Racks by the Tracks 2015

KINGSPORT, TN — Although no longer located by the tracks, there were plenty of racks (ribs and other BBQ), craft beer, wine, music and fun at the 2015 Annual Racks by the Tracks Festival. Currently in its eighth year, the festival showcases the talents of local grill masters, unique craft beers from local and regional breweries, high gravity beers, a fantastic and diverse musical lineup as well as wine, a first for the Racks Festival.[su_row][su_column size="2/3"]According to festival founder, Kanishka Biddanda, this year’s festival included many firsts for the Racks by the Tracks franchise which included the wine tasting event and a 10K road race. Biddanda added, “We wanted to make sure that our festival appealed to a large spectrum of people including families and others”.[/su_column] [su_column size="1/3"][/su_column] [/su_row][su_row][su_column size="1/3"][/su_column] [su_column size="2/3"]He was on point when referring to the large spectrum of people, at least in regards to the sheer numbers of fest goers. The 3-acre Kingsport Farmer’s Market site was filled to almost capacity with patrons seeking good beer, good food and good music.The combination of BBQ and Beer has worked well for the festival. This year more than 30 breweries from 21 states provided beverages for the festival. Co-organizer James Phillips said, “For us it’s always been about educating the marketplace and bringing in unique beers that you just can’t walk down to the local grocery store and get”. Biddanda added, “But at the same time we hope to help create a market demand for these beers so that they will eventually be available locally”.Tennessee Brew Works, a Nashville based craft brewery garnered the people’s choice award for best beer with their Basil Ryeman. The name, a play on Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, was a spicy farmhouse ale brewed with rye and Thai basil. Another first at the festival included the Tennessee debut of “Pale Ale 2.0”, brewed by well-known California-based Stone Brewing Co.While the beer and wine continued to flow, festival goers were treated to an eclectic musical mix that included Anabelle’s Curse, an alternative folk band hailing from Bristol, TN as well as tunes from country music legend, Junior Brown, who co-headlined the festival with the band, Trick Pony.[/su_column] [/su_row][su_row][su_column size="1/2"][/su_column] [su_column size="1/2"][/su_column] [/su_row] [su_row][su_column size="2/3"]"We hope to make this festival one of the top beer festivals in the country."Just outside the beer tents, the namesake of the festival, “Racks”, were in full swing with everything from ribs to pork butts. Hokie Smokie was voted by attendees as having the best ribs and also grabbed the best overall restaurant award. Backdraft Barbecue, runner-up in the restaurant category was so named to pay homage to the fire service. The business was started by Joey Rusek, his wife Michele; Kevin and Sabrina Helms and Jason Wood. Rusek said, “My heart has been with the fire service. Even our sauces have fire-themed names”.Perennial “Racks by the Tracks” attendee, Joe Fleming said, “I think they [Biddanda and Phillips] did a good job of offering the best selection [beer] to date. I had a great time this year and intend to return in 2016”. Several fest goers also echoed Fleming’s sentiments. Biddanda chimed in, “We hope to make this festival one of the top beer festivals in the country”.[/su_column] [su_column size="1/3"][/su_column] [/su_row][su_row][su_column size="1/3"][/su_column] [su_column size="1/3"][/su_column] [su_column size="1/3"][/su_column][/su_row] [su_row][su_column size="1/2"][/su_column] [su_column size="1/2"][/su_column][/su_row]