Local craft beer festival to throw block-party style bash this year

Your Labor Day plans may have just become a whole lot more fun. That’s because Bexley Brewfest is returning this year in a bigger and better than ever block-party format.

First held in 2019, the event—which began as a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research—saw over 500 guests alongside a litany of different brewery stalls, food trucks, and vendors together in the front lawn of Bexley’s iconic Jeffrey Mansion.

And while the festival proper wasn’t held in 2020 due to COVID-19 (virtual beer bundles were sold instead), this year, organizer and founder Tim Pitts is making up for lost time. And then some.

“We raised over $10,000 our first year, and I remember my first thought was that we definitely wanted to do it again, and better if we could,” he said. “So I sat down with [Bexley Mayor Ben Kessler], and we decided to combine the Brewfest with the annual Bexley Labor Day celebration.”

And like the city’s Labor Day festivities, this means Bexley Brewfest 2021—-scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 5– will be held in block-party style. According to Pitts, a several-block stretch of Main Street will be barricaded off to host the gathering.

“I believe this is the first time they’ve shut down Main St. for an event like this in years,” Pitts said. “So we’re really excited.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased through the Brewfest website, or by going here

The Bexley Brewfest will feature even more beer this year as well, with stalls from over 25 different craft breweries, such as Rhinegeist, Buzzsaw, Wolf’s Ridge, Land-Grant, and many more. A full list of the participating beermakers can be found here. 

Each brewery will be pouring two different specialty beers. Additionally, an owner, brewer, or employee from each spot will be on-site to discuss their brews with visitors.

And no matter what the name says, you don’t need to love beer to attend. “We’re also having a few seltzers, ciders, and wine available,” said Pitts. “We got feedback on that after our first year and want to make sure everyone’s happy.”

Food trucks, local vendors, and even live music will also be present throughout the celebration, which runs from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.

So with good beer, hot food, and live music all together in a block-party style celebration, we can’t think of a better farewell to this summer.

If you like this, read: 614 Day: How the capital city’s celebration looks to reignite your passion for Columbus

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