Wyman Tavern Brew Fest Brings the Community Together

There is something for everyone at this year's Wyman Tavern Brew Fest. This year is the tenth anniversary — fittingly known as the "aluminum anniversary." The event returns to the grounds of the historic Wyman Tavern (1762) on Main St. in Keene on Saturday, Aug. 3. About 25 brewers and distillers will convene along with food vendors, musical acts, a dunk tank and a special photo booth. Festivalgoers can sample craft brews from aluminum cans or aluminum kegs as well as other modes of delivery. A few of the expected brews are Blazing Love Blueberry Cobbler Sour by Blaze Brewing Company (in collaboration with Branch and Blade Brewing), Amber Apparition by Henniker Brewing Company and Pig's Ear Brown Ale by Woodstock Inn Brewery. The brew fest also features ciders, spirits, nonalcoholic beers, gluten free drinks and mocktails (spirit-free cocktails) prepared by Adam Berube of Fireworks Restaurant. Life on Venus, the winner of The Keene Sentinel's 2020 online talent contest, will perform music for the first time at the Brew Fest. The acoustic duo is made up of Paul Kohler and Julio Del Sesto. Kohler is a special education teacher in Brattleboro and Del Sesto is a journalism professor at Keene State College specializing in multimedia production and photojournalism. They have been playing music together since 2012 and perform covers of hit songs from the 1950s to today. Tommy Fakem, an Irish balladeer and multi-instrumentalist from Stoddard, will also perform. He has played at the Wyman Tavern Brew Fest for the past three years. Back by popular demand this year is a dunk tank, sponsored by Hamshaw Lumber and Dunkin Spiked. Dunkees this year are: Dominic Perkins from Savings Bank of Walpole, Kristen Leach from NH Dance Institute, NH Senator Tom Eaton, financial advisor Dave Therrien, Mike Remy from C&S Wholesale Grocers, Mitch Greenwald from Greenwald Realty, Yves Gakunde from the City of Keene's Environmentally Preferable Program and the Keene City Council. Luxury Box Photo Booth will be taking free photos of festivalgoers with a "photo ring." Proceeds from the Brew Fest directly benefit the Historical Society of Cheshire County, which serves as a contemporary hub for people to connect to history, art, culture and the environment through their own lens and personal experience. Currently, a blockbuster exhibit titled "Mountain as Muse" is on display at the Historical Society through Aug. 30, 2024. The exhibit features the work of about 50 artists dating from the 1800s up to the present day. Upcoming programs include talks on the female artists who painted Monadnock and the male artists who painted Monadnock, and guided tours of Keene's "Walldogs" murals and the Wyman Tavern historic house museum. George Hansel, former mayor of Keene, is one of the founders of the Wyman Tavern Brew Fest and says, "It's the perfect size event that allows festivalgoers to have a meaningful experience with friends, neighbors and visitors from outside the area. It's also a great way to highlight and use Keene's most historic house, The Wyman Tavern. During the event each year, I often think about the people who gathered to enjoy a brew in that spot 250 years ago. The Brew Fest helps connect us to our community, both past and present. Volunteering and attending the Brew Fest has become a tradition and something I look forward to each year." Rick Swanson, the Historical Society's development director, says the Brew Fest takes a lot of work but pays dividends. "Recently the Historical Society has taken a critical look at our fundraising events because of the large amount of staff time involved. Sometimes the return on investment isn't worth the cost, but the consensus has been that the Brew Fest is valued by the community, and we are able to connect with new people, some of whom go on to become members and donors." Swanson says that when people in the community get acquainted with the Historical Society, they often become members. "The community has come to value this event. It's a nice, down-to-earth, local event spread out over the beautiful grounds of the Wyman Tavern." Swanson, from Rindge, has worked at the Historical Society for the past 12 years. He says they have 100 volunteers and about 600 members currently. "It's a great place to work with a good team of people. It's fun to work with the history. History is really just stories and stories are really fun, informative and engaging," adds Swanson. Food at the brew fest will be offered by Jenna's Market, Saxy Chef, 21 Bar and Grill, Walpole Creamery and Jack's Crackers. A full list of brewers and distillers: Athletic Brewing Company, Blaze Brewing Company, Branch and Blade Brewing, Dunkin' Spiked, Granite Roots Brewing, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company, Harpoon Brewery, Henniker Brewing Company, Hobbs Brewing Company, Hornburg Brewing Company, Links Drinks, Modestman Brewing, New England Sweetwater Farm and Distillery, The Outlaw Brewing Company, Rockingham Brewing Company, Spyglass Brewing Company, Tamworth Distilling, West LA Beer Company, Woodchuck Cider, Woodstock Inn Brewery, Wormtown Brewery. This year's Wyman Tavern Brew Fest is presented by The Melanson Company and Steelman Production Services. Major sponsors include Spykman Design, Mascoma Bank, Edward Jones (Alan Stroshine & Scot Ward), Ingram Construction Corporation, Bulldog and Monadnock Media Group. EVENT DETAILS Wyman Tavern Brew Fest is on Saturday, Aug. 3 and begins at 12:00 p.m. for VIP ticketholders and at 1:00 p.m. for general admission. Last call is at 4:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $70 and the supply of VIP tickets is limited. General admission tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Tickets are available at the Historical Society (246 Main Street, Keene), the Historical Society's website hsccnh.org, and at Eventbrite.com. For more information go to hsccnh.org or call 603-352-1895. Please note: no dogs allowed (only service dogs). The Brew Fest is rain or shine. Guests can bring water bottles, blankets and lawn chairs.