Released: (TORONTO, ON) - QueerBeerFest

August 4 , 2011 , 4-10 PM

Bandshell Park at Exhibition Place, Toronto

Emcee’d by comedian Maggie Cassella and featuring the legendary Swedish pop band ACE OF BASE

Hosted by Toronto’s biggest Queer Promoters

Steve Buczek, Gairy Brown, Lu Pariselli, Charles Pavia & TK

The 17th Annual Toronto’s Festival of Beer is proud to announce a new event, the Queer Beer Festival on Thursday August 4th. The first of its kind in North America and in celebration with the queer and trans communities. The Queer Beer Festival will celebrate Canada’s rich brewing history, hosted by experts of the brewing craft from around the world. Featuring more than 200 brands, this event is Canada’s ultimate celebration of all things beer!

"Toronto’s Festival of Beer has been around for many years, 17 years in fact, and has attracted many lesbians and gays over the years. Beer comes in all colours, all shapes, all sizes and all tastes, so this year we decided to create a new evening and fully embrace the beer drinking queer community. From lesbians to bears, from twinks to clubbers, and all those who love beer, the Queer Beer Festival brings together all facets of the queer community, in celebration of beer," says Les Murray, President, Toronto’s Festival of Beer.

Over 100 vendors will participate including beer, food and beer industry by-products. Food will include authentic BBQ to roasted corn, from oysters to gourmet grill cheese, from wings to poutine, from gourmet burgers to vegetarian options, we’ve got all the food groups covered.

The Queer Beer Festival is proud to have The 519 Community Centre as its official charity and will donate $5.19 from every advance ticket sold before Pride weekend until July 8th to The 519. The 519 is the hub of community life in Toronto’s diverse downtown community and has been the place where Toronto’s Queer and Trans communities meet, participate and celebrate for over 35 years. The 519 provides internationally recognized programs and services for families, children, newcomers and seniors in our community, as well as offering space for over 200 community groups. The Queer Beer Festival is proud to support these vital programs.

The Queer Beer Festival is located at Bandshell Park on the grounds of the Exhibition Place. The park is easily accessible by both the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) and Go Transit. Constructed in 1936 and inspired by the Hollywood Bowl, Bandshell Park is the perfect location for the Festival.

Although beer takes centre stage at the Festival, we know that the queer and trans communities love a good show like anyone else. So, with the support of Gairy Brown (PRISM) and TK (PRIDE), the festival’s aim is to bring patrons a night of programming that is sure to bring beer to the next level. Pop superstars Ace of Base will perform along with a couple of local queer bands as well as top local queer DJs to be announced at a later time.

Attendees will be able to sample brews from diverse locales spanning from Europe to Asia. They will also be able to find numerous beers brewed-close to home, including a number of brands from the Ontario Craft Brewers. This year’s Festival will feature the "Local", an area that will highlight the many delicious beers brewed in our own backyard. Many brew masters will be onsite as well, giving patrons the opportunity to interact with the people behind their favorite brands.

But what’s great beer without great food to go with it? Patrons will be able to enjoy the ever-popular "Napoleon Gourmet Grills Grilling Tent" with Chef Ted Reader & Friends. Each participating chef will conduct a cooking or grilling demonstration, provide lots of tips and tricks, and of course Ted will instruct and keep everyone entertained while providing expert tips on grilling and keeping your grill in tip-top shape.

"I’m very pleased to part of the team creating the Queer Beer Festival, says TK. My hope is that this event will become a powerful fundraising event for years to come. We’ve planned an exciting lineup of diverse artists—both well known as well as emerging. Folks can look forward to a great time from beginning to end."

Lu Pariselli aka ‘Lesbian Lu’ an artist and 102.1FM The Edge Morning Show host is excited about getting everyone together for a queer inspired festival after Pride in the name of good drinks and a good time? "I'm in! I'm looking forward to being a part of Toronto's first ever Queer Beer Festival this summer."

Tickets on sale now at queerbeerfestival.ca, Priape and The 519

Regular Tickets are $38.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees

(includes sample cup / 5 sample tokens)

Hoptimized Tickets are $48.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees

(available online only, includes early entry / sample cup / 10 tokens)

Girl Guided Beer Tour Tickets are $48.50, plus applicable taxes/service fees

(available online only, includes guided tour, sample cups, 10 tokens)

Early Bird Regular Tickets on-sale today until May 18 - $33.50

(online only - use Ticket Promo Code CHEERS for $5 off)

Remember $5.19 from all tickets goes to The 519, prior to July 8th

Online : queerbeerfestival.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Queer-Beer-Festival-Official/189245011109106

Twitter handle is: @QueerBeerFest (http://twitter.com/#!/queerbeerfest)

Respect Beer. Respect Yourself. Drink Responsibly.

ACE OF BASE http://www.aceofbase-music.de/

Ace of Base have had four #1 hits in Canada, more than any other country in the world, including their homeland of Sweden. They were last in Canada last year to promote their latest album. While here, they did a surprise performance with Kelly Rowland at an AIDS benefit in Toronto.

If you’ve heard "Alejandro" (and who hasn’t), then you know that Lady Gaga is a huge fan of Ace of Base. Katy Perry has expressed her love for the Swedish quartet too, but they are only two of the millions of fans who will be ecstatic to hear the first new studio album by Ace of Base in eight years, "The Golden Ratio."

"We are extremely honored to have two of the biggest and most creative artists in the world saying those nice things about us," says Ulf Ekberg, who founded Ace of Base with Jonas Berggren. "I listen to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry and find myself in turn being inspired by them. In many ways their singles ‘Just Dance’ and ‘I Kissed A Girl’ opened up radio for pop and dance again. We did a little of that in the early ’90s in the U.S., so it’s amazing they are inspired by us and we’ve come back."