Ever since a 2012 change in state law that raised the limit of alcohol percentage allowed in beer sold in Mississippi – which paved the way for a much wider variety of craft beer throughout the state – various organizations and individuals in Hattiesburg have worked to make the Hub City one of the premier craft beer destinations in the state.
That tradition continues this year with the 10th annual Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival, which will be held from 6-9 p.m. (with VIP entry beginning at 5 p.m.) March 9 at Town Square Park, at the corner of Buschman and Main streets in downtown Hattiesburg. The event is hosted by the Downtown Hattiesburg Association, in partnership with Visit Hattiesburg, Southern Beverage Company, Stokes Distributing and Southern Prohibition, and is presented in part by Festival South with support from Visit Mississippi.
“Each of (our partners) have one thing in common: a passion for creating and ensuring a uniqueness of craft beer,” DHA executive director Andrea Saffle said during a February 26 news conference at Town Square Park. “Thanks to our amazing partners at Southern Beverage and Stokes Distributing, we continue to raise the level of this event by offering beers new to the market for attendees to sample.
“As downtown Hattiesburg Association’s largest fundraiser of the year, we’re incredibly grateful for the Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival sponsors.”
The festival will showcase more than 100 beers from local and regional breweries, including but not limited to Dogfish Head, Southern Prohibition, Colludium, Rogue, Leinenkugel’s, Elysian Brewing, Urban South Brewery, Shiner and Sweet Water. Several food trucks will be on site, including Nellie’s Chicken and Daiquiris, The 5000, Southern Wangz, Kassy’s Concessions, Taymas Taqueria and Under Dogs.
Festival T-shirts will be available for purchase for $15 each, or $16 for sizes 2 XL and above. Live music will be provided by Ra’Shad the Blues Kid.
“It is certainly hard to believe that this event has been going on now for 10 years,” said Marlo Dorsey, executive director of Visit Hattiesburg. “It is truly a testament to all the partners and wonderful things that we see here in downtown, and this (park) is a beautiful backdrop, of course.
“Each year, visitors flock to downtown, and for people who haven’t visited downtown lately, there are more things to do, and more things to see, and more wonderful places to enjoy than ever before. In fact, in downtown last year, nearly one million people visited … and that is certainly incredible. So we’re excited to welcome everyone once again to this event.”
Tickets can be purchased online by visiting www.hattiesburgcraftbeerfest.com and clicking on the “tickets” link at the top of the page. General admission tickets are $40 each, plus a $4.52 fee for a total of $44.52.
That price includes admittance to the festival, a souvenir sampling mug and unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft beers.
Designated driver tickets are $10 each (plus a $2.51 fee) and include admission to the festival, along with water and soft drinks courtesy of Hattiesburg Coca-Cola.
VIP tickets are $75 each (plus a $6.88 fee) and include admittance to the festival one hour early, a festival T-shirt, a swag bag, a souvenir sampling mug, unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft beers and admittance to the VIP area, which features complimentary light refreshments and desserts.
All ticket sales are limited to individuals who are 21 years of age or older. Tickets can be purchased at the gate beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the day of the event, but because of venue capacity and the amount of beer on hand, officials highly recommend purchasing tickets online in advance.
VIP tickets will not be available at the door.
“This is the kickoff of festival season,” Dorsey said. “We know it’s about to get really busy and lots of fun, and who doesn’t want to have a great time after putting in all those hours in the office or out in the field?
“What sets the Hattiesburg Craft Beer Festival apart is our focus on the artisans and the creators behind the brews. When we think about the amazing work of (them), we see that creativity, that artistry and everything they do, and that’s who Hattiesburg is. When we add the element of Festival South, and all the wonderful artistry that they celebrate, this truly becomes an event like no other.”
