A couple of months ago, we hit five of Central Ohio’s craft breweries and fell in love with their locations and brews. Happily, there’s even more to enjoy, craft beer-wise, when it comes to the area: Lancaster BrewFest. Celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, we hit the road again to check out what makes it so cool. From craft breweries to entertainment, here’s why you need to check it out next year and enjoy a BrewCation, too.
Given the opportunity to check out craft brews, Mr. Locke is the first to pack his bag and jump in the car. A couple of months ago, it was the Route 33 Brew Trail. A couple of weeks ago? Adams County Pour Tour featuring Gettysburg, PA, destinations. And immediately after, it was straight to Lancaster BrewFest’s end-of-week party. Here’s the scoop on Lancaster BrewFest 2018 and what you missed.
What’s Lancaster BrewFest?
In a explain-it-to-me-like-I’m-five style, Lancaster BrewFest is a craft beer festival in Lancaster, Ohio. Representing craft breweries from all over Ohio, this year marked its fifth anniversary. It’s also the final celebration for the first annual Lancaster Brew Week, and it was right in Fairfield County, OH.
Lancaster Brew Week and BrewFest is the perfect opportunity to sample Ohio craft beer, to find new favorites, and to simply enjoy being around others that share the same passion.
The folks at Ohio Made Getaways & Visit Fairfield County, Ohio, went a step further and created a BrewCation: an overnight stay with VIP BrewFest tickets. VIP tickets got us early admission to the festival, a souvenir tasting glass, a $5 food voucher, and 20 – 5oz. tasting tickets. Very decent, right? In addition to those perks, there was more:
- One voucher for $10 toward your choice of craft brews from Ameristop
- Two VIP Tourist Wristbands entitling you to discounts at participating local businesses, museums, etc.
- Goodie Bag at Check-In
- One overnight stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites
- Breakfast at your hotel
- Taxes on all package features
So, it was a no-brainer to head back to Lancaster, Ohio, and check out the fun.
Lancaster BrewFest: What’s the Difference Between a General and VIP Admission?
There are a few differences that you’ll definitely want to take into consideration for the next one.
$50 VIP Admission includes:
- One hour early admission
- One official souvenir tasting glass
- 20 five-ounce tasting tickets
- One $5 food voucher for one of the food trucks
$35 General Admission includes:
- One official souvenir tasting mug
- 12 five-ounce tasting tickets
There’s also another ticket that will keep everyone safe – Designated Driver admission. For $12.50 you’ll get admission to the event. You’ll also get free bottled water to keep you hydrated.
Which Craft Breweries Were Represented for 2018?
Plenty, actually. Here’s the full list:
- Double Edge Brewing Company
- Combustion Brewery Taproom
- Outerbelt Brewing
- Buckeye Lake Brewery
- Loose Rail Brewing
- Homestead Beer Co.
- Sixth Sense Brewing Co.
- 2 Tones Brewing Co.
- Dankhouse Brewing Co.
- Land Grant Brew Co.
- Buck’s Brewing
- Multiple Brewing
- Three Tigers Brewing Co.
- Fat Heads Brewery
- Tincap
- Columbus Brewing Co.
- Elevator Brewery & Draught Haus
- Wild Ohio Brewing
- Br3e3ry Hocking Hills
- Rockmill Brewery
- BrewDog Brewtap
- Actual Brewing
What Else?
There was plenty of seating available, but as the night progressed it the attendees really started flooding in, so you may end up standing. Honestly, it wasn’t a problem because of the live entertainment. This year, Forcynthia, Dan Orr, & Popgun delighted the crowd.
As for the Food Trucks, there were two plus a stand:
- Bob’s Backyard BBQ
- Empanadas & More
- Bee Pops
I, personally, adored the Chicken Empanadas and Puerto Rican flair of Empanadas & More. Yum!
Disclosure: We were graciously hosted by the folks at Visit Fairfield County, Ohio to give you the scoop on Lancaster BrewFest. All Opinions are my own!
Want More Ohio Beer & Wine in Your Life?
https://www.sandandorsnow.com/2018/06/ohios-route-33-brew-trail-a-road-trip-of-the-craft-brew-kind/
https://www.sandandorsnow.com/2018/08/unique-things-to-do-in-canton-ohio/
https://www.sandandorsnow.com/2018/05/5-must-visit-wineries-in-geneva-ohio/
https://www.sandandorsnow.com/2018/03/reasons-to-love-the-dublin-ohio-st-patricks-day-celebration/
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