Chatham-Kent’s four craft breweries are teaming up to once again deliver BrewFest CK.
New to the team this year is Glasstown Brewing, which will host RiverFest, the fourth element to the summer series.
All events will feature unique festivities relative to each brewery, but will also showcase the varied brews offered by each outlet.
BrewFest actually started in 2021 with Red Barn’s initial offering of FarmFest. It also marked the brewery’s official grand opening, after it opened its doors in the middle of the pandemic in 2020.
At the inaugural FarmFest, Red Barn ownership invited their counterparts at Bayside and Sons of Kent to attend as well, and showcase their products.
Now, four summer events will bring together the best of Chatham Kent’s local craft beer scene.
FunkFest will open BrewFestCK on July 15 at Sons of Kent in Chatham.
EauFest follows at Bayside in Erieau on Aug. 12.
Red Barn continues its FarmFest tradition Sept. 2 just north of Blenheim on Middle Line.
To end the summer, RiverFest takes place Sept. 23 in Wallaceburg.
Attendees can expect a diverse range of offerings, including live entertainment, food trucks, farmers’ markets, and exclusive beer releases, making each event a celebration of Chatham-Kent’s vibrant community, organizers said.
BrewFest is more than just a showcase of local craft beer, entertainment and food. Organizers said the events will support local organizations and causes through designated charities at the gate.
Denny Vervaet, co-owner of Red Barn Brewing, said FarmFest 2021 earned two Ontario Tourism Awards, one for innovation and the other for collaboration.
“Our close-knit relationship with the brewing companies in C-K allows us to collaborate and create these unique Fests, showcasing our special community, ” he said in a media release. “Teksavvy is back as our major sponsor for BrewFest CK 2023 and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them on board.”
Doug Hunter, co-owner of Sons of Kent, believes this year’s BrewFest will be better than ever.
“This year will be bigger and better than last year, with one more event at our newest brewery, Glasstown. It’s always great to get to have these events for the folks in C-K, who are our best supporters,” he said.
David Draper, head brewer with Glasstown, said the new brewery is happy to take part.
“As a new brewery, it’s wonderful to be able to connect and collaborate with our more established friends in the craft brew community, like Sons of Kent, Bayside and Red Barn. Together, we can make that community even stronger and let the people of Chatham-Kent know what great things are brewing in their own backyard,” he said.
Nancy Cowan, co-owner of Bayside Brewing, added the team in Erieau can’t wait to get “back into summer mode.”
