Hoppy New Year | 815 Ale Fest is one month away
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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CHERRY VALLEY — An annual event that brings together brewers and beer lovers from across the region is back in one month.
815 Ale Fest is on tap for Saturday, Feb. 1 at the Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road. This is the sixth year of the event, which sold out each of the past three years.
“Ale Fest is just such a rad way for people to come together and learn about the good craft beers that are local,” said Jaime Stewart, director of marketing and design at Lena Brewing Co. “It’s simple. It’s fun. It does really great job of showcasing the local guy, which we love.”
Photos: 815 Ale Fest 2024 draws sold out crowd in Cherry Valley
The event showcases local breweries and lets you sample a variety of unique creations, such as the peach cobbler cream ale Urban Forest Craft Brewing in Rockford made last year to win the title of Best Brew. Urban Forest, which won the Best Brew title for three straight years, made a special edition lemon pie cream ale in 2023 with flavors of vanilla, lemon and graham cracker.
The awards give brewers bragging rights, but Stewart said the different breweries enjoy the friendly rivalry. Lena Brewing took home its own trophy last year with the Judge’s Choice Award. Hairy Cow Brewing in Byron won the People’s Choice.
“It’s not a competition. It’s bringing forth different styles and ideas, and that’s why it’s so much fun — we all get together and love beer,” she said.
815 Ale Fest is put on by the Mid-West Family Broadcasting radio stations — B103, 95.3 The Bull, 100FM and 104.9 The X — in partnership with Anderson Toyota with Lonnie’s Carpet Max, Lonnie’s Stonecrafters, tasting glasses from Tilford’s Towing, and snacks from Mrs Fisher’s Potato Chips.
Stewart said the large selection of different styles — from hoppy tastes to sweet or sour stuff — ensures that even casual beer drinkers will find something new to enjoy.
“You can’t come to this event and end up leaving not liking at least one beer, I promise you that,” she said.
Get tickets | 815 Ale Fest 2025
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025
Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley
Admission: $40 for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; $60 for VIP early admission at noon, a VIP hat, tasting glass and pretzel necklace
Info: 815alefest.com
Tickets: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
