Wheeling’s Brewfest excels at charity

There’s no better example of the positive impact a beer festival can have on its community than Mountaineer Brewfest in Wheeling. The event takes place Saturday, August 17 at the Wheeling Heritage Port.

Over its first five years, the festival donated close to $75,000 to local charities — giving $20,000 last year alone. And there’s no sign it’s slowing up in its sixth year.

Each year, the festival selects one local charity to support. By focusing their donation, they can really make a difference to that charity’s program. This year’s recipient will be is the Augusta Levy Learning Center.

“It is very humbling to understand the needs of these charities in our community and the great things that they do,” said Jeff Hayes, Mountaineer Brewfest president. “The Augusta Levy Learning Center is the first intensive autism treatment program in West Virginia. The Center’s impact on the lives of those with autism is truly inspiring. We look forward to being able to help them offset insurance costs for families attending ALLC.” 

The funding that Mountaineer Brewfest provides to its community organizations is nothing short of phenomenal and demonstrates the very best side of the state’s craft beer community. To make its mark, the festival needs strong support from West Virginia breweries, local business sponsors, and from Wheeling area volunteers. It takes all three to make it go.

For the sixth year in a row, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack signed on as the lead sponsor. Again this year, the local all-volunteer service organization, Circus Saints and Sinners, will be playing a vital role in fundraising at the festival. And again this year, many other local groups, such as the Wheeling Alers Homebrew Club, will pitch in on festival day to the 100 or so folks it takes to get the job done.

More local beer than ever before

Not only is the fundraising strong, but so is the quality of the beer.

“The 2019 Mountaineer Brewfest is proud to be one of only three West Virginia beer festivals endorsed by the West Virginia Craft Brewers Guild,” Hayes said. “This year we will present our largest lineup of brewers to date.”

With Mountaineer Brewfest becoming an official Guild endorsed festival, it will be pouring even more beer from state breweries. More WV breweries will have tents this year. Additionally, brews from smaller Guild members, who are not otherwise in attendance, will be served up at a special guild tent. Beyond local beer, there will be over 50 other American beers available in the Beer Garden hosted by volunteers from Circus Saints & Sinners.

Beer tents and representatives will be on hand from Wheeling Brewing Company, Mountain State Brewing, Screech Owl Brewing, Parkersburg Brewing, Weathered Ground Brewing, Chestnut Brew Works, Big Timber Brewing ,  Greenbrier Valley Brewing, The Peddler, Stumptown Ales, Short Story Brewing, Brewstel, Berkeley Springs Brewing, Brew Keepers, Morgantown Brewing, and Free Folk Brewing. Swilled Dog Hard Cider will be pouring WV ciders.

It’s all about relationships

Hayes says there are several things that work to keep him motivated. “I really enjoy the relationships that I have built with many of the West Virginia craft brewers over the years, and I really want to continue doing what we set out to do which is to promote the West Virginia craft beer scene in the Northern Panhandle.”

He also enjoys seeing the sponsors and patrons having fun, giving back, and helping charities in his community.

“We are so thankful to have the continued support of these local sponsors for our festival. Without them we would not be able to continue our commitment to help local charities and bring what we believe is one of the best events to the Wheeling Heritage Port.” stated Hayes. 

Brewfest tickets cost $35 for general admission and $75 for V.I.P. Gates open at 3:00 p.m. for VIP entry, 4:00 p.m. for general admission. The festival ends at 10:00 p.m.

Festival Website and Ticket Info