Craft beer fest on tap Saturday at Marktplatz

WEEKEND

Polka meister Meixner will headline eclectic music mix

The second Fredericksburg Craft Beer Festival, sponsored by the Fredericksburg Rotary Club, will combine the German-settlement town's history with its love of big events and beer on Friday, June 9, at Altstadt Brewery and Saturday, June 10, at Marktplatz in downtown Fredericksburg.

A highlight in addition to the more than 20 craft beer festivals will be musical headliner Alex Meixner, closing the festival Saturday evening and bringing his eclectic, high-energy mix of polka, rock and a mishmash of other styles to the Adelsverein Halle at Marktplatz. He will perform from 4-7 p.m. Meixner is a sought-after touring artist and one of the headliners at New Braunfels’ Wurstfest.

VIP Dinner, Craft Beer Awards Ceremony

Visitors are invited to an evening celebrating entrants into the Craft Beer Festival contest.

Tickets are $150 per person and include a tour at the Altstadt production facility, featuring brass tanks imported from Europe and canning for the brewery's German-inspired beers, which are quickly gaining a foothold in the domestic beer market.

Ticket holders can attend the awards presentations for the competition, to be held in the brewery's grand bier halle.

And dinner, included with a ticket, comes with two complimentary beers.

VIP tickets also get holders a VIP wristband for the Saturday festival, plus eight beer tickets, good for a beer sample and/or a full craft beer. Friday tours start at 5 p.m.

Saturday, June 10, Festival on Marktplatz

On Saturday, the action begins at 11 a.m. on Fredericksburg's downtown square, Marktplatz. There, fest-goers will be treated to an array of beer samples from Texas craft beer producers, with some brewers on hand to discuss their beer.

There will also be a Texas wine booth for those who prefer that type of drink.

Other fun includes a corn-hole toss, food concessionaires with craft beer-friendly fare, Chefs & Suds food demonstration tent (limited seating), and three bands throughout the day featuring a variety of Texas music.

Tickets

Tickets for general admission are $20, which includes sample tickets for 4 beer tastings. General admission tickets are available online now at www.fbgcraftbeerfestival. com.

Texas Craft Brewers

Participating craft brewers include: Altstadt Brewery; Real Ale Brewing; Martin House Brewery; Neutral Ground Brewing Co.; Texas Beer Co.; Frontyard Brewing; Back Unturned Brewing; Basement Brewers of Texas; Denton County Brewing; Shiner; Twisted X Brewing; Pecan Street Brewing; Texas Cannon Brewing; Independence Brewing; Rahr & Sons Brewing; Revolver Brewing; Austin Eastciders; Four Corners Brewing; Thirsty Planet Brewing; Karbach; Deep Ellum Brewing Co.; St. Arnold Brewing Co.; Wild Acre Brewery.

These all-Texas breweries will feature choices in beer styles, including bock, IPA, pilsner and amber to name a few.

Chefs and Suds

Featuring three chefs, each will be paired with a Texas Craft Beer. Participants include Josh Raymer — JoJu Bakery; Leo Aguirre — personal chef; and Kevin Maldonado — personal chef. Each session is limited to 50 people.

Concessions

Local and Texas food concessionaires are joining the fest, including Gypsy Wagon, Opa's Smoked Meats and JoJu Bakery and Wood-Fired Pizza.

Texas Tunes

This year's music line-up has been expanded.

El Tule, a favorite at last year's feat will perform from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. featuring its danceable mix of cumbia, salsa and meringue; The Drug Store Cowboys will perform from 2-4 p.m. with their mix of classic country tunes.

Details, tickets, information www.fbgcraftbeerfestival.com 830-997-8515