Belle Grove Plantation will host its 20th annual “Of Ale and History” Beer Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. with beer tasting beginning at noon.
This event is the longest running beer festival in Virginia and will feature more than 60 beers including craft brews, imports, and hard ciders, as well as new products from some of America’s most popular breweries.
The 2015 “Of Ale and History” Beer Fest entertainment sponsor is Guinness Blonde American Lager. The Elizabeth Lawrence Band, a soulful blues and rugged rock band that has been named a Best of Warrenton and Best of the Piedmont performer will play from noon until 3 p.m. Cazhmiere, one of the region’s premier party bands will perform 80’s and 90’s and current pop, dance, new country and modern rock hits from 3:00 until 6:00 p.m.
The Featured Beverage Host of the 2015 Beer Fest is Yuengling and additional major sponsors include First Bank, Cassaday and Company Independent Wealth Management, iHeartMedia, Sierra Nevada, Heineken, Guinness, Virginia’s Best, Goose Island, Sam Adams, and Blue Moon.
Food will be available for purchase from area restaurants and vendors and will include barbeque, chili, Thai, brats and fries, ice cream and coffee drinks. Local businesses and the Belle Grove Museum Shop will also offer unique gifts and products for sale.
Tickets are on sale now at Northern Shenandoah Valley Handy Mart locations and online at www.bellegrove.org. Tasting tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate and includes a commemorative tasting glass and eight beer tastings in addition to access to all performances, vendors, and tours of Belle Grove’s 1797 Manor House. Designated drivers or guests under-21 may purchase admission tickets for $10. Visitors are welcome to bring chairs 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.
“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 with panoramic, Shenandoah Valley mountain views. Belle Grove is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site and a partner in the Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historical Park. The “Of Ale and History” Beer Festival is one of the museum’s most important fundraisers that contributes to the preservation of its buildings and site.
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.
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