anthony Gagliano, the president of the north shore's Mytic Krewe of Brew. But at WYES' Private Beer Sampling on Friday, June 1, and the International Beer Tasting on Saturday, June 2, Gagliano and other amateurs brewmasters get a chance to pour their creations for the public.

At the WYES tastings, the club will have a chicory porter, oaked pineapple rum IPA and hot chocolate porter. "These are special beers," Gagliano said. "I've noticed in recent years that people want odd beers."

For true beer lovers, the WYES tastings are as important on their calendars as Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest. The Private Beer Sampling on Friday from 7?10 p.m. features more than 75 craft beers, including specialty made casks and other rarities. Look for Tin Roof's Black Tin Coffee Porter, Abita's barrel-aged Abbey Ale and a cask of NOLA Brewing's Hurricane Saison. Attendance is limited to 250.

On Saturday from 6?9 p.m., the 29th annual WYES International Beer Tasting features more than 275 beers from Louisiana, the U.S. and beyond. Take a break from the imbibing with 15-minute "Master of Beer Appreciation" classes on everything from making beer to pairing cheese with a porter.

Gagliano has seen a surging interest in home brewing. Over the last year, the Mystic Krewe of Brew has grown by 30%. Partly, he attributes that to the recently opened Main Grain home brewing supply shop in Abita Springs. But Gagliano also thought the greater availability of craft beer in Louisiana has encouraged younger drinker to take up brewing. And maybe someday you'll be able to buy a beer created by the Mystic Krewe of Brew. Two members of the club are about to open their own commercial breweries.

The WYES Private Beer Sampling takes place in the Derby Building of the Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots (1751 Gentilly Blvd.). Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at Stein's Market and Deli (2207 Magazine St.) or by calling 504.486.5511 extension 200. The WYES International Beer Tasting will be held at UNO's Lakefront Arena (6801 Franklin Ave.). Tickets are $35 in advance with discounts for groups and active military. At the door tickets are $45. To purchase tickets via Ticketmaster, visit www.wyes.org.

Todd A. Price can be reached at nodrinks@timespicayune.com. Read more about the bar scene at nola.com/drink or nola.com/bar-guide. Follow him at twitter.com/toddapricetp.

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