Revamped fest brings 2 days of beer, barbecue and bands to uptown Charlotte
Each year Charlotte celebrates the Southern traditions of barbecue and blues with a fall festival.
This year, the former Blues, Brews & BBQ returns as the Southern Sauce Beer, Bar-B-Que and Bands Festival – joining forces with the second annual Charlotte Beerfest for a two-night, twofold event of live music, craft beer and Southern culture.
This year, the event is divided into two portions:
▪ The free Southern Sauce Festival at Romare Bearden Park Friday and Saturday features live blues on the Charlotte Blues Society stage, more than 10 pit masters serving up Southern staples (as well as their own original barbecue recipes), and an arts and craft and vendor area featuring Carolina wares like rocking chairs, hammocks, pottery and boiled peanuts.
▪ The beer tasting festival – presented by Virginia’s Devil’s Backbone Brewing – is a ticketed event Saturday at BB&T BallPark, where ’90s alternative-rock hitmaker Gin Blossoms headlines a concert from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets include unlimited tasting of the more than 200 featured craft beers.
Southern Sauce Beer, Bar-B-Que and Bands Festival and Charlotte Beerfest
WHEN: The Southern Sauce festival is 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday. Beerfest runs 4-9:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Southern Sauce is at Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St. Beerfest is at BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint St.
TICKETS: Southern Sauce is free. Beerfest, which includes the Gin Blossoms concert, is $50 general admission and $100 VIP; designated driver tickets are $25.
DETAILS: www.southernsauceclt.com; www.charlottebeerfest.com.
This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Revamped fest brings 2 days of beer, barbecue and bands to uptown Charlotte."