New England summer beer festivals
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Summer is in full swing, so what better way to celebrate the warm weather than with some great food, live music, and of course, a nice glass of beer.
Check out some of the awesome beer festivals taking place in the next fews months around New England.
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Vermont Brewers Festival
July 19-20, Burlington, Vt.
This annual outdoor festival, held next to the scenic shores of Lake Champlain, has been celebrating artisan craft beers and brewers for over 20 years. Take in a breathtaking view of the Adirondack Mountain Range as you sample from more than 150 beers from dozens of brewers located across New England and beyond.
Tickets are currently sold out. Additonal information regarding parties looking to sell or exchange tickets will be announced on the festival’s Twitter page.
Burlington Waterfront Park, Lake Street
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Southern New Hampshire Brewers Fest
July 25-27, Hooksett, N.H.
Head to White Birch Brewing this July for the three-day long Southern New Hampshire Brewers Fest. The annual event, which recently added a third date featuring a pre-festival dinner, will have brewers from across New England, New York and California on hand as well as complimentary food from local restaurants.
General admission tickets are $45, VIP tickets are $60. Designated driver tickets are $35.
White Birch Brewing, 1339 Hooksett Road
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Lake Wyola Association Beer & Wine Tasting
July 27, Shutesbury
This festival will feature local breweries and is sponsored by the Lake Wyola Association. Food and music are included, and proceeds will go to the preservation of Lake Wyola.
A $20 donation gets you admission and five tokens; additional tokens are five for $5.
Lake Wyola Association Hall, 1 Shore Drive
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Harpoon Championships of New England Barbecue
July 27-28, Windsor, Vt.
In addition to its brewery on the Boston waterfront, Harpoon has a second one in Windsor, Vt. Head to the two day festival this July to grab a few beers, listen to local music and enjoy some delicious food as dozens of competitive barbecue teams from around the country compete for trophies and cash.
Tickets are $15 and include one drink ticket.
Harpoon Brewery, 336 Ruth Carney Drive
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Yankee Homecoming Brewfest
July 28-Aug. 4, Newburyport
More than 40 regional craft brews will be present under the big tent at this waterfront festival in Newburyport. Entertainment will be provided by Maine’s Pete Kilpatrick Band, and proceeds from the admission will go directly to Yankee Homecoming.
Tickets are $30.
Waterfront Park, 36 Merrimac St.
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Bangor Brew Fest
Aug. 9-10, Bangor, Maine
Rapper Earl Sweatshirt will headline the 5th annual KahBang music, art and film festival, which, in conjunction with Central Street Farmhouse and Nocturnem Draft Haus, will be organizing this year’s Bangor Brew Fest. The event, now in it’s second year, will feature beers from over 20 breweries as well as musical performances, home brewing demonstrations and more.
Regular tickets are $39, VIP tickets are $49. Designated driver tickets are $15.
Bangor Waterfront, Washington St. and Front St.
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ShakesBeer Festival
Aug. 17, Stratford, Conn.
This festival will feature Connecticut craft breweries, tons of local food and live entertainment, including a special appearance by Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice’’ in 2011. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the restoration and reopening of the historic American Shakespeare Theatre, which was once a mecca of the arts and stage community. Famed performers such as Christopher Walken, James Earl Jones, and Audrey Hepburn once played at the theater, which has been closed for nearly 30 years.
Tickets available at Wines Unlimited and Captain’s Keg.
Wines Unlimited, 2336 Broadbridge Ave.
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5th Annual Hops in the Hills Brewfest
Aug. 24, Ludlow, Vt.
Sample some local brews and vote for your favorite chicken wing at the 5th Annual Hops in the Hills Brewfest. Hosted by Okemo Moutain Resort, the event will feature beers from area companies including Harpoon Brewery, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Magic Hat Brewery and more as well as mouth-watering chicken wing tasting competition.
Admission is $20 and comes with four beer tastings and a logo mug. Additional tastings are also available.
Jackson Gore Paleo-Field at Okemo Mountain Resort, 77 Okemo Ridge Road
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Wicked Wine & Brew Fest
Sept. 7, Litchfield, N.H.
It’s beer for a good cause – The Nashua Telegraph raises money for the New Hampshire Food Bank with this festival. Wicked Wine & Brew is continuing to go green this year by not using plastic sampling cups and, instead, offering commemorative glasses to attendees.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Youth ages 6 to 20 and designated driver tickets are $5. Children ages 5 and under are free.
Funway Park, 454 Charles Bancroft Highway
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Belgian Beer Fest
Sept. 13-14, Boston
Beer Advocate’s festival devoted to Belgian-style brews and sponsored by Allagash Brewing Co. returns to Boston this fall. The fest will include a “Night of the Funk’’ featuring strange, funky styles of beer like sours, lambics, gueuzes, and more.
Tickets are $55 per session.
The Cyclorama at The Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St.
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Cape Cod Brew Fest
Sept. 28, East Falmouth
Abscond to the Cape this fall to celebrate local craft brewers at the 2d annual Cape Cod Brew Fest. The event will feature over 200 different styles of beers from more than 50 American breweries, and each attendee will receive a custom pint glass as well as a bag filled with goodies.
Ticket prices vary by month. Check the website for details.
Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, Route 151
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Harbor Brew Fest
Sept. 28, Bridgeport, Conn.
Help out a good cause while sipping on an ice cold brew at this year’s Harbor Brew Fest. The festival will have a wide array of international and domestic beers on tap as well as live music and food from some of the most popular food trucks in Connecticut. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Harbor Light Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing safe and beneficial programs for children.
General admission tickets are $40, brewer’s special tickets are $60. Designated driver tickets are $10.
The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, 500 Main St.
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