2015 Newport Craft Beer Festival - Now a Two Day Event

Co-sponsored by Newport Storm Brewery and Pour Judgement Bar & Grille, the Newport Craft Beer Festival returns for a fourth year and is now officially a 2-day festival.

Save the date, or should we say dates, for Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th 2015 to taste the delicacies brought to you by 35 of the nations craft breweries. The Friday night session will be held 8-10pm at the Newport Storm Brewery and 2 sessions (noon-3pm & 4-7pm) will be held under a huge tent at the Great Friends Meeting House in downtown Newport, RI.

The addition of the Friday evening session - the VIB (Very Important Beers) Event - will feature beers from festival brewers not available on Saturday, a much smaller, intimate setting in exclusive areas of the Newport Storm Brewery, with some of the festival‟s brewery staff in attendance.

Saturday's two sessions will feature craft breweries from all over the country on the lawn of one of Newport's most historical sites (operated by the Newport Historical Society), showing off their finest! Each brewery is required to send staff employed by the brewery so guests can pick their brains and learn all about each beer first hand from people who help make, market, design and taste-test each brew! The festival also emphasizes local, Rhode Island beers, with “Guild Row,” a special area under the festival tent where guests can easily access all the Rhody beers in one spot, as the Newport Craft Beer Fest‟s proceeds benefit the Rhode Island Brewers Guild, a not for profit organization that supports Ocean State craft breweries. 

Over the last 3 years, the Festival has raised an estimated $30,000 for the Guild and hopes to continue that trend. Guests will have the opportunity to sample beers from all the breweries present, keep the commemorative tasting glass, and declare their favorite brewery by voting for the 2nd Annual Fan Favorite Award, as well as get a taste of the "local flavor‟ from Newport restaurants offering their best plates while listening to live bands at each session. 

“It‟s hard to top the event each year, but this year‟s fest will definitely give other years a run for their money,” says Festival Director, Taylor Butzbach. “Offering a second day (or night) to the Festival, more breweries to our fans, and the continued enthusiasm and support from both the brewery and fans alike… it could be - dare we say - epic!” 

This is strictly a 21+ event. Friday VIB tickets are $35, and Saturday tickets are $45 (buy now). Space is limited to 75 tickets on Friday, and 550 for each session on Saturday. Tickets include admission, unlimited beer samples, live music and a souvenir glass. 

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