Fredericksburg Celebrates Craft Beer

Last Saturday was a beautiful spring day, and the perfect weather for spending a day sampling some of the finest refreshments to be found anywhere. The 2019 Spring Fredericksburg Brewfest boasted over 40 breweries from all across the country with more than 80 craft beers on tap, 4 cideries, 3 distilleries, and a winery, as well as the Fredericksburg Brewing Insiders Homebrewers showing off their skills with a brew kettle.

Now I’m not going to name all the breweries present at this festival, but I can give you an idea of the wide variety of craft breweries represented.

There was Abita from Louisiana, Collective Arts from Canada, Dogfish Head from Delaware, Elysian from the state of Washington, Firestone Walker and Left Hand from Colorado, Goose Island from Illinois, Lost Coast from California, Ommegang from New York, Peak from Maine, Uinta from Utah, and Wicked Weed from North Carolina.

Not to be out done, there were many Virginia breweries showing that Virginia Craft Beer is second to none. Fredericksburg’s own Adventure, Highmark and Strangeways Brewing, Ardent and Steam Bell Brewing from Richmond, Barley Naked in Virginia Beach, Devils Backbone in Lexington, and Starr Hill from Croset were just a few. And of course, setting some very high standards for what a cider should be, Virginia’s Bold Rock, Wild Hare, and Cobble Mountain cideries.

And did I mention distilleries? Belle Isle Craft spirits, KO Distilling, Virginia Distillery, and Fredericksburg’s own Bowman Distillery were providing some excellent reminders that grain can be used for more than just brewing beer.

Last but not least, Mattaponi Winery was pouring what could only be described as remarkable examples of the fruit of the vine.

And if you got hungry? Well, there was plenty of food available to pair with your favorite beverages such as pulled pork, ribs, cheese steaks, pizza, fish tacos, po boys, and so much more!

And to make this event, complete, there was excellent live music throughout the event.

Great times were had by all, and if you were there you know what I’m talking about. And if you were unable to make it, well, I wish you better luck next year.