Fresh Fest Beer Fest Explained

Begins:	August
Ends:	August
Frequency:	Annual
Location:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Years Active:	Since 2018
Participants:	more than 1,200 (2018)^[1]

Fresh Fest Beer Fest is a beer festival held annually in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, since 2018. Geared towards increasing diversity in the craft beer industry, Fresh Fest is the nation's first festival for Black-owned breweries.^[2]

Origins

Fresh Fest was conceived by podcast hosts Day Bracey and Ed Bailey of the Drinking Partners Podcast, and entrepreneur Mike Potter of Black Brew Culture. Citing a lack of diversity in craft beer brewers and consumers, the creators sought both to bring together Black-owned breweries and provide and inclusive space to connect beer drinkers. In addition to Black-owned breweries nationwide, Fresh Fest also showcases Pittsburgh-area breweries through partnerships with local Black businesses, entrepreneurs, politicians, and other personalities.

Location

The 2018 and 2019 Fresh Fests were held at Nova Place on Pittsburgh's North Shore. Since 2021, Fresh Fest's a block party in Pittsburgh's Allentown neighbourhood. The COVID-19 pandemic caused 2020's cancellation of most events, and some had gone virtual.

See also

• Craft beer
• List of breweries in Pennsylvania
• List of festivals in Pennsylvania

Notes and References

1. Web site: Culgan . Rossilynne . Fresh Fest, the nation's first and only black beer festival, is coming back to Pittsburgh . The Incline . 22 February 2020 . 22 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200222222944/https://archive.theincline.com/2019/01/14/fresh-fest-the-nations-first-and-only-black-beer-festival-is-coming-back-to-pittsburgh/ . dead .
2. Web site: Jeremy . Fresh Fest Review – The Nation's First Festival for Black Breweries . Discover the Burgh . 13 August 2018 . Jeremy and Angie . 22 February 2020.