Beachin' and boozin': Craft beer festival coming to Bethany

Folks can get a sip of spring at Shore Craft Beer's first Delaware festival in Bethany Beach on March 24. 

The festival will include a commemorative pint glass and unlimited tastings of over 20 craft beers from 12 local breweries, including RAR, Big Oyster, Dogfish Head and Evolution.

“We are so excited to host this event,” Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Activities Director Allyson Knight said in a statement. “The region is seeing a lot of growth with the popularity of craft beer and the number of breweries in the areas, and this festival is an awesome way to showcase them.”

"Beer at Bethany Beach" is part of a weekend package at Ocean Suites, where the festival will be held. 

Beer-infused spa treatments at Oceanova Spa (think Big Oyster spent grain body buff and Namaste White aromatherapy) and a beer pairing dinner at Ocean Suite's 99 Sea Level will complement the festival's brew vibes.

99 Sea Level will kick off the weekend with six courses (that means six local beers) for $75 a head on March 23. Crackling pork belly will team up with Big Oyster's Noir et Blue, and Dogfish's Lupu Luau IPA will pair side by (sea)side with wild Nantucket scallops and salmon roe. 

The day fest on March 24 costs $35 at the door, or $50 for the VIP experience, which includes an extra hour of beer tastings.

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The festival keeps the spotlight on local beers, including Crooked Hammock's Banana Hammock, a Belgian quad ripe with roasted cacao nibs and (of course) bananas. It also contains 15 percent alcohol by volume. 

Dewey Beer Co. is offering two new beers at the festival that haven't yet been released, including the Secret Machine sour.

"It’s a great opportunity to get together with our neighboring breweries," co-owner Brandon Smith said of the Shore Craft Beer festival. "We're concentrating on things happening in our neighborhood, and Bethany is definitely part of that."

General admission tickets are available, though festivalgoers from out of town are encouraged to book hotel packages through Bethany Beach Ocean Suites, where they’ll automatically be upgraded to VIP status.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased at shorecraftbeerfest.com/beer-at-bethany. Hotel packages can be purchased by calling the hotel at 302-539-3200. 

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