2021 West Virginia Beer Festivals
SPECIAL NOTICE — Beer festivals are returning this summer. Updated as events are confirmed.
Brewgrass Festival
May 29
11 AM – 5 PM
Heritage Station
Huntington, WV
$50 General Admission
If you are a fan of music festivals, you’ll want to checkout the 3rd Annual Brewgrass Festival in Huntington, which comes up Saturday, May 29 from 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. at Heritage Station. Expect 50 or more craft beers and ciders from around the world along with artisan vendors, food and more. The event features a wide range of music by singer-songwriters, rock bands, and bluegrass performers. Ticket Link
Summer Brew Bash WV
POSTPONED – Tickets being refunded.
June 12
1 PM – 11 PM
Pipestem Event Center
Pipestem, WV
$ 15 General Admission
Taking place on Saturday, June 12, at the Pipestem Event Center, this promises to be a party day for southern West Virginia beer and music lovers. The Pipestem folks always put on a good show. Music by six groups and plenty of beer from local Sophisticated Hound Brewing and others. Ticket Link
Rails & Ales Festival
Returns for 2021
August 14, 2021
5:00 to 9:00 PM
Harris Riverfront Park
Huntington, WV
$50 General Admission
$65 VIP (60 min. early admission)
SOLD OUT Ticket sale begins May 14
Still West Virginia’s largest and best craft beer event, the 8th annual Rails & Ales Festival will bring together a score of the state’s best breweries and mix them in with a super selection of regional, national, and international craft beers. This year’s lineup will likely contain several small out-of-state breweries that have never before offered their beer in the state. All this takes place on a gorgeous riverfront park along the Ohio River in downtown Huntington. Lots of food vendors and some very good bands. See Brilliant Stream’s 2017 Rails & Ales festival coverage.
Rails & Ales Festival website
Mountaineer BrewFest
Returns for 2021
Saturday. August 21, 2021
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Wheeling Heritage Port
1201 Water Street
Wheeling, WV
$ 30 general admission (Early Bird pricing);
$ 70 VIP (Early admission)
Tickets on sale Closed
Mountaineer Brewfest is held at a super venue in downtown Wheeling along the Ohio River. It offers a good mix of West Virginia and out-of-state brews. Lots of food options. Musical entertainment all evening. Makes a large contribution to their selected local charity each year. This year’s charity is A Special Wish Foundation-Ohio Valley Chapter. See our review of the 2018 Mountaineer Brewfest. This year’s fest should be similar.
See the Big Timber skydiver drop into the festival in this short YouTube video.
Mountaineer Brewfest website link
WV Craft Brewery Showcase
Returns for 2021
Saturday, September 4, 2021
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
ACE Adventure Resort
Fayetteville, WV
$25 General Admission
Ticket Link Sales underway
This is your chance to check out Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, Bridge Brew Works, Weathered Ground Brewing, Freefolk Brewery, Big Timber Brewing, Sophisticated Hound, Parkersburg Brewing, and more in a scenic setting on the mountain. Live music, food. A “Tour Pass” ticket includes ten 5-oz. tastings and a commemorative glass.
The Great Beckley Beer Festival
Returns for 2021
Sunday, September 5, 2021
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Beckley Intermodal Gateway
501 Neville St.
Beckley, WV
$40 General Admission
$15 Designated Driver
Ticket Link Sales underway
The Great Beckley Beer Festival returns fo a second run after taking the COVID year off. Expect over 50 beers, many from West Virginia brewers. Iive bands, lots of food vendors, local artisans. Ticket sales limited to 500 attendees.
OktoberWest 2021
RETURNS FOR 2021
Saturday, September 25, 2021
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Elk City District
Washington St. West & Bigley Av.
Charleston, WV
General Admission: $35
Tickets On sale now
Large festival takes place in Charleston’s West Side district. Sample over 100 craft brews, including a number of limited Octoberfest and German varieties. Sway to the sounds of three bands playing all evening. OktoberWest benefits Charleston Main Street economic development programs.
Chili’n on the Elk Beer & Wine Festival
NEW EVENT
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Afternoon
Downtown Main Street
Clendenin,WV
$20 General Admission
$30 VIP (includes private tasting)
This new festival combines beer & wine with a sanctioned chili cookoff. Will include local and regional crafters from throughout West Virginia. Live music will be played along Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Elk River Trail Foundation and the beautification of the town of Clendenin.
Foam at the Dome/Hops & Heat
RETURNS for 2021
Saturday, October 9, 2021
3:00pm – 6:00 pm
East End District
Corner of Washington St. E & Elizabeth Streets
Charleston, WV
$40 — General Admission
$50 — One-hour early admission
Tickets sales underway
They are combining Foam at the Dome and Hops & Heat for this year and having it on Oct. 9th.
Over 200 beers expected. A good mix of West Virginia and regional breweries. Eight restaurant vendors, plus artists/crafts people, and local bands round out the offerings. A chili cookoff with samples while supplies last. Sponsored by and profits support Charleston Main Streets and its East End and West Side urban development program. In its first four years, Foam at the Dome raised over $132,000 for East End and West Side revitalization. See our coverage of the 2018 Foam at the Dome here.
Hops on the Mon
October 16, 2021
3:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Courthouse Square
High Street
Morgantown, WV
$30 General Admission
Back for another round after taking last year off is Morgantown’s premier craft beer festival. It 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. This year the festival is taking place outdoors on High Street in the middle of downtown at Courthouse Square. Live music by alt-country rock and roller William Matheny. In this year’s food feature, local restaurants compete to see who has the best slider in the The Super Slider Shootout.
Corks & Kegs
NEW for 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
4:00pm – 8:00 pm
Huntington Mall
Barboursville, WV
$40 — General Admission
$60 — VIP (Includes food)
Tickets on sales now
Event organizers say Corks and Kegs will feature beer & wine tasting and local food vendors, as well as live entertainment from Adam Parker & the Bourbon Cowboys, Carter Miller, and Essie Riddle.
Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales
Smoke on the Water Edition
NEW PARTNERSHIP for 2021
Saturday, November 13, 2021
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Living Memorial Park
20th St. & 2nd Av.
Nitro, WV
$TBA — General Admission
$TBA — VIP Admission
Tickets on sale soon
Event organizers say the Nitro Ales festival is combining this year with the Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff formerly held in downtown Charleston. Proceeds will be split between the events’ two charities, HospiceCare and Dog Bless. The chili cookoff is officially sanctioned by the International Chili Society.