Erie-area breweries bring tastes to Beer Fest at Brewerie Saturday benefiting WQLN

Jennie Geisler, Erie Times-News
Updated ·3 min read

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story contained the wrong number of participating breweries.

If you're thirsty for some grog made in the Erie region, this is your Saturday to taste and celebrate it. And talk to the brewers and talk to each other. And to help WQLN.

Saturday marks the 17th year for the tasting of locally produced beers, according to Erie Beer Fest organizer Tom New. They even did a Beer Fest in a box during the height of the COVID pandemic.

As usual, the festival will take place at the Brewerie at Union Station. There will be two sessions Saturday: 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. A VIP ticket includes a noon to 4 p.m. session.

Tickets are $20 for designated drivers, $50 per session, and $75 for the VIP session. Find them at https://www.wqln.org/erie-beer-fest/.

New said in the past he could expect 600 to 700 visitors per session, but it's less crowded these days, with a mere 500 drivers and tasters making their way through the tables of at least 20 brewers committed to serving 8-ounce tastings of their products.

Earlier tastings he said, brought in $40,000 to the public TV and radio station, but since COVID it's fallen back to $30,000, which, he said nothing to shake a stick at.

Previously: Erie Micro Brew Fest raises funds for WQLN

"This is better because we aren't on top of each other anymore," he said. "There's lots of room to move around and chat with people."

He considers the festival a highlight of Erie's social calendar.

"(The festival) is a good way to sample a lot of different beer and ciders from regional producers," he said. "But it's also a chance to reconnect with friends, not to get, you know, drunk, but for people to hang out with their buddies."

He likened the conversation to bar talk

"It starts with a conversation about best beer in the region," he said. "And it quickly turns to what cover song was better than the original. That always begins with Jimi Hendrix."

Whether you're there to chat or to sip or both, it's definitely a chance to see what's out there, especially for folks who have a favorite beer joint and don't get around town to try others all that often. With more than two dozen breweries represented, there's plenty to learn to like.

Erie Beer Fest participants

  • The Brewerie at Union Station

  • Erie Brewing Co.

  • Erie Ale Works

  • 5&20 Spirits and Brewing

  • Lavery Brewing Co.

  • Sprague Farm and Brew Works

  • Nostrovia Brewing Co.

  • Voodoo Brewing

  • John Russell

  • Black Monk Brewery

  • Koehler Brewing Co.

  • Riverside Brewing Co.

  • Ohio Brewing Co.

  • Big Rail Brewing

  • Arundel Cellars & Brewing Co.

  • Knockin Noggin

  • Twisted Elk Brewery

  • Southern Tier (via Penn Beer)

  • Fat Chad's Tap Brewery

  • Timber Creek Tap & Table

  • Evil Genius

  • Great Lakes

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie-area breweries bring their best to WQLN Beer Fest Saturday