Santa Barbara’s original craft beer festival turns 12 years old on Saturday.
The Santa Barbara Beer Festival will run from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Elings Park.
For the first time ever, the festival will feature VIP early entry for 500 VIP guests. The VIPs will get to enter the festival at 11:30 a.m., and sample beers not available during the general admission session.
“It’s like having your own private craft beer festival with just you and your friends!” read a festival news release.
All proceeds will benefit the Santa Barbara Rugby Association and the Elings Park Foundation.
Festival officials say this year there will be more food and drink offerings than ever.
More than 45 craft breweries, wineries and kombucha have signed on to attend along with four food trucks.
Entertainment will be provided by hip-hop band After the Smoke, DJ Hecktik and local alternative rock band Wall of Tom.
Tickets are available at www.sbbeerfestival.com. VIP early entry tickets are $60, general admission tickets are $45 and designated driver tickets are $20.
Tickets at the door will go up to $70 for VIP and $55 for general admission.
General admission and VIP tickets include a souvenir glass and samples from any of the breweries, wineries and kombucha.
Transportation options include bus pickups in M Special Brewing Co. at 10:30 a.m. in Goleta and at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. at 11 a.m. in Santa Barbara the day of the event.
Tickets cost $10 for a ride to and from the event. Attendees must pre-purchase bus transportation tickets.
The Santa Barbara Beer Festival is produced by En Fuego Events, who also put on the Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festivals, Buellton Brew Fest, Buellton Wine and Chili Festival, Central Coast Craft Beer Festival, Brew Year’s Eve Santa Barbara and Buckles ‘n’ Brews Invitational.
This event will close out the Central Coast Craft Beer Festival season.
