The annual Chester County Homebrew Festival, a celebration of local homebrewing, will be held this year on Saturday, June 25, from 6–10 p.m. at the American Helicopter Museum. Each year, this celebration keeps getting bigger and better, and for good reason—the team behind the event. Be lucky enough to sit down for a beer with Ken Delise, Owen Winkler and Troy Vogt like I did and you will soon see why.
When I met the trio of beer-loving guys, it was easy to see their light-hearted camaraderie and dedication to the event. Ken, Owen and Troy met several years ago through a service organization and soon discovered a mutual love of beer and a desire to serve the community. Referring to themselves as Viking Brewing Company, they homebrew beer, mead and ciders. The guys also like to have a lot of fun and have participated in events such as racing self-designed cardboard sleds down a mountain in the Preston and Steve Cardboard Classic and the West Chester Rotary Chili Cook-Off, where they were first place winners two times.
After visiting a homebrew festival in Philly a few years ago, they decided to bring the concept home to Chester County and add on their own spirited spin.
What makes the Chester County Homebrew Festival different from all the other homebrewing contests out there? Ken shares, “It’s like a hybrid homebrew contest and beer festival. Usually, homebrewers drop off a two bottles of homebrew at a shop and then wait for the results.” He continues, “At our festival, each participant is required to submit a minimum of a five-gallon batch. Not only is the beer evaluated by certified beer judges, but there is a People’s Choice award, too. Last year, we added a Brewers’ Choice award, which was well-received.”
This year, at the sixth annual iteration of the event, 14 homebrewers are scheduled to square off for bragging rights. There are many returning favorites and some newbies, too. If you’ve ever wanted to have the opportunity to try a bunch of different beers, discuss the beers with the brewers and hang out with a fun crowd, this event is for you.
Some great local beer talent has risen from the Chester County Homebrew Festival. New West Chester favorite Levante Brewing Company served beers at the fest a few years ago. Owen fondly remembers getting a taste of some of their offerings before they even had a brewery and thinking they were outstanding. Levante is now a sponsor of the festival and will be pouring some beers.
Other sponsors of the fest include Rino’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria (a huge supporter of local craft beer) and Fancy Camper Homebrew Supply. Another new brewery, 2nd Story Brewing Company in Philadelphia, also served up some beers at this event in past years, so you never know what up-and-coming brewing talent will be pouring!
Not only will the beer be flowing, but the fun will be, too. Live music will be provided by local group Subterranean Groove Theory. If the weather is nice, the hangar gates will be open and there will be plenty of fun lawn games like cornhole to play. Bonus—the cornhole games were handbuilt by the trio, too! A barbecue-style buffet by Crave Catering will be served to keep the munchies away.
While the Homebrew Festival is designed to be a tasty event to give exposure to homebrewers and provide attendees with a good time, it really goes back to the way that Ken, Troy and Owen became acquainted. It’s all about service to the community.
This year, the guys decided to designate David’s Drive as the charity that will benefit from the event. David’s Drive is dedicated to helping homeless and hospitalized veterans. David, a neighbor of Troy’s, died unexpectedly at the age of 20 from a suspected heart arrhythmia. At the time of his death, David was working at the Coatesville VA Medical Center and was saddened to learn that many of the veterans he served had to do without items he considered essential—underwear, socks, t-shirts and personal items. In addition to the proceeds of ticket sales going to the charity, the organizers kindly ask for attendees to “show us your underwear” by bringing new, unopened packages of men’s underwear to the event as a donation.
Ready to get your fill of hops and helicopters for a good cause? Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Chester County Homebrew Festival website.
- Top photo credit: Ronna Dewey
- Middle photo credit: Ken Delise, Owen Winkler and Troy Vogt
- Bottom two photos: Michele Kornegay, Nina Malone
