Everything you need to know about the 2024 Barrel & Flow Fest

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For the 7th year, Pittsburgh will host Barrel & Flow Fest. The Barrel & Flow Fest attracts brewers and beer lovers from across the country and has been named the best beer festival by USA Today.

What is the Barrel & Flow Fest?

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to the largest festival celebrating Black breweries? Over the past five years, the Barrel & Flow festival has grown beyond a beer festival. In addition to highlighting Black brewers and breweries, the Barrel & Flow festival celebrates Black artists and businesses.

More than just beer, the annual beer festival in Pittsburgh wants to continue to utilize the brewing industry to connect opportunity, accessibility, and artistry in ways that empower the Black community.

Explore more Pittsburgh breweries with the organizers of the Barrel & Flow Fest

You may notice some familiar faces on the Barrel & Flow Fest team! Ed Bailey and Day Bracey are also the hosts of our show, “Ed and Day in the Burgh.” On each episode, Ed and Day visit a different neighborhood to meet local business owners, try out some new activities, and visit some local breweries.

You can stream Season 1 and Season 2 of “Ed and Day in the ‘Burgh” for free on the Very Local app for FREE! Download the Very Local app for your phone, streaming device or TV to start watching.

Black brewers & collaboration beers

Pittsburgh does not currently have any Black-owned breweries, so how do you plan a festival celebrating Black brewers? Barrel & Flow Fest has a unique solution to this problem. Each year the festival pairs Black artists, business owners and nonprofits with local brewers to create collaboration beers. Check out the list of all of the Black breweries plus more than 50 collaboration beers that will be featured at the festival.

Barrel and Flow Festival — Barrel & Flow Fest 2021

A brief history of the Barrel & Flow Fest

August 10, 2018 – the first festival, Fresh Fest, was held in Pittsburgh at Nova Place. You can read more about the first festival on NPR here.
July 2019 – Very Local co-hosted “Very Local, Very Fresh: Meeting The People Where They’re At” a panel and beer tasting. You can watch a recap of the panel discussion here.
August 2019 – the 2nd annual festival was held at Nova Place. Read more from Afro Beer Chick, Northside Chronicle and Brilliant Stream.
2020 – USA Today includes Fresh Fest in the #2 slot on their list of best beer festivals in the country.
August 2020 – Fresh Fest Digi Fest, due to COVID-19, Festival organizers put together a virtual festival. Take a listen to our podcast interview with Day Bracey about the Fresh Fest Digi Fest to learn more about how the organizers worked to create community during a virtual event.
August 2021 – The festival returns to an in-person format with as the Barrel & Flow Fest at South Side Works.
August 2022 – Barrel & Flow Fest moves to the Strip District

Bigger than a beer festival – Music, Black artists, food and more

The Barrel & Flow festival offers more than beer and beverages.

Live music & DJs

Musicians performing at Barrel & Flow Festival include:

DJs performing at Barrel & Flow Fest:

Eat and shop local at the Barrel & Flow Crafters Market

EAT: From BBQ to rice bowls and vegan eats to sweet treats, there will be more than 20 local businesses selling food at this year’s Barrel & Flow Fest.
SHOP: This year’s Barrel & Flow Fest also features a craft market with goods and services from Black-owned businesses and artists.
LEARN: Stop by the tables to learn more about some local nonprofits that are working to support Pittsburghers.

You can see the entire list of Barrel & Flow Fest vendors here.

When & Where: Barrel & Flow Fest Details

Date:	Saturday, August 10, 2024
Time:	VIP: 12:00 pm (noon) – 9:00 pm \| $250 EARLY ACCESS: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm \| $95 ‍GENERAL ADMISSION: 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm \| $70 Tickets can be purchased online here.
Location:	The Stacks at 3 Crossings, 2875 Railroad St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Barrel & Flow Week: Even more Barrel & Flow Fest events

In addition to the main festival on Saturday, the Barrel & Flow Fest organizers have put together a week of events to celebrate Black arts, music and food.