Historic Odessa Brewfest Coming to Delaware

Beer festivals are a joy to behold and with the surge in popularity of craft beer, these memorable occasions are added to calendars regularly, in states large and small. The east coast state of Delaware gets in on the action whenever it can and one of its best beer festivals happens to be in its fourth year. It’s The Historic Odessa Brewfest scheduled for Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Odessa, Delaware.

Past and Present

The Historic Odessa Foundation and Cantwell’s Tavern organize this annual event and one of the festival’s primary purposes is the emphasis on charity and preservation. Proceeds from the festival benefit the important work of the Historic Odessa Foundation, an organization that strives to preserve, conserve, and educate the public regarding the historic museum properties known as the Historic Houses of Odessa. These properties represent some of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic region and they require constant attention and care. The Historic Odessa Brewfest therefore serves as a fundraiser for the foundation and its critical mission.

To get festival- goers in an historic mood, the Brewfest is held on the grounds of the 247 year old Wilson- Warner House. Guests walk from brew tent to brew tent, sipping on delicious craft beer and other beverages and always mindful of the history that surrounds them. Speaking of the beer, there will be more than 50 breweries in attendance, among them Mispillion, Big Oyster, Dogfish Head, Revelation, Blue Earl, and Burley Oak. New to the festival this year will be three craft beer heavyweights: Founders Brewing, Sweetwater Brewing, and Devil’s Backbone. The list will be finalized as the date of the event draws near and guests are encouraged to visit http://www.odessabrewfest.com/breweries/2017breweries for the latest updates.

Education and Entertainment 

Most every beer festival comes complete with entertainment and the Historic Odessa Brewfest is no different, with live music on two stages. On the Main Stage, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., will be a live performance by up-and-coming country singer/songwriter Adam Yarger followed by reggae favorite Spokey Speaky from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Over on the Garden Stage, guests can enjoy music performed by acoustic jazz and blues artist Bruce Anthony from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. followed by an afternoon performance by solo performer Tony Mowen from 3 to 6 p.m.

History is an important component of this festival and to keep the spirit of the past alive, attendees will be treated to an historical brewing re-enactment, performed by Rich and Anna Wagner. Dressed in colonial garb, the couple will brew beer on site just like folks did centuries ago, using copper kettles, wooden barrels, & hops and grains, completely free from modern convenience.