Coordinating 70 entertaining and comprehensive beer festivals in 2015 alone, America on Tap is one of the top festival producers in the entire world. Beginning in April of 2016, the festivals begin to line up one after the other. The festivities kick off in Maine, New York, and Arizona, and then spread out across the country. Some of the states they will be visiting this summer include: Missouri, California, District of Columbia, Michigan, Rhode Island and many more. Each one of the stops on the tour is hand picked by the event because they are fun and activity-filled destinations. Regardless of which city you join up with the festivities, you’ll be treated to a great experience and a fun new city to explore and enjoy.
While America on Tap wants to put out a festival to their own standards, they also strive fully incorporate the local culture, brews and the overall feel of the city, into each event. That’s what really sets this event apart from the other big festivals. Not only is this a beer event, but it's a full beer experience, with beer enthusiasts, professionals, and specialists all interacting and celebrating beer. It’s the perfect social event for any beer lover.
Every stop on the tour will feature over 50 breweries (national and local). Each will be showcasing their newest and best brews for attendees to sample and enjoy. This will leave you with over a hundred different brews to choose from. In addition to all the great beer and conversation, there will be live music performed by some talented local acts. All the activity will certainly work up an appetite, and it’s a good thing America on Tap has you covered. Each stop on the tour will feature multiple food vendors with a wide selection of menu options. If you're looking for a beer festival that is much more than your “Run of the Mill” beer event, America on Tap is for you! ResortsandLodges.com got the chance to interview Jess Turner, Marketing Manager for Townsquare Media, to talk about this fun event.
RAL: Tell me a little bit about the event.
JT: America On Tap is the foremost producer of premium craft beer festivals in the country, and the first and only nationally integrated entertainment series for craft breweries. With more than 60 planned beer festivals in 2016, each featuring more than 50 sought after craft breweries and their highly-anticipated releases, America On Tap delivers beer sampling in a robust atmosphere filled with live music, great vendors and delicious food.
This is the third year of America on Tap and this year's attendance is expected to be over 150,000 people between all the venues. When we break down the demographics, we see all types of groups of people, especially groups of friends in their 20’s and 30’s, both women and men, looking to learn some more about craft beer and find their next favorite variety.
RAL: What makes this event unique?
JT: America On Tap is unique because we are able to tap into the unique local craft beer scene in each location we visit by featuring local breweries, but we also have a national profile that allows us to work with large national breweries like Sam Adams.
RAL: Take me through what an attendee can expect during a typical day at the event.
JT: As an attendee, you will receive a sampling glass and be able to walk around all the booths to sample over 100 different varieties of beer. We also have live bands playing, local food to pair with your beer choices, many fun beer-themed games, and local vendors to shop. You’re also able to talk to fellow beer lovers and learn more about the craft beer business by talking to some of the representatives at the craft beer tables.
RAL: What does the event mean to the communities that host it?
JT: We love to bring a greater appreciation of craft beer to the communities we visit, and also a larger visibility to those local craft brewers and breweries that deliver this local flavor.
RAL: Does the event drive extra business to the local economies of each town you visit?
JT: Yes, absolutely, to local craft brewers and craft bars, as well as local food vendors or other vendors that we feature at the events.
RAL: Do you support any special causes in the communities you visit?
JT: Yes! At select events we will give back to a local charity, and we are also partners with Twill – a national charity that urges people to “give where you live” through blanket purchases. For every blanket purchased one is given to a local charity of your choosing, to provide comfort, warmth, and support for someone in need.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
JT: Come to an America On Tap event to try some of the best craft beers from around the country, find your new favorite, or learn what the craft beer world is all about if you are a beginner! We welcome everyone looking to have a good time and taste some high quality, delicious American brews with their friends and family.
For more information about America on Tap and all the locations they will be stopping in, please visit their website.