Belle Grove’s ‘Of Ale & History’ Beer Fest coming on Saturday, May 12

Longest Running Beer Fest in Virginia Celebrates 23 Years in 2018

Historic Belle Grove Plantation near Middletown will host its annual “Of Ale and History” Beer Festival on Saturday, May 12, 2018.  Now in its 23^rd year, it is Virginia’s longest running beer festival. It is also Belle Grove’s most important annual fundraiser that helps support its preservation projects and educational programs.

A press conference will be held at Belle Grove on Tuesday, May 8 at 10 a.m. Representatives from participating beer distributors and breweries will discuss what they will feature at the 2018 festival. They include Dixie Beverage Company, Virginia Eagle Distributing Company, Backroom Brewery, Winchester Cider Works, Woodstock Brewhouse, Alesatian Brewing Company, and Maidstone Meadery.

Cazhmiere, one of the region’s best dance and R&B bands will start the party and perform from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A local favorite, the Robbie Limon Band, will perform 1970’s era top 40 hits and deep tracks from 3 to 6 p.m. Shenandoah Country Q102 and 99.3 The Fox radio personalities will be at the Beer Fest throughout the day. Dominion Energy is the 2018 Entertainment Sponsor.

The Featured Beverage Host of the 2018 Beer Fest is Yuengling, the Session Beer Sponsor is Pabst Blue Ribbon, and the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Sponsor is Snapple. The souvenir glass sponsor is Winchester Foreign and Domestic Automotive Repair. Other major sponsors include Thermo-Fisher Scientific, Grove’s Winchester Harley-Davidson, First Bank, Cassaday and Company Independent Wealth Management, Perry Engineering, iHeartMedia, Carper’s Wood Creations, Mid South Building Supply, Sierra Nevada, Guinness, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Starr Hill Brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, and Wicked Weed Brewing. Additional sponsors are Safford of Winchester RAM, Jeep, Dodge & Chrysler, Northern Virginia Orthodontics, Nana’s Irish Pub, Griffin Tavern and Restaurant, Stagecoach Productions Sound & Lighting LLC, Shaffer’s Barbecue, Fastsigns, Grand Rental Station, HandyMart, and Reddy Ice.

Food will be available from Shaffer’s BBQ Palace, Royal Siam Catering, 0 to 60 Energy Cafe, A-1 Kettle Korn, and Papa Joe’s Funnel Cakes. Local businesses and the Belle Grove Museum Shop will also offer unique gifts and products for sale.

Festival gates will open at 11 a.m. and tastings will be offered from noon until 5:30 pm. Advanced tasting tickets are on sale at www.bellegrove.org (there are no fees for purchasing online). Tickets may also be purchased at all area Handy Mart locations and the Winchester-Frederick County Visitors Center at 1400 South Pleasant Valley Road in Winchester (open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., cash and checks only) and the Belle Grove Museum Shop (open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.)

Tasting tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the gate and includes a commemorative tasting glass and eight beer tastings. Craft brews, imports, hard ciders, and mead will be available for tasting. Visitors may opt to exchange two tastings for a can of the session beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, to enjoy as refreshment. Additional tastings may be purchased for $2 after 2 p.m. Designated drivers or guests under-21 may purchase general admission for $10. Admission includes access to all performances, vendors, and tours of Belle Grove’s 1797 Manor House.

Visitors are welcome to bring chairs and blankets but are asked to leave pets and large backpacks and totes at home. No food or beverages may be brought onto the festival grounds. Photo identification is required for entry for anyone that wishes to do beer tastings. Anyone under 18-years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This is a rain or shine event.

“Of Ale and History” takes its name from “mine host was full of ale and history” a line in a 17th century satirical poem by Richard Corbet, the Bishop of Oxford and Norwich, England. Belle Grove Plantation, which was founded in 1783 originally grew wheat, barley, oats and other grains used in beer. Today Belle Grove is a non-profit, historic house museum on 283 acres that is still farmed today and has panoramic, Shenandoah Valley views. Belle Grove is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site and a partner in the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park.

Belle Grove Plantation is located off Route 11 at 336 Belle Grove Road south of Middletown, Virginia (use exit 302 from I-81). The latest information on the “Of Ale and History” Beer Festival may be found at www.bellegrove.org or www.facebook.com/BelleGrove.

(From a release)