Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival returns this weekend (June 4th and 5th) for its 16th year of celebrating some of America’s best. The festival will take be stepping it up a notch this year and taking place at Bader Field (545 N Albany Avenue) covering over 1.4 million square feet.
This year, there is more than 150 different breweries and nearly 1000 different kinds of beer available for you to try. From local microbreweries to some of the most famous brewers in the world, you will not be short of something to try. Featured breweries include Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Goose Island Beer Company, and Flying Fish Brewing Co. Some of the more local breweries include Behr Brewing from Cape May, Diving Horse Brewing Co. from Atlantic City, and Garden State Beer from Galloway. Breweries from the west coast will feature, and there is even a brewery flying in from France for the festival, so you know it is going to be huge this year.
“The AC Beer and Music festival is a great opportunity for a novice or a beer geek to really jump in there and get to know breweries, get to know brewers who make the beer, and try new and exciting styles to expand your beer palette.” explains Jon Henderson from Good Time Tricycle, the event’s producer.
Of course, music is paramount to the success of the festival in previous years, and this year’s line up features some huge acts. Session #1 on June 4th will see the main stage headlined by Alakaline Trio and supported by Thrice, with music starting at 2pm and finished at 6pm. Then, session #2 on Sunday will be headlined by international superstars, New Found Glory, and supported by Four Years Strong. The music during Session #2 will begin at 12pm and finish at 4pm. There will also be an acoustic stage featuring artists playing more chilled tunes. The full line-up can be found here: https://www.acbeerfest.com/music .
There will also be more than 13 different local restaurants with food trucks/tents serving up a delicious selection of food to soak up all that booze. Grab seafood at Star of the Sea Seafood, classic comfort food from Essel’s Dugout, or a customized burrito bowl from Wholly Bowls. A full list of restaurants can be found here: https://www.acbeerfest.com/eats
A wide variety of vendors will have tents selling a range of different goods. Bang Cookies will be bringing some of their irresistible homemade cookies and brownies. Black Sheep Dog Treats will have a selection of their grain-free goodies for your pups. Gypsea Caravan sell funky apparel and jewelry, perfect for your next weekend festival, so make sure you check them out and pick out some unique items. More than 60 vendors will be in attendance, and there is sure to be something you pick up which you did not know you needed! A full list of vendors can be found here: https://www.acbeerfest.com/vendors .
Tickets for the event start at $70 for General Admission when bought in advance, and they go up to $75 when you buy on the door. All GA tickets include beer tastings, a commemorative tasting mug, and access to the music, cooking demos, mixology seminars, and much more. There are also VIP tickets available for $135 which includes early entry to the festival; a welcome toast with the event organizer, Jon Henderson; a $10 Uber Voucher to get you home; access to the VIP Chill Tent which includes snacks, water, a sunscreen station, a masseuse, collab beer tasting, and VIP only toilets; and a swag bag to carry all of your goodies in which includes an exclusive t-shirt and various other gifts. There is also the option to be a designated driver and purchase a ticket at a discounted price; however, if you are caught drinking, you will be kicked out! If no one wants to drive, purchase the “You Drink, We Drive” Jitney Package. More information on the different kinds of tickets can be found here: https://www.acbeerfest.com/tickets .
The event is strictly 21 and over, and IDs will be checked, so leave the kids at home because this one is strictly for the adults. For anyone wanting to start the party early, the Pre-Fest Party will take place at Bourre (201 S New York Ave) and will allow attendees to have exclusive access to canned beers from a dozen local and regional breweries. The event kicks off at 7:30pm until 11pm, and tickets can be found here: https://www.universe.com/events/canned-featuring-the-movielife-the-acbeerfest-kick-off-party-tickets-Y50BVR. If you are still wanting more after the weekend, the official After Party will also take place at Bourre on Saturday following an Emo Night Brooklyn theme. Tickets can be found here: https://www.universe.com/events/emo-night-brooklyn-the-official-ac-beer-festival-after-party-tickets-93HWYR
The event is rain or shine, and it is all about kicking back, tasting some great brews, listening to some amazing music. This is going to be the best year yet!
Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent.www.dinamediagroup.com
