Mountaineer Brewfest coming to Heritage Port on Saturday

The ninth-annual Mountaineer Brewfest will be held Saturday at Heritage Port. VIP entry begins at 3 p.m. with general admission starting at 4 p.m. The festival lasts until 10 p.m. with last call at 9:30 p.m.

Seventeen West Virginia breweries will be present at Saturday’s event, and a beer garden will offer 50 additional pours. Festival proceeds and and matching tips generated by Circus Saints and Sinners will go this year to Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley, which assists

senior citizens in living independently in their homes as long as safely possible. The organization provides non-medical in-home health care, transportation, wellness/social programs and Meals on Wheels.

The Brewfest has raised more than $166,000 to date for various local charities. Last year, it offered the biggest donation in event history at $40,000.

Family Services-Upper Ohio Valley CEO Paula Calvert said she is extremely grateful for the Brewfest’s philanthropy.

“This event has raised much-needed funding for several local nonprofits over the past several years,” she said. “We are so honored to be chosen as this year’s benefactor. The funds raised will go towards the Senior Meals on Wheels Program which serves Ohio and Marshall Counties. Providing a meal and a smile to senior citizens is rewarding. The global pandemic has made the need even greater than ever. Rising food costs, the cost of living, and limited transportation have impacted the senior population. Funding the Meals on Wheels Program is critical.”

The Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack will serve as the event’s title sponsor, but Brewfest founder and president Jeff Hayes said there are so many sponsors and volunteers who make the event as successful as it has been.

“There are over 100 local volunteers from the community, organizations, and our charities each

year that help the Mountaineer Brewfest run smoothly, and we can’t thank them enough for all

they do,” said Hayes.

West Virginia brewer samples available at this year’s festival will include Abolitionist Ale Works of Charles Town, Berkeley Springs Brewing, Big Timber Brewing of Elkins, Bridge Brew Works of Fayetteville, Chestnut Brew Works of Morgantown, Free Folk Brewery of Fayetteville, High Ground Brewing of Terra Alta, Parkersburg Brewing, Screech Owl Brewing of Bruceton Mills, Short Story Brewing of Rivesville, Stumptown Ales of Davis, The Peddler Brewing of Huntington, Weathered Ground Brewing of Cool Ridge, Clendenin Brewing, Fife Street Brewing of Charleston, Mountain State Brewing of Thomas and Swilled Dog Hard Cider of Upper Tract. Entertainment this year will feature headliner Liquid A, a Philadelphia-based band specializing in popular cover songs, Sydney Mack from Nashville and Ohio Valley-based Spinning Jenny. The Hooch will perform during the VIP hour.

Tickets can be purchased via www.mountaineerbrewfest.com, www.facebook.com/MountaineerBrewfest, www.eventbrite.com, or at Yourkovich & Associates in Wheeling.