As if the chance to try 15 of our beers isn’t reason enough to hit the Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers’ Festival, how about the chance to sip offerings from 20 (or, more!) local breweries?
We’re pretty sure we had you at 20+ breweries, but check this out: the event benefits the Media Youth Center (MYC), which offers a wide array of recreational and educational programs for youth in addition to partnership opportunities with the community. MYC provides a safe environment for youth to expand their minds, grow their bodies and have fun.
It all unfolds Saturday, May 14, from 1–5 p.m. at Iron Hill Media. The parking lot and street around 30 E. State Street will be packed with not only brewers but also live music and great pay-as-you-go food. Tickets are just $45 for this sure to sell out event.
“This is the second year I’ve been the main guy for this event, and I couldn’t be more excited,” said Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant Media head brewer Andrew Johnston. “The best part is hanging out with our customers and other local brewers. We especially like welcoming back brewers who used to work with us at Iron Hill—it’s great to see those guys!”
Andrew is also quick to give props to Iron Hill’s King of the Hill (KOTH) members—he knows they’ll come to the Festival in droves. These are our dedicated, die-hard customers, and we’ll have something special for them (more on that later).
Still deciding whether to attend? Here are the top reasons to party with us on May 14. See you there!
1. Sample our beers, from easy-drinking pilsners to crazy sours:
- Iron Hill Main Tent: Ginger Plum Saison, Mahalo, Apollo!, Hefeweizen, Flipadelphia IPA, Chewie IPA , Aloha IPA, Pig Iron Porter and German Pilsner
- Behind the Iron Hill Main Tent: Wee Funky, Oak-Aged Belgian Quad and Hoppopotamus
2. Look for the big guns to come out from our fellow brewers.
They’re stoked to pour beers you normally can’t get your hands on, like bottle-only and seasonal favorites.
3. Designated driver tickets are just $5.
Plus, these safeguarders of safety get a free food voucher!
4. Get in on the Methuselah pours at 2:30 and 4 p.m.
At those times, Andrew will hoist a huge bottle to the stage and dole out Framboise and The Polar Bear. Framboise is an unfiltered, Belgian-style lambic made with wild yeast and bacteria and aged in oak barrels for two years with fresh raspberries for ruby red color and raspberry aroma. The fruit balances an intense sourness. The Polar Bear is a full-bodied golden imperial stout with cocoa and coffee beans imparting roastiness sans dark malt, while flaked oats and lactose sugar provide an enveloping mouthfeel.
5. Tasty KOTH perks.
Not a member? Join before or at the event and snag these exclusive benefits:
- A free food voucher.
- KOTH tent with rarities and special beers chosen just for you: Bourbon Russian Imperial Stout, Raspberry Torte, Bedotter and 1.084 Rye Imperial Red.
- Secret beers our brewers will bust out that day in honor of you, our KOTH members.
6. Did we mention you’ll be drinking for a good cause?
Here are 23 more reasons (and counting!) to join in the fun:
Confirmed participating breweries include—but aren’t limited to—2SP Brewing, Lancaster Brewing Company, Neshaminy Creek Brewing, Pinocchio’s Beer Garden To Go, Saint Benjamin Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery, Sterling Pig Brewery, Stewart’s Brewing Company, Troegs Independent Brewing, River Horse Brewing Company, Round Guys Brewing Company, Boxcar Brewing, Twin Lakes Brewing Company, Flying Fish Brewing, Yards Brewing Company, Big Oyster Brewing, Conshohocken Brewing Company, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Stoudts Brewing Company, McKenzie Brew House, Victory Brewing Company, Denizens Brewing Company and Manayunk Brewing Company.
Bonus pro tip: Experienced Brandywine Valley Craft Brewers’ Festival attendees rock the “pretzel necklace.” Yes, we said pretzel necklace! You’ll definitely want to frequent our food vendors, but nibbling on your own pretzels as you taste is a great way to make sure you keep ample food in your belly. It’s simple: one bag of pretzels + a string = pretzel necklace.
You thirsty yet? We’ll help you quench that thirst on May 14. Cheers until then!
With 11 locations in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey, there’s an Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant near you. We specialize in handcrafted beers and fresh, from-scratch New American cuisine. Monthly releases vary by location, so scout out our beers on tap and visit us soon.
Photos by Brian Penn Photography.
