Craft Beer Festival debuts

photo Beers from Big River Grille & Brewing Co. will be included in the inaugural Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival on Saturday at First Tennessee Pavilion. Other local breweries participating are Chattanooga Brewing Co., Moccasin Bend Brewing Co. and McHale's Brewhouse & Pub.

IF YOU GOWhat: Chattanooga Craft Beer FestivalWhen: Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, April 20Where: First Tennessee Pavilion, 1829 Reggie White Blvd.Admission: $45 drinkers, $20 designated driversWebsite: www.chattanoogacraftbeerfest.comNote: Must be 21 or olderTICKET OUTLETSTickets may be purchased online or at these locations.• Beverage World, 1840 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe• Chattanooga Brewing, 109 Frazier Ave.• The Crash Pad, 29 Johnson St.• Moccasin Bend Brewing, 4015 Tennessee Ave.• Pruett's, 1210 Taft Highway, Signal Mountain• Riverside Wine and Spirits, 600 Manufacturers Road• Staybridge Suites Downtown, 1300 Carter St.

The crafting of beer -- and, naturally, the drinking of it -- will be celebrated Saturday, April 20, at the inaugural Chattanooga Craft Beer Festival.

Thirty-four breweries have signed on, including two that are launching this week: Jackalope Brewing Co. out of Nashville and Rivertown Brewing Co. from Cincinnati, according to Rhizome Productions, which is presenting the festival.

To set the stage for the first-time event, a series of Beer Week activities are being held around town. They continue today, April 18, with a cask tapping at Taco Mac, 423 Market St., from 5 to 7 p.m. and a Straight to Ale Tap Takeover at Brewhaus, 224 Frazier Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday features a beer tasting for women in the craft beer industry at 212 Market Restaurant, 212 Market St., from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $15 for three samples. Reservations are required; call 423-265-1212.

Also Friday is another cask tapping at Taco Mac from 5 to 7 p.m., a New Belgium Beer dinner at Whole Foods Market from 6 to 8 p.m. and a brewers reception at Brewhaus from 7 to 10 p.m.

The dinner at Whole Foods, 301 Manufacturers Road, will feature four courses and six beer pairings for $20. Tickets may be purchased at the store's customer-service desk.

Saturday's festival is limited to 1,500 participants, and no one under 21 will be admitted, not even designated drivers. Local caterers and food trucks will have food available.

Chattanooga bands Hot Damn and No More People will entertain.

Tickets include a 6-ounce tulip tasting glass, samples of all of the craft beers on-site, free drinking water and parking.

Twenty-five percent all net proceeds will be split between two nonprofits, Chattanooga Market and the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition.

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