Big Brew IQ Challenge

IN ADVANCE OF BIG BREW, HAY MERCHANT BREW BRAIN HELPS HONE CRAFT BEER KNOWLEDGE

HOUSTON (July 7, 2014)…The craft beer industry in Houston continues to heat up. In an effort to help expand craft beer knowledge in advance of the new destination craft beer celebration scheduled for this fall at the George R. Brown Convention Center, the producers of Big Brew joined forces with beer nerd Kevin Floyd of Hay Merchant, creating an interactive craft beer challenge. BigBrewIQ.com is a fun way to see how much you know about craft beer.  Are you a novice or a master?  Log on today and find out for yourself.  All players compete for a range of BIG prizes, including a private dinner for 6 at Hay Merchant and 6 all access passes to attend Big Brew in October.  Round two of the BigBrewIQ Challenge will pit players who score 19 out of 19 against each other for additional grand prizes.

               Considered one of Houston’s craft beer experts, Floyd is dedicated to his craft and loves sharing his knowledge of craft beer with others.  In fact, Hay Merchant was named one of the top 100 beer bars in the country by Draft Magazine.  Those attending Big Brew will get a chance to hear more from Floyd during his Craft Beer 101seminars to be held during the Grand Tasting sessions on October 25.

               Big Brew kicks off October 20, 2014 with events around the city, followed by larger events October 23-25at the GRB.  Designed for beer lovers in Houston and across the nation, participants will enjoy more than 1,000 featured beers, meet the best and brightest brewers in the craft beer industry, and quench their thirst on never-before-tasted brews and rare finds. 

               Offerings for the week-long event include VIP experiences, pub crawls, craft beer dinners, food and beer pairings, beer education seminars, intimate meet-and-greet opportunities, a Best in Texas event focused on Texas offerings only and two grand tasting sessions. The festival is sponsored by Spec’s Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods and presented by Silver Eagle Distributing.  Big Brew is produced by Food & Vine Time Productions, Inc. in conjunction with Houston First and the GRB.

               Tickets for Big Brew are now on sale and start at $45.  For events, tickets and all things Big Brew visitwww.bigbrewhouston.com. Big Brew benefits the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College, a leader in hospitality education.

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About Houston First Corporation:

Houston First Corporation operates the city’s finest convention and arts facilities to position Houston as a world-class destination.  Houston First manages more than 10 city-owned buildings, plazas and parking facilities, including Hilton Americas-Houston, George R. Brown Convention Center, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Wortham Center and Jones Hall.  For more information, please visit www.HoustonFirst.com.

About the George R. Brown Convention Center:

The George R. Brown Convention Center ranks among the 10 largest facilities in the United States with nearly 1.2 million sq. ft. of exhibition, meeting and registration space.  For more information, please visitwww.HoustonConventionCtr.com.

About Food & Vine Time Productions, Inc.:

Food & Vine Time Productions, Inc. is a brand leader in finely crafted consumer culinary, wine and craft beer lifestyle events.  Launched in 2002, Food & Vine Time Productions, Inc. focuses on a shared passion for food, wine and craft beer celebrating all the many benefits these pleasures contribute to personal and business relationships.  It currently produces 10 events across the Houston-area, including its signature Wine & Food Week, which celebrates 10 years in 2014; BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival; Haute Wheels Houston, THE Food Truck Festival; Zest in the West; Katy Sip ‘n Stroll; CyFair Wine Fair; FROSTED and the first ever BIG BREW at the GRB fall 2014.

Photo Caption:   Kevin Floyd, owner of Hay Merchant, developed the BigBrewIQ quiz to help test basic knowledge of craft beer.  Floyd is considered one of Houston’s top craft beer experts.   Hay Merchant has racked up many national accolades including being called one of the top 100 beer bars in the country by Draft Magazine.