Wheeling has long been home to breweries large and small, which makes the return of the Mountaineer Brewfest this weekend even more exciting. This annual celebration brings the finest craft beer from across the state to one location right here in Wheeling! Jeff Hayes, the man behind the scenes making this event happen, is hoping for another great turnout this Saturday. We spoke with Jeff just days before the kick-off to the festivities to see what attendees can expect this Saturday at Heritage Port.
What’s New at the Mountaineer Brewfest
While there will definitely be some new attractions to this year’s event, Jeff wanted to keep those details under wraps so that attendees can be surprised this Saturday. But what is certain is that guests can expect a day filled with impeccable beer, upbeat live music, and great local food.
The headline performer this Saturday is Zack Attack, an Ohio-based throwback party band that is sure to keep the crowd going once the sun goes down! Also on the lineup is IMY2, a 3-piece pop group based in Nashville, TN; Rock and roll band, Ledfoot Lover; and Buddy and Doug.
Live music fills Heritage Port all day and night at Mountaineer Brewfest. Photo courtesy of Mountaineer Brewfest.
For the foodies, there will be plenty of great food to pair with your libations. This year’s food vendors will include Rusty Bull Taco Company, The Wood Fired Pizza Company, Mmm Popcorn, Mason Dixon BBQ, Ideal Provisions, R&G Smokeshack, and So Nuts 4 Donuts.
Jeff is excited to see returning attendees, as well as welcome newcomers to the event. “We are really proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past seven years,” said Jeff. “We appreciate all of our patrons who choose our event as one that they come to experience.”
Photo courtesy of Mountaineer Brewfest.
Beers to Look For This Weekend
So you’re probably wondering, “what about the beer?!” Without further ado, here’s a sneak peek at some of the beers that will be available this Saturday!
| Brewery | Location | Beer to Look For |
| Abolitionist Ale Works | Charles Town, WV | Shenandoah Saison Saison brewed with Mandarina Bavaria and Czech Saaz hops |
| Big Timber Brewing | Elkins, WV | Double Bit IPA Big, juicy Double IPA with notes of tropical fruit and citrus |
| Brew Keepers | Wheeling, WV | Solas Meala |
| Cacapon Mountain Brewing | Berkeley Springs, WV | Misrlou Brewed to honor the classic IPAs of the Southern California coast; dry, bitter, lean malt body |
| Chestnut Brew Works | Morgantown, WV | Your Best Hoption Classic west-coast style IPA brewed with Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, and Centennial |
| Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co. | Maxwelton, WV | Devil Anse IPA Medium bodied American style India Pale Ale with note citrus and tropical fruit. While the hops provide complexity they are balanced by a strong malt backbone. |
| High Ground Brewing | Terra Alta, WV | You Rang For our friends in Philippi, WV in celebration of Lurchfest 2022! Brewed using Nelson Sauvin and Sabro. Can art by Adam Mathews. |
| Mountain State Brewing Co. | Morgantown, WV | John Brown Chestnut Ale American brown ale brewed with locally harvested West Virginia chestnuts, vanilla bean and molasses for a nut brown color and sweet malt finish. |
| Parkersburg Brewing | Parkersburg, WV | Citrus Tsunami A blend of light American pale malts for a subtle sweetness, plus a malt background with a tidal wave of citrusy hop bitterness, flavors, and aroma. So get your toes on the nose and grab a pint to catch the Tsunami. |
| Screech Owl Brewing | Bruceton Mills, WV | Bold Blonde Ale This is Screech Owl’s signature beer. Light, full-bodied and well-balanced. Good for any occasion or no occasion at all. A good choice for the most discriminating and definitely easy drinking. |
| Short Story Brewing | Rivesville, WV | Chasing Daylight |
| Stumptown Ales | Davis, WV | That Alt Time Feeling |
| Swilled Dog | Upper Tract, WV | Walk the Dog Walk the Dog is a flagship semi-dry cider meant to be enjoyed all year long. After selecting the perfect combination of apples and fermenting to the right balance of flavor and acidity, this cider offers a refreshing finish that will keep you wanting more, or as we like to say, this cider will surely Walk the Dog! |
| The Freefolk Brewery | Fayetteville, WV | Trucker Speed Bold, hop-forward Imperial IPA. It’s bittered with hop oils used during the boil, consisting of a combo of Chinook, El Dorado, and Warrior hop oils, and then additionally dry-hopped with Mosaic hops. It’s balanced with citrus and juicy flavors on the back end. |
| The Peddler | Huntington, WV | Brawndo Orange Orange Gatorade Sour |
| Weathered Ground | Ghent, WV | WG Anniversary IPA
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IPA brewed with Idaho gem, Bru-1, and Zappa hops |
Raising a Glass for Charity
While sampling dozens of West Virginia craft beers is fun, the mission behind this event is much greater. Mountaineer Brewfest was established as a nonprofit entity with proceeds from the event benefiting a different local charity each year. In 2021, the Mountaineer Brewfest board and committee proudly announced that they had awarded $125,000 to local charities over the past seven years. Jeff is optimistic that this year’s event will garner more than $25,000 in proceeds.
In addition to proceeds from ticket sales, help from the Circus Saints and Sinners – a local organization dedicated to fellowship and charitable giving – raises tip money during the event. Members of Circus Saints and Sinners volunteer their time by helping pour samples at each of the beer tents. Any tips collected during the event are added to the charitable contribution total. So, be sure to bring some cash with you this weekend and tip your bartender for a good cause!
This year’s charitable recipient is the Seeing Hand Association, a nonprofit organization committed to helping all ages of blind and visually impaired individuals lead fulfilling and independent lives through our many programs and services. They were selected through an application process organized by Jeff and the Mountaineer Brewfest committee.
“We open applications up each year for local charities to register,” Jeff explains. “They apply online and explain who they are, what their mission is, and how we can help them. We collect applications for about two months, and then our committee reviews and votes on the applications they want to see receive our funding.”
Those who attend Mountaineer Brewfest this weekend can stop by the Seeing Hand experience tent. Representatives from the Seeing Hand Association will be providing information, as well as an interactive experience that allows people to better understand how it feels to taste, smell, and more without relying on sight. You can learn more about the Seeing Hand Association by visiting their website.
Get Your Tickets
The Mountaineer Brewfest kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 20 for VIP ticketholders at 3 p.m. General Admission ticketholders can arrive starting at 4 p.m. General admission tickets are $40 (plus taxes and fees) and include admission into the event, 10 drink sample tickets, and a commemorative mug. VIP tickets are $80 and include the same items as general admission tickets, plus one-hour early admission into the festival and 10 additional drink sample tickets. Additional drink tickets are available to purchase. Designated drivers or non-drinkers who want to attend the event can purchase either a VIP or General Admission ticket at a discounted rate. Tickets are available online and at the gate. Learn more by visiting mountaineerbrewfest.com.
