Carolina craft beer will take center stage at the seventh annual Charleston Beer Garden set for noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at The Grove at Patriots Point. Tickets are
on sale now for this daylong celebration of the suds that includes general admission, VIP tickets and a new Brew Pass for unlimited tastings.
More than 2 5 breweries from around North and South Carolina will serve more than 50 craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, reds and ciders. Year after year, festival attendees have asked for more craft beers, so this year organizers decided to focus on breweries from the Carolinas. Confirmed participating breweries so far, include Charles Towne Fermentory, Cooper River Brewing Company, Frothy Beard Brewing Company, Lo-Fi Brewing, Munkle Brewing Company, Pisgah Brewing (Asheville), Rusty Bull Brewing Company, Tradesman Brewing and Two Blokes Brewing.
“We know how much our attendees love to try craft beers and explore new offerings from our local and regional breweries, so this year we’re highlighting the amazing breweries all around North and South Carolina,” said Jason Kirk, director of development and marketing at Lowcountry AIDS Services. “We’re confident this year’s festival attendees will appreciate our expanded offerings and Carolina focus.”
Headlining the festival entertainment is Charleston favorite The Dubplates, whose latest album “Box Full of Steel” topped the Billboard charts as the No. 1 reggae album. Opening for The Dubplates is roots rock band Sol Driven Train, another fan favorite in the Lowcountry.
Throughout the day, festival-goers can join in the Yelp! Beer Games, including arm-wrestling, pony hops, hands-free pizza eating, cornhole, keg tossing and much more.
A crowd favorite is the Homebrewers’ Village, featuring a wide selection of homebrewers from Charleston offering samples of their homebrews. A panel of local judges will select a homebrew champion. Homebrewers interested in participating can fill out an application at www.CharlestonBeerGarden.com. Applications are also being accepted for food vendors as well as retailers who want to participate in the Vendor Village.
Some 3,500+ beer lovers will descend on The Grove at Patriots Point – the last year the festival will be at the Mount Pleasant venue. The Grove is part of land slated for development. Charleston Beer Garden organizers are evaluating new venues and a location for the 2019 festival likely will be announced in the fall.
General admission tickets are $25 in advance/$35 day of. GA tickets include five beer tasting tickets. VIP tickets are $50 in advance (purchase early as VIP tickets always sell out). VIP includes 15 tasting tickets plus access to the VIP Oasis with shade tent, private seating and bathrooms, fans and the VIP Swag Bar. New this year, VIP guests have expedited entrance and are admitted into the festival 30 minutes early. A designated driver ticket is available for $15 and does not include a beer mug or any tasting tickets.
New for 2018 is the Brew Pass for $75, which includes general festival admission plus a commemorative Brew Pass glass and unlimited 2- to 3-ounce tasting from all breweries (does not include VIP access) . Only 175 Brew Pass tickets are available.
“Charleston Beer Garden attendees have consistently asked for an unlimited tasting ticket, so we decided to offer this new Brew Pass in 2018,” Kirk said. “We think Beer Gardeners will appreciate the chance to maximize the number of beers they can sample throughout the day without the hassle of having to stop and purchase individual beer tickets.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.CharlestonBeerGarden.com. The Charleston Beer Garden is a fundraiser for Lowcountry AIDS Services. Proceeds from the event will support LAS in its work helping people living with HIV/AIDS in the greater Charleston area as well as its community outreach, education and prevention programs.
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