Nebraska State Stroke Association organizes event to raise awareness.

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BY LIZ STINSON / Lincoln Journal Star

It’s not every day that the Nebraska State Stroke Association wants you to try 140 different types of beers.

Samples of beer, of course.

Thursday night will be one exception to this rule, when the Stroke Association, Nebraska State Restaurant Association and the Greater Lincoln Sertoma Club team up to strike out stroke with their annual Okto Beerfest.

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Empyrean Ales is one of 13 vendors that will be handing out beer samples at this year’s Beerfest, which will take place at the Lancaster Events Center on Thursday. (Courtesy Photo)

Empyrean Ales is one of 13 vendors that will be handing out beer samples at this year’s Beerfest, which will take place at the Lancaster Events Center on Thursday. (Courtesy Photo)

Beerfest has come a long way since its beginnings 14 years ago. Jim Krysl, chairman for Beerfest, said that since he got involved eight years ago, he has seen the event grow into a community tradition.

More bodies means more space, so the NSSA fundraiser, which keeps 100 percent of the proceeds in Nebraska, will be at the Lancaster Events Center for the second year, which is a step up from its modest digs at the Villager Motor Inn and later Windsor Stables.

 Last year, Beerfest attracted around 800 people, and Krysl said the count should be close to 1,000 this year.

To account for the increase in bodies, Krysl and company decided to increase the number of food vendors by three times. This year the Restaurant Association is a part of the festivities, and local eateries such as Ramos Pizza, daVinci’s, Buzzard Billy’s, Parker’s Rib Ranch and many others will be taking part.

But don’t fill up on food — 13 beer vendors will be giving out samples of 140 different types of beer as well.

Choices range from popular domestic beers such as Miller products to local breweries including Brewsky’s, Upstream from Omaha, Empyrean Ales, Granite City and Lincoln Lagers.

Believe it or not, Larry the Cable Guy will even have beer there.

SchillingBridge Winery and Brewery in Pawnee is bringing its new product, Git-R-Done Beer, so people can have a taste of the light lager that bears the comedian’s signature phrase.

Non-alcoholic drinks will be available, too. But for those who take one too many samples, ACW Law is sponsoring free cab rides home.

Krysl said that while there is always the possibility that someone could drink too much, it’s unlikely because there will be so many other things going on at Beerfest that people probably won’t spend all of their time at the vendors.

Aside from food and booze, the event includes a silent auction of items such as handmade jewelry, a signed poster from Larry the Cable Guy and gift certificates.

People also can check out their pitching speed with the Lincoln Saltdogs’ radar gun or play a game with the wiener slinger that is at the Nebraska football games.

And don’t forget about music.

An Okto Beerfest isn’t a real Beerfest without polka music. Krysl said that polka music will be playing throughout the evening — and bagpipes will make an appearance as well.

“You’re standing around, just talking to your buddies and, boom, here comes eight people playing bagpipes. People just go nuts,” he said. “If you’ve never heard the Nebraska fight song on the bagpipes, it’s pretty insane.”

While the evening is all about having a good time, Krysl said he hopes people will remember what Beerfest is really about.

 “We want to educate people about the first signs of stroke,” he said. “Time is very essential — if you’re having a stroke and you know the signs, chances are you’re going to survive.”

Reach Liz Stinson at 473-7254 or at estinson@journalstar.com.