Spring & Summer 2016

2017 spring festivals link here

Craft beer festival season is here. Below is the latest listing of major craft beer festivals taking place this spring & summer in West Virginia (and close-by areas) through August 2016.

For Late Summer and Fall Festivals click here.

Great River Craft Beer Fest

April 30 – This event was CANCELLED
1:00 pm – 6:00 (VIP at noon)
312 South 3rd Street
Ironton, Ohio

$30 general admission; $50 VIP
Tickets sales will be refunded

Food, music, and awesome brews—many not available in WV. Held indoors, so no weather worries. They will run a free shuttle to and from Huntington again this year. The fest sold out last year, so get your tickets early.

Foam at the Dome

May 7, 2016
4:00 pm – 8:00
University of Charleston Stadium (Laidley Field)
Charleston, WV

$35 general admission; $60 VIP
Tickets sold out.

Hey, it’s about time Charleston got a legitimate craft beer festival. And this promises to be it. Sponsored by the Charleston Mainstreet empire, it promises over 40 breweries, 150 beers, 20 restaurant vendors,  20 artists/craftspeople, and several bands. Word on the street is that Foam at the Dome has commitments from about a dozen of the state’s 15 licensed breweries.

See our review of Foam at the Dome here.

Beer Rocks – Tri-State 

May 14, 2016
11:00 am – 5:30 pm
Big Sandy Arena
Huntington, WV

General Admission: $20 early bird; $25 regular. VIP: $35 (includes buffet meal)
Tickets sale over.

They’re calling it a “beer fest for everyone, not just the craft beer crowd.” Designed to appeal to those who seek a more intimate, laid-back sort of festival, indoors, with an affordable price. Includes a mix of beers from local and national craft breweries.

Kegs 4 K9s

May 21, 2016
4:00 – 9:00 PM
Shawnee Park
Dunbar/Institute, WV

$35 general admission / $40 at the door
$50 VIP (80 available)
Tickets sale over.

All funds raised helps the Kanawha County Humane Association serve animals in need: mending hearts, healing bones, and finding homes. Leashed, friendly dogs welcome.

Ashland Firkin Fest 

June 18, 2016
2:00 pm – 6:00 (1:00 pm VIP)
Winchester Avenue (downtown)
Ashland, Kentucky

$25 general admission; $50 VIP
Tickets sale over this for this year.

Scores of beers on draught and numerous special, rare firkins. Kentucky brewery beers not available in WV. The fest takes over a block in the heart of Ashland. Food vendors too. They promise expanded beer and food options this year.

See our review of Firkin Fest 2016 here.

Sound Waves and IPAs

June 25, 2016
1:00 pm – 5:00  (VIP enter at noon)
Bridgeport City Park
Bridgeport, WV

$ 35 general admission;  $60 VIP
Tickets sales over for this year

Momentum is growing for north central West Virginia’s first legitimate craft beer festival. Organizers promise beer, bands, food vendors, and craft vendors.

Ohio Brew Week

July 15-23, 2016
Downtown
Athens, Ohio

Just a short hop from the West Virginia border, Ohio Brew Week in Athens offers a wide variety of activities and incredible Ohio craft beers.

See our preview of Ohio Brew Week 2016 here.

Rails & Ales Festival

August 13, 2016
1:00 pm – 6:00  (12:00 pm VIP)
Harris Riverfront Park
Huntington, WV

$35 general admission; $60 VIP
Ticket sale over.

The Rails and Ales Festival is WV’s most well-curated festival with the best selection of brews from West Virginia, U.S., and foreign breweries. Elevated itself last year to a level that competes with festivals in larger urban areas of surrounding states. Beautiful location along the Ohio River. The organizers promise more shade tents his year. Main problem here is how fast the event sells out. Last year all tickets were gone in 26 minutes. Just to be safe, you should act immediately when the online ticket sale starts. The nearly 2,000 more tickets being sold this year should help alleviate the problem.

See our preview of the 2016 Rails & Ales here.
Find our review of the 2016 Rails & Ales here.
See how Rails & Ales benefits local charities & nonprofits.

Brew Skies WV Craft Beer and Music Festival

August 19-20, 2016
3:00 pm Friday – 12:00 am Saturday
Timberline Four Seasons Resort
Canaan Valley, WV

$35 single day pass; $45 weekend pass
Ticket sale over

Two days of great bands and West Virginia made beer in a gorgeous mountain setting is what folks love most about Brew Skies.  Focus on West Virginia breweries. Definitely the best music of any beer festival in the state.

Mountaineer BrewFest

August 20, 2016
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Wheeling Heritage Port
1201 Water Street
Wheeling, WV

$25 general admission; $65 VIP (3:00 pm admission)
Ticket sale over. 

Participants say this festival might be the most fun beer festival with its signature glass, generous pours, and great downtown Wheeling riverfront setting. Super venue. A good mix of West Virginia and out-of-state brews. Lots of food options. Musical entertainment all evening.

See our preview of the 2016 Mountaineer Brewfest

West Virginia Craft Beer Week 

A statewide celebration of West Virginia’s craft breweries, pubs, beer retailers, and restaurants.
August 13–20, 2016

We need to get a whole lot more participation from restaurants and retailers in this event’s second year. If you can help promote and publicize Craft Beer Week in your part of West Virginia, please contact the organizers and offer to partner with them:  info@wvcbw.comr festivals