In the beautiful and relaxing outdoor setting of Robin Lake Beach, Callaway Gardens will host the third annual Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, Sept. 10, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This festival is an all-you-can-taste extravaganza with more than 100 craft beers from more than 35 different vendors.

Craft beer is unique in that it uses natural elements, such as fruit, bread, flowers, spice, pine, and citrus, to create new flavors, aromas, appearance, and textures, according to CraftBeer.com.

“For those who love craft beers or want to discover new options, this is the perfect event,” said Andy Brown, director of recreation for Callaway Gardens. “For the past two years we’ve had guests arriving early hoping to get a jump on the lines. The new VIP option is perfect for them. We hope craft beer lovers will bring their friends to enjoy the weekend.”

Saturday’s Main Attraction

Beginning at 2 p.m., guests will casually stroll from tent to tent in the open air venue sampling a variety of craft beers. Experts will be on hand to answer questions. Those who purchase the VIP option will be able to start tasting at 1 p.m. and special food pairings will be in their exclusive VIP area.

Some of the featured breweries include Cannon Brew Pub, Goose Island, SweetWater Brewing Company, Jailhouse Brewing Co., Pontoon, Wild Heaven, Magic Hat, Red Hare, Monday Night Brewing, Jekyll Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Foot Hills, Red Brick, Green Man, Not Your Fathers, Shiner Bock, Shock Top, Harpoon Brewing, Anchor Brewing, Yuengling, Omaha, and more.

The bands Neal Lucas and The Barstool Prophets will entertain with great live music and college football will be on the big screens. Both a food court and full bar will be available. So, bring a chair or blanket to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting of Robin Lake Beach.

Leave the driving to us and enjoy your day. Simply make a weekend out of it and reserve the Craft Beer Festival Package that includes admission to the beer festival, a shuttle to and from your accommodations, lodging, admission to the Gardens for each day of stay and day of departure, and breakfast.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 or the day of the event for $45. A new VIP ticket for $65 provides guests the opportunity to start tasting an hour earlier, beginning at 1 p.m., and have access to an exclusive VIP area that will provide specialty food paired with the featured beverages.

In an effort to promote safe driving, Callaway Gardens encourages each guest participating to bring a designated driver. Designated drivers and festival guests not participating in the craft beer tasting will receive discounted admission of $15 per person. For tickets, visit www.callawaygardens.com or call 1.800.463.6990.

Friday’s Craft Beer Dinner

A perfect accompaniment to the Festival is a Craft Beer Dinner. This will take place in The Piedmont Restaurant of The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens on Friday, September 9. Callaway Gardens’ Executive Chef Sid Kurrimbukus has created a delicious meal (menu shown below) to go perfectly with a selection of craft beers paired by experts from the Omaha Brewing Company of Omaha, Ga., who will be in attendance to answer questions.

Guests will learn how to pair select craft beers with the dishes giving special attention the right style of beer for a given food, beer serving temperatures, and glassware recommendations. The reception will begin at 7 p.m. with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. With seating limited to only 60 guests on the Craft Beer Dinner overnight package, early reservations are suggested.

Get the complete experience. Add Friday night’s Craft Beer Dinner Package to your plans. For reservations, visit www.callawaygardens.com or call 1.844.463.6990.