Craft breweries from around the Carolinas will gather in May to toast the newly renamed Charleston Beer Fest at its new venue: Riverfront Park in North Charleston. Previously the Charleston Beer Garden, the springtime beer festival is changing its name to better reflect the event’s overall style, growth, and continued focus on celebrating regional craft beer. 

Earlier this year, close to 30 breweries from around North and South Carolina served more than 60 craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, reds, and ciders. Year after year, the more than 3,000 festival attendees have asked for a larger selection of craft beer offerings, and the 2018 festival did not disappoint.

The event also includes interactive beer games, live music, food trucks, local craft vendors, and a Homebrewers’ Village. As the festival has grown year over year, it became necessary to look for a space that could accommodate the growth. In addition, The Grove at Patriots Point, where the event has been the last few years, is part of land slated for development. 

“As we began searching for a new festival venue, we also realized it was a good time to change the name to Charleston Beer Fest,” said Jason Kirk, director of development and marketing for Palmetto Community Care. “As this event grows in terms of number of attendees and our regional craft beer offerings, we felt ‘fest’ was more descriptive of the event focus and atmosphere. We are truly excited about what’s in store for 2019 and know local beer lovers will want to put May 18 on their calendars now.” 

Toast the newly renamed Charleston Beer Fest at a Pint of Hope event benefiting Palmetto Community Care on Oct. 16. At Frothy Beard Brewing Company from 5:00-8:00 p.m., $1 from each pint sold will be donated to Palmetto Community Care. Attendees will have multiple chances to win free tickets to the 2019 event, pick up some freebies, try out a few Beer Games, and learn more about what is in store for Charleston Beer Fest.