Alewerks Brewing Co. is having a party on Saturday, one that they hope will make Christmas special for local children.
Alewerks is partnering with Toys for Tots, FoodaTude food truck and several local musicians for their inaugural Brews & Blues, which runs from noon to 9 p.m. at Alewerks on Ewell Road.
“We’re having a big party this Saturday,” said Jeff Phillips, Alewerks marketing director. “It’s a daylong celebration of local music and craft beer.”
Award-winning blues musician Bobby BlackHat Walters, a retired Coast Guard commander who has made a second career as a vocalist and songwriter, and his band will headline the day’s performances.
“We reached out to him and said, ‘A) will you do it? And B) will you bring your friends?’” Phillips said.
Walters is indeed bringing his friends – Phillips said Walters put together a lineup that will pack the standing-room-only tent outside of Alewerks.
Here’s the Brews & Blues music schedule, per Alewerks:
Noon- 1 p.m. Cole Prior Stevens
1:15- 3:30 p.m. Little Doors
3:45- 6 p.m. In Layman Terms (new CD release)
6:30- 8:30 p.m. Bobby BlackHat Band
8:30- 9 p.m. “Jam Session”
In Layman Terms lists Williamsburg as their hometown, joining a lineup of Hampton Roads musicians that Phillips said Alewerks is proud to present.
“They’re super talented, and we’re excited to have them, not only because they’re talented, but because they’re Williamsburg,” he said.
The musical acts will take the stage under a 30’ by 90’ tent that will be set up in front of the Alewerks Taproom. The tent will have wall flaps and will be heated, if necessary.
In addition to the blues music, Alewerks will be offering specialty brews.
Grand Illumination, the brewery’s barrel-aged barleywine, will be released Saturday. They will also have a nitro pumpkin stout on tap, a coconut Superb IPA, and ‘Sabado Domingo’ – a jalapeno lime version of Weekend Lager.
They will also have guest beers on tap from Black Narrows from the Eastern Shore, Richmond-based Väsen Brewing Company, Sterling-based Solace Brewing Co., and Coelacanth Brewing from Norfolk.
FoodaTude…Food with Attitude will provide food.
Rather than charging admission, Alewerks is asking guests to donate a new, unwrapped toy to Toys for Tots for their holiday toy drive.
“Come rain or shine, cold or hot, we’ll be rocking out,” Phillips said.
