Chattabrewga brings the best of craft beer to the Scenic City
Chattabrewga, formerly the Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival, takes a new turn this year. The festival will be showcasing limited release and hard-to-find craft beers, the “white whales” that have come to epitomize the intrigue surrounding the craft beer revolution.
In addition to being some of the most sought after beers on the U.S. craft beer scene, the ‘white whales’ are also the most impressive showcase of the creativity and artistry of craft breweries.
For craft beer geeks and novices alike, Chattabrewga 2016 promises to pique the interest and dazzle the palate of anyone who values a truly artisan product.
“The spectrum of craft beers presently available in the U.S. is astonishing,” says Joe Winland, owner of Heaven&Ale and sponsor of Chattabrewga. “Craft brewers demonstrate unparalleled creativity, and they’re able to incorporate aspects of spirit-making and wine-making into their craft beers, which appeals to all sorts of tastes and preferences.
“You’ll never find a bourbon or a red wine that evokes the flavor of beer, but there are some excellent beers inspired by and infused with bourbon or wine, among other spirits, resulting in unique, complex flavors," Winland explains. “And we’re fortunate that Chattabrewga will put those styles of craft beer at the forefront of the festival to create a really interesting event for our community.”
Now in its fourth year, Chattabrewga will feature a diverse selection of rare, specialty, and experimental beers from local, regional, and national craft breweries.
“Chattabrewga will prove to be the best beer festival and tasting Chattanooga has ever seen,” says Matt Leff, owner of Rhizome Productions and founder of Chattabrewga. “While we have been doing this for the past three years, we are going back to our real goals, which is to create a small, intimate festival where guests can sample craft beers that they may never find again.”
Chattabrewga takes place on Friday, June 4th from Noon until 5 p.m. at the First Tennessee Pavilion. Each guest will receive a commemorative tasting glass, and samples are unlimited.
VIP Tickets are also available and will grant guests access to the festival 30 minutes early and a lounge area, which will feature cuisine from Terminal BrewHouse, Beast & Barrel, Hair of the Dog, and VIP only craft beers from Terminal BrewHouse, the festival’s main sponsor.
With no token exchanges, long lines, or gratuitous pours, Chattabrewga is an easygoing event that is designed to allow people to experience and enjoy everything the festival has to offer, while keeping craft beer the obvious highlight.
“There’s a beer drinker inside of everyone,” muses Johnny Shields of Rhizome Productions, “and Chattabrewga is the sort of event to tease that person out.”
Several of Chattanooga’s best food trucks will be on hand, so come hungry. Local folk/Americana band Tab Spencer will perform live, fresh off the release of the first single from their new album. Designated Driver tickets are also available and water is free. Tickets are on sale now, but they are limited and the event is likely to sell out quickly.