The World Beer Festival Raleigh Celebrates 10 Years

The World Beer Festival Raleigh Celebrates 10 Years of the Best on Beer

Thousands of beer enthusiasts head to Moore Square Park April 11th for Raleigh’s 10th annual celebration of beer from around the world.

WBF-Raleigh-2015March 4, 2015 – Raleigh, NC – All About Beer Magazine proudly presents the World Beer Festival Raleigh for the 10th straight year on Saturday, April 11, 2015, in Moore Square Park, downtown Raleigh. Tickets are on sale now and selling quickly. Interested attendees may visit www.worldbeerfestival.com to learn more and to purchase tickets today.

“We are thrilled to bring the festival back to Raleigh for a tenth year,” said Chris Rice, Producer of the World Beer Festival and All About Beer Magazine President. “We have worked hard to keep our offerings fresh and exciting, while still paying tribute to why we started the event in the first place.”

The World Beer Festival Raleigh began at a crucial turning point in North Carolina craft beer history. The passing of the Pop the Cap legislation (www.popthecap.org/) in 2005 lifted the 6% ABV cap to 15%. Craft beer grew in North Carolina by 12% that year; three points higher than the national average. Organizers of the World Beer Festival, which already had an existing Durham event, believed this to be the perfect time to bring the festival to the City of Oaks.

“Top of the Hill was one of the first breweries in NC and I can say for a fact that the World Beer Festival has been instrumental in creating the vibrant beer community we have in the Triangle and the rest of the state,” said Scott Maitland, Proprietor, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery.

Held in April 2006, the first World Beer Festival in Raleigh brought 12 North Carolina breweries together. At this time, North Carolina breweries were putting down roots, brewing classic beer styles. The World Beer Festival looked to out-of-state and imported beers to present to festival attendees. Because of Pop the Cap, many out-of-state breweries were able to enter the market with a wider variety of beers that were new to NC festival attendees.

“The World Beer Festival in Raleigh has always been one of the best run festivals we attend,” said Robert Poitras, owner of Carolina Brewery.  “All About Beer Magazine was the pioneer for craft beer awareness in the Triangle through this festival, and now the Triangle area and NC are the epicenter of the national craft beer movement.  We look forward to this festival every year and it is certainly one that any savvy beer fan will not want to miss.”

Today, North Carolina is home to nearly 100 breweries and brewpubs — the most of any southeast state. The 2015 festival will feature 30 of those breweries in the NC Beer Garden, a perennial favorite of the World Beer Festival attendees.

Many breweries are celebrating 10 years of pouring at the World Beer Festival in Raleigh. Abita Brewing, Big Boss Brewery, Carolina Brewing Co., Foothills Brewing Co., The Mash House, Saranac (F.X. Matt), Natty Greene’s Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Sweetwater Brewing Co., Thomas Creek Brewing Co., Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery, and Wells & Young have participated every year. World Beer Festival organizers are pleased to announce their return in 2015.

General admission tickets to the World Beer Festival are $50 and include a tasting glass and unlimited 4-ounce tastings from over 250 beers. VIP tickets are available at $100 and include a bonus selection of rare and unique beers not available to general public, an upscale hot food buffet, and a three-issue subscription to All About Beer Magazine. VIP ticket holders will enjoy access to the beautifully redesigned 214 Martin, with a gorgeous view overlooking the entire festival. The festival will be held on April 11, 2015 and offer two sessions, 12-4pm and 6-10pm.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.worldbeerfestival.com, or at Bottle Revolution Raleigh (4025 Lake Boone Trail #105, Raleigh, NC 2760), and Bottle Revolution- RDU (10970 Chapel Hill Road #116, Morrisville, NC).

World Beer Festivals are presented by All About Beer Magazine, based in Durham, NC. Located in unique settings, each festival is a source of anticipation and pride for the cities they visit. Its two longest-operating festivals sell to capacity, with audiences of over 10,000 people. With their emphasis on education and moderation, the World Beer Festivals have significantly advanced area beer cultures, expanding retail offerings and raising consumer appreciation.