3 festivals join for WV Craft Beer Week

Three premier craft beer festivals have now been pulled together under the umbrella of West Virginia Craft Beer Week (WVCBW).

Huntington’s Rails & Ales Festival, Wheeling’s Mountaineer Brewfest, and Canaan Valley’s Brew Skies Festival now anchor both ends of West Virginia’s first statewide craft beer week. The beer week was announced by the Huntington-based Better Beer Coalition.

Set for August 15-22, WVCBW should allow the state’s craft beer fans plenty of opportunities to celebrate. The Better Beer Coalition hopes to encourage breweries, pubs, and restaurants to offer special features, activities, and events throughout the week.

Huntington & Wheeling first up

Kicking things off on Saturday, August 15 are both Rails and Ales and Mountaineer Brewfest. On the following Friday and Saturday, August 21-22, the Brew Skies Festival will wrap up the week.

Rails & Ales Festival, Aug. 15

The 3rd annual Rails & Ales Festival will move to more spacious quarters this year in Huntington’s Harris Riverfront Park. Last year the festival sold out in three hours, and festival organizers say the new venue will allow them to accommodate quite a few more guests this time. Tickets go on sale June 1 at 6:00 P.M. VIP tickets are $60 and General Admission is $35. The VIP ticket includes early access to the event and a custom-made beer growler.

Watch Rails & Ales Facebook page for the announcement of participating breweries and other details.

Mountaineer Brewfest, Aug. 15

Mountaineer Brewfest takes place at the attractive Wheeling Heritage Port with a VIP time beginning one hour before the main festival. General admission is $25 and VIP tickets go for $65. Eight WV breweries have announced they will participate.

Mountaineer Brewfest tickets are on sale now through this Mountaineer Brewfest tickets link.

Brew Skies Festival, Aug. 21–22

The Brew Skies Festival is first and foremost a fantastic two-day music festival with beautiful mountain vistas organized by the state’s largest brewery, Mountain State Brewing Company. In addition to Mountain State, most West Virginia’s breweries are expected to participate. The festival is also known for its great selections of local artisan, craft and food vendors.

This year, Brew Skies moves to the popular Timberline Four Season Resort near Davis.

Discounted pre-sale Brew Skies tickets are available now through May 15th on Eventbrite.com. Pre-sale prices are $45 for a two-day weekend pass and $30 per day for either a Friday or Saturday pass. After May 15, tickets prices jump up to $40/day or $55 for a 2-day pass.

Beer Week Info

To keep up with all the WVCBW scheduled activities and events, visit the WVCBW website or Facebook page.

 Wheeling Heritage Port

Timberline Four Seasons Resort