Check out these beer festivals planned for 2016
Find new brews in the New Year with this list of beer events in York, Gettysburg, Hanover and beyond.
Here's a look at some of the festivals planned for 2016:
Hibrewnation
Time: Noon to 5 p..m. for VIP admission; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for general admission
Date: Jan. 16 in Gettysburg and Feb. 20 in York
Place: Allstar Complex, 2638 Emmitsburg Road, Gettysburg; York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Road, York
Cost: $55 for VIP admission; $40 for general admission, and $20 for designated drivers
Website: www.hibrewnation.com
What's special about this event: The featured brewer this year will be Free Will Brewing, and numerous beers will be offered, such as Kragle and Experimental IPA, according to Matthew Davis, co-founder of CrocodileDog Marketing. Sour beers also will be served during timed releases.
With this type of event, Davis said, he is trying to elevate the level of quality. Davis said he wants to offer a better selection and showcase what brewers have to offer. It features hard to find beer.
Uncle Traveling Matt Brewing Expedition paired up with Manu-Forti, a smaller brewer, to create a beer, which is called Postcards From Mackay. Davis describes it on the Untappd website as "an imperial milk stout full of something full-bodied, dark..., and smooth as silk. Add some vanilla, some Wilbur Reo Liquor, and a healthy portion of cold-brewed Mexican coffee."
Tastefest of Hanover
Date and time: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 4
Place: The National Guard Armory Building, 51 W. Clearview Road, Hanover
Tickets go on sale: Jan. 25
Cost: $40
Website: www.tastefestofhanover.com
What's special about this event: This will be the second year for the event, which features mom-and-pop brewers and wineries from the area. "It was such a huge success," Kelly Rebert, president of the Rotary Club of Hanover, said of the first year. Tastefest of Hanover raised more than $30,000 for local nonprofits. About 40 vendors will be participating this year. They include: Rising Sun Snacks, Artisans & Oak, Thunder Ridge Winery, Miscreation Brewing Co., Something Wicked Brewing, Warehouse Gourmet, the Altland House, La Cucina, the Hanover Country Club, Marburg Estate Winery and Caputo Brothers Creamery, to name a few. The two major benefactors this year will be Ruth's Harvest and The Family Readiness Group. Ruth's Harvest, in conjunction with the Hanover Area Council of Churches, provides weekend meals for elementary students in need in the Hanover School District, according to a flyer about the event. The Family Readiness Group is an organization that provides activities and helps to support soldiers and their families.
Only 400 tickets will be sold, and they sold out last year. It might end up being a one-day sale, Rebert said.
PA Flavor
Time: 1 to 2 p.m. VIP reception; 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. general admission
Date: April 23
Place: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
Tickets go on sale: Available now
Cost: $75 for VIP admission; $44.50 for regular admission in advance ($50 the day of the event); $20 for designated drivers
Website:www.paflavor.com
What's special about this event: This event, which will mark its sixth year, features an opportunity to sample beers and food. Ice cream made with beer was a popular hit last year, and it will be back for the festival in 2016, said Heidi Howard, director of events and engagement for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. Brewers and restaurants sometimes work together to produce food made with special beers. Participants will be able to drink beers from all across the state. For example, Voodoo Brewery of Meadville, plans to attend the event this year.
"You go away full and not in need of any more beer," Howard said.
In addition to the restaurant and lodging association, the event is put on by the Brewers of PA, the American Culinary Federation and the Department of Agriculture’s PA Preferred Program. It also helps to kick off Harrisburg Beer Week.
Harrisburg BrewersFest
Time: Noon to 3:30 p.m. or 5 to 8:30 p.m.
Date: June 18
Place: Locust Street between Second and Third and Third Street between Walnut and Pine streets in Harrisburg
Tickets go on sale: April 1
Cost: $50 for the event; $10 per person for designated drivers
Website: www.harrisburgbrewersfest.com
What's special about this event: The event will mark its 13th anniversary in 2016. "We were one of the first on the scene," said Adrienne Mitford, executive director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
What makes this event different from the others is that the proceeds come right to the foundation, she said. More than $1.1 million has been raised since the BrewersFest has started.
It attracts more than 50 brewers from across the country, she said. It has featured brews from Liquid Hero Brewery in York to New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colo.
Visitors will be able to taste trusty brews and new products, Mitford said.
The event includes food vendors, such as Sherri's Crab Cakes, Mad Dash Concessions and Sherlock's Pit Beef.
Baltimore Craft Beer Festival
Date: Oct. 22
Place: Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston Street, Baltimore, Md.
Tickets go on sale: In the summer
Website: www.baltimorecraftbeerfestival.com
What's special about this event: This scenic festival on the waterfront in Baltimore gives visitors a chance to sample craft beers from across Maryland, said Stephen Demczuk, founder and president of Raven Beer in Baltimore. The event tries to bring the most interesting, specialty beers.
The festival includes a homebrew judging competition, music, local food trucks and more.