The Germans who settled Hill Country towns were renowned for a welcoming nature, which frequently involved sharing a beer. Today, more than a few local festivals capture that spirit of “Gemütlichkeit,” or friendliness and good cheer.
The 3rd annual Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival is one of those that encourages camaraderie amid sudsy tastings. The growing event, set for June 8 at Marktplatz (the city’s downtown square), features 20-plus Texas craft brewers, including Fredericksburg’s own Altstadt Brewery, Spoetzle Brewery (Shiner), Texas Cannon Brewing, Pecan Street Brewing and many more, with each brewery bringing several styles. Also on tap are lawn games, live bands, Tastes & Suds Tent and food concessionaires, and, yes, even some Texas wine.
This year’s events are June, Friday, June 7, at Altstadt Brewery we host a Dinner and Awards Ceremony for breweries who entered the craft beer competition. (Tours of the operation also are included.) The festival itself is the following day downtown.
The 2023 music lineup features a stylistic mashup of country and western from The Drugstore Cowboys, Latin tunes with Luna Tropical, and “polkaholism” from Alex Meixner, one of the most dynamic accordionists working today. Meixner’s shows mix musical styles into party music that appeals to die-hard polka fans and newbies who discover a love for the underappreciated, fun genre.
Saturday general admission tickets are $25 and include three sample craft beer tastings, Festival souvenir tasting glass (while supplies last), lively music, food court, Suds & Tastes tent, corn hole and lots more Texas fun with fellow craft beer aficionados.
VIP admission is $150 and includes the Altstadt Brewery private tour Friday, two complementary beers, Awards Ceremony, Dinner on Friday and festival admission on Saturday. Come enjoy the German spirit with fellow craft beer aficionados.
fbgcraftbeerfestival.com
Fest office at 830-997-8515