09/18/2026
🍻💙 ONE FESTIVAL. ONE COMMUNITY. A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE TO THANK. 💙🍻
The tents have been down for a month. The last keg has long since been kicked. And this week, we finally got to put the biggest exclamation point on Mountaineer Brewfest 2026:
$50,000 presented to the Wheeling YMCA. 💛
That check didn’t happen because of one person, one sponsor or one really good Saturday at Heritage Port.
It took all of this. 👇
Sponsors who believed in what we’re doing. Brewers who traveled to Wheeling and poured their craft. Volunteers who worked before, during and long after the gates were open. Musicians, vendors, public safety, community partners, friends and families—and every single person who bought a ticket and came down to Drink for a Good Cause.
So yes, this is going to be a long post. It should be.
Because when this many people help turn a b**r festival into $50,000 for our community, they deserve to have their names said. 🍻
🍺 TITLE SPONSOR
For the 12th consecutive year, Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack stood behind Mountaineer Brewfest as our Title Sponsor.
To Kim Florence and the entire team: twelve years of partnership says a lot. Thank you for continuing to believe in this festival and everything we’re working to accomplish through it.
💙 PARTNER SPONSORS
Omni Strategic Technologies • Visit Wheeling, WV • WTOV9 • Steptoe & Johnson PLLC • Smoker Friendly • Belmont Savings Bank • Gumby’s Cigarette & B**r World • Waterfront Hall • The 19th Hole • The UPS Store • MPLX • Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration • ELV Energy Services • The Market Vines • Shirts ’N More • Valley Fence • WVU Medicine
You showed up for Brewfest, and we’re incredibly grateful you did. Your continued support helps us build the festival you see at Heritage Port each year.
🍺 DISTRIBUTOR SPONSORS
W**e & Beverage Merchants of West Virginia • Blue Mountain Beverage • Carenbauer Distributing • Johnson Brothers Mountain State Distributing
There’s no craft b**r festival without a whole lot happening behind those taps. Thank you for helping us bring the Brewfest b**r experience together.
💙 BREWER SPONSORS
Bernie Glenn Insurance & Financial Service • Edward Jones • Hanlon McCormick Schramm Bickford & Schramm Co. LPA • McKinley Carter Wealth Services • McKinley Architecture + Engineering • Moyer Group Wealth Management • Carpets by Jamison • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 141 Wheeling • The Glessner Group • The Bridge Tavern • Main Street Bank • Cardinal Operating Company • Riverbridge Wealth Management • Savage Construction • Liberty Distributors • Belmont Carson Petroleum • Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal • Convenient Food Mart • Truist
Your sponsorship helps us continue to grow Brewfest while creating an experience people look forward to year after year. Thank you!
✨ THE EXTRAS THAT MAKE BREWFEST… BREWFEST
Some parts of the weekend deserve a special shout-out of their own:
🍻 WV Craft Brewer Reception — sponsored by IC Cab and Waterfront Hall
📸 Smiley Ann’s Photo Van — sponsored by McKenzie Riedel Wealth Management
🎶 McKinley Stage Entertainment — co-sponsored by McKinley Carter Wealth Services and McKinley Architecture and Engineering
🍺 WV B**r Competition Judging — sponsored by Generations Restaurant & Pub
Thank you for helping us add the experiences around the b**r that make the weekend so much fun.
💙 FRIENDS OF BREWFEST
City of Wheeling • Project BEST • Team Sledd • American Sanitary Supply Company • WesBanco • Fitzsimmons Law Firm • Whiteside of St. Clairsville • Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 83 Wheeling, WV • Center Market • Wheeling Kiwanis Club • Contractors Supply • Lowe’s of Wheeling • Circus Saints & Sinners • Wheeling Alers Home Brew Club • Wheeling Lightningbirds
Thank you for continuing to show up for Brewfest and for the community we all call home.
📻 MEDIA SPONSORS
WV The Torch • The River Network • The Watch Dog • iHeartRadio Wheeling • Lamar Advertising
You helped make sure people knew where to be on Brewfest Saturday. Thank you for spreading the word all across the Ohio Valley.
💛 TIPS MATCH SPONSORS
Jody and Beth Prather • Rich, Barb and Brice Lucas • Robinson Law Offices
Every extra dollar we can put toward our charity matters. Thank you for stepping up to help those dollars go even further.
🔨🍺 DANIEL & CHELSEA YOUNG
Daniel came out on top in our Tap the Firkin auction during the VIP Craft B**r & Food Pairing Event at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.
That winning bid was a donation directly benefiting the Wheeling YMCA—and earned Daniel the honor of helping us officially open Brewfest by tapping the firkin.
Thank you, Daniel and Chelsea, for your generosity and for being such a fun part of Brewfest weekend!
🍺 OUR WEST VIRGINIA CRAFT BREWERS
This is the heart of Mountaineer Brewfest.
Köerber B**r Company • Fox Hops Brewery • Big Timber Brewing • Parkersburg Brewing Company • Mountain State Brewing Company • Old Spruce Brewing • Abolitionist Ale Works • Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company • Hawk K**b Appalachian Hard C***r • Freefolk Brewery • Screech Owl Brewing • Fife Street Brewing • High Ground Brewing • Halleck Brewing Company • Charleston Nano-Brewery • Bridge Brew Works • Stumptown Ales • The Peddler • Short Story Brewing • Weathered Ground Brewery • Bad Shepherd Brewing
Thank you for loading up the b**r, making the trip to Wheeling and sharing what you do with thousands of people at Heritage Port. We’re incredibly proud to showcase West Virginia’s craft b**r community.
🍔 AND THE PEOPLE WHO KEPT EVERYONE FED
Ideal Provisions • Midge’s Hot Dogs • Paleonardo’s • The Gr**go • The Wood Fired Pizza Company • Everything Chili • Dina Coladas • Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack
Cold b**r needs good food. You delivered. Thank you!
💛 THEN SOME OF YOU GAVE EVEN MORE.
A special thank-you goes to the breweries and food vendors who chose to donate their registration deposits directly to the Wheeling YMCA:
Fox Hops Brewery • The Peddler • Short Story Brewing • Old Spruce Brewing • Mountain State Brewing • Fife Street Brewing • Screech Owl Brewing • Charleston Nano Brewery • Bridge Brew Works • Big Timber Brewing • Abolitionist Ale Works • Weathered Ground Brewery • Bad Shepherd Brewing • New State Brewing • The Wood Fired Pizza Company • The Gr**go • Paleonardo’s • Ideal Provisions
You had already given us your time, talent and product—and then you chose to give a little more. We won’t forget it. 💛
💧 LOWE’S OF WHEELING
Thank you for donating water and other supplies and helping us keep free water available to Brewfest patrons throughout the festival. It’s an important part of the day, and we appreciate your continued support.
🎶 THE SOUNDTRACK TO BREWFEST
🎸 Main Stage: The Trainjumpers • North to Nashville • Pulse
🎤 VIP Hour: Grace Campbell
You gave us one heck of a soundtrack. Thank you for bringing the talent, energy and fun to Heritage Port!
🇺🇸 OPENING CEREMONIES
There’s something pretty special about that moment when the parade begins and we know another Brewfest is officially underway.
Thank you to Betsy Bethel-McFarland, Bagpiper for leading us on bagpipes, American Legion Post 1 for presenting the colors, Grace Campbell for singing our National Anthem, Abolitionist Ale Works for providing this year’s firkin, and Pickup-Stix for entertaining during the opening ceremonies.
You helped us start Brewfest #12 the right way.
🛠️ THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STUFF YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T THINK ABOUT
A festival this size needs a LOT more than b**r.
Smiley Ann’s Photo Van • Smoker Friendly • Carenbauer Distributing for the Budweiser Trailer • Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration for the committee trailer and golf carts • Valley Fence • Omni Strategic Technologies for Wi-Fi • Contractor’s Supply for sandbags • City of Wheeling for the stage • Team Sledd for the refrigerated truck
Some of the most important pieces of Brewfest happen quietly behind the scenes. Thank you for providing the infrastructure, equipment and extras that keep the whole thing moving.
🎤 Jeff Oechslein
The guy with the microphone has a pretty important job. 😂
Jeff, thank you for once again keeping Brewfest moving, keeping the crowd entertained and being such a great part of the day.
🔊 BG AUDIO
Thank you to BG Audio and the entire crew for the professional live production behind our entertainment. Great bands deserve to sound great—and you make sure they do.
🚓 OUR PUBLIC SAFETY TEAMS
A great festival is also a safe festival.
Thank you to Wheeling Police Department Special Operations Commander Lt. Russell B. Campbell Jr., Ohio County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Kent Lewis, Wheeling Fire Department Fire Chief Jim Blazier, and the teams providing security and EMT services throughout Brewfest.
And a special thank-you to Michael Stauver of the McKeen Group for donating security services this year.
We appreciate the professionalism and care you bring to our event.
🏙️ CITY OF WHEELING & COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Thank you to City of Wheeling Events Manager Jon Banco, City Manager Bob Herron, Director of Parks & Recreation Rochelle Barry, ERB Electrician Mark Ullom, and everyone at WesBanco for the support and services that help make Brewfest possible year after year.
🚕 IC Cab
From transporting our brewers to Friday night’s reception to helping our patrons find a Safe Ride home after Brewfest, thank you for being there throughout the weekend and helping everyone celebrate responsibly.
🎪 Circus Saints & Sinners
If you visited the B**r Garden, you saw these volunteers in action.
Thank you for the unbelievable job you do serving patrons, generating tips for our charity and continuing the charitable work you do throughout our community.
🍺 Wheeling Alers HBC
You bring more than helping hands—you bring some serious b**r knowledge.
Thank you for staffing our WV Craft Brewer tents, handing out free water, sharing your expertise during the judging competition and being an all-around resource throughout the festival.
And a special thank-you to Jim Chaney and Kurt Reed for judging this year’s competition!
🏒 Wheeling Lightningbirds HOCKEY CLUB
Thank you for bringing the fun while working hard in our WV Brewer tents. We appreciate your continued support and all those helping hands!
🏈 WHEELING PARK FOOTBALL PARENTS
Welcome to the Brewfest family!
Thank you for jumping aboard this year to support our WV Brewer tents and sticking around for Saturday night teardown. We appreciate you and look forward to continuing the partnership.
💛 WHEELING YMCA VOLUNTEERS
You weren’t simply our 2026 charity partner—you rolled up your sleeves and worked alongside us.
Thank you to the YMCA volunteers who helped with festival setup, day-of operations and our front gate. We loved having you as part of the Brewfest team.
🙌 EVERY VOLUNTEER, FRIEND & FAMILY MEMBER
There are people whose names never appear on a sponsor banner.
They haul. They set up. They tear down. They answer questions. They fill gaps. They show up early and stay late because somebody has to do it.
Mountaineer Brewfest simply does not happen without you.
Thank you.
🍽️ VAGABOND KITCHEN CATERING
There’s a hungry army of volunteers and brewers to feed on Brewfest day, and you took care of them.
Thank you for the delicious luncheon and for the generosity and hospitality you continue to show our Brewfest family.
📸 PRODUCTION, MARKETING & MEDIA
Ben Saw This LLC • The Presenters Agency • Studio 1352 • TCM • Zoomfly • Joe Lovell • Jub Delbrugge
The photos, videos, marketing, media, production and aerial views help us capture what happens at Heritage Port and tell the Brewfest story long after the taps close.
Thank you for putting your talents behind this event.
📺 OUR LOCAL MEDIA
A big thank-you to WTOV NEWS9 for supporting Brewfest through on-air advertising, news coverage, live coverage, weather features, emcee support and so much more throughout the year.
And thank you to The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register and WTRF 7News for continuing to cover Brewfest and the charitable work behind it.
Every story helps us reach another person—and ultimately helps us do more good.
✍️ Charles Bockway
Charles, thank you for continuing to tell the stories of West Virginia craft b**r through Brilliant Stream and for being such a consistent supporter of Mountaineer Brewfest.
You’ve written about us, spread the word, rooted for us and helped people understand what makes West Virginia’s craft b**r community special. We appreciate you.
🏛️ Waterfront Hall
Thank you for opening your doors to us and hosting this year’s donation presentation. It was the perfect place to put the finishing touch on Brewfest 2026.
And a very special thank-you to Rocco and Amanda Basil for the fantastic food served during the presentation. It was absolutely delicious and such a great addition to the evening!
🍻 A PERSONAL NOTE FROM BREWFEST PRESIDENT JEFF HAYES
“I would personally like to thank the members of the Mountaineer Brewfest Board and Committee for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to putting on the 12th Mountaineer Brewfest.
This event takes an incredible amount of time, effort, and teamwork, and I am proud to work alongside such a dedicated group of people.”
Board Members:
Adam Brothers • Corey Albers • Jeff Hayes • Jeff Yourkovich • Mike Costanzo • Patrick McDermott
Committee Members:
Matt Welsch • Tina Carinci Morris • Jess Moore • Joel Sansone • John DiCarlo • Scott Fletcher • Aron Massey • Brittany Reilly • Phil Carl • Robert Felton • Brooke Price
🍻💙 AND FINALLY… THANK YOU, BREWFEST FAMILY.
If you attended, sponsored, volunteered, brewed, cooked, poured, performed, donated, hauled something, cleaned something, promoted something, bought something, bid on something—or helped behind the scenes in one of the hundred ways most people will never see—
you were part of that $50,000 check.
That’s what Drink for a Good Cause means.
We are incredibly proud of what this community accomplished together and even more grateful that you continue to show up year after year and make it possible.
Brewfest #12 is officially in the books.
And now that we’ve properly said thank you…
we’ll see you Saturday, August 21, 2027, for #13. 🍻
**r
