There’s a big battle coming to Hampton Roads and people are invited to not only come and watch the encounter, but also to take part in it.
No need to worry though: The conflict involves beer and the only weapons will be delicious brews and taste buds.
Beach Ambassadors is hosting this year’s annual 757 Battle of the Beers, which benefits various Hampton Roads charities. The event, in it’s sixth year, will take place at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach on Sept. 15, from 1-6:30 p.m.
Those attending the battle will have the opportunity to sample 60 different beers from 28 breweries.
“It is a great event,” said Shawn Fischer, event chair. “What is better than sampling beers from all of Hampton Roads brewers, which now is approaching 30, and helping to decide which local charity gets the money?”
This year’s event will again be raising money for Norfolk-based nonprofit, St. Mary’s Home, which will benefit from half of the event’s profits.
The remaining 50 percent of the proceeds is split between the winning brewers’ chosen local charities. Last year’s battle raised more than $30,000 and benefited charities that included UDT Seal Association, Fort Monroe Foundation, and Leukemia/Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night.
“We get feedback year to year and know it is definitely a favorite event amongst the brewers and brewer staffs. Unlike other festivals, the actual brewers spend time with attendees,” Fischer said.
Tasters will vote on their favorite overall beer to help determine the “People’s Choice” winner. Submitted beers will also be judged by Brewer-Judges to help determine the “Brewer’s Choice.”
In an event to be held concurrently, Brewer Teams will compete in a series of entertaining and competitive events as part of the 2nd annual “757 Battle of the Brewers” presented in partnership with Backyard Sports Club.
“We have two goals,” Fischer said. “The first is to raise money for local charities and the second is to promote local independent craft beer – and now cider, too. Still, while the brewers understand and support these goals, they are very competitive.”
Tickets are $60 at the gate, but discounts are available online up to the day before the event. In addition to tastings, general admission also includes a food voucher that can be exchanged for a meal from one of up to eight local food trucks, a souvenir glass, and live music from one of Hampton Roads’ favorite live acts, The Jesse Chong Band. Another musical act will be announced later.
Other festival attractions include cornhole games, multi-sized beer pong, and a silent auction that also benefits local charities.
For the first time at Battle of the Beers, the cider category will be represented in the event. Samples from Sly Clyde Ciderworks of Hampton will be available as a part of all admissions.
Breweries returning to the 757 Battle of the Beers include Alewerks Brewing Company (Williamsburg), Back Bay Brewing Company (Virginia Beach), Bearded Bird Brewing Company (Norfolk), BenchTop Brewing Company (Norfolk), Big Ugly Brewing Company (Chesapeake), Bold Mariner Brewing Company (Norfolk), Bull Island Brewing Company (Hampton), Coelacanth Brewing Company (Norfolk), Commonwealth Brewing Company (Virginia Beach), Deadline Brewing Project (Virginia Beach), Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant (Virginia Beach), Home Republic (Virginia Beach), MoMac Brewing Company (Portsmouth), O’Connor Brewing Company (Norfolk), The Oozlefinch Craft Brewery (Fort Monroe), Pleasure House Brewing Company (Virginia Beach), Reaver Beach Brewing Company (Virginia Beach), Rip Rap Brewing Company (Norfolk), Smartmouth Brewing Company (Norfolk), St. George Brewing Company (Hampton), Tradition Brewing Company (Newport News), Virginia Beer Company (Williamsburg), Wasserhund Brewing Company (Virginia Beach), and Young Veterans Brewing Company (Virginia Beach).
Breweries making their 757 Battle of the Beers debut include Brick & Mortar Brewing Company (Suffolk), Caiseal Beer & Spirits (Hampton), and Precarious Beer Project (Williamsburg).
