With the Foodtruck Wars now in the rearview mirror, the father-son combo has set their sights on YXE Beer Wars, a craft beer, wine and spirits festival scheduled for Aug. 27-28 at the Delta Bessborough Hotel Gardens.

Given the success of Foodtruck Wars, Rich Mah thinks the momentum will carry through to YXE Beer Wars.

“Going into the festival season, we didn’t know how things would be because of COVID. We found out with Foodtruck Wars that people are ready to come out.”

Mah said during the Foodtruck Wars festival, there was signage and tickets were being sold for YXE Beer Wars.

“There was lots of buzz,” Mah said. “It has only been one year, but it was one of those events that people heard about and know about.

“Maybe it’s because it is linked to Foodtruck Wars, as it’s the same people putting it on. We have good legs already. A lot of people know about it.”

People might not know that the festival is moving into the Bess Gardens. In 2019, it was held in Kiwanis Park, just north of the iconic hotel.

“That’s a huge step for us,” Mah said of the move. “That legitimizes your event no matter what you are holding there. You just have to say Bess Gardens.”

Mah said the move came about after Bessborough Hotel general manager Jason Clark got ahold of the Mahs after the inaugural festival.

“He said, ‘I want that festival in Bess Gardens,’” Mah said.

Mah said it took about two seconds to agree to the move.

“We didn’t want him to change his mind,” Mah said with a laugh.

The hotel will have exclusive rights to food services during the festival.

The festival will feature craft beer, wine and spirits producers of Saskatchewan and beyond the province.

“This event is designed to introduce you to the craft brewers in attendance; you will have the opportunity to sample their products and learn more about their companies,” it says on the YXE Beer Wars’ website.

A quick count on the website shows that more than 20 vendors are going to be in attendance. It is a 19+ event.

-Cam Hutchinson