Better!? C’mon…you had me at beer. But it seems there have indeed been some significant and some would say long overdue updates to the format of the Flatlander’s Beer Festival for 2014. Here’s the rundown:

Let’s start with the dates. Summer this year vs. fall historically. Thursday, June 12th and Friday, June 13th, 2014 to be precise.

Let’s talk time and location. Ice level in the MTS Centre from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. How cool 😉 is that.

Let’s talk tickets. Used to be you paid around thirty bucks, got five comp tasting tickets, then paid four bucks for five additionals. This year, it’s a $39.95 all in! Yep, you read that right. Forty bucks gets you as many samples as you can keep down (and probably then some for a few of us). You also get a program (good for noting your faves and avoids because let’s face it, you’re not going to remember) and a sample glass (plastic, disposable, cheap, nasty).

Of course you’ll find local favourites Half Pints Brewing there who usually have something special on tap. Typically Fort Garry will have something from their Brewmaster Series. And the boys from Farmery Estate Brewery will undoubtedly make an appearance. Besides that, you’ll have the chance to sample over a hundreds brews from around the world. This is essentially the IT event for your inner beer knurd (drunk) so don’t delay, get your tickets today at Manitoba Liquor Marts (Winnipeg locations only) or through Ticketmaster.

Flatlander’s regulars and Manitoba -based Farmery founders Chris and Lawrence Warwaruk proudly show off their locally-grown hops used to create the first and only estate-brewed beer in North America.