WV fall beer festival season is upon us
September 12, 2019
West Virginia has a great line-up of fall beer festivals from Morgantown to Beckley. Fall is always our favorite season for outdoor beer festivals. The weather tends to be so much more enjoyable than those days of muggy summer heat. And you get to sample all that delicious seasonal WV fall beer.
WV fall beer season kicks off with a brand new event. On September 21, The Great Beckley Beer Festival holds the first of what they hope will be an annual event in downtown Beckley. This year, the popular Hops on the Mon festival moves to downtown Morgantown, and it should be fun drinking beer legally on High Street. Pipestem Oktoberfest turns into Rocktoberfest this year with a heavy rock music theme. The season concludes with Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales beer and chili festival in Nitro, which takes place on November 9.
In addition to the independent festivals, some WV breweries also have their own Oktoberfest events at their taprooms. We listed only the one at Morgantown Brewing, which is long-standing and probably the best of the bunch, but check you favorite brewery’s social media to see if they also have an event scheduled.
Here is a preview of each festival. Pick your favorites and get moving.
WV Fall Beer Festival List
The Great Beckley Beer Festival
Saturday, September 21, 2019
12:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Beckley Intermodal Gateway
501 Neville St.
Beckley, WV
$30 General Admission advance purchase
$50 V.I.P.
Tickets on sale
The festival will include more than 50 local, state, regional and national craft beers. Live music all day by top-notch regional’s/local bands. Festival proceeds benefit local Beckley arts group.
Festival Web page
Hops on the Mon
September 28, 2019
3:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Courthouse Square
High Street
Morgantown, WV
$35 General Admission
Tickets on sale here
Now in its 4th year in Morgantown, the festival promises a super line up of carefully curated craft beer by the folks from the Apothecary Ale House. Expect over 150 offerings of the very best beer available in WV (and plenty of Belgians). This year the festival is taking place outdoors on High Street in the middle of downtown at Courthouse Square. Live music by funk-rock foursome Optimus Riff. In this year’s food feature, local restaurants compete to see who has The Perfect Pierogi.
Ticket purchase includes souvenir beer cup & beer sampling. Age 21 and over only. Partnered with Main Street Morgantown.
OktoberWest
September 28, 2019
4:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Washington St. W. at Bigley Av.
Charleston, WV
$35 General Admission
Tickets on sale here
The 12th year of this annual outdoor street festival celebrates craft brews with a focus on West Virginia breweries You will find 100 different beers, including several limited Octoberfest and German varieties. This has grown into Charleston’s largest beer fest. Food vendors from around the city set up food carts, trucks, and kiosks to sell their delicious goods. Ticket includes six 12 oz beer tickets. Nondrinker and children’s tickets also available.
Stein holding and best traditional dress contests will be held. Also look for the inaugural Beer Belly Contest, a Sausage Toss contest, and Keg Rolling contest. A solid line up of bands will provide the musical entertainment. Music begins at 4:30 PM and the jamming continues until 9 PM. The festival raises funds for revitalizing Charleston’s West Side business district.
Festival event page link
Oktoberfest in the Park
September 28, 2019
3:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Lotito City Park
1780 Stadium Drive
Bluefield, WV/VA
$25 General Admission
Tickets on sale
The City of Bluefield again presents its Oktoberfest at the Park. German foods, beer and bands will bring a festive atmosphere to what the city promises will be a laid-back-type of festival similar to the Bramwell Oktoberfest of old.
Because the festival is held on the Virginia side of Bluefield, the beer list should include a number of breweries not available in WV. Admission gets you a cup and unlimited sampling.
The festival is sponsored by The Bluefield Beautification Commission.
Festival Facebook page
Morgantown Brewing Oktoberfest
Saturday, September 28, 2019
11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
1291 University Ave.
Morgantown, WV
No admisssion charge
For a day each September, Morgantown Brewing Company celebrates Oktoberfest at its downtown brewpub. The staff dresses in traditional Bavarian festival clothing and the kitchen serves up a great menu of fest food. The outdoor Biergarden behind the brewery becomes the happiest place in town. Beer and food specials all day long. Enjoy Morgantown’s delicious Oktoberfest beer.
Oktoberfest Pipestem
October 5, 2019
1:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.
Pipestem Spa & Event Center
41 Pipestem Spa Way
Pipestem, WV
Four advance ticket options
On sale now
“Rocktoberfest” is this year’s theme. All West Virginia craft beer, bourbon, live rock music, weddings, German food, and local food trucks highlight this Oktoberfest celebration. If you stay at Pipestem Resort State Park, you get a free shuttle back and forth to the festival.
Oktoberfest Pipestem Facebook page
Hops & Heat
Saturday, October 12, 2019
2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
East End Bazaar
1428 Washington St.
Charleston, WV
$35 General Admission for Beer Drinkers
$20 for Non-Drinkers
Tickets on sale
One of Brilliant Stream’s favorite fall beer events, Hops & Heat will once again highlight West Virginia and Appalachian breweries. Expect around 25 breweries and 80+ beers. The Heat in the festival name comes from The Best Chili Beer Competition, which will return to coincide with the Hops & Heat Chili Cookoff.
Beer Drinker tickets include beer samples, three 12 oz. craft beer tickets, unlimited chili samples, and access to live music and East End Bazaar artisans. Non-Drinker tickets include everything except the beer. Only 500 tickets will be sold. See highlights of the 2017 event.
Proceeds benefit Charleston’s East End improvement projects. More information at charlestoneastend.org or the Facebook event page.
Putnam County Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, October 19, 2019
12:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.
Sleepy Hollow Golf & Country Club
3780 Sleepy Hollow Drive.
Hurricane, WV
$30 General Admission advance purchase
$42 V.I.P.
Tickets on sale
The festival will offer local, state, and regional craft beers. GA ticket includes first-come-first-serve parking, 12 tasting tickets and commemorative tasting mug. VIP adds 4 extra tasting tickets and a T-shirt. Live bands, food trucks, arts & crafts vendors
Festival Web page
Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales
Saturday, November 9, 2019
11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Living Memorial Park
20th St. & 2nd Av.
Nitro, WV
$25 General admission $50 VIP
$1 per chili sample ticket
This annual beerfest and chili cookoff will offer over 40 local, state, regional, and national craft beers. VIP includes early admission, a beer education session, special beers, and 10 chili sample tickets. The $25 ticket gets you an 8 oz. tasting cup, beer samples, and 5 chili tickets. Live music, food vendors, arts & crafts vendors. All proceeds support Dog Bless, a dog rescue group.
Festival Web page
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