Craft Beer Lovers Rejoice and Go Fest Yourself

There are so many huge beer happenings at the Roanoke GO Outside Festival this year that it’s hard to pick a top event. Presented without any ranking whatsoever:

• Woody T. Barrel, the Deschutes Brewery traveling pub, will be on site all weekend (and will come with reserve tastings).
• Parkway Brewing is serving up a special keg of its made-just-for-GO Fest Saison Ale, Go Fest Yourself. (The clever beer name is also the festival hashtag this year, so get on social media and #GoFestYourself!)
• The Parkway Pig Roast is Friday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. with plenty of brews and BBQ.
• Start the weekend off right with a Beer Relay on Friday, Oct. 14, starting at the Parkway Brewing tent. Teams of runners will run four laps along a scenic course with plenty of surprises. (Teams must register by Oct. 13.)
• The Cast Iron & Craft Beer Dinner, prepared by Chef Aaron Deal of River and Rail Restaurant, with five rare beer tastings from Deschutes Brewery underneath a giant Barebones tent. (This VIP option requires advance tickets and is likely to sell out.)

For beer purchases, you’ll need to first stop at the tent, get your ID checked, and buy beer tickets. One ticket will get you one beer of your choosing. To cut down on trash, GO Fest steel pints will be available for purchase (each one comes with a beer ticket) or you can bring your pint from another event (just no glass please).

Roanoke GO Outside Festival

GO Fest is designed so you can get outside and get active with plenty of gear to try, demos, races, and camping. There will be more food and local craft brews than you can eat and drink in three days. And it’s still free to get in.

• When: Oct. 14-16
• Where: River’s Edge
• Learn more: Online