Editor’s note: This story is part of the Road Trips special section.
When it comes to food and beverage festivals, the nation is brewing with crafted creations.
Chicago is home to the world’s largest food festival. Hop heads can make the annual pilgrimage to Boulder, Colo.’s, Great American Beer Fest. The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival links oenophiles to nearly 200 wineries, paired with foods from dozens of restaurants.
But, as many local connoisseurs have found, sometimes there’s no place like home.
The State College Beer Expo, now in its 18th year, promises dozens of breweries, both near and far, for the Aug. 6 event at Tussey Mountain Ski Resort.
“It’s always been a pretty good show since the beginning,” said Charlie Schnable, co-owner and head brewer at Otto’s Pub and Brewery, which started the county’s microbrewery boom in 2002. Since then, several wineries and distilleries have opened, including Barrel 21, an extension of Otto’s. It’s a trend that’s mirrored the state, where dozens of microbreweries, wineries and distilleries have opened since then.
“It’s an awesome time to be a consumer, no doubt about it,” Schnable said.
For a quick sampling of what the region has to offer, Schnable suggests traveling the Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail, home to a dozen producers of beers, ciders, wines and spirits. Be sure to grab a tasting ticket at any of the locations. Hit them all for a chance to win great prizes.
Philip Jensen, head distiller at Big Spring Spirits in Bellefonte, suggests PA Flavor (April, Harrisburg) and Savor (June 3-4, Washington, D.C.) for festivals focused on beer and food pairings.
“These are two beer fests that you actually do not want to eat much beforehand because there is so much food. Savor is special because every beer poured has a food item paired with it,” he said.
With any festival, Jensen says, he first seeks out samples not available locally before finishing with some old and newfound favorites. He says it’s important to ask for small samples so that you cover more ground while better savoring the options.
CDT Eats & Drinks columnist Anne Quinn Corr says the U.S. Oyster Festival in St. Mary’s County, Md., tops her list of food-based attractions. The oyster shucking competition, where the winner moves on to compete in Ireland, and the cook-off competition are must-sees, as is the Guinness 18-wheeler, tapped out with stout taps.
After you’ve savored these local flavors, be sure to hit the road for these top festivals.
The churchkey state
Philly Beer Week
Why go? Philly beers and food … all week.
When: June 3-12
Where: Philadelphia
Website: www.phillybeerweek.org
Pittsburgh Brew ’n Chew
Why go? Because where else can you find some of the region’s best beers alongside a beer-float bar and a beer and bacon bar?
When: June 18
Where: Monroeville
Website: goodtastepittsburgh.com/pittsburgh-brew-n-chew
Call: 412-421-9859
The Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival
Why go? This outdoor campground festival features music, Pa. wines and food and craft vendors.
When: June 25-26
Where: Lake Harmony
Website: www.splitrockresort.com/things-to-do/events/wine-festival/
Call: 800-255-7625
Philadelphia Zoo Summer Ale Festival
Why go? Samples beers among zoo attractions making pit stops at Philly’s best food trucks.
When: July 16
Where: Philadelphia
Website: www.philadelphiazoo.org/Explore/Upcoming-Events/Summer-Ale-Festival.htm
Call: 215-243-5375
Hops, Vines & Wines Festival
Why go? This regional festival pairs regional breweries and wineries. But you’ll have to plan on a 2017 visit. This year, tickets are sold out.
When: July 16
Where: Selinsgrove
Website: www.selinsgrovebrewfest.com/
WineDown Fest
Why go? Hundreds of wine selections, including several local offerings, are uncorked into a souvenir stemless wine glass.
When: Sept. 3
Where: Erie
Website: www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/614110
Call: 412-405-9721
WineFest“alcular”
Why go? Similar to WineDown, with slight changes to the lineup.
When: Oct. 8
Where: Carlisle
Website: www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/629641
Call: 412-405-9682
“HalloWine” Fest
Why go? Similar to WineDown, with slight changes to the lineup.
When: Oct. 15
Where: Altoona
Website: www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/616974
Call: 412-405-9682
U.S. Oyster Festival
Why go? A quaint, down-home festival with the freshest of saltwater treats.
When: Oct. 15-16
Where: St. Mary’s County, Md.
Website: www.usoysterfest.com
Call: 301-863-5015
Festival of Food, Wine and Spirits
Why go? Food and drink is presented and prepared with the help of local and celebrity chefs.
When: Oct. 21-23
Where: King of Prussia
Website: philly.gourmetshows.com/
Bacon and Beer Festival
Why go? Festivals are like anything else: They’re better wrapped in bacon.
When: November (details yet to be announced)
Where: Philadelphia
Website: www.wheretoeat.in/2015-philadelphia-bacon-and-beer-festival/
Venturing out
Savor: An American Craft Beer Experience
Why go? Jensen says “come hungry” because this event puts equal focus on food and beverages.
When: June 3-4
Where: Washington, D.C.
Website: www.savorcraftbeer.com/
Call: 888-822-6273
Taste of Chicago
Why go? Deep-dish pizza, Chicago’s namesake, takes the cake ... or, um, pie.
When: July 6-10
Where: Chicago
Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Why go? Known for both wines and breathtaking scenery, it’s a Napa Valley of the East.
When: July 15-17
Where: Watkins Glen, N.Y.
Website: www.flwinefest.com
Call: 866-461-7223
Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival
Why go? A staggering array of wines, celebrity chefs and events are on display.
When: August 25-28
Where: Los Angeles
Website: www.lafw.com/
Call: 855.433.5239
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Why go? Many of the nation’s most beloved breweries are based here
When: Sept. 13-18
Where: Bardstown, Ky.
Website: www.kybourbonfestival.com
Great American Beer Festival
Why go: The King of Beer fests
When: Oct. 6-8
Where: Boulder, Colo.
Website: www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com
Call: 888-822-6273
Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival
Why go? This food fest toasts a great cause: ending global hunger.
When: Oct. 13-16
Where: New York, NY
Website: nycwineandfoodfestival.com
Call: 866-969-2933
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