Dust off your drinking shoes, Cincinnati.  It’s almost time for another years Volksfest to bring the drinking community together under one tent to celebrate the very people that make it possible.

I also want to quickly make note that they refer to this festival as “Cincinnati Craft Breweries’ – Volksfest”.  It’s really easy to be selfish and take ownership of something like this, and they don’t.  They are still doing these festivals because of what they represent for the bigger picture of craft beer here in Cincinnati.  This is a good thing.  This is what we need to see more of.

But before I get too sidetracked…. let’s explore!

Volksfest 2016What’s This All About Anyways?

In German, Volk means people.  The Volksfest is a festival put on by Norwoods own Listermann brewing company to celebrate their customers and to remind them just how much they mean to the brewery.

Traditionally speaking, Volksfests are held in Germany to celebrate all sorts of events.  They usually combine a fair of sorts, with a beer and/or wine festival.  These “people’s festivals” are common, and extremely popular.  You might have heard about one of the most popular volksfests… lovingly called Oktoberfest.

Like I said before, Listermann throws this party to celebrate their customers, the people that have made Listermann/Triple Digit able to exist over these years.  They bring together a group of breweries – all local mind you – to throw a party fit for a city like Cincinnati.  Food, music, and beer all come together to form what a lot of people consider the gold standard for how beer festivals should be ran when they look for inspiration.

Listermann Volksfest BeerThe Beer

I will go ahead and say it.  This is the best tap line up from any festival.  Ever.  I know that’s a controversial and personal opinion, but… you know.

You’re looking at a line up of 21 local breweries with their taps flowing with beer.  You’ve got places like Fibonacci, Dogberry and newcomers to the Cincinnati beer community, Municipal Brew Works – you aren’t going to find these beers on tap very often.  Rock Bottom is making an appearance, a brewery that doesn’t get nearly the credit that they deserve here in Cincinnati.

Listermann may say that this festival is all about their customers, but for us… I think it might be all about the beer.

Wow.

Food Trucks

What’s a festival without food?

Volksfest will have food trucks on site to serve up the thirsty drinkers of this city, and make sure that they are able to keep their stomachs full to keep drinking throughout the day.

Friday

  • Renegade Street Eats
  • Catch A Fire Pizza
  • Chili Hut

Saturday

  • Fireside Pizza
  • Sweets & Meats
  • Best Thing Smokin Food

The Music

If you haven’t started to catch on at other festivals, yet, when this city gets together to drink some beers – it expects some really great music to go along with it.  Of course, Listermann isn’t going to let us down with something like that at a festival designed to celebrate us.

Friday

  • 5:30-8:30pm – The Code
  • 9:00-12:00am – Sonny Morman

Saturday

  • 12:30-3:30pm – DejaVu
  • 4:00-7:00pm – Oh La La
  • 7:30-11:00pm – Elementree Livity Project

Volksfest MapThe Details

I hope I don’t have to convince you still that this is a festival that is worth your time and hard earned money.  It’s killer.  So when you decide to go, here’s some of the stuff that you’re going to want to know:

The festival runs on Friday, August 5th and Saturday, August 6th – On Friday the hours run from 5pm until midnight – On Saturday the festival runs from noon to 11pm.

You need to pay attention to the map you can see here, parking for the festival and parking for the store are separate- so look at that.

Pricing:

The Listermann Volksfest is free to get in (as always) you just pay for what you want to drink or eat, and you’re good to go!

  • Samples – $3
  • 12oz pour – $5
  • 7oz Specialty pour – $5
  • 1/2 Liter Specialty Glass – $15
  • Souvenir Mug Refill – $7
  • 22oz Souvenir Mug with fill – $10

I’ll see you there!!!

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