Soldotna to host eighth-annual Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival this Saturday

Mandy Leslie of Anchorage beers with her brother Zack Leslie of Kenai on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2018, at the Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Mandy Leslie said her favorite beer was the 12 quadruple beer from the 49th State Brewing Company, which won as the people’s choice for top beer. More than 15 breweries from all around the state participated in the festival, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Soldotna with benefits going to local Rotary projects. (Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion)

Mandy Leslie of Anchorage beers with her brother Zack Leslie of Kenai on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2018, at the Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Mandy Leslie said her favorite beer was the 12 quadruple beer from the 49th State Brewing Company, which won as the people’s choice for top beer. More than 15 breweries from all around the state participated in the festival, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Soldotna with benefits going to local Rotary projects. (Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion)

The eighth-annual Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival will celebrate community and locally crafted brewing this Saturday.

More than 25 breweries, distributors, wineries and a cidery will gather for a night of tasting, fundraising, music and food.

The festival will kick off at 5 p.m. with a one-hour connoisseur event offering unlimited tastings, including specialty beers provided by breweries, to those who purchase VIP tickets. The connoisseur hour is limited to 200 tickets, which allow patrons early entry to the festival.

The event for general admission begins at 6 p.m. and includes a commemorative glass, eight 4-ounce sample tokens and live music. Additional drink tokens can be purchased at the event.

When the festival kicked off in 2011, only a handful of breweries were involved, and it was hosted at a smaller venue. This year, the festival will reach a record number of participating breweries, cideries, wineries and distributors, Matthew Pyhala, the festival coordinator, said.

“This year we have new breweries that haven’t participated before, a lot of them are because they are brand new,” he said.

Headlining the evening is Colorado-based rock and country band Great American Taxi, followed by a few local bands, Pyhala said.

Attendees will have nine different food vendors to choose from, some of which are also brand new to the festival.

The festival is the main fundraiser for the Soldotna Rotary Club, and all of the proceeds going towards local projects, Pyhala said.

“(The festival) came out of a brainstorming session of fundraising ideas that were a little out of the box,” Pyhala said.

According to the festival’s website, proceeds in the past have gone to help the Soldotna Rotary Club in setting up a RAFT Fund, which pays for travel to and from local hospitals for those who don’t have transportation.

Last year, the festival had between 1,000 and 1,200 attendees. Pyhala expects a similar turnout.

Tickets can be purchased at St. Elias Brewing, Kassik’s Brewery, Kenai River Brewing Co. and at the door. VIP tickets are $50. General admission tickets are $30.

Reach Victoria Petersen at vpetersen@peninsulaclarion.com

More in Life

Fresh mozzarella, above, is great if you find yourself with a gallon of milk on its last day. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Mozzarella saves the day

After all our Thanksgiving guests departed, we received a delivery of several gallons of milk nearing their expiration date

Will Morrow (courtesy)
Older and wiser, or not

Turning 50 has been a more laid-back experience

Sara DeVolld performs as part of the Waltz of the Flowers Corps de Ballet in “The Nutcracker” with Eugene Ballet at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Shona DeVolld)
Becoming part of a ‘magical holiday tradition’

Local ballet dancer Sara DeVolld performs in Anchorage for ‘The Nutcracker’

A copy of Sherry Simpson’s “The Way Winter Comes” is held in the Peninsula Clarion offices on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Off the Shelf: Inhabited by winter

Juneau writer spins haunting tales of Alaska’s darkest season in 1998 short story collection

Charles Riddiford, far right in the back row, posed for this Spokane Post Office staff photo in 1898 when he was just a clerk. The photo appeared in a 1922 edition of the Spokesman Review, along with a discussion of the post office’s tremendous growth.
Riddiford: Story of a Name Change — Part 1

So who was this Riddiford, and why did this name hold such sway at the site of Joseph Cooper’s boat landing for more than a decade?

These festive gingerbread cookies are topped with royal icing and sprinkles. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Rolling out the gingerbread

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time for the holiday classic

Paper chains made of gratitude strips adorn a Christmas tree at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
Minister’s Message: Grateful and kind

What if, instead of gathering around tables and talking about what has already happened TO us, we challenge ourselves to return kindness to the world around us

Roasted broccoli Caesar salad provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A toasty, warm salad for a cozy Thanksgiving

This warm side dish provides some much-needed greens and fiber to balance out the rolls and gravy

Nick Varney
Unhinged Alaska: Some things never change. Nor should they

In the dawdling days prior to Thanksgiving, things are usually as serene as a gentle snowfall within our modest piece of nirvana

Most Read