It’s true, the Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival is back, and there are a lot of new things happening. We even have a special On Point ticket special offer (read on).
Let’s start with a new, bigger, dare I say better location? This year’s event will be at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs (the big park across the street from Inkwell Beach). This park is spacious, event friendly, and has spectacular water views. Waban Park will enable this festival to be a lot more interactive I feel. Especially with the new time, food, and music additions.
Gates open for the festival at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23rd. This is a big change from last year, since there was quite the line to get in. Now people don’t have to feel rushed, as the event continues through 6:00 p.m. Beer tasting begins at 2:00 p.m., but there will be music and food available when the gates open. VIP ticket holder’s beer tasting begins at 1:00 p.m.
At last’s year’s event, I learned so much about a number of new craft beers companies, like Mighty Squirrel. I even bought one of their hats. It was so much fun for me as a beer enthusiast. Meeting so many of the brewers and reps, and really learning some of the background about these small local east coast brewers was really fun and educational.
New Beers For 2017
As the title says, 50 breweries, 150 different beers. Some of the new additions include Elysian, Golden Road, 10 Barrel, each of which currently has very limited distribution in Boston, because they’re west coast based, and just hitting this side of the map. Also, Lookout Farm Brewing Co. from Natick is now producing beer, and the Martha’s Vineyard Craft Beer Festival will be the first to showcase it.
There will also be our local beers, Offshore Ale Company, Bad Martha and Wash Ashore (which has some beers that were just released in late 2016/2017).
I am so excited to see what’s new in the world of craft beers, discover new favs and savor the classics I have come to love. Maybe Ballast Point will have something new at this year’s fest!
Local Bites
One of the concerns with last year, was that there was not enough food, but this year, there will be some really good options.
Pizza di Napoli is bringing a pizza oven to the park, where chef Joe Monteiro and his team will be creating amazing stone fired pizzas. Many of you may already know that Pizza di Napoli’s Pollo, roasted chicken, goat cheese, imported pears, parsley, is one of my all time favorite.
El Gato Taco will be at the festival as well. Chef Spring Sheldon brings her amazing taco combinations to Waban Park. If you’ve missed the pop-ups she has had over the Summer, this is another reason to come to the festival.
Also joining is Midnight Train Food Truck. This new addition to the Oak Bluffs food scene has raised eye-brows, in a good way. Owner, Jordan Wallace, has not been able to have the truck open recently, but now with the beer festival, you will be able to try their culinary truck treats.
Beer & Music – A Good Combination
When enjoying delicious craft beer, adding good music makes good sense . For this year’s event, you can jam away with Dock Dance Band (rock), Mike Martin y los Rootsticks (reggae), Brad Tucker (Americana), Chandler Blues Band (blues) and more.
You’ll be able to enjoy music throughout the festival which is definitely an added bonus to the scene.
Tickets And A Special Point B Perk
General admission tickets are $69 which is not a lot for having the chance to sample so many beers! VIP is $89, and you get that extra hour, and early access to exclusive brewery releases.
I do like a little VIP action. By reading this blog, you can save 10%, so VIP would be $80.10 and General Admission would be $62.10. Click here and enter code POINTB.
A number of tickets have been already sold, so don’t wait. The event happens this weekend, and if you’re a craft beer fan, you don’t want to miss this event.
Insider’s Tip: No on-site parking, the use of car-pooling and public transportation is HIGHLY recommended.
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