Uncorking 10 years of beer, wine sampling event

Uncorked! on the Green is celebrating its 10th anniversary with another day of specialty beer and wine tastings, live performers, food trucks and family fun.

The event, hosted by Classic Events Inc. and benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA), will be Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m in front of the Ross Bridge welcome center. 

Eventgoers will have the chance to sample more than 50 local and national craft beers and dozens of specialty wines for free. However, the event’s main attraction and namesake wasn’t always part of the equation. Coordinator Audrey Alverson said Uncorked started as an art show called Arts and Music On the Green.

During its second year, coordinators decided it was time to add a new dimension to the event.

“We wanted to support the artists better and draw more crowds,” Alverson said. “But now Uncorked has become the most popular aspect of the show.”

The event will feature beers from areas including California, Colorado, Mexico and Germany. Many Alabama-brewed beers from Avondale, Good People, Straight to Ale, Blue Pants and Yellowhammer will also be available. Wine distributors will include Girlfriends, Chocolate Box, Thorny Rose and Quickfire. The wine tasting will go from noon to 2 p.m., with the beer tasting following from 2:30 p.m. until the event ends at 5 p.m. 

In addition, the event will feature performers including contortionists, stilt walkers and giant puppets who will roam the crowds while DJ Mickey Nightrain plays from atop a 30-foot platform.

Alverson said although the event features beer and wine, it is also a family-friendly event. Each year, a huge kids’ station is set up with inflatables, face painting, balloon animals and a creative-crafts tent. 

And of course, Uncorked will continue to pay homage to its roots by featuring 50 arts-and-crafts booths dispersed among the beer and wine tents. 

“It has become a totally integrated event,” Alverson said. “You’ll be able to look at art while you’re standing in line to get some wine.”

AllSouth will once again sponsor a grilling competition for local restaurants. Guests can sample recipes infused with beer and wine from participating chefs and vote for their favorites. This year, the competition has expanded from five participating restaurants to 10. For those looking for a more substantial meal, local food trucks will be present.

Alverson said about 7,000 people came out for last year’s event. Over the past nine years, the event has raised thousands of dollars to fund breast-cancer research in Alabama by way of a $5 suggested donation for attendees and $30 VIP ticket sales. 

VIP tickets for Uncorked can be purchased at uncorkedonthegreen.com. The $30 ticket includes covered seating, exclusive beer-and-wine samplings, snacks, soda, water, reserved restroom and TVs playing the Auburn and Alabama football games. 

Alverson said the best thing about the festival is the opportunity it gives people to try and see something new — whether that is a new IPA or a contortionist performing from inside a huge bubble. 

“When you go to the grocery store and are afraid to try some new beer you’ve never had before … now you can come out here and figure out what are the beers you really like,” she said.