WEST HARTFORD, CT — A beer festival featuring specially created brews inspired by ingredients that could have been found in an 18th-century garden or pantry is returning to the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society in September.
The 11th annual Real Ale Beer Festival & Cask Challenge will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Noah Webster House, 227 S. Main St.
The event will feature more than 20 local breweries and beverage makers, along with live music and food.
For the festival's Cask Challenge, participating breweries are asked to develop a special beer incorporating at least one ingredient found in Noah Webster's 18th-century garden or pantry.
The one-time creations will be available for tasting only during the festival.
Participating breweries include Back East Brewing of Bloomfield, 2nd Bridge Brewing of Manchester, OEC Brewing of Oxford, Dead Language Beer Project of Hartford, Willimantic Brewing Co., Nod Hill Brewery of Ridgefield, Brewery Legitimus of New Hartford, VUE Brewing of Southington, Plourd's Brewing of East Hartford, Counter Weight Brewing Co. of Cheshire, Watson Farmhouse Brewery of Southbury, New England Brewing Co. of Branford, Twelve Percent Beer Project of North Haven, Transcend Beer Crafters of Plainville and The Factory Brewing Collective of Bristol.
Dragonfire Meadery of Coventry will also offer mead samples, while Quiver Spirits of East Hartford and Litchfield Distillery will serve samples of locally made cocktail recipes.
The festival will feature live music from Martin Piggot, and food will be available for purchase from the Salt & Pepper food truck.
Portions of the Noah Webster House, a National Historic Landmark, will also be open for visitors to explore.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, which has operated Webster's birthplace since 1965.
Admission includes unlimited beer tastings for the duration of the event.
Attendees must be 21 or older and present a valid state-issued ID at the gate.
The event will be held rain or shine. Organizers are asking attendees not to bring dogs because of the busy road, pavement conditions, and festival crowds.
Free street parking is available along South Main Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.
For more information and to purchase tickets in advance, click on this link.
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