A guide to spring and summer food and beer festivals in the Triangle
Working a table at a beer fest, one encounters all kinds of drinkers. Some come on their own, while others travel in packs – sometimes in roving birthday parties, even. Connoisseurs sip and take careful notes, while some are more interested in quantity than flavor. This last group are the minority, says John Pyburn, a brewer with Raleigh’s Big Boss Brewing Company.
“We’re not there to get people drunk,” he says. “That’s why we serve 2- and 4-ounce samples, so you can taste and then think about what you just had. Get a good impression of the beer, but not too much.”
Breweries like Big Boss, who will participate in at least three beer festivals in the Triangle in April alone, set up at fests for the same reason they give brewery tours – ultimately, it’s about advertising.
Yet there’s more to the experience than simply getting the brand name out there. In an on-site tour, Pyburn says, there may be 60 or 70 people, but they’re in a group; at a beer fest, brewers see hundreds of people, but they see them one at a time as they approach the table. As huge as it may be, the beer fest is a personal experience, both for attendees and vendors.
The brewers also look forward to seeing each other.
“We get to see our friends that work at other breweries that we would not get to see throughout the year,” Pyburn says.
Sure, there’s competition in the craft beer world – these are businesses, after all – but there’s also camaraderie among brewers. When a certain non-Big Boss beer comes up in conversation, Pyburn declares it tasty and mentions that an old friend worked at the local brewery that made it. Considering the market dominance of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Pyburn says, small brewers have to look out for each other.
Plyburn also offers an endurance tip to anyone spending a whole day at a beer festival: plenty of food and Gatorade. “Not everyone knows those two tricks – food and electrolytes – and there is great food at beer festivals.”
Indeed, both great food and beer fests go hand in hand with the start of spring. We’ve compiled info on some of the notable events coming up over the spring and summer.
Food and beer festivals
World Beer Festival Raleigh
When: Noon-4 p.m. and 6-10 p.m. April 2
Where: N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
Info: allaboutbeer.com
Cost: $45-$85
Why go: Previously in downtown’s Moore Square, this year’s festival has relocated and expanded to include cider, beer’s cousin with a sweet tooth.
Beer and Bacon Fest
When: Noon-6 p.m. (VIP) and 2-6 p.m. April 9
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
Info: beerandbacon.com
Cost: $29-$59
Why go: Two. Tons. Of. Bacon.
Bull City Food & Beer Experience
When: 4 p.m. April 10
Where: DPAC, 123 Vivian St., Durham
Info: bullcityexperience.com
Cost: $80
Why go: This indoor food and beer fest offers an equal number of restaurants and breweries – 35 of each – with satisfying culinary pairings as the goal.
East Meets West Festival
When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 16
Where: Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
Info: eastmeetswestmorrisville.org
Cost: Free (purchase food and beverages)
Why go: To experience a variety of food, culture and music matching Morrisville’s diversity.
N.C. ’Cuegrass Festival
When: Noon-6 p.m. April 16
Where: The Pit, 328 W. Davie St., Raleigh
Info: cuegrass.com
Cost: $5
Why go: With outdoor music stages and a focus on barbecue as well as beer, there’s more here for families than at adult-oriented beer fests.
Brewgaloo
When: 6-10 p.m. April 22; 2-10 p.m., April 23.
Where: City Plaza, 400 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
Info: shoplocalraleigh.org/brewgaloo
Cost: $45 entry April 22; free entry April 23, but beer tickets will be for sale (and can be ordered ahead of time at a cost of $1 per ticket, with a pint costing five tickets).
Why go: Because it has the character of both a food truck rodeo and beer fest.
Great Grapes! Food and Wine Festival
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 23
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
Info: uncorkthefun.com
Cost: $20-$49
Why go: Because the beer drinkers can’t have all the fun, grumble grumble...
Got to be NC Fest
When: May 20-22
Where: N.C. State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
Info: gottobencfestival.com
Cost: Entry is free, but you’ll pay for some rides and food.
Why go: With fireworks, carnival rides and homegrown North Carolina food, it’s like the late spring cousin of the North Carolina State Fair.
Peak City Pig Fest
When: June 17-18
Where: Downtown Apex
Info: peakcitypigfest.com
Cost: Free (food and beverages available for purchase)
Why go: It’s an excellent example of the time-honored barbecue competition, with teams from across the country convening in downtown Apex.
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival
When: 6-10 p.m. Aug. 5, noon-6 p.m. (VIP) and 2-6 p.m. Aug. 6
Where: Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
Info: beerandbourbon.com
Cost: $29-$89
Why go: This traveling fest mixes the height of summer with two types of alcohol and the meat of one kind of animal. (Hint: it’s pink and says “oink.”)
April is N.C. Beer Month
This initiative focuses on North Carolina’s respectable craft brew industry, with small and large events statewide. Get more info at ncbeermonth.com.
This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 4:00 AM with the headline "A guide to spring and summer food and beer festivals in the Triangle."