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Crystal Springs touts BBQ and beer for 7th straight year

| 23 Jun 2015 | 11:52
    Photos by Scott Baker Vernon resident and repeat customer of the BBQ and Beer festival Skip Zacherau.
    Photos by Scott Baker Vernon resident and repeat customer of the BBQ and Beer festival Skip Zacherau.
    Who says corn isn't in season?
    Who says corn isn't in season?
    Branchville resident Eric Risley and Sparta resident Christine Trusio enjoy the days wares.
    Branchville resident Eric Risley and Sparta resident Christine Trusio enjoy the days wares.
    Hundreds of pounds of pork is slow roasted for pulled-pork sandwiches.
    Hundreds of pounds of pork is slow roasted for pulled-pork sandwiches.
    Barbecued pretzels—a perfect pairing for almost any beer.
    Barbecued pretzels—a perfect pairing for almost any beer.
    Crystal Springs' Chief Executive Chef Anthony Bucco and Franklin resident Donna Arrigo.
    Crystal Springs' Chief Executive Chef Anthony Bucco and Franklin resident Donna Arrigo.
    West Milford resident and part-owner of Fairfield's Cricket Hill Brewing Ed Gangi says it all with his t-shirt.
    West Milford resident and part-owner of Fairfield's Cricket Hill Brewing Ed Gangi says it all with his t-shirt.
    Several breweries set up shop under the giant tent.
    Several breweries set up shop under the giant tent.
    A giant smoker is stuffed with thousands of dry-rubbed chicken parts.
    A giant smoker is stuffed with thousands of dry-rubbed chicken parts.

HAMBURG — Some things are just meant to be paired. Peanut butter and jelly, for instance. Spaghetti and meatballs. But, all things considered, barbecue and beer might be at the top of the list.

Taking advantage of this marriage of suds and sauces for the seventh straight year, Crystal Springs Beer and Food Festival brought together nearly 1,500 participants on the ninth hole of Cascades golf course for more than 150 beers from more than 40 breweries and down-home barbecue overseen by Restaurant Latour Executive Chef Anthony Bucco.

“Whenever you have an opportunity to bring together this many people it’s gonna be fun,” Bucco said. “I look around and see plenty of food, plenty of beer and plenty of smiles. For us to be able to facilitate that is awesome.”

Crystal Springs Director of Food and Beverage Bill Polchinski said the festival falls very much in line with Crystal Springs’ “very barbecue driven” philosophy, including the outdoor Chef’s Garden restaurant, which is featured around smokers and Peruvian-style wood-fire cooking.

The inaugural 2009 event featured just 50 vendors, a number which is now up to 130, including not only craft beer, but cigars, cheeses and clothing, according to Crystal Springs’ Director of Hospitality Robby Younes, co-creator of the event.

This year, Younes added, Philadelphia-based cover band Philbilly was hired to perform to showcase the rising popularity of country music and the “country atmosphere” of Sussex County.

The Father’s Day weekend festivities also included the Brews and Birdies golf tournament and Father’s Day BBQ, which saw a collaboration of resort chef John Greeley and acclaimed New York City barbecue Pitmaster Billy Durney.

For information on future events, visit www.crystalgolfresort.com or call 855-977-6473.