Get Ready for Augusta’s Biggest Beer Celebration

Augusta Beerfest 2025 is returning for its 11th year, and it’s shaping up to be the biggest craft beer celebration in the CSRA. Mark your calendars and clear your Saturday afternoon – this is one event you won’t want to miss.

Quick Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
• Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (VIP entry at 2:00 PM)
• Location: Bell Auditorium, Augusta
• Beers: 100+ craft beers from top breweries
• Age: 21+ only
• Tickets: VIP, General Admission, and free Designated Driver options
• Special Features: Meet the brewers, specialty beers, food, live music

This isn’t just another beer festival. With over 100 beers from some of the best breweries in the country, Augusta Beerfest brings together local brew masters and brewers from all over the region for an afternoon of craft beer education, community fun, and responsible celebration.

The festival offers something for everyone – from VIP early access with exclusive specialty beers to free designated driver tickets that include food and soft drinks. Military members can even score discounted tickets with valid ID.

Whether you’re a craft beer newbie or a seasoned hop head, Augusta Beerfest 2025 promises an experience that celebrates both great beer and community spirit in downtown Augusta.

Your Ultimate Guide to Augusta Beerfest 2025

The 11th Annual Augusta Beerfest 2025 takes place at the Bell Auditorium, one of Augusta’s premier event venues. This indoor location provides a comfortable, climate-controlled environment perfect for sampling craft beers regardless of the August weather. The Bell Auditorium’s spacious layout allows for proper crowd flow and creates distinct areas for different festival activities.

The festival runs from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, August 23, 2025, giving you three full hours to explore over 100 different craft beers. VIP ticket holders get an extra hour of sampling time with early entry at 2:00 PM. This timing allows you to enjoy the festival during the afternoon and still have your evening free for dinner or continuing the celebration elsewhere.

What sets Augusta Beerfest apart from other regional beer festivals is its focus on both education and entertainment. You’ll have opportunities to meet brewers directly, learn about different beer styles, and find new favorites while enjoying live music and food pairings. The festival attracts beer enthusiasts from across Georgia and South Carolina, creating a vibrant community atmosphere.

The Bell Auditorium offers excellent amenities including accessible parking, restroom facilities, and climate control. The venue’s downtown Augusta location makes it easy to incorporate the festival into a full day of exploring the city’s restaurants, shops, and attractions along the Riverwalk.

Augusta Beerfest 2025 Ticket Breakdown

Understanding your ticket options helps you get the most value from your Augusta Beerfest 2025 experience. Here’s what each ticket type includes:

VIP Tickets offer the premium festival experience with several exclusive perks:

• 2:00 PM early entry (one hour before general admission)
• One souvenir tasting cup
• Access to specialty beers not available to general admission
• Food included in your ticket price
• Priority access to meet-the-brewer sessions

General Admission Tickets provide everything you need for a great festival experience:

• Entry at 3:00 PM
• One souvenir tasting cup
• Access to all regular beer samples
• Full festival access until 6:00 PM

Military Discount Tickets honor our service members:

• Available for active-duty military with valid ID
• Must be purchased in advance and in person
• Applies to General Admission tickets only
• Significant savings for those who qualify

Designated Driver Tickets promote responsible celebration:

• Free DD tickets available at The SRP Box Office
• VIP DD tickets available for purchase
• Include food and soft drinks in the VIP area
• Help ensure everyone gets home safely

We recommend purchasing tickets early through Ticketmaster.com or at the SRP Box Office, as Augusta Beerfest typically sells out. Early ticket buyers also avoid potential price increases closer to the event date.

For more festival updates and local beer news, check out More info about News & Events.

Augusta Beerfest 2025 Breweries & Beers to Try

The heart of any great beer festival lies in its brewery selection, and Augusta Beerfest 2025 delivers with over 100 beers from top breweries across the country. The festival features a carefully curated mix of local Georgia breweries, regional Southeast favorites, and acclaimed national craft brewers.

Local and regional breweries form the foundation of the festival, showcasing the incredible growth of craft brewing in Georgia and South Carolina. These breweries often bring special releases and seasonal beers created specifically for the festival. You’ll have the chance to taste limited-edition brews that might not be available anywhere else.

National breweries participate to introduce their flagship beers and newest innovations to the Augusta market. Many bring their brewmasters or representatives who can share the stories behind their beers and brewing techniques. This creates educational opportunities that go beyond simple tasting.

The festival emphasizes specialty casks and unique offerings. VIP ticket holders get exclusive access to rare beers, barrel-aged varieties, and experimental brews that showcase the creativity of modern craft brewing. These specialty offerings often include collaborations between breweries or limited releases with unique ingredients.

Meet-the-brewer sessions provide direct access to the people behind your favorite beers. These informal conversations let you learn about brewing processes, ingredient selection, and the inspiration behind different beer styles. Many attendees find new appreciation for beers after hearing the brewer’s story.

Live music creates the perfect backdrop for beer sampling, with local and regional acts performing throughout the festival. The music selection typically includes genres that complement the relaxed, social atmosphere of craft beer appreciation.

Food pairings improve the tasting experience, with vendors selected to complement the beer offerings. The festival organizers work to include options that highlight how different foods can improve or contrast with various beer styles.

Safety, Age Limits & Responsible Sipping

Augusta Beerfest 2025 maintains strict safety standards to ensure everyone has a fun and responsible experience. The festival enforces a 21+ only policy with mandatory ID checks at entry – no exceptions. Valid government-issued photo identification is required for all attendees, and the festival staff are trained to spot fake IDs.

The designated driver program demonstrates the festival’s commitment to responsible drinking. Free designated driver tickets are available at The SRP Box Office, and VIP designated driver tickets include food and soft drinks in the VIP area. This program encourages groups to plan safe transportation while still allowing non-drinking friends to enjoy the festival atmosphere.

Free water stations are strategically placed throughout the venue to help attendees stay hydrated. Festival staff encourage taking breaks between tastings and provide information about pacing your consumption over the three-hour event. The tasting format, with smaller sample sizes rather than full pours, naturally promotes moderation.

Security personnel are present throughout the festival to ensure a safe environment for all attendees. They’re trained to identify signs of overconsumption and can provide assistance if needed. The festival maintains a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior.

While specific COVID-19 protocols for 2025 haven’t been announced, the festival organizers continue to monitor health guidelines and will implement appropriate safety measures as needed. Check the official festival communications closer to the event date for any specific health requirements.

The indoor venue provides controlled access points and climate control, contributing to overall safety and comfort. Emergency services are coordinated with local authorities, and the Bell Auditorium’s central location ensures quick access for any needed emergency response.

For additional coverage of local beer events and safety tips, tune in to Kicks 99 radio coverage. To explore more about responsible beer enjoyment and current offerings, visit More info about Beers Now On Tap.

Plan Your Perfect Pour & After-Party

Getting to and from Augusta Beerfest 2025 should be as smooth as your favorite craft beer. The Bell Auditorium’s downtown location makes it easy to turn your festival visit into a full Augusta trip, but a little planning goes a long way.

Parking can get tricky during big events, so arrive early if you’re driving. Downtown Augusta has several parking lots and street spots near the Bell Auditorium, but they fill up fast when something exciting is happening. Think of it as the craft beer equivalent of finding that perfect limited-release bottle – first come, first served.

Since we’re all about responsible sipping, rideshare zones are set up near the venue for easy Uber and Lyft pickups. With the festival ending at 6:00 PM, you’ll have plenty of time to arrange safe transportation without the late-night rush. Plus, your designated driver will appreciate not having to steer downtown traffic after sampling season.

The Bell Auditorium offers full accessibility features including wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and designated areas for guests with mobility needs. If you have specific requirements, give the venue a heads up before the big day to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Augusta Beerfest creates a more intimate experience compared to massive festivals like the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. While those huge events can feel overwhelming with thousands of people and hundreds of breweries, our local celebration lets you actually talk to brewers and fellow beer lovers without shouting over the crowd.

The festival weekend often brings other exciting events to Augusta, making it perfect for extending your stay. Take a sunset stroll along the Augusta Riverwalk after the festival, explore the historic downtown area, or find the local restaurant scene. Many visitors make it a full weekend getaway, and honestly, who are we to argue with that logic?

For out-of-town guests, Augusta has accommodations ranging from downtown hotels within walking distance to suburban options with easy access to the venue. Book early, especially if you want to stay close to the action – good beer festivals tend to fill up the nearby hotels pretty quickly.

Beyond Beerfest: Where to Keep the Good Times Flowing

When Augusta Beerfest 2025 wraps up at 6:00 PM, you don’t have to let the good times end there. We’d love to invite you to continue your craft beer journey at JB’s Tap Yard at Tip Top Taps, right here in Augusta’s historic JB Whites Building on Broad Street.

Our backyard-style atmosphere feels like the perfect cool-down after the festival’s indoor energy. We’re proudly family and dog-friendly, so everyone in your crew can join the after-party – including your four-legged beer buddies who’ve been patiently waiting at home.

What makes us special? Our bring-your-own-food policy lets you grab dinner from any of Augusta’s amazing restaurants and enjoy it with our carefully selected craft beers. Think of it as the ultimate food pairing experience, where you get to choose the perfect combination.

As Augusta’s local growler bar, we serve beers from breweries around the world – you might even find some of the same brewers featured at Augusta Beerfest represented in our rotating tap selection. Our staff knows their stuff and can help you explore new styles or find something similar to your festival favorites.

The relaxed, backyard vibe provides the perfect setting to decompress and continue those conversations about your best festival findies. No rushing, no crowds – just good beer and good company in a space that feels like hanging out in a friend’s backyard.

We often host live music events that create even more opportunities to enjoy craft beer in a community setting. Check our calendar to see if any performances line up with your Augusta Beerfest weekend – it could be the perfect way to cap off an already great day.

For more information about our current beer selection and what’s happening at our taproom, visit More info about Taproom Augusta GA.