New World Record Glide Distance Set at 5th Annual BrewTag

Flying beer kegs marked the 5th Annual BrewTag at the Nags Head Event Site on Saturday.
Flying beer kegs marked the 5th Annual BrewTag at the Nags Head Event Site on Saturday.

Beer, evidently can fly. Or glide at least. That’s what we discovered today at the 5th Annual BrewTag in Nags Head.

Maybe the winds were just right; maybe the contestants are finally figuring out how to build a glider that will fly a small keg of beer (empty, or course). Perhaps the sheer number of contestants—15, the most ever—raised the competitive bar.

Or maybe it was just plain dumb luck.

Whatever it was, two of the best flights ever recorded at BrewTag happened this afternoon. the idea is to strap a 1/6 keg of beer—empty, of course—to a homemade glider, launch it from a 20’ tower and see how far it will fly.

We thought we had the all time winner when the Blue Crab Tavern team, representing the Colington Road bar and restaurant ripped off a 66’4” flight, besting the old mark by 9’. 

The team’s celebration was a thing to behold as they ran around the flight field cheering wildly as they carried their aircraft to safety.

Their joy was short-lived. Three flights later, team Late For Work shattered the Blue Crab Tavern record with an astonishing flight of 96’7”.

It is important to note that not every flight was a thing of beauty, gracefully soaring as the glider settled to the ground. There was stiff competition for the shortest flight of the day…12’6” just edging out 12’7”.  And quite a few of the aircraft did not survive the landing.

Nonetheless, from the vantage of flight, this was the most successful yet.

The day was also a very successful fundraiser—according to John Harris, the President of Kitty Hawk Kites who sponsored the event, the 2019 BrewTag raised more money than any had in the past.

That’s great news. Half of the proceeds will be going to Ocracoke through the Outer Banks Community Foundation’s Ocracoke Disaster Relief Fund. The remaining proceeds will help fund the Francis Rogallo Foundation. Francis Rogallo was a NASA engineer who, among other things, invented the Rogallo wing that is used in hang gliding.

Looking for a getaway to a wonderful place by the sea? Check out what Joe Lamb, Jr. & associates has to offer.

BrewTag 2018-Beer, Wind and Flight on the Outer Banks

The winning team. The BOOBS took home tip prize with a flight of 39'.
The winning team. The BOOBS took home tip prize with a flight of 39′.

A Possible Nor’Easter Can’t Keep Beer from Flying

Somehow, flying into the teeth of a brisk northeast wind, the BrewTag competitors proved conclusively that beer can almost fly.

The weather was iffy on Saturday, but that didn’t keep the aeronautical engineers who created the Flying Chicken and other wonders of the imagination of flight from climbing the tower and launching their creations.

In the end it was the Boys Of the Obx Brewing Station (the Boobs) who took home the top prize with a flight of 39’—a remarkable achievement given the 10-15 mph winds and gusts to 20+.

Organized by Kitty Hawk Kites, BrewTag may be one of the most fun events of the year. Taking place at the Event Site in Nags Head, teams compete with homemade gliders with a (small) keg (empty) attached. In the past gliders patterned after the Rogallo Wing that is used for hang gliders seemed to do best. This year, though, the BOOBS mono-wing glider took top distance, although it’s landing was not the most graceful.

What makes BrewTag so much fun is that it refuses to take itself too seriously…that and the 20 microbrews on hand. There was also some great food from local vendors.

Like all events that has the Kitty Hawk Kites stamp on it, though, it is very family friendly with well-thought out and well planned activities for kids.

The Outer Banks Brewtag is a benefit The Rogallo Foundation. The Rogallo Foundation was created to honor Francis and Gertrude Rogallo, inventors of the flexible wing. Proceeds will be used to build a museum featuring Rogallo’s work, designs, history and advancements since its development.

Look for the 2019 BrewTag on Saturday, October 26.

There is still lots to do on the Outer Banks. Make your reservations today at Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates.

BrewTag Asks-Can Beer Kegs Fly?

Proving that maybe a beer keg can fly, a glider attempts flight at the 2016 Brewtag.
Proving that maybe a beer keg can fly, a glider attempts flight at the 2016 BrewTag.

If Humans Can Fly, Why Not Beer?

One of the questions that has plagued humanity since the Wright Brothers proved mankind can fly is, if humans, why not beer kegs?

This Saturday at the Nags Head Event Site, Kitty Hawk Kites and the organizers of BrewTag will attempt to answer that question.

This will be the third attempt at answering that question and it is possible that third time will be the charm as the past two years have shown steady improvement.

After the first year, reasonable people answered the question, “Can beer kegs fly?” with a resounding, “No!.”

Last year, after evidence of sustained flight, the crowd responded with a heartfelt, “Maybe.”

This year? Who knows? The only way to be sure is to be at Event Site at noon when gates open.

Because this is a Kitty Hawk Kites sponsored events, there will be plenty of things for kids to do—it’s something the company has specialized in since they opened their doors in 1974. There will be face painting, rock climbing…Stanley the Rideable Shark will be there. Plenty to do for kids, or adults if they want to try their hand at Stanley.

For the adults? If you’re trying to prove that beer kegs can fly, then certainly beer should be available. And it is. There is a special ticket that will have to be purchased, but it does provide for plenty of libation.

There is also some great live music with rockabilly band par excellence Cha Cha’s Cadilac and local reggae band Sense Trails.

The whole day is a benefit for the Rogallo Foundation, telling the story of Francis Rogallo, a truly remarkable man. One of the unsung heroes of the space race, Mr. Rogallo is best remembered for his Rogallo Wing. A flexible, steerable wind, it is the bases for hang gliders, stunt kites, paraglider and modern parachutes.

There is no parking at the event. Here’s some parking information to help:

OFF-SITE PARKING LOTS WITH SHUTTLE SERVICE:

Nags Head Elementary School
3100 S. Wrightsville Avenue, Nags Head

Whalebone Park
7300 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head (across from Jennette’s Pier)

ADDITIONAL PARKING (NO SHUTTLE SERVICE):
The following beach access parking lots in Nags Head are within close proximity to The Soundside Event Site. We encourage you to walk to the event from these beach access parking locations locations.

Nags Head Beach Access:

– http://obxbeachaccess.com/nags-head-beach-access/
– Grey Eagle Beach Access
– Gull Street Beach Access
– Glidden Beach Access

– Forrest Beach Access
– Epstein Beach Access

BrewTag-Fun with Flight in Nags Head

Smarty Pints in flight. Almost the winner.
Smarty Pints in flight. Almost the winner.

BrewTag-Proving That Beer Can Fly

The 2nd Annual BrewTag was held at the Event Site in Nags Head yesterday—Saturday—and it proved conclusively that “Yes! Beer can fly!”

The premise to BrewTag is simple: strap a 1/6 keg of beer to a glider, toss it off a 25’ tower and see if it can fly.

Usually no…in fact, one of the flights was recorded at -9”, a difficult feat to achieve and a world record all its own. However, there were at least two flights that proved conclusively that when science, skill, inspiration and perhaps a little luck come together, all things are possible.

With 15 teams competing, the feeling was that something had to fly. The first teams climbed the latter to the top of the tower, facing a stiff 17mph breeze. The wind proved the undoing of the first five or six entries.

Then with the wind letting up just a bit, Smarty Pints—a group of engineers from Hampton Roads pushed their entry into the wind. But instead of the nose lifting in a flare and the aircraft stalling and crashing in spectacular fashion at the base of the tower, their glider began a graceful and gradual descent to the ground. A new world record…54’6”!

Three entries later, the local lads representing Buds and Suds, all retired hang glider instructors, climbed the to the top of the tower… their entry a faithful reproduction of a Rogallo Wing, the airfoil that created hang gliding. The keg was carefully placed at the best location to counter the wind.

To the amazement of all, it flew—gracefully, beautifully, coming go a soft landing 65’7” from the tower and a newer, new world record.

It was a great day and since BrewTag is a fundraiser for the Rogallo Foundation, having a Rogallo Wing wind the day seemed fitting.

OBX October Events Fill the Month

jlmustmus

October is suddenly upon us and there is so much to do that we can’t even list it all. We’ve gone through the Event Calendars for the month and featured what we think are some of the best Outer Banks events, but check around, we may have missed some.

There is so much to do this October that it’s difficult to make any recommendations, but a few highlights do stand out.

Columbus Day Weekend may be the musical highlight of the Outer Banks year—there’s the Mustang Music Festival, the 10th Annual Duck Jazz Festival and Shana Tucker will be at First Flight High School courtesy of the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts.

One of the best seafood festivals around has got to be the Outer Banks Seafood Festival October 15 at the Outer Banks Event Site in Nags Head.

Speaking of seafood festivals, a new one just showed up this year. Oystoberfest at Southern Shores Crossing looks to be a blast. Organized by Dan Lewis and the folks at Coastal Provisions, it should be a lot like their annual Chowder Cookoff—which means a lot of fun and some great oysters.

Events

Island Farm’s Pumpkin Patch

Island Farm, Roanoke Island

October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Includes an ox-drawn wagon ride to the farm’s pumpkin patch. Activities include make your own corn husk doll, candle making, children’s 19th-century toys and games, stuff a scarecrow, scarecrow photo booth for taking photos, and interacting with the farms animals.

Jim Mulford Memorial Red Drum Tournament

Jennette’s Pier

October 1

Open to all ages, costs $15 adults; $8 children 12 and under. Door prizes, giveaways and awards for winners. Register online today or sign-up the morning of the event.

Nags Head Elementary School’s Great Pumpkin Fair And Fun Run

Nags Head Elementary School

October 1

Hundreds of pumpkins and fall decorating items including mums, gourds and corn stalks. Games and activities for kids. Stay for lunch with food from Mulligan’s and Tubb’s Hot Dogs plus treats from Island Snowball and a bake sale.

Outer Banks Parade Of Homes

Nags Head to Corolla

October 6- 9

From dream homes to vacations getaways, the finest Outer Banks builders.

2nd Annual “Inshore Slam” Fishing Tournament

Manteo Waterfront

October 7-8

Tournament will be held on the Manteo waterfront, with docking available, at the Maritime Museum.

Mustang Music Festival

Whalehead Club, Corolla

October 7-8

One of the finest music festivals around. Proceeds benefit the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.

Shana Tucker

First Flight High School, Kill Devil Hills

October 8

Relish the stunning sounds of this award-winning singer-songwriter and cellist who credits her genre-bending ChamberSoul journey to the influences of her jazz and classical roots, interwoven with 80s and 90s pop music movie tracks and world music. Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts.

Live Jam At The Blue Point

Town of Duck

October 8

Enjoy live jazz along the sound, and catch festival musicians participating in an informal jam at the Blue Point.

Oink N’ Oyster Roast

Longboards Restaurant, Kitty Hawk

October 8

Fresh oysters, homemade BBQ, crabs. There’s beer, tea (sweet and not), and water. All included in your ticket! Music from the First Flight High School Band!  Tickets may be purchased from any First Flight Rotary Club member or First Flight High School Band member or online. $25

Saturday Evening Community Concert On The Green With Frank Vignola

Town of Duck

October 8

Join us for a new event on the Duck Town Green, on Saturday evening as we kick-off the 10th Annual Duck Jazz Festival.

jlduckjazz

10th Annual Duck Jazz Festival

Town of Duck

October 9

Free live music from azz performers at day-long festival. Attendees are welcome to bring chairs, food, coolers, blankets, and pets.

Outer Banks Seafood Festival

Outer Banks Event Site, Nags Head

October 15

Festival offers opportunities to meet watermen and see the tools of their trade. Cooking demonstrations, educational booths and, best of all, the chance to eat fresh, local seafood from more than a dozen restaurants.

31st Annual Outer Banks Stunt Kite Competition

Sounside Event Site, Nags Head

October 22-23

A regional event that showcases world-class stunt kiting skills. OBSKC will be sharing the stage with the OBX Brewtag in 2016.

Dare County Arts Council’s Emerald Elegance Gala

Pirate’s Cove Pavilion, Manteo

October 22

The Emerald Elegance Gala will feature exquisite cuisine by Black Pelican Catering, spectacular décor designed by Holiday House, cocktails, a silent auction full of art and exclusive packages from local businesses and a wine lottery that will entice wine connoisseurs of all tastes. Sponsored by the DCAC.

jlbrewtag

Outer Banks Brewtäg

The Soundside Event Site, Nags Head

October 22

Brewtäg contestants will be competing to see who can launch and fly an empty 1/6 keg barrel the furthest.

Harvest HayDay

Elizabethan Gardens, Manteo

October 29

Event combines all the colors, flavors and fun of fall. Whether it is the hayride or hale bale maze, we have families that look forward to this event all year.

Oystoberfest 2016

Southern Shores Shopping Center, Southern Shores

October 29

Local and regional oyster farmers will be on hand shucking raw oysters for your eating pleasure, along with about a half dozen Outer Banks restaurants offering their individual oyster dish samples. Buy tickets online only. Event also to benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

The Beer Witch Project

The Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills

October 29

Zombies, witches, ghouls and maybe even a naughty vampire nurse serving your drinks.  Live DJ and admission to a legendary backyard party following the event included.

3rd Annual Outer Banks Halloween Parade of Costumes

Kelly’s Outer Banks Restaurant & Tavern, Nags Head

October 30

Trick or treat stations, surprise guest appearances, celebrity photo ops, live entertainment & much more. An unbelievable collection of prizes for the best costumes.