Why Augusta’s Beer Scene Celebrates Twice a Year

The augusta beer festival scene offers something special – not just one, but two major craft beer celebrations each year that bring together beer lovers from across the River Region and beyond.

Quick Festival Facts:
– Augusta Craft Beer Festival: May 17, 2025 at SRP Park (1-5 PM)
– Augusta Beerfest: August 23, 2025 at Bell Auditorium (3-6 PM)
– Breweries: 30+ hand-selected craft breweries
– Beer Selection: 100+ different craft beer samples
– Tickets: $56-$101 (GA to VIP), $21 designated driver
– Age Requirement: 21+ only, no children admitted

Augusta stands out in Georgia’s craft beer landscape because it hosts two distinct festivals annually. The spring Augusta Craft Beer Festival takes place outdoors at SRP Park’s stadium setting, while the summer Augusta Beerfest happens indoors at Bell Auditorium. Both events feature unlimited sampling from regional and national breweries, with proceeds supporting local community organizations.

Whether you prefer the baseball stadium atmosphere in May or the concert venue vibe in August, both festivals offer VIP early entry, designated driver options, and that perfect mix of craft beer findy and community celebration that makes Augusta’s beer scene so welcoming.

At JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps, we love seeing our community come together over great beer – and these festivals showcase exactly why Augusta has become such a craft beer destination.

What Makes the Augusta Beer Festival Unique

After 11 years of bringing craft beer lovers together, the augusta beer festival tradition has become something truly special in Georgia’s beer scene. What makes Augusta unique isn’t just the quality of beer – it’s that we celebrate twice each year with two completely different festival experiences.

The Augusta Craft Beer Festival and Augusta Beerfest have each developed their own personality over the years. One takes you outdoors to SRP Park’s stadium setting, while the other brings you inside Bell Auditorium’s intimate concert venue. Both feature over 100 different beers from more than 30 breweries, but the vibes couldn’t be more different.

What really sets these festivals apart is how they give back to our community. Every sip supports local causes, from youth sports to community organizations. It’s craft beer with a purpose – something we really appreciate here at JB’s Tap Yard, where community connection is what it’s all about.

You’ll find brewery representatives at both events who love sharing the stories behind their craft. It’s not just about unlimited sampling – it’s about learning and finding new favorites. Our News & Events page often features these kinds of educational beer experiences because we believe every great beer has a story worth telling.

From Bell Auditorium to SRP Park: A Tale of Two Fests – Augusta Beer Festival

The beauty of Augusta’s augusta beer festival scene lies in having two completely different venues that create their own unique experiences. Augusta Beerfest at Bell Auditorium gives you that intimate, climate-controlled environment where you can really focus on tasting and conversation. The concert venue setting feels sophisticated and relaxed – perfect for those deeper discussions about flavor profiles and brewing techniques.

Augusta Craft Beer Festival at SRP Park is a whole different animal. There’s something magical about sampling craft beer in a baseball stadium. The outdoor festival energy, the stadium atmosphere, the open sky above – it combines America’s pastime with our craft brewing renaissance in a way that just works.

The indoor venue also means weather is never a worry for Augusta Beerfest. Georgia summers can throw curveballs, but you’ll never have to worry about rain cutting your tasting short. Both venues offer their own special advantages, which is why many beer enthusiasts make it a point to attend both festivals each year.

Giving Back with Every Sip

Every ticket you buy for these festivals supports meaningful causes right here in our community. The Augusta Craft Beer Festival benefits the Augusta Sports Council, helping fund sporting events that bring families together throughout the River Region. There’s also support for Benchmark Wrestling fundraiser efforts, showing how craft beer and community athletics make great partners.

The impact goes way beyond just the main beneficiaries. With 30+ breweries participating and thousands of beer lovers attending, these festivals provide a real boost to Augusta’s local economy. Hotels fill up, restaurants get busy, and local businesses see visitors who come for the beer but often stick around to explore everything our area has to offer.

This community-first approach is exactly what we love about Augusta’s beer scene. At JB’s Tap Yard, we see how craft beer brings people together every day. These festivals take that same spirit and amplify it into something that truly makes a difference for our neighbors and local organizations.

Dates, Tickets, and VIP Perks for 2025

Getting ready for the augusta beer festival season means marking your calendar for two fantastic dates. The Augusta Craft Beer Festival kicks off the season on May 17, 2025 at SRP Park, while Augusta Beerfest wraps up summer on August 23, 2025 at Bell Auditorium.

General Admission tickets run $56 in advance or $61 at the gate – a pretty reasonable price for unlimited sampling from over 100 craft beers. But here’s where it gets interesting: VIP tickets at $101 might actually be the better deal when you crunch the numbers.

The VIP experience has gotten even better for 2025. You’re not just paying for early entry (though that one-hour head start is golden). VIP ticket holders get a $25 food voucher, a collectible event T-shirt, and access to five exclusive beer samples that general admission folks can’t try. When you add up the food voucher and shirt value, that VIP upgrade practically pays for itself.

You can grab your tickets and get all the latest details at the Augusta Craft Beer Festival official website. Fair warning though – these festivals have been growing every year, so don’t wait until the last minute.

General Admission vs. VIP: Which Pass Fits Your Style?

Feature	General Admission	VIP
Price	$56 advance / $61 day-of	$101
Entry Time	1:00 PM (Spring) / 3:00 PM (Summer)	12:00 PM (Spring) / 2:00 PM (Summer)
Beer Samples	Unlimited from main selection	Unlimited plus 5 VIP-exclusive samples
Tasting Glass	5 oz souvenir glass	5 oz souvenir glass
Food Benefits	None	$25 food voucher
Merchandise	Available for purchase	Collectible event T-shirt included

That early entry hour is worth its weight in gold. Picture this: you walk in while the lines are short, the brewery reps have time to chat about their craft, and you can actually taste those subtle flavor notes without shouting over the crowd. It’s like having a private tasting before the party really gets started.

Those VIP-exclusive beer samples are often the breweries’ special reserves – think barrel-aged stouts, experimental sours, or limited releases that never make it to regular distribution. At JB’s Tap Yard, we love seeing our customers find these rare gems that become their new favorites.

Designated Driver & Military Discounts

Nobody gets left out of the fun, even if you’re staying sober. Designated driver tickets are just $21 in advance or $26 at the gate, and you still get festival entry, unlimited soda, and a food voucher. Some locations even offer free designated driver tickets because hey, we all need safe rides home.

Our active-duty military friends get special treatment too – just show your military ID at the gate for discounted general admission tickets. It’s a small way to say thanks for your service, especially to our Fort Eisenhower community.

The festival organizers really thought this through. They even offer VIP designated driver tickets for those who want the premium experience without the alcohol. You get all the VIP perks – early entry, exclusive non-alcoholic tastings, food voucher, and that collectible shirt.

This whole approach reminds us why we love Augusta’s beer community. It’s not just about the beer – it’s about making sure everyone can be part of the celebration safely and responsibly.

100+ Beers, 30+ Breweries: The Tasting Line-Up

When you step into either augusta beer festival event, you’re walking into one of the Southeast’s most impressive craft beer showcases. With over 100 different beers flowing from the taps of 30+ carefully selected breweries, these festivals create a tasting trip that’s hard to match anywhere else in Georgia.

The beauty of this lineup lies in its thoughtful curation. You’ll find everything from Savannah River Brewing’s beloved local favorites to exciting regional standouts and nationally recognized craft brewers. Whether you’re craving hop-forward IPAs, smooth chocolate stouts, crisp German-style lagers, or funky sour ales, both festivals deliver variety that keeps even the most experienced beer lovers finding something new.

What makes this especially exciting for us at JB’s Tap Yard is watching festival-goers become regulars throughout the year, stopping by to find those special beers they finded at the festivals. Our Beers Now On Tap selection often features breweries that participate in Augusta’s festivals, so the trip doesn’t have to end when the festival does.

The festivals also accept the growing popularity of cider and seltzer options, ensuring everyone finds something they love. This inclusive approach reflects Augusta’s welcoming beer culture – there’s truly something for every taste preference.

Local Legends You Can’t Miss

Savannah River Brewing consistently brings their flagship favorites and seasonal releases that showcase why they’ve become such a cornerstone of Augusta’s craft beer scene. Their Riverwatch series and seasonal specialties often generate some of the longest lines at both festivals – and for good reason.

What really sets these festivals apart is having actual brewery representatives on-site. These passionate brewers love sharing the stories behind their craft. You might learn about the inspiration behind a particular recipe, hear about the challenges of perfecting a new hop combination, or find the local ingredients that make certain beers unique to our region.

Regional breweries often save their most special releases for these festivals. You’ll find limited seasonal offerings that capture the essence of Georgia and South Carolina brewing, along with experimental batches that might not make it to regular distribution. This makes each festival a unique snapshot of what’s happening in craft brewing right now.

The tap handles themselves tell stories – from sleek modern designs to quirky artistic creations that reflect each brewery’s personality. It’s like walking through a museum of craft beer creativity, except you get to taste everything.

Rare & VIP-Only Pours at the Augusta Beer Festival

The VIP-exclusive selections represent the crown jewels of both festivals. These five special pours available only to VIP ticket holders often include barrel-aged stouts that have been patiently aging for months, specialty sours with complex flavor profiles, and one-off experimental kegs that breweries create specifically for special events like these.

These exclusive offerings might include vintage releases from previous years, brewery-only specials that never see regular distribution, or preview tastings of upcoming seasonal releases. Some breweries bring collaboration brews created specifically for the augusta beer festival events – truly unique beers you can’t find anywhere else.

The VIP tasting area creates a more intimate setting where you can really focus on these complex, nuanced beers. While the main festival celebrates community and accessibility, these exclusive pours offer moments of quiet appreciation for the artistry behind craft brewing.

For serious beer enthusiasts, these rare tastings often become the highlight of their festival experience. There’s something special about being among the first to try a new creation or savoring a limited-release beer that only a few hundred people will ever taste.

Beyond the Glass: Music, Games, Food Trucks & More

While beer is the star of the show, both augusta beer festivals offer entertainment that creates a full community celebration. The festivals understand that great beer tastes even better when paired with live music, good food, and fun activities that bring people together.

Live bands from the local music scene provide the perfect soundtrack to your tasting journey. These aren’t just any musicians – they’re carefully chosen artists who know how to create energy without drowning out conversation. After all, part of the fun is discussing that amazing IPA you just tried with the person next to you.

Food options vary between the two festivals, which makes sense given their different venues. The outdoor Augusta Craft Beer Festival at SRP Park features food trucks and vendors scattered throughout the stadium grounds. The indoor Augusta Beerfest at Bell Auditorium offers food available for purchase, and VIP ticket holders can use their $25 food voucher to sample different options without reaching for their wallet.

Both festivals feature vendor markets where you can browse local crafts, brewery merchandise, and festival memorabilia. It’s a great way to take home a piece of the experience or find that perfect gift for the craft beer lover in your life. These markets also showcase other local businesses and artists, reinforcing the community spirit that makes these events special.

The combination of great beer, delicious food, and local shopping creates more than just a tasting event – it’s a celebration of everything that makes Augusta’s community vibrant. For more ideas about pairing great beer with local food throughout the year, check out our guide on Beer and Food Near Me.

You can find more details about the summer festival at the 11th Annual Augusta Beerfest official page.

Setlist & Side-Quests

The entertainment lineup typically includes multiple local bands performing throughout each festival. These musicians get it – they create the right vibe without making it impossible to chat with brewery representatives or discuss that perfect porter with your friends.

Between musical sets, you’ll find plenty of interactive fun. Cornhole tournaments get competitive (in the best way), while trivia contests test your beer knowledge and local history. The silent auctions raise additional funds for charity, giving you a chance to bid on unique brewery experiences or local business packages.

Don’t miss the brewery swag stations where participating breweries give away stickers, bottle openers, and other goodies. Some breweries even host mini-educational sessions where their representatives dive deeper into brewing techniques or share the story behind their most popular beers.

The real magic happens in the conversations between all these activities. These festivals create natural opportunities for beer lovers to connect, share recommendations, and find new favorites together. Whether you’re a craft beer newbie or a seasoned enthusiast, you’ll find yourself in conversations that might just lead to your next favorite brewery or a new friendship over a shared love of perfectly crafted stouts.

At JB’s Tap Yard, we see festival attendees throughout the year who are still talking about the connections they made and the beers they finded at these events. That’s the kind of community spirit that makes Augusta’s beer scene so special.

Insider Tips for First-Time Attendees

Attending your first augusta beer festival can be overwhelming with so many options available. The key to maximizing your experience is planning ahead and pacing yourself throughout the event.

Start with a solid hydration plan. Drink plenty of water before arriving, and take advantage of the free water stations throughout both festivals. The unlimited sampling format can be deceptive – those small pours add up quickly, especially in Georgia’s warm weather.

Bring a portable phone charger, cash for vendors, and sun protection for outdoor events. Comfortable shoes are essential since you’ll be standing and walking for several hours. Most importantly, have a safe transportation plan arranged before you arrive.

Our Craft Beer Close To Me guide can help you continue exploring Augusta’s craft beer scene long after the festivals end.

Getting There & Home Safely

Both festival venues offer different transportation challenges and solutions. SRP Park provides on-site parking, but spaces fill up quickly for popular events. Arriving early not only secures parking but also gives you more time to explore before crowds peak.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are popular options, though expect longer wait times and higher prices immediately after events end. Some attendees coordinate group transportation or designated drivers within their friend groups.

The festivals’ commitment to safety includes clear policies about responsible consumption. Anyone visibly intoxicated may be refused service or asked to leave. This isn’t about being strict – it’s about ensuring everyone has a safe, enjoyable experience.

Maximize Your Tasting Experience

Professional tasters recommend starting with lighter styles and progressing to heavier, more intense beers throughout the event. Begin with pilsners and wheat beers, move through IPAs and pale ales, and finish with stouts and porters. This progression prevents stronger flavors from overwhelming your palate early on.

Use the rinse stations between tastings, especially when switching between very different beer styles. Keep notes on your phone about beers you particularly enjoy – with 100+ options, it’s easy to forget specifics by the end of the event.

Most importantly, engage with the brewery representatives. They’re passionate about their craft and love sharing knowledge with curious beer drinkers. Ask about ingredients, brewing processes, or recommendations for similar beers. These conversations often lead to the most memorable festival moments.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Augusta Beer Festival

Is the festival 21+ only?

Both augusta beer festivals maintain strict age requirements – you must be 21 or older to attend, period. No exceptions, no children with parents, no “I’ll just watch” – these are adult-only events designed for responsible craft beer enjoyment.

This policy isn’t just about following the rules (though licensing compliance is important). It creates the right atmosphere where adults can focus on appreciating craft beer without worrying about family-friendly entertainment. The result is a more mature, relaxed environment where serious beer conversations can happen alongside casual fun.

Valid photo ID is absolutely required at the gate. Your driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID needs to be current – expired IDs won’t get you in, no matter how recently they expired. Save yourself the heartbreak and double-check that expiration date before you head out.

How do I buy tickets and are they refundable?

Getting your tickets early is the smartest move for both festivals. The Augusta Craft Beer Festival uses their official website for sales, while Augusta Beerfest tickets go through Ticketmaster and the SRP Box Office. Both offer the best prices for early birds, with costs going up as event dates get closer.

VIP tickets disappear fast – we’re talking weeks before the festival in many cases. If you want that early entry, exclusive beer access, and food voucher, don’t wait around hoping they’ll still be available later.

The refund situation is pretty standard for special events: tickets are generally non-refundable unless the whole festival gets cancelled. Some festivals allow ticket transfers, so you might be able to pass your ticket to a friend if plans change. Always read those terms and conditions when you’re buying – nobody likes surprises when it comes to their money.

At JB’s Tap Yard, we see folks throughout the year who finded their new favorite brewery at these festivals. Getting that ticket early means you won’t miss out on finding your next go-to beer.

What happens if it rains?

Weather planning depends entirely on which augusta beer festival you’re attending. Augusta Beerfest at Bell Auditorium is completely indoors, so you could have a tornado outside and still be comfortably sampling craft beer inside. The climate control means perfect conditions no matter what Georgia weather decides to throw at you.

The Augusta Craft Beer Festival at SRP Park takes a different approach since it’s outdoors. The stadium setting provides some covered areas, and organizers have backup plans for serious weather situations. Safety always comes first, so they’ll post updates on social media and official websites if conditions get dicey.

Georgia weather can be unpredictable – we’ve all seen those sunny mornings turn into afternoon thunderstorms. Experienced festival-goers always check the forecast and bring layers. A light rain jacket or poncho takes up almost no space but can save your whole day if clouds roll in.

The outdoor experience at SRP Park is part of what makes it special, but being prepared means you can enjoy it no matter what Mother Nature has planned.

Conclusion

The augusta beer festival scene captures everything that makes craft beer culture so special – the sense of community, the thrill of findy, and the joy of celebrating together. Whether you’re drawn to the spring sunshine and stadium atmosphere at SRP Park or prefer the intimate, climate-controlled setting of Bell Auditorium in summer, both festivals offer that perfect blend of great beer and genuine Augusta hospitality.

These festivals happen twice a year, but the love for craft beer in Augusta never stops. That’s where we come in at JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps. While we’re not brewers ourselves, we’re passionate about serving the best craft beers from breweries near and far. Our backyard-style taproom on Broad Street keeps the festival spirit alive year-round, with a rotating selection of local and regional favorites that often feature the same breweries you’ll meet at the festivals.

What makes our spot special is the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where you can bring your own food and settle in for a proper craft beer exploration. Dogs are welcome too, because we believe great beer is best enjoyed with the whole family. After experiencing the excitement of sampling 100+ beers at the festivals, many folks find their way to our taproom to revisit their favorites in a more laid-back setting.

The festival experience doesn’t have to end when the last pour is served. Join our Loyalty Club and make JB’s Tap Yard your home base for continuing the craft beer trip. From those augusta beer festival findies to everyday favorites, we’re here to help you explore craft beer one pint at a time.

The 2025 festival season is shaping up to be incredible, with improved VIP experiences, expanded brewery participation, and that same welcoming spirit that makes Augusta’s beer community so special. Mark your calendars for May 17th and August 23rd, gather your crew, and get ready to find why Augusta has become such a craft beer destination.

See you at the festivals – and afterward, we’ll be here at JB’s Tap Yard, ready to keep the good times and great beer flowing all year long.