Updated: Environmental nonprofit MountainTrue has cancelled its inaugural Mountain Brew Fest, previously scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, in downtown Hendersonville. According to the organization, the decision to cancel the event is related to an “inability to get clear and consistent answers regarding event requirements from the Alcohol Beverage Control and Alcohol Law Enforcement agencies.” Tickets will be refunded.
Read the full statement from MountainTrue here.
Originally posted August 10, 2015:
MountainTrue will host its inaugural Mountain Brew Fest in downtown Hendersonville on Saturday, Aug. 22. Organizers say that with recent demographic shifts within the city, it is the perfect opportunity to bring the event to downtown Hendersonville.
The conservation organization’s Southern regional office is in Hendersonville, which allows the festival to not only celebrate great craft beer but also to create an opportunity for members of the local community to interact with one another and with MountainTrue.
The event is the first of its kind for downtown Hendersonville. Mark Stierwalt, Southern regional director of MountainTrue, points out, “Currently the city of Hendersonville is making a big push to revitalize the Historic Seventh Avenue District, which Locust Street is part of, and the city is enthusiastic about bringing fresh eyes to the area between the greenway there and the Seventh Avenue District. This is a perfect place to launch what we hope to become an annual event.”
Southern Appalachian Brewery will be the anchor for the festival, which will extend to several streets surrounding the brewery to create a block-party feel for the event. The festival will be open to general public allowing those who do not want to sample the beers the opportunity to socialize within the festival atmosphere without needing to buy a ticket.
Lew Holloway, downtown economic development director for the city of Hendersonville, says, “There is general excitement about this event in downtown and the Seventh Avenue district. Our first microbrewery, Southern Appalachian, calls the district home and this event is a great opportunity for them and the district to introduce downtown Hendersonville to a group of visitors who may not have previously visited with us.”
The target attendance is about 750 ticket holders — organizers are aiming for a smaller festival so participants won’t feel like they are competing with large crowds.
MountainTrue points out that the event is intended to be about more than the selection of local craft beers which will be offered. It will also allow MountainTrue to have a positive presence within Henderson County and will remind people of the organization’s efforts to protect water quality, advance clean energy and preserve the forests and national parks. Net proceeds from the Mountain Brew Fest will go directly to MountainTrue.
Stierwalt says, “Craft beer and festivals are a great match for MountainTrue since brewers and beer lovers alike value and need clean water.”
In addition to local craft brewers, the event will also feature local music and food trucks. The presence of several cideries at the festival will also highlight Henderson County’s connection to apple growing. Cideries who will be offering samples include Bold Rock Hard Cider and Naked Apple Hard Cider. Local bands Two Dollar Pistols and Ten Toe Turbo are among the musical acts that will be featured.
“This is about local bands, local brews, local food, and our local environment,” Stierwalt points out. Breweries that have committed to participating include Hi-Wire, Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues, Highland, Unknown, Pisgah, New Belgium and Quest.
The outdoor event will take place 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, next to the Southern Appalachian Brewery on Locust Street and Bearcat Boulevard. General admission tickets are $35 (includes unlimited beer samples). Tickets and details are available at mountainbrewfest.com.
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