I usually attend the NOVA summer and fall brewfests since they're local to me. I don't know if this is true, but I've been told that due to Virginia regulations, the brewfest organizers must buy the kegs from the distributors for the brewery representatives and volunteers to serve. So you won't find many rare brews at a NOVA brewfest. But some breweries and local brewpubs do bring special brews not on the official beer list. You need to ask the servers. There's free parking, live music, food booths, and some craft and merchandise vendors. It can be a very enjoyable way to spend an afternoon or evening if the weather is nice. Don't forget the sunscreen and remember to stay hydrated!
http://novabrewfest.com/summer/ Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, 2013 Morven Park just north of Leesburg on Route 15 at Tutt Lane. The exact address is 41793 Tutt Lane, Leesburg, VA, 20176 Tickets for the BrewFest purchased prior to the opening of the event are priced as follows: Adults (21+) – $20.00 Designated Drivers – $15.00 Admission tickets for the BrewFest purchased on the day of the event are priced as follows: Adults (21+) – $30.00 Designated Drivers (16 – Adult) $20.00 Children under 16 accompanied by an adult – FREE
True. And unlike the wine tasting which is unlimited, beers are drink/1 ticket. Yay VA law! some of them are 2 sometimes. a ticket is $1. I end up with a stash of tickets by the end of the day I just give out to people My old man and I volunteer for these events all the time and have a hell of a time. We're both having lower body surgery when we get back from NYC/Savor so we're not gonna be able to attend. We're definitely in for the fall version of it though.
Pricing does get a little steep though. $20 gets you in and essentially one free beer, and then it's about $4-6 a beer after that ($1/1 ticket = 2 to 3 oz pour). Factor in food and travel costs, and it gets to be quite a bit. Granted, you're getting to try all kinds of different beers in a cool setting.. but still.
You get 4 tickets with the price of admission, which equals 16 oz of beer. From there, it's a dollar a ticket - for a 4 ounce pour.. however some beers will take two of your tickets (regardless of pour), because they're more rare or whatever. And the tasting glasses are 4.75 oz.
someone's been drinking and what happens to that extra .75 oz? I fill those bitches to the top. but only 4 tickets to start... the only time I was not a volunteer 4 or so years ago I think they gave you 10... weak.
After my initial post, I went back and re-read the info on the fest website. I should have mentioned that the second post was an edit. And yeah, it used to be like 10 tickets with admission. 4 is a little lamesauce.
The Brewery/Brews list has been posted: http://novabrewfest.com/summer/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Brewery-Beer-List-2013-as-of-6-20.pdf A lot of the Usual Suspects for beers, but I see it as an opportunity to sample some "borderline" beers (beers I'm interested in trying but not willing to buy a full 6-pack, etc.).
