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Chester County Press

Estimated 3,500 attend Kennett Brewfest

10/01/2019 10:55AM ● By J. Chambless

Tuned Up Brewing Company of Spring City, Pa. serves one happy customer. (Photo by Richard Gaw)

By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Beneath a brilliant early autumn sky, more than 3,500 beer connoisseurs sampled craft brews from more than 100 breweries at the 22nd annual Kennett Brewfest, held Sept. 28 at Genesis Healthcare on South Broad Street.

In what has become a Kennett Square tradition – and a companion to the Kennett Winterfest – the event was a crowded house of the exuberant and the thirsty, who often waited on long lines for the right to sample IPAs and craft beers from local favorites Braeloch, the Kennett Brewing Company, Two Stones, Dew Point and Victory, as well as from out-of-towners from various parts of Pennsylvania and beyond.

As is typical at the Kennett Brewfest, several breweries sported fun names like Abomination, Bald Birds and Black Mammoth Brewery, who served a fruity signature known as “Mom's Gone Wild.”

While the event kicked off to the general public at 1:30 p.m., those who purchased special tickets were given a “Connoisseur Tasting from noon to 1:30 p.m. The festival also included several food trucks and musical performances by Hake & Jerema and Carl Filipiak & the Jimi Jazz Band.

The Kennett Brewfest serves as the largest annual fundraiser for Historic Kennett Square, with proceeds directed toward programs and services that help sustain Kennett Square as a regional economic and cultural destination point.

“The Kennett Brewfest operates almost like a reunion, a once-a-year get-together that creates a magical sense of spirit,” said Mainstreet Manager Claire Murray of Historic Kennett Square. “It connects festival-goers and breweries, and not just the more recognizable names, but with smaller breweries as well.”

Kennett Brewfest is not only defined by the ingenuity of its brewmasters and the enthusiasm of its attendees, but by the dedication of its more than 100 volunteers. Murray also thanked the festival's sponsors – Servpro, Waywood Beverage, College Hunks moving services, Genesis Healthcare and long-time festival organizer Jeff Norman. 

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].