Get the Wheeling feeling at Mountaineer Brewfest

Mark you calendars for August 19, 2017. That’s the day the Upper Ohio Valley of West Virginia comes alive with craft beer. It’s Mountaineer Brewfest at downtown Wheeling’s Heritage Port.

Mountaineer Brewfest offers over 150 different beers, with 70 of them from WV breweries. West Virginia brewers are coming from both near and far. New breweries serving this year include:

• Mash Brewing Company (Charles Town),
• Brewstel (Elkins),
• Screech Owl Brewing (Bruceton Mills),
• Pubstomper Brewing (Morgantown),
• Parkersburg Brewing, and
• North End Tavern (Parkersburg).

Returning to the festival this year are:

• Brew Keepers (Wheeling),
• Wheeling Brewing Company,
• Big Timber Brewing (Elkins),
• Bridge Brew Works (Fayetteville),
• Chestnut Brew Works (Morgantown),
• Greenbrier Valley Brewing (Lewisburg),
• Morgantown Brewing, and
• Mountain State Brewing Co. (Thomas).

After visiting the local brewer booths, stop in Brewfest’s Beer Garden where the Circus Saints & Sinners volunteers serve up an additional 80+ craft brew options, while raising money for charity. Expect to find a variety of beer from some of the best regional and national breweries. You’ll also find Carenbauer Distributing hosting a Goose Island Shack.

Hawk Knob Cidery from Lewisburg will also be on hand to sample their WV-made hard cider and mead.

The opening ceremony this year will feature a bagpipe parade through the Heritage Port culminating in the tapping of a firken provided by Morgantown Brewing Company.

Preview all 150+ beer selections now and throughout the festival at this TapHunter website link or use the TapHunter smartphone app. The festival even gets homebrewers involved as Wheeling Alers Home Brewing Club members will be competing in an Old World beer-styles brewing competition.

Food & Music at Mountaineer Brewfest

Mountaineer Brewfest never lacks for good music  or food options. They promise some serious local barbecue, street tacos, and more. This year, two new food vendors will be Wheeling Brewing Company and Quaker Steak & Lube.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Logan Wojik, Two Bridges, Lazy Jane, and Tres Lads. Enjoy the music, food, and beverage while hanging out in the beautiful riverfront park along the Ohio River.

Helping Habitat for Humanity build a house

One thing we admire about Mountaineer Brewfest is its strong commitment to local charities. Over its first three years, the festival raised almost $40,000 for local charities.

Brewfest founder/president Jeff Hayes said proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit Habitat for Humanity – Wheeling Area. The festival’s contribution will help put the finishing touches on a home being built for a Wheeling woman and her three children.

Local sponsors add great value

Mountaineer Brewfest excels at attracting sponsors. No other beer festival in the state does a better job bringing the community together and getting local businesses involved.

“Without the continued investment of these sponsors our festival would not be able to sustain our commitment to helping local charities and bringing what we believe is one of the best events to the Wheeling Heritage Port.” stated Hayes.

The title sponsor for the 4^th annual Mountaineer Brewfest will again be Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.

Kim Florence, president and general manager of Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack said they look forward to the festival each year and to the pre-festival Beer & Food Pairing event hosted at her venue.

“We are honored to be an ongoing sponsor of Mountaineer Brewfest,” Florence said. “This partnership makes sense. It allows us to showcase the wonderful culinary offerings we have at the casino partnered with some of the most exceptional craft beers in our state.”

In addition to Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, Brewfest Partner Sponsors include: Gold, Koury & Turak, Smoker Friendly, The UPS Store, WTOV9,  Main Street Bank, Wine & Beverage Merchants of WV, Carenbauer Distributing, McCann Distributing, Mountain State Beverage, Ohio County Commission, Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, Austin Master Services, and Shirts N More. Brewfest Brewer Sponsors include: Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Carpets by Jamison, IBEW #141, Project BEST, iHeart Radio Wheeling, BB&T, WCLG Radio Morgantown, and Glessner & Associates. Entertainment Sponsor Generations Restaurant & Pub and Friends of the Mountaineer Brewfest sponsors American Electric Power and Wheeling National Heritage Area.

New sponsors this year are Austin Master Services, BB&T, AEP, Mountain State Beverage, and WCLG Radio  Morgantown.

Mountaineer Brewfest tickets

Ticket prices are $35 for General Admission and $75 for V.I.P.. General admission tickets include a commemorative mug and 10 beer sample tickets. With V.I.P. you receive 20 sampling tickets and one-hour early admission. Designated Driver tickets are also available. You must be 21 years of age with valid photo ID to enter. This is a rain or shine event.

Festival hours are: VIP entry 3:00 P.M., General Admission entry at 4:00 P.M, The festival ends at 10:00 P.M. Wheeling Heritage Port is at 1201 Water St.

Visit www.mountaineerbrewfest.com to purchase tickets and get more information.