Wheeling, West Virginia (August 16, 2025) – The 11th Annual Mountaineer Brewfest, a celebration of West Virginia’s finest Craft Beers, is TODAY, Saturday August 16, 2025, at Heritage Port in Wheeling, West Virginia. The Mountaineer Brewfest has raised over $267,000 to date in donations to local Wheeling charities through festival proceeds and matching tips generated by the Circus Saints & Sinners.
For the Eleventh Consecutive year, the Mountaineer Brewfest will be brought to you by Title Sponsor Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has been a positive force in Wheeling for more than a century. From its early racing days that predate the Civil War to its current state as one of the largest tourist attractions in West Virginia, Wheeling Island is rich in American history. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has made significant contributions to various charities through a program called “Game Changer” which is funded through casino patrons’ extra change and donations, and their “Wheeling Island Sharing Hope” program that focuses on giving back to the community.
Kim Florence, President & General Manager, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack – “Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack is proud to be a title sponsor of the 11th Annual Mountaineer Brewfest. The Mountaineer Brewfest has become a festival favorite in Wheeling showcasing our talented WV craft brewers while raising funds for our local charities. We are excited to be a part of it.”
Proceeds from the August 16th , 2025, Mountaineer Brewfest will benefit the House of the Carpenter. For more than 60 years, the House of the Carpenter has stood as a beacon of hope on Wheeling Island. Launched by the United Methodist Church to combat rising poverty in the Upper Ohio Valley, the nonprofit has grown to now serve over 1,400 individuals every week. Rooted in compassion and driven by a mission to uplift, the House of the Carpenter addresses both urgent needs and long-term transformation. Core services include a food pantry, thrift shop, and utility assistance essential lifelines for families facing hardship. The organization’s impact goes far beyond survival. The House of the Carpenter offers life-changing opportunities that empower individuals and families to thrive. The House of the Carpenter is also a vital disaster relief and recovery hub for Wheeling Island, most recently playing a critical role in supporting residents during the 2024 floods.
House of the Carpenter – Executive Director Reverend Dr. Bill Wendell– “Thank you to the Mountaineer Brewfest committee for choosing House of the Carpenter as the 2025 Charity. We are honored to be chosen and look forward to showcasing the House of the Carpenter’s services at this year’s event.”
Mountaineer Brewfest Founder and President Jeff Hayes – “Each year the Mountaineer Brewfest committee votes to select a charity that registered on our website to receive proceeds from our festival. We are excited to announce that the House of the Carpenter has been selected as the recipient of this year’s festival proceeds. We look forward to working with Michael Linger, his staff and volunteers to help them continue to make a positive impact on our community.”, stated Hayes. “And it is so rewarding to have the continued partnership with Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack through these 11 years. I want to again thank Regional President & General Manager Kim Florence, Catering & Event Sales Manager Julie Baker, Marketing Manager Amy Kirkland, and their teams for all they do in helping us put on the best Craft Beer festival in the tristate area and West Virginia!”
In addition to 2025 Title Sponsor Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack, the Brewfest would also like to thank and acknowledge the following incredible Sponsors for their commitments to this year’s festival:
- Partner Sponsors: The 19th Hole, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, Belmont Savings Bank, Smoker Friendly, The Ziegenfelder Company, Generations Restaurant & Pub, Riverbridge Wealth Management of Raymond James, The UPS Store, MPLX (Marathon Petroleum). Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, Gumbys LLC, Visit Wheeling WV, Omni Strategic Technologies, Valley Fence, Shirts N More, WTOV9, and Re/MAX Broadwater.
- Distributor Sponsors: Carenbauer Distributing, Blue Mountain Beverage, Johnson Brothers Mountain State Beverage, and Wine & Beverage Merchants of WV.
- Brewer Sponsors: Carpets by Jamison, Edward Jones (Daniel Young), Bernie Glenn Insurance & Financial Services, Liberty Distributors, The Bridge Tavern. Hanlon, McCormick, Schramm, Bickford & Schramm Co, IBEW Local 141, McKinley Architecture & Engineering. Paull Associates, McKinley Carter Wealth Services, Belmont Carson Petroleum, The Glessner Group, Main Street Bank, Convenient Food Marts, Char House on the Boulevard, Cardinal Operating Company, Kalkrueth Roofing & Sheet Metal, Savage Construction, Ohio County Commission, and Truist
- Friends Sponsors: Project BEST, Wesbanco, Community Bank, Cast Property Solutions, Kiwanis Club, Team Sledd, American Sanitary, Fitzsimmons Law Firm, Contractors Supply, Circus Saints & Sinners, The Wheeling Alers, and The Wheeling Lightningbirds
- Media Sponsors: WKKX The Watchdog, The River Network, Disruptor Radio (WV The Torch), iHeartmedia, and Lamar Advertising.
- Special Feature Sponsors: “WV Craft Brewer Reception” – Sponsored by IC Cab and Waterfront Hall, “Smiley Ann’s Photo Van” – Sponsored by McKenzie Riedel Wealth Management, “Main Stage Entertainment” – Co-Sponsored by McKinley Carter Wealth Services and McKinley Architecture & Engineering, and “WV Beer Competition Judging” – Sponsored by Old Colony Realtors.
“We cannot put on this festival without the continued support of these amazing sponsors,” said Hayes. “Their contributions make it possible for us to continue to help local charities help others. We thank them all!”
“We have over 100 volunteers each year from the community, organizations, and our charity that contribute to the success of the Mountaineer Brewfest.” Stated Hayes. “Our partner organizations that help each year are: The Circus Saints & Sinners, the Wheeling Alers Home Brew Club, and The Wheeling Lightningbirds, women’s amateur ice hockey team. The Wheeling Alers bring their expertise to the festival by managing our WV Craft Beer competition and work the taps at many of our Brewer tents. The Saints & Sinners organization attend to the taps in our Beer Garden and raise additional funds for our charity through tips with matching sponsor donations, and the Wheeling Lightningbirds also work the taps at many of our Brewer tents.”
WV Brewer samples available at this year’s festival include: Screech Owl Brewing (Bruceton Mills), Mountain State Brewing (Thomas), Bridge Brew Works (Fayetteville), Big Timber Brewing (Elkins), Old Spruce Brewing (Snowshoe), Fox Hops Brewing (Elkins), Abolitionist Ale Works (Charles Town), Brew Keepers (Wheeling), Koerber Beer Company (Barboursville), The Peddler Brewing (Huntington), Greenbriar Valley Brewing (Maxwelton), Hawk Knob Appalachian Hard Cider (Lewisburg), Fife Street Brewing (Charleston), Free Folk Brewery (Hico), Parkersburg Brewing, Berkeley Springs Brewing, Stumptown Ales (Davis), High Ground Brewing (Terra Alta), Short Story Brewing (Rivesville), and Chestnut Brew Works (Morgantown). The Mountaineer Brewfest also features a Beer Garden with over 50 additional pours.
Entertainment this year will feature: Main stage- “Ledfoot Lover” from the Ohio Valley at 4:30pm, “Buckwild” from Pittsburgh at 6:30pm, and headliner “The Dundies” from Lynchburg, VA at 8:30pm. “Kanawha” will perform during the VIP hour at 3pm.
Mountaineer Brewfest tickets can be purchased starting June 1st via www.mountaineerbrewfest.com, www.facebook.com/MountaineerBrewfest, www.eventbrite.com, or at Yourkovich & Associates, located at 246 Kruger Street in Wheeling.
The Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack Mountaineer Brewfest VIP Craft Beer and Food Pairing will be held for “Early Bird VIP + Thursday “ Ticket holders and sponsors on Thursday August 14, 2025, from 6pm to 8pm at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack. This pairing will feature craft beers from Big Timber Brewing with special food preparations complimenting the craft beer selections by Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack Executive Chef John Greenwald.
The August 16, 2025, festival hours are: VIP entry 3:00pm, General Admission entry at 4:00pm, the festival ends at 10:00pm. You must be 21 years of age with a valid photo ID to enter. This is a rain or shine event. Special early ticket pricing is available June 1st through July 31st, General Admission tickets are $35, VIP tickets are $70, and VIP + Thursday Pairing $80. Ticket prices increase after July 31st, General Admission will be $45, and VIP will be $80. Designated Driver tickets are also available.
All these details and more will be shared on Mountaineer Brewfest Facebook and Instagram sites. Be sure to follow us for the latest festival news as we gear up for the 11th Annual Mountaineer Brewfest!
About the Mountaineer Brewfest:
The Mountaineer Brewfest festival showcases West Virginia’s finest Craft and Micro Brewers via an organized tasting and is held annually at the Heritage Port in Wheeling, WV. Our mission is:
- To promote West Virginia’s unique and growing industry of craft and microbreweries
- To provide the public an opportunity to learn about West Virginia and regional craft and microbrewers and their products.
- To provide the best in Entertainment and Food all within a relaxed atmosphere.
- To encourage community within the city of Wheeling by:
- Working with local officials and businesses to provide a sustainable event
- By donating festival proceeds to local charities
Please visit www.mountaineerbrewfest.com or www.facebook.com/MountaineerBrewfest to purchase tickets and for more information.
