This post is written by guest blogger, Nicholle Hinkle, Director of Donor Relations at United Way of Southeast Missouri.

A little over three years ago (when my parents became empty-nesters), my dad started mentioning this thing called “craft beer.” I had never really heard of it, so I just assumed it was something that my parents were getting into since they didn’t have me around to entertain them anymore - ha! Little did I know at the time that this “craft beer” thing was actually becoming a new trend and thousands of people across the country were jumping on the bandwagon whether through taste-testing the products or brewing their own. How cool is that?

Well, if you’re a craft beer lover like my dad, you’ll be glad to know that United Way of Southeast Missouri is presenting an opportunity for you to taste-test over 60 craft and locally brewed beers right here in downtown Cape! That’s right – Boos & Microbrews will be held in conjunction with Hop Heads of Southeast Missouri and Bluff City Beer Co. on Saturday, October 25 from 2 to 6pm in the parking lot at Broadway & Main. Tickets are only $30 in advance or $35 the day of and can be purchased at United Way of Southeast Missouri, BOLD Marketing or Hubrew. However, you can also purchase tickets online by clicking here.

Your ticket gets you a tasting cup to sample the beers, a voting slip for your favorite beer, the opportunity to enjoy live music by the Jerry Ford Polka Band, entry into the Halloween costume contest, the chance to win raffle prizes, play games and so much more! Food will also be available for purchase from 2 Sides Grillin’.

As if I haven’t already provided enough good reasons to attend Boos & Microbrews, here are the Top 5 Reasons to Drink Craft Beer:

1 – It’s a hot topic. Like I mentioned, craft beer has become a rapidly growing trend in recent years. Craft beer + you drinking it = part of the cool club.

2 – The ingredients in the home-brewed beer will be fresh, carefully selected and of high quality. Our partners don’t brew anything but the best and these beverages are purely one of a kind and can’t be purchased in the store.

3 – Many people are referring to craft beer as the ‘new wine.’ Through the endless choices of flavors and styles of craft beer, there will always be an option to go with any meal…and 2 Sides Grillin will have plenty of options.

4 – The lager louts and bearded stereotypes have been well and truly quashed by the fresh, young and hip crowd that follows the movements of craft beer. Young fellows in trilbies sip pints with grey-haired strangers, women and men stand side-by-side, cups in hand. Welcome to beer equality.

5 – The people behind the craft beer possess an overwhelming degree of passion and love for what they do. It is brewed by local people, for local people, and often targeting a specific local area. Oh, and doing so will benefit your local United Way.