Some of these are in the past but, I thought I'd include them as a means to confuse UVA grads looking for Zima outlets.
There are more beer fests per year, in Virginia, than fans at the UVA Spring Game.
Arranged by date for easy reference I'll see if I can keep this up to date.
Bourbon fans will note an excellent Fest in Richmond - Richmond Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Fest June 14.
Roanoke Rare Beer Fest March 8 - https://www.facebook.com/events/205735446293137/
Radford - New River BrewFest - April 12 - http://newriverbrewfest.com/home.html
Culpeper - Gnarlyfest - April 26th - http://www.gnarlyhops.com/
Harrisonburg - Rocktown Beerfest - April 26th - http://rocktownfestival.com/index2.php
Charlottesville Know Good Beer Fest May 3 - http://www.knowgoodbeer.com
Powhatan VA Hops and Barley Fest May 10 - http://www.vabeerfest.com/
Lake Anna - Brewfest - May 17th - http://lakeannabrewfest.com/
Norfolk Virginia Art, VA Beer Fest May 17-18 - http://www.vafest.org/2014/2014-performances/outdoor-2014/virginia-beer-...
Harrisonburg - Valleyfest - May 24th - http://www.valleyfestbeerandwine.com/
Winchester Hop Blossom Craft Beer Fest 7 June - http://hopblossom.com/
Big Lick Beertopia - 7 June - http://biglickbeertopia.org/
Richmond Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Fest June 14 - http://www.beerandbourbon.com/virginia/show-info
Roanoke Microfestivus Aug 9th - http://microfestivus.squaresociety.org/
Virginia Craft Brewers Fest - ? _ August?
Blacksburg - BrewDo - Sept 14th - http://www.blacksburgbrewdo.com/
Charlottesville - Top of the Hops - Sept 14th - http://topofthehopsbeerfest.com/charlottesville/
Harrisonburg - Rocktown Beerfest - Sept. 20th - http://rocktownfestival.com/
Lynchburg - Beer & Wine Festival - Sept 20th - http://www.lynchburgbeerandwinefestival.com/
Reston - Oktoberfest - Oct 10th through 12th - http://www.oktoberfestreston.com/
South Riding - Fallfest - Oct. 4th - http://www.southriding.net/events
Chesterfield VA Hops and Harvest Fest Oct? - http://www.vahopsfest.com/
VA Beach VA Beach Craft Beer Fest Oct 18 - http://www.beachstreetusa.com/festivals/virginia-beach-craft-beer-festival
Comments
Fredericksburg had their Brewfest 2 weeks ago and will have another this Fall. This was only the 2nd one they've done, but they tend to have about 15-20 different breweries. Unfortunately, it is my experience that many of the people serving are volunteers and don't actually know much about the beers they are serving.
That's the law in Virginia, the brewery is not allowed to have brewers or the distributor pour the beer at the festivals, it must be either a retailer or a volunteer. We always have a representative of the brewery there, as most local guys try to do.
Part of the 3 tier system.
I will try to get the info for the Fredericksburg fests and keep it updated, thanks.
Didn't know it was VA law. I don't understand why it's that way, but oh well. I don't mind if it's a volunteer serving, but I have a far greater appreciation for the product if someone from the brewery is there. Otherwise, I'm just walking from tent to tent drinking beer with very little thought and not actually trying them to see what I like.
You say that like it's a bad thing.
National Beer Expo July 15-20 Richmond. This will be awesome.
National Beer Expo
Hm. I March they told me they weren't doing it this year. That would be the second that changed its mind though.
Thanks.
Edit: yup the guy confirmed.
Ah well, I won't be working that one. I scheduled my vacation cause they said it wouldn't happen this year.
Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest, Jun 21-22 Leesburg, VA http://novabrewfest.com/summer/
You definitely need to do another Tailgating Tech: Loudoun County Brewing, Distilling, and Vinification
There are at least 10 Brewing facilities in Loudoun at least, although I think there are at least a half dozen more I am not thinking of.
Adroit Theory, Lost Rhino, Beltway Brewing, Sweetwater Tavern, Barnhouse Brewery, Corcoran Brewing Company, Crooked Run Brewing, MacDowell Brew Kitchen, MadHorse BrewPub, Vintage 50 Restaurant and Brew Lounge.
Old Ox Brewery is in the final stages of opening in Ashburn. Old 690 Brewing in Hillsboro is supposed to open this summer.
Catoctin Creek is the first distillery in Loudoun. They make a Rye, a Gin, and a Mosby's Spirit (haven't had this one so I don't know what it is)
There are over 40 vineyards in Loudoun County at this point as well.
Notaviva and Tarara are two of my favorites but here is a link to the ones that advertise with Loudoun County
http://www.visitloudoun.org/Experience-Loudoun/Wine-Country/Wineries-Tas...
For the home-brewing enthusiast, the store for you is: Kettles and Grains in Leesburg
Another good place to get a variety of local beers is the Leesburg Beer Company Restaurant and also Tuscarora Mills Restaurant in Leesburg.
There are a handful of other breweries just getting off the ground in NOVA as well.
Port City in Alexandria, Sweetwater has two other locations in Centreville and Merrifield, Prince William Brewing is in Gainesville, BadWolf in Manassas, and I know there are a few others I am forgetting.
All in all, Loudoun County is just a great place to get housed in VA.
Yes.
Mosby's Spirit is a clear, unaged whiskey. It tastes like a very good moonshine.
http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/products/grain-spirits/mosby
Hey now, Port City is hardly just getting off the ground. They've been around for 3 1/2 years and have multiple GABF medals.
these sites are great resources for northern va / dc beer:
http://www.vabeertrail.net/directory/categories/northern-va-breweries
http://www.dcbeer.com
Didn't mean to offend, only include the info on it. I don't know its background enough to know how far along they were, just knew they existed.
Brew Do is listed as October 25th 2014 on their website. The Saturday after Thursday night with Miami, I think. Gonna be a good weekend.
Oh sweet!
Another great event is Barrels, Bottles and Casks at Poplar Forest near Lynchburg. This was in March this year. Pretty fun event to attend.
http://www.poplarforest.org/event/barrels-bottles-and-casks/
Last year Poplar Forest also hosted the Thomas Jefferson Craft Beer Tasting but I don't see it scheduled again for 2014 which is a shame because it had a pretty solid selection of craft beers to taste.
http://www.poplarforest.org/press-release/thomas-jeffersons-poplar-fores...
The one in Norfolk was pretty good last year and the one in Radford last month was pretty good. Got to try all the breweries except Get Bent, which was a little disappointing, but considering all things considered, that Nesselrod is nice place to have something like that.
The Virginia Tech Alumni Association is holding their annual Summer Beer Festival on Saturday June 28, 12p-5p at the Holtzman Alumni Center Lawn
http://www.alumni.vt.edu/beerfestival/
I had no idea. That word has not spread to the community here in Roanoke.
I will get that word out.
Judging by the pic you put up, looks more like the VA Beard Fest (I'll see myself out).
Great article in the Washington Post today detailing all the DC area Beer Festivals this fall.
There are 11 Festivals listed between September 13th to October 19th.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2014/09/11/drink-...
Enjoy!!
Thanks for that.
I am compiling a list and it is huge right now.
I had to take it back off a calendar and just put it in list order right now.
In the off season I'll publish it month by month and with an interactive map like the map with the TKP members.
Check www.gravitytasters.com it's a site I'm working on. Added a lot of fests there. Www.dcbeer.com has a lot of events too.
Sadly there are becoming more beer fests I won't waste my time with. www.novabrewfest.com and snallygaster are pretty legit. Nova is one of my favs.
This magazine arrived last night. I'd say they got it right with the cover
Good detail there.
Edit: the author must be UVA though.
Looks like since this was originally posted, BrewDo has changed dates. It's now October 25th; yes, the Saturday after the Miami game!
After the updates, I can't edit this main post any longer.
Brew Do has been moved to 25 Oct.
Understood! I figured that much to be true. I just thought that it being on Miami weekend was worth pointing out. I know that just made me even more excited for that weekend!