All three of these Maryland festivals are dedicated to locally produced alcohol. The problem is deciding which to attend.
Maryland loves to drink. So, it is only natural that we would also create more opportunities to do just that. That is the thinking behind three Maryland festivals taking place this weekend dedicated to locally made beer, wine, and spirits.
Whether you enjoy a craft beer, nice bottle of wine, or throwing back shots of bourbon, there is a festival for you this weekend!
DrinkMaryland - Centreville (June 17)
The DrinkMaryland festival is the first of its kind, bringing together wineries, brewers, distillers, cooks, farmers, artisans, and musicians to celebrate what they make! The DrinkMaryland festival will be held at 101 Lawyers Row in Downtown Centreville, Maryland. Gates open at 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 17.
The event will feature seven local wineries, six area breweries, and seven distilleries. Food vendors will be on-site and there will be local craftsmen and artists selling their wares. Music and entertainment will be provided by the Guthrie Matthews Band, Marissa Muro Trio, and Dell Foxx Company.
The event is technically free but tickets are required if you want to taste the local beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Tickets to the event cost $20 if purchased in advance
through Eventbrite and include a stemless sample glass. Tickets bought at the door will be available for $25.
Interstate Wine Festival - Hagerstown (June 17)
On Saturday, June 17, the Interstate Festival Group will be putting on its fourth Interstate Wine Festival at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center. More than a dozen Maryland wineries will be on hand, sampling over 80 different wines. For the first time, the festival will also feature a "Distillery Village," highlighting five Maryland distilleries. Distilled spirits will be offered for just $1 per sample.
The festival is so large that this year, there will be two stages playing continuous live music, all day long. There will be a painting party, where attendees can paint their own wine glasses in under 20 minutes. Area winemakers will be competing for the title of best amateur wine and there will be eight food vendors on hand offering a wide range of delicacies.
Tickets can be
purchased online or at the gate for the same price. General admission tickets start at $35, with VIP tickets also on sale for $45. "Twilight" tickets for attendees entering after 3:00 p.m. will be offered at the gate for $25. There are a few "add-on" options that can only be purchased online. Attendees looking to bring their own pop-up tent, table, and chairs to the event can do so for an additional $40. There are also add-on tickets for attendees looking to camp in an RV or tent, with prices varying depending on the day and how many attendees will be camping.
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival - National Harbor (June 16 & 17)
Head to the Plateau at National Harbor this weekend and enjoy good beers, good bourbons, and lots of BBQ. The festival is advertised as a "great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', and barbeque eatin'." Each guest will receive a souvenir tasting glass that they can use to sample any or all of the 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap. The tasting glass is unlimited, but guests are asked to drink responsibly.
The barbecue selection promises a full selection -- everything from pulled pork to whole hogs, including ribs, brisket, chicken, sausages, and pretty much every fixing you can imagine. There will be bacon tastings, as well as seminars from the area's master distillers.
The main stage promises live Rock and Roll, Blues, and Bluegrass music all day and night long.
The "Whole Hog Friday Night Pig Picking' Session" will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 16. The regular Saturday session will run from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 17, but VIP ticket holders will be allowed into the festival two hours early for an exclusive bacon tasting session.
Tickets are broken down into different classes, ranging from $45 - $70 for single day tickets and $59 to $115 for the VIP and "Grand Poobah" all-access passes. Tickets get more expensive at the door and are expected to sell out, so anyone interested in this amazing festival of food and drink should
purchase their tickets online in advance.
Did we miss any festivals this weekend? Know of any festivals coming up that we should feature? Leave a comment in the comments section below!
