January 2013 Events
4-5: Frodsham Beer Festival, Frodsham, England
Frodsham Care presents the 2013 Frodsham Winter Festival, which will take place at the Parish Church Hall. Organizers expect to have a high-quality range of around 60 beers, about a quarter of them on hand pull and the rest served out of the cask.
10-12: Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival, Vail, CO
The13th annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival will be held at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa. This year's festivities will feature brewmaster's dinners on Thursday and Friday, with appearances by representatives of leading breweries; a Friday morning Cicerone program orientation; a Friday afternoon welcome reception; an AHA-sanctioned homebrew competition; an experimental brewing session; expert talks about beer; and a Saturday tasting session with 200 beers from around the world (most of them 7% ABV or stronger). The festival supports the efforts of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund.
11-12: Columbus Winter Beerfest, Columbus, OH
The third annual Columbus Winter Beerfest will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. VIP tickets, with early admission, are available both days. VIP tickets, with early admission, are available both days. All proceeds will benefit the Big Joe Duskin Music Foundation, which brings music education to underfunded schools.
11-12: Elysian Winter Beer Festival, Ely, England
The Ely & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the fourth annual Elysian Winter Beer Festival, which will take place at The Maltings in Ely. Recent editions of this festival have featured aound 60 Real Ales, a selection of ciders and foreign bottled beers, and food at all sessions.
12-18: Kalamazoo Beer Week, Kalamazoo, MI
Imperial Beverage and Discover Kalamazoo present the third annual Kalamazoo Beer Week, which will take place at various locations in and around Kalamazoo. Last year's events included a kickoff pub crawl with free double-decker bus rides, stopping at area brewpubs and beer bars; beer dinners and food and beer pairings; brewery tours; meet-the-brewer events; special tastings and releases; trivia contests; and beer-themed movies.
13: Cabin Fever, Maplewood, MO
The Schlafly Bottleworks, in Maplewood, will host Cabin Fever, the Schlafly Winter Beer Festival. This afternoon outdoor event will feature a selection of Schlafly beers, including winter seasonals, along with live music.
17-19: Cambridge Winter Ale Festival, Cambridge, England
The Cambridge & District branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the 17th annual Cambridge Winter Ale Festival, which will take place at the University Social Club in Mill Lane. Recent editions of this festival have featured more than 100 Real Ales from local and national breweries, with an emphasis on traditional winter beers; locally produced ciders and international bottled beers; and home-cooked seasonal food.
18-20: Aces & Ales Winter Beer Fest, Las Vegas, NV
Aces and Ales, a beer bar in Las Vegas, will host its third Annual Winter Beer Fest. This three-day, 24-hour-a-day event will feature around 70 strong beers from both domestic and foreign breweries. The beer lineup will change at noon each day.
18-19: Beamish Hall Winter Festival, Beamish, England
The Beamish Hall Best Western Country House Hotel will host its annual Winter Festival. This two-day, indoor-outdoor event will feature a selection of 60 Real Ales from across the country, along with 30 ciders and perries and eight bright beers. There will be continuous live entertainment both days; and food, including a hog roast.
18-19: Beer Summit Winter Jubilee, Boston, MA
BeerSummit.com presents the 12th annual Winter Jubilee, which will take place at the Park Plaza Castle in Boston. The festival will consist of three tasting sessions, each of which will feature more than 200 beers, including winter seasonals, from over 60 breweries. There will also be live music. This event is expected to sell out.
18-19: Exeter Festival of Winter Ales, Exeter, England
The Exeter & East Devon Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the 24th annual Exeter Festival of Winter Ales, which will take place on the grounds of the Exeter City Football Club in St James Park. Recent editions of this festival have featured more than 60 winter beers, including some specials, along with a dozen ciders and perries, and food for purchase.
18-19: Great Alaska Beer & Barleywine Festival, Anchorage, AK
Aurora Productions, Inc., presents the 19th annual Great Alaska Beer & Barleywine Festival, which will take place in the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage. There will be three tasting sessions (including a connoisseur session on Saturday afternoon), each with 200 barleywine-style beers, winter warmers, and other seasonal beers from 50 breweries, along with food and live music.
18-19: Yaga's Chili Quest & Beer Fest, Galveston, TX
The fourth annual Yaga's Chili Quest & Beer Fest will be held in Galveston's historic Strand District. This event, which has been expanded to two days, will feature more than 100 varieties of craft and imported beer selections and chili from over 80 cook-off teams. There will also be a homebrew competition; vendors will be on hand; and there will be other events, including a washer pitching tournament, a jalapeno-eating contest, a 5K fun run, and a Strand merchant walkabout.
19: Beer and Boards Celebration, Bellaire, MI
Shanty Creek Resort, in Bellaire, will host the fourth annual Beer and Boards Celebration. Recent editions of this festival, held in the Bellaire Ballroom in the resort's Summit Village, have been afternoon apres-ski events featuring a variety of Michigan-brewed beers.
19: BrewHaHa: A Semi-Formal Tasting Event, Flagstaff, AZ
Greenhouse Productions Presents the 2013 BrewHaHa: A Semi-Formal Tasting Event, which will take place at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff. This afternoon event will feature more than 75 beers from over 35 breweries, mostly from the West; wine; entertainment by two live bands and a comedy performer; and hors d'oeuvres. Part of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity.
19: Flagstaff BrewHaHa, Flagstaff, AZ
Greenhouse Productions presents the third annual Flagstaff BrewHaHa, which will take place at the High Country Conference Center. This afternoon event will feature more than 75 beers from over 40 local, regional, and Western breweries. The Snowman's Choice award will go to the best beer of the festival. Giant Steps Jazz will perform, and there will be hors d'oeuvres and wine to taste. A VIP luncheon will begin an hour before the festival itself. Proceeds will go to Northern Arizona Habitat for Humanity.
18-19: Fox Brew Ha Ha, Grand Rapids, MI
101.3-FM, the Fox and the Grand Rapids Brewing company present the fifth Annual Fox Brew Ha Ha, which will take place at the Deltaplex in Grand Rapids. This two-day event will feature more than 100 craft-brewed beers; live entertainment, including musical acts, the Bimini Brothers, and the Kevin Matthews Comedy Showcase; and (new this year) the "rew Olympics."
19: Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, Madison, WI
Isthmus magazine presents the 2013 Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, which will take place at the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall in Madison. This afternoon event will feature a lineup of Wisconsin breweries and cheesemakers, with each participant asked to offer three unique, seasonal, or award-winning products. VIP tickets, with early admission and a special selection of beers and cheeses and an opportunity to meet brewers and cheesemakers, are available.
19: JA World Uncorked, Coconut Creek, FL
Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida presents the 2013 JA Uncorked, which will take place at the JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College in Coconut Creek. This evening event will feature craft beer, wine, and spirits, along with menu items and desserts from local restaurants. The festivities will also include dancing, an auction, and Celebrity Chef and Fan Favorite voting. Proceeds will benefit Junior Achievement of South Florida.
19: Mankato Craft Beer Expo, Mankato, MN
The inaugural Mankato Craft Beer Expo will be held at the Verizon Wireless Center in downtown Mankato. This afternoon event will feature beer from 40 craft breweries, many of them from Minnesota; and brewery and distributor representatives will be on hand. There will also be live music and food; merchandise vendors; and educational seminars on food pairing, homebrewing, and Minnesota brewing history.
19: Miami Beer Festival, Miami, FL
The inaugural Miami Beer Festival will be held at Marlins Park. This evening event will feature beer from dozens of domestic and international breweries, including some from southern Florida. There will be live music, and food trucks will be at the park. VIP tickets, with early admission and a special selection of beers, are available. No tickets will be sold at the door.
19: St. Lucie County Winter Beer Festival, Port St. Lucie, FL
The fifth annual St. Lucie County Winter Beer Festival will be held at Mets Stadium in Port St. Lucie. This afternoon event will feature more than 100 domestic, imported, and craft beers, along with live music by two tribute bands, "Never Stop Believin", The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band and "Van Walen", A Tribute to Van Halen. Food and merchandise vendors, and representatives of local businesses, will also be on hand. This year's festival charity is American Legion Post 318.
19: Top of the Hops Beer Festival-Biloxi, Biloxi, MS
The 2013 Biloxi edition of the Top of the Hops Beer Festival will be held at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention Center. The evening event will feature more than 150 craft beers, including newly-legalized high-gravity beers; the "Brew University" Education Area with presentations on cooking with beer, food pairings, and "Brewing 101"; live music; and games. VIP tickets, with early admission, complimentary food, and a special selection of beers, are available.
19: Winterhop Brewfest, Ellensburg, WA
The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce presents the 2013 Winterhop Brewfest, which will take place in historic Ellensburg. Beer from a variety of breweries in the Northwest will be available at a number of venues throughout downtown.
19: World Beer Festival-Columbia, Columbia, SC
All About Beer magazine presents the fifth annual Columbia edition of the World Beer Festival, which will take place at the Metropolitan Convention Center. There will be afternoon and evening tasting sessions. Recent editions of this festival have featured around 300 beers from more than 100 breweries; live music; an educational program; food for purchase; and VIP tickets with a food buffet, a private hospitality area, and a special selection of beers.
23-26: Colchester Winter Ale Festival, Colchester, England
The Colchester Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the sixth annual Colchester Winter Ale Festival, which will take place at the Arts Centre, a centuries-old deconsecrated church. This event, which has been expanded to four days, will feature more than 100 beers from East Anglia, along with Real Cider and Perry, wine, and a Belgian bar offering draft and bottled beers. Food will be available, and there will be live music Saturday evening.
23-26: National Winter Ales Festival, Manchester, England
The Campaign for Real Ale presents the 2013 National Winter Ales Festival, which will take place at "The Venue," the Sheridan Suite in Manchester. This festival will feature more than 300 British and foreign beers, bottled Real Ales, and ciders and perries; the "Champion Beer of Britain" competition; live music; British and Indian food; a CAMRA stall; a tombola; and merchandise for sale.
23: St. Louis Centennial Beer Festival, St. Louis, MO
The fifth annual St. Louis Centennial Beer Festival will be held at Moulin Events & Meetings, formerly the Schnaider Brewery Malt House. There will be afternoon and evening tasting sessions. Last year's festival featured more than 150 local, regional, and imported beers, live entertainment, and food for purchase. VIP tickets, with an expanded beer selection, are available for the evening session. There will also be a brewmaster's dinner, hosted by Executive Chef Tony Cole and Six Row Brewing Company's brewmaster Evan Hiatt, the evening before the festival.
24: Pour for a Cure, Pittsburgh, PA
The Young Professionals Board presents the third annual Pour for a Cure, which will take place at the PPG Wintergarden. This evening event will feature a variety of international beers, with selected samples paired with cheese selections; appetizers; music by Mike Ley; and an auction.
25: Denver Winter Ales Festival, Denver, CO
Right on Productions presents the 2013 Denver Winter Ales Festival, which will take place at Mile High Station in Denver. Recent editions of this evening event, which benefits the Swallow Hill Music Association, have featured more than 90 beers from over 35 breweries along with live music, food, and merchandise. VIP tickets, with early admission, cheese, and a special beer pouring, are available.
25: Field of Beers, Jupiter, FL
The fifth annual Field of Beers festival will be held at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, the spring training home of the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. This evening event will feature 15 stations, each pairing craft-brewed beers and food served by a team of Palm Beach-area chefs headed by Chef John Carlino. Only 375 tickets will be sold to this event.
25-26: New Hampshire Cask Ale Festival, Hooksett, NH
White Birch Brewing, British Beer Company, and the Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign present the 2013 New Hampshire Cask Ale Festival, which will take place at the American Legion hall in Hooksett. This two-day, three-session event will feature cask-conditioned ale from a hand-picked group of British and American breweries, including the two host breweries, along with food provided by the British Beer Company.
25-26: Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival, Salem, OR
First Taste Oregon will be held at Columbia Hall on the grounds of the Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center in Salem. This event, formerly known as the Oregon Wine, Food & Brew Festival, will feature 130 vendors of Oregon products, including craft beer, wine, and spirits, food, and merchandise; live entertainment and dancing; works by Northwest artists; and culinary demonstrations and classes.
25-27: Strange Brewfest, Port Townsend, WA
The ninth annual Strange Brewfest will be held at the American Legion Hall in downtown Port Townsend. Recent editions of this indoor/outdoor event have featured beer from 30 Northwest breweries; "funkadelic groovy music" all weekend; a costume competition Saturday evening; and an awards ceremony on Sunday.
25-26: Winterfest XVI, Salisbury, England
The Salisbury & South Wilts Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents Winterfest XVI, which will take place at the Castle Street Social Club in Salisbury. This two-day, three-session event will feature 22 seasonal Real Ales, along with some ciders. Filled rolls will be available at all sessions.
26: Asbury Park BeerFest, Asbury Park, NJ
95.9 FM WRAT Radio and the Asbury Park Boardwalk present the second annual Asbury Park BeerFest, which will take place at Convention Hall. There will be afternoon and evening tasting sessions, each with a selection of craft beers and ciders, including beer brewed in New Jersey, as well as iconic retro beers served at "Your Old Man's Bar." The festivities will also include food; live entertainment, including WRAT on-air talent on hand (the event will be broadcast live); and beer sports. Part of the proceeds will go to non-profit organizations at the Jersey Shore. Last year's festival sold out.
26: Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting, Sandy Springs, GA
Brewtopia, LLC, presents the ninth annual Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting, which will take place at 5 Seasons Westside & Taco Mac Prado, two adjacent establishments in Sandy Springs' Prado Center. This afternoon event will feature 40 cask-conditioned ales from the U.S. and the U.K., voting for the "People's Choice" award, and food items from 5 Seasons and Taco Mac. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Atlanta Humane Society. This event is expected to sell out.
26: Atlanta Winter Beer Festival, Atlanta, GA
AtlantaBeerFestivals.com presents the 2013 Atlanta Winter Beer Festival, which will take place at Masquerade. This afternoon event will feature more than 100 beers from local and national breweries, live music on four stages, and food for purchase. This event sold out last year.
26: Beer, Bourbon & Barbecue Festival, New York, NY
Trigger Agency, LLC, kicks off the 2013 Beer, Bourbon & Barbecue Festival at la Venue in Manhattan. The festival will consist of an afternoon "Bacon Bash Session" and an evening "Whole Hog Session," each with unlimited sampling of 60 beers and 40 bourbons; live bluegrass music; barbecue, Southern specialties, and other foods; and seminars led by master distillers, brewmasters, and pit masters.
26: Beer Dabbler Showcase at the Winter Carnival, St. Paul, MN
The fourth annual Beer Dabbler Showcase at the Winter Carnival will take place in St. Paul. Recent editions of this late-afternoon event have featured more than 200 beers from over 65 local and regional craft breweries, live music on two stages, food, a homebrewing contest, beer education, and a Jumbotron with a live feed of the event.
26: Big Dog's Winterfest, Las Vegas, NV
Big Dog's Brewery, in Las Vegas, will host the 2013 Winterfest. This afternoon/evening event, which is also presented by Las Vegas Weekly, will feature more than 50 beers from around the world; live music all day; food, including Cajun gumbo and pozole; and prize raffles.
26: Bock Fest, Los Angeles, CA
Barcelona Enterprises presents the 2013 Bock Fest, which will take place at Vanguard LA in Los Angeles. This afternoon event will feature a variety of beers (there were around 70 at last year's festival), with an emphasis on bock beers, winter warmers, and other seasonal beers. Celebrity judges and festival-goers will choose their favorite beers. All proceeds will be donated to local charities. VIP tickets, with early admission, are available.
26: Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest, Indianapolis, IN
The Brewers of Indiana Guild presents the 2013 Winterfest, which will take place at the Ag/Hort Building on the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Recent editions of this festival have been late-afternoon events featuring more than 150 beers from 50 breweries, a cask pavilion, a special selection of high-gravity beers, a ReplicAle booth, and displays by homebrew clubs.
26: Brews for a Chill Night, Mt. Lebanon, PA
The Mt. Lebanon Public Library will host its third annual Brews for a Chili Night. This evening event will feature 20 or more beers; a variety of homemade chili, along with snacks; and a performance by Cello Fury, an ensemble of three classical cellists and a rock drummer. All proceeds will benefit the library.
26: Coralville Brrr Fest, Coralville, IA
The fourth annual Coralville Brrr Fest will be held at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center Exhibit Hall. This afternoon event will feature beer from more than 40 breweries from across the Midwest. Food will be available for purchase. Brewmaster tickets, with early admission and an opportunity to meet the brewers, are available. Part of the proceeds will benefit Coralville's annual 4th Fest celebration.
26: Jolly Skull Beer Fest, Greenville, NC
Beer Army, LLC, presents the third annual Jolly Skull Beer Festival, which will take place downtown at the Greenville Convention Center. This afternoon event will feature more than 175 beers from over 60 American craft and regional breweries, including a number of breweries from North Carolina. Food will be available, and DJ Dog and the Beat Transformers will perform. VIP tickets, with early admission, are available. The festival is a fund-raiser for the Museum of the Marine and the North Carolina Brewers Guild.
26: Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival, Jupiter, FL
The seventh annual Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival will take place at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, the home of the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. Recent editions of this afternoon event have featured more than 175 craft-brewed beers from over 50 breweries, live music, and a silent disco. Part of the proceeds will go to local charities.
26: Niagara Wine & Beer Fest, Lockport, NY
The second annual Niagara Wine & Beer Fest will be held at the Kenan Center Arena in Lockport. The evening event, which is a benefit for the Center's arts, educational, and recreation programs, will feature the products of 20 breweries and wineries. Food will be available; and there will be live music, auctions; and a 50/50 raffle. Last year's event sold out.
26: Winter Warmer Beer Festival, Asheville, NC
ThreeSheets:Design, Brews Cruise, Inc., and French Broad Brewing Company present the sixth annual Asheville Winter Warmer Beer Festival, which will take place in expanded quarters on the Arena Level of the Asheville Civic Center. This late-afternoon event will feature beer from around two dozen breweries from North Carolina and neighboring states, along with live music and food provided by a local caterer. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Western North Carolina Alliance. This festival has sold out every year.
31-February 2: Bent N Bongs Beer Bash, Atherton, England
The Bent N Bongs Charitable Trust, in association with the Wigan Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, presents the 24th annual Bent and Bongs Beer Bash, which will take place at Formby Hall in Atherton. This event will feature around 80 Real Ales, including 24 beers from past years' festivals; food, including Bury black puddings, sausages, and sandwiches; live entertainment; and merchandise. Proceeds will be donated to local charitable causes.
31-February 2: Pendle Beer Festival, Colne, England
The East Lancashire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the ninth annual Pendle Beer Festival, which will take place at the Muni Theatre in Colne. This year's festival theme is "The Great Outdoors." There will be more than 100 Real Ales, along with ciders, perries, and bottled beers. Food will be available, and there will be live music and a charity prize draw. CAMRA members will be admitted free.
31-February 2: Tewkesbury CAMRA Winter Ales Festival, Tewkesbury, England
The Tewkesbury Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the 18th annual Tewkesbury CAMRA Winter Ales Festival, which will take place at George Watson Hall. There will be more than 80 winter ales, with an emphasis on winter ales, stouts, and porters, along with ciders and perries. Locally-sourced food will be available at all sessions.