Big Craft Beer Festival Returns Over Labor Day Weekend in Galveston

BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival

The 10th annual BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival at Moody Gardens Convention Center kicks off today (Friday, August 30) at 7 Hope Boulevard in Galveston. This extensive festival runs through September 1 and gives both independent brewery fanatics and newcomers the opportunity to try new beers and to learn more about the craft.

The festival begins on Friday at 7 p.m. with the Nach-Yo Ordinary Tequila Tasting event. For bites, guests can nosh on nachos and there will be plenty of salt and lime around for those who are into that sort of thing.

The main event, the BrewHaHa Grand Tasting, is on Saturday, August 31 from 3 to 6 p.m., with a special lounge for VIP ticket holders that opens at 2 p.m. (As of press time, VIP tickets are still available.) Attendees have opportunities to sample some of the best and most innovative beers from Texas and beyond. Those who want more in-depth information on the state’s breweries close to home can take the Texas Brewery Tasting Tour. It provides a rare chance to meet established and emerging Texas brewers. Guests can try featured selections and each brewery is offering an exclusive sample of a never-before-tasted beer.

Featured Houston breweries include: 11 Below, Back Pew, Bakfish and Klaus, while out-of-town ones include Deep Ellum, Brooklyn Brewing, and Live Oak Brewing. Bitburger, Unibroue, and Duvel are some of the imported brands represented. The complete list of breweries can be found online.

In additional to sampling opportunities, Saturday offers several educational sessions including the Beer University Stage, where industry experts will discuss new beers, trends and brewing techniques, and the Women in Craft Beer panel.

The final event is Sunday’s Brew-B-Que, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, which pairs beer with barbecue from Houston’s Patrick Feges and Erin Smith of Feges BBQ, recently recognized by Texas Monthly as one of 25 Best New Barbecue Joints in Texas.

Reflecting on the past 10 years, Clifton McDerby, Executive Director of Food & Vine Time Productions, Inc. said via a press release, “We have always focused on the education of craft beer, making sure that everyone who comes to this event can not only experience the widest selection of craft beers available at any Texas festival, but learn something from the craft masters themselves.”

Each event has separate tickets that range in price from $8-$165 and are available for purchase online. Please note, all guests must be at least 21 years of age on the day of the event. No infants, small children or strollers will be admitted.

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