Drunken Monkey Craft Beer Tasting 2025: An Expert Review

The Drunken Monkey Craft Beer Tasting, that annual gathering of hop heads and ale aficionados, just happened in 2025, and frankly, it’s pretty interesting stuff, if I do say so myself. That yearly event, which took place this time in the somewhat unexpectedly swanky Exhibition Hall B at the city’s main convention center, was seemingly brimming with both familiar faces and, to a certain extent, plenty of fresh-faced newcomers, you see. You, like your usual attendees, could find brewers showing off their favorite concoctions, and in some respects, sharing stories behind each frothy pint. It was quite an occasion, in other words, to savor the creativity and community that only seem to come together in, that, is that amazing craft beer.

First Impressions: A Fresh Look for a Familiar Face

Right when I walked through those big Exhibition Hall doors, I could tell this wasn’t really your usual Drunken Monkey. You know, unlike past years where things tended to feel, could be, a bit cramped and a little disorganized, this year, the space felt so much more open, airy too. The organizers seemingly swapped out the standard folding tables for, kind of, these rustic wooden setups, and that actually made a big difference, creating, could be, a nicer, more inviting setting. To be honest, what I did notice was that the lighting had apparently improved significantly, with, pretty much, softer, warmer tones that replaced those harsh fluorescent lights of the past.

In fact, the layout was arguably more thought-out, with sections dedicated to specific beer styles; you had, like your IPAs, your stouts, sours even. It was all thoughtfully grouped, which meant that it was far easier to make my way to sample some brews that grabbed my attention right away, to be honest. The Drunken Monkey clearly stepped it up with, pretty much, presentation.

Standout Breweries: The Stars of the Show

Okay, that being said, let’s just jump right into it – there were admittedly several breweries that pretty much stole the spotlight, you know. I was especially taken with “Twisted Kettle Brewery” from way up north; they unveiled this wild blueberry sour that apparently hit all the right notes. That tartness was incredibly refreshing and was also complemented by some fruity sweetness. In fact, I even went back for seconds; in some respects, I felt pretty good about that choice.

Next, “Iron Spike Brewing” surprisingly showed up strong too, they typically nail their darker brews; so I had to have their bourbon barrel-aged stout. As I was saying, it was rich and full-bodied, and what was surprising was how smooth the bourbon notes danced with some chocolate malt. I had a little chat with their head brewer, he told me they aged that stout for like, virtually, 18 months. Anyway, all that really made sense why that flavor complexity was so out of this world.

There was also “Hazy Dayz Brewing,” that typically impressed a bunch of the crowd. In the same way, their hazy IPAs could really nail it, but seemingly, it was their double dry-hopped version that caught everyone’s attention. We got bright citrus aromas blasting from the glass; this really seemed to please that palate, they were incredibly balanced with only that slightest hint of bitterness. Yeah, it was certainly easy to see why so many people gravitated towards their booth that, is that crowd favorite brewing company that I am just telling you about.

Tasting Notes: New Brews and Familiar Favorites

Now, a craft beer event is a little special because I was looking for some experimental brews that could very well push the boundaries, you know? Like your “Mad Alchemist Beer” tried something bold, adding saffron and cardamom, apparently, it to their Belgian Tripel. We tasted, might be, something aromatic and really complex, though honestly, not everyone enjoyed that combo. Though what was really pleasing for me was seeing breweries happy enough to step way outside any conventional boundaries. What I felt they tried really demonstrated a willingness to pretty much innovate; I suppose there’s a bit of daring in there too, you know?

Of course, your usual familiar flavors always stand out so much that I’ve come to appreciate; your traditional IPAs, your crisp lagers. What I noticed was that even some standard styles managed to make their own, literally, impression. As a matter of fact, I remember one pilsner, I forget by whom, it seemingly balanced light hops, malt sweetness, as it ended that experience in a refreshing finish. In a way, it did serve me a reminder that perfection does exist, right in its own simple, sort of, forms.

Food Pairings: A Gastronomic Symphony

Listen, food pairings seemingly went above just, just that stale pretzel necklace, basically. As a matter of fact, plenty of local restaurants created little stalls there so, too offering snacks, in some respects, which were designed for different beer styles, in short. It did get pretty awesome; there was your spicy Korean barbecue sliders coupled really well with your citrusy IPA. As a matter of fact, what’s really pleasing was, literally, that pairing enhanced all these fruity hop notes; seemingly those spices got cut right through.

Now there’s this artisan cheese vendor where I sampled a creamy, brie type cheese with, very, that roasty stout. To be honest, that was really special. In a way, each pairing showcased this flavor, while complimenting all the other tastes; anyway that also seemingly elevated some beer tasting straight into the elevated gastronomic experience, literally. You know, honestly, each bite, sip, whatever, combined into their own story in all different pairings; so there are those who had taken notice.

The Crowd: Beer Lovers United

What I was watching was just, seemingly, as exciting as the beers on tap themselves were, the crowd really did seem lively; full with really enthusiastic folks and really passionate about some good beer, just like me. Okay, your usual people that tend to love all their breweries or that tend to attend those beer weeks, so they can try out something interesting, you know? However, as a matter of fact, this 2025 tasting apparently was far more welcoming, more varied too.

While the event did feature a bunch, literally, this good vibe through those tasting halls. I was just really struck by people excitedly discussing, possibly, their top tastes, giving some brewing tips. These shared experiences certainly brought people closer and made some real connections, you see. As I was saying, what better way is there to appreciate beers when you actually have some fun together?

Improvements: Where Could They Improve

I would argue everything I just discussed really seems great, anyway here are literally some very tiny things that could, might be, make everything far better. It really seems small in the grand scope, literally; that beer lines, so it won’t bottleneck everywhere. Especially, right, during those busiest moments it sure would take long enough to actually get just, very, the pour.

And possibly another, maybe, suggestion: more drinking water; so it would definitely help to space out all these heavy tastes, so one can clean up their palate for something tasty, right? Honestly, these things are a little important and might do everything with so much added value for, could be, just such things.

Read our full review: Drunken Monkey Craft Beer Tasting Review Full Review and Details

Final Thoughts: A Thumbs Up for the Drunken Monkey 2025

In closing, as I have reviewed this event and all of it’s elements, this review, anyway does definitely reveal all kinds of highlights with The Drunken Money 2025! Anyway they certainly hit that upgrade from some ambiance by all different layout ideas combined so nicely through more delicious tastings overall as usual along sides really great local pairing venues that are sure to add great excitement so people might definitely check this out.

• Atmosphere upgrade improved experience for 2025.
• Brewery selection catered variety!
• That pairings showcased what flavor should become

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