Editor’s Note: Beer 101 is a series about craft beer in conjunction with the Aug. 21 Beerfest that will be held at the James Brown Arena. The Aug. 15 story highlights the Beerfest. Aug. 17 – Meet area brewers Aug. 19 What’s in a Name? Learn the differences between an ale, an IPA, a lager and others. Aug. 22 – Beerfest Coverage. Aug. 23 – Where To Get Craft Beer in the Area.
Craft beer connoisseurs will have the opportunity to indulge on Aug. 21 when Beerfest 7 returns to Augusta’s James Brown Arena.
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This year’s Beerfest will feature 45 breweries, most from the Southeast. Augusta’s two local craft breweries, Riverwatch and Savannah River, will be on hand to offer samples of their brews.
Craft breweries, as defined by the Brewer’s Association, are independently-owned operations, meaning less than 25 percent ownership by a non-craft brewer, that make fewer than six million barrels of beer a year.
Craft beers have been popular since the mid-2000s, according to Jim Christian, taproom manager at Savannah River Brewing Co.
American beer used to be maligned, Christian said. That was when American beers were limited to the Anheuser-Busch brands like Budweiser, which is still one of the largest-selling beers in the country, Coors and Miller High Life.
The craft beer movement has changed that, though, he added. In the last 20 years, the number of brands and variety of styles has exploded, Christian added. The variety is almost endless now, and that’s because American craft brewers are willing to experiment with flavors, textures and aromas.
In addition to the two Augusta breweries, seven new breweries will be featured at Beerfest, according to Katie Cason, Director of Marketing for the Augusta Entertainment Complex. Most of the breweries will be from the Southeast, though at least one, Ohza, is coming all the way from Massachusetts and will be bringing its canned mimosas. They offer three flavors: classic, cranberry and Bellini.
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Southeastern breweries coming to Brewfest include Akademia Brewing from Athens, Ga.; Columbia Craft from Columbia, S.C.; Service Brewing from Savannah; Scofflaw Brewing and Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta; Bold Rock Cider from Mills River, N.C.; and Wicked Weed Brewing Pub from Asheville, N.C.
Brewfest patrons will have the opportunity to sample more than 100 varieties of beer with different flavor profiles, textures and aromas, said Cason.
Cason said she’s uncertain how many patrons to expect, given the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. She’s thinking maybe 1,500 people will come. All will be encouraged to wear masks, though masks won’t be required.
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Three food trucks, Chicken Fingers of Evans, Pot Smoker Barbecue and J & K Blue Box, will be on site to provide snacks.
Everyone who attends must be 21 or older. The event runs from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 the day of Beerfest. VIP tickets are available for $75 and include early entry at 2 p.m., Mellow Mushroom pizza and specialty beer options. Designated driver tickets will be available at the James Brown Arena box office.
Tickets can be purchased at tickets.aectix.com
Debbie Reddin van Tuyll is a writer for The Augusta Press. Reach her at debbie@theaugustapress.com.
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