SPECIAL EVENTS

THE QUEST FOR THE BEST CHILI RETURNS TO GALVESTON ISLAND! Calling all chili cookers and beer drinkers! January 15, 2011 marks the 2nd Annual Yaga's Chili Quest and Beer Fest.

Dust off the recipe box, gather your team and enter to win the title "Best Chili on Galveston Island." The cook off will feature the mandatory "Good ol' Chili" category and an "Exotic Chili" category. Teams are also encouraged to dress-up and decorate their space to impress the public who will be voting on the Showmanship category.

The 2011 Yaga's Beer Fest features 12 A-ranked beers as judged by BeerAdvocate with over 55 other award winning beers for your tasting enjoyment! Save $10 on 2 VIP tickets with our combo pack and sample numerous Galveston exclusive selections available only at the Beer Fest for only $60. Beer Festival To Feature 68 Specialty Craft Beers.

The Beer Tasting will begin at 11:00am to ticket holders who purchased a No-Line No-Wait VIP Ticket. VIP tickets will get you in the door an hour early, give you access to 5 high-end craft beers in addition to the 63 specialty craft beers, and give you more one-on-one time with the beer representatives. These tickets are available in limited quantities at Yaga's Beer Fest. General admission tickets are available for $25.00 on the festival website. The general ticket tasting begins at 12:00pm and will feature 63 specialty craft beers.

All ticket holders will receive a souvenir-tasting mug and a punch card for 24 samples. Additional samples may be purchased at the tasting in increments of 12. Breweries featured at the festival include Abita, Breckenridge, Bear Republic, Southern Star, and Lagunitas Brewing Company A full list of beers and breweries can be found at Yaga's Beer Fest.

The festival will kick-off with the Chili Pepper Quick Step 5K Fun Run/Walk down the Historic Seawall. The fun run begins at 9:00am at Float Pool & Patio Bar 2828 Seawall Blvd. Proceeds from the run will benefit The Ronald McDonald House of Galveston. Registration information can be found on the festival website.

Other event activities include a Chili Tasting, Washers Tournament, Jalapeno Eating Contest, Margarita Making Contest and Merchant Walk-About. Visitors will also be able to visit with local vendors.

The 2nd Annual Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest sponsors include El Jimador, Dienst Distributing, GreatBrewers.com, Spec’s, Mitchell Historic Properties, Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, Galveston Monthly, Tour de Tents, Galveston County Daily News, and McCormick Co.

For information and registration please visit yagaschiliquest.com.