2023 West Virginia Beer Festivals
2023 listings and dates added as they are announced
The following 2023 festivals offer a good selection of craft beer and are well-rooted in their communities.
| WV Cupcakes & Craft Beer • April 15 | Foam at the Dome • July 22 |
| Brewgrass WV Festival • June 3 | Rails & Ales Festival • Aug. 12 |
| Mountaineer BrewFest • Aug. 19 | Great Beckley Beer Festival • Sept. 3 |
| Kegs 4 K9s • Sept. 8 | |
| Shinnston Rollin’ Brews • Sept. 23 | Oktoberfest in the Park • Sept.30 |
| OcktoberWest • Sept. 30 | Chili’n on the Elk • Oct. 7 |
| Hops on the Mon • Oct. 14 | Corks & Kegs • Oct. 7 |
| Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales • Nov. 4 |
WV Cupcake & Craft Beer Fest
Saturday, April 15, 2023
12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Ruby Community Center
Mylan Park
Morgantown, WV
$35 — General Admission advance purchase
$60 — VIP, One-hour early admission & more perks
Ticket sales
Now in its 6th year, this festival features over 50 craft beers served with a beach party theme, complete with sand. Whether you like cupcakes or not, come enjoy craft beer from West Virginia brewers and many other beers from local beer distributors. Around 50 vendors will also be on hand, featuring artisans, confectionaries, and crafters from around West Virginia all selling their wares. Admission includes a 7-oz. commemorative cup for your beer tasting and cupcakes from the Cupcakerie. Beyond included beer sampling, you may also purchase Full Pour Tickets. Live entertainment, VIP pig roast, contests. Festival profits support Operation Welcome Home, a veterans job placement service. More info at https://cupcakecraftbeer.com/
Foam at the Dome
RETURNS for 2023
Saturday, July 22, 2023
Time: 3:00 – 7:00 PM
1900 Kanawha Boulevard
In front of State Capitol Building
Charleston, WV
$45 General Admission
$55 One-hour early admission, special beers
Tickets sale begins Friday, March 17
Foam at the Dome returns following a postponement from it regular May traditional springtime date slot. Expect it to be at the riverside State Capitol location this year.
Over 200 beers and other beverages expected. A good mix of West Virginia and regional breweries. Eight restaurant vendors, plus 20 artists/crafts people, and three local bands rounding out the offerings. Sponsored by and profits support Charleston Main Streets and its East End and West Side urban development program. Over the years, Foam at the Dome raised over $192,000 for East End and West Side revitalization.
Brewgrass WV Festival
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Time: 1:00 – 7:00 PM
Heritage Station
Huntington, WV
$50 General Admission
Ticket Sales
If you are a fan of music festivals and craft beverages, you’ll want to checkout the 5th Annual Brewgrass Festival. Expect 50 or more craft beers, wines 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. Four musical acts along with artisan vendors, food and more. A portion of the proceeds goes to the WV Veterans Home.
Rails & Ales Festival
Returns for 2023
Saturday, August 12, 2023
Time: 3:30 – 9:00 pm
Harris Riverfront Park
Huntington, WV
$50 General Admission – advance purchase
$65 VIP (60 min. early admission)
Ticket sales begin June 1
Still West Virginia’s largest and best pure craft beer event, the Rails & Ales Festival will bring together a many of the state’s best breweries and mix them in with a super selection of regional, national, and international craft beers. Adding a Beer Garden for pint sales this year. All this takes place on a gorgeous riverfront park along the Ohio River in downtown Huntington. Lots of food vendors and good live music. See Brilliant Stream’s 2017 Rails & Ales festival coverage.
Rails & Ales Festival website
Mountaineer BrewFest
Returns for 2023
Saturday. August 19, 2023
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
$ 30 general admission (Early Bird pricing);
$ 70 VIP (Early admission)
Tickets on sale beginning June 1
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. General admission includes 10 samples, commemorative mug, and great entertainment. The festival makes a large contribution to their selected local charity each year. Has raised over $166,000 for local charities. This year’s charity TBA soon. 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
Great Beckley Beer Festival
Returns for 2023
Sunday, September 3, 2023
TIME: 3:00 – 7:00 PM
Beckley Intermodal Gateway
501 Neville St.
Beckley, WV
$40 General Admission
$10 Designated Driver
Ticket Link – Now on Sale
The Great Beckley Beer Festival returns for another year. Expect beers and other beverages from over 30 craft breweries, including many from \WV brewers. Your General Admission ticket includes unlimited samples and a commemorative GBBF Cup. Live bands, lots of food vendors, and local artisans.
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Happy Retreat Craft Beer Festival
No beer festival this year
Kegs 4 K9s
Returns for 2023
Friday, September 8, 2023
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Red Carpet Lounge Event Space
308 Elizabeth St.
Charleston, WV
$35 – General Admission
Ticket LINK
Kegs-4-K9s tickets include three 16oz beers, souvenir cup, live entertainment, and of course — the dogs! Additional beer tickets will be available for purchase. Proceeds help support shelter pets at Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association.
Shinnston Rollin’ Brews
Saturday, September 23, 2023
TIME: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ferguson Memorial Park
Shinnston, WV
$40 General Admission
Ticket Link On sale now
The Rollin’ Brews Beer Fest puts Harrison County on the beer festival map. Expect 10 beer tents, including West Virginia brewers and distributors. Will feature live music and lots of food vendors, all set against the beautiful backdrop of one of the best parks in North Central West Virginia.
Oktoberfest in the Park
Saturday, September 30, 2023
3:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
Lotito City Park
1780 Stadium Drive
Bluefield, WV/VA
$25 General Admission (advance purchase)
Tickets on sale later this year
The City of Bluefield presents its Oktoberfest In 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 will include a number of breweries not available in West Virginia. Admission gets you a cup and unlimited sampling.
The festival is sponsored by The Bluefield Beautification Commission.
Festival Facebook page
OktoberWest
RETURNS FOR 2023
Saturday, September 30, 2023
4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Elk City District
Washington St. West & Bigley Av.
Charleston, WV
General Admission: $40
VIP: $65 – inc. 16-oz. stein, special beers, food and more
Tickets on sale
Probably the state’s largest Oktoberfest event takes place in Charleston’s West Side Elk City district. Sample over 100 craft brews, including a number of limited Octoberfest and German varieties. Sway to the sounds of live bands playing all evening. OktoberWest benefits Charleston Main Street economic development programs.
Chili’n on the Elk
RETURNS FOR 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Noon to 4:00 pm
Downtown Main Street
Clendenin, WV
$20 General Admission
$30 VIP (11:00 am entry)
This festival combines beer & wine with a sanctioned chili cookoff. Now in its second year, we expect the Chili’N on the Elk Beer & Wine Festival will build on its initial success. Will include local and regional crafters from throughout West Virginia — both WV beer and WV wine. Live music will be played along Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Elk River Trail Foundation and the beautification of the town of Clendenin.
Chili’n website
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Hops on the Mon
RETURNS FOR 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
3:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Downtown High Street
Courthouse Square
Morgantown, WV
$35 – General admission
$45 – VIP
Back for another round 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. The festival takes place outdoors on High Street in the middle of downtown at Courthouse Square. Live music and food vendors too.
Corks & Kegs
RETURNS for 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023.
3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Barboursville Park
Barboursville, WV
$40 – General Admission
$60 — VIP
Tickets sales
Moves from the indoor mall to the park this year. Event organizers say Corks and Kegs will feature beer & wine tasting and local food vendors, as well as live entertainment. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Erma’s Angels to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Wagging Tails & Nitro Ales
Returns for 2023
Saturday, November 4, 2023
TIME: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Living Memorial Park
2009 20th Street
Nitro, WV
Cash-only beer sampling
Chili sampling begins at noon. Nitro’s Living Memorial Park will be a buzz with chili judging, chili and beer sampling, music, food, and merch vendors.
Festival proceeds benefit Hospice Care and animal shelters.