Pittsburgh's Barrel & Flow named best beer festival in America in USA Today 10Best voting

Scott Tady, Beaver County Times
·3 min read

PITTSBURGH ― Pittsburgh’s own Barrel & Flow Fest has been named the top beer festival in the country according to a USA Today readers' choice poll.

Barrel & Flow, which returns Aug. 12 to the Strip District, earned the No. 1 spot after finishing in the top three since 2019.

Barrel & Flow, named America's No. 1 beer festival, returns Aug. 12 to the Strip District.
Barrel & Flow, named America's No. 1 beer festival, returns Aug. 12 to the Strip District.

Barrel & Flow organizers celebrated the No. 1 news Friday, "But not for ourselves; as Barrel & Flow grows, so does our reach, our voice, and our impact," said a press release from the beer festival launched in 2018 by Beaver resident Day Bracey with the mission of promoting Black-owned breweries and Black artists.

Voting in: Pittsburgh beer festival, founded by Beaver resident, a finalist for USA Today's Top-10

The press release continued, "We plan to use this latest recognition to further amplify the stories around the festival, ones that are more important than our own:

  • "The Black artists and musicians who are living their passions as they create meaningful and memorable works.

  • "The small businesses who might be in the early days of pursuing their dreams and utilize the festival as a chance to launch their brands.

  • "The Black-owned breweries from across the country who have an opportunity to reach new consumers and get their beer on retail shelves.

  • "The Pennsylvania-based breweries who welcome new faces into their taprooms.

  • "All of our attendees who experience a new way of festing, one that is inclusive and accepting."

The upcoming Barrel & Flow takes place Aug. 12 at The Stacks at 3 Crossings at the corner of 29th and Railroad streets in the Strip. Visitors can sample from dozens of national and local breweries, including Altered Genius and Fermata breweries from Ambridge.

Pittsburgh's Barrel & Flow was named America's top beer festival in a USA Today poll.
Pittsburgh's Barrel & Flow was named America's top beer festival in a USA Today poll.

Visitors also can select from over 75 one-of-a-kind collaborations brewed specifically for Barrel & Flow. For instance, Aliquippa artist Marlon Gist, now showcased at Pittsburgh International Airport, created the artwork for the collab beer from Fermata and Pittsburgh rockers NASH.V.ILL, and New Sewickley Township's After The Fall cider will team on a festival-exclusive beverage with North Side-Pittsburgh vegan restaurant ShadoBeni.

Aliquippa artist Marlon Gist designed this label for a Barrel & Flow collaboration beer between Fermata Brewing Co. and Pittsburgh rockers NASH.V.Ill.
Aliquippa artist Marlon Gist designed this label for a Barrel & Flow collaboration beer between Fermata Brewing Co. and Pittsburgh rockers NASH.V.Ill.

Besides beer, Barrel & Flow features live music by Pittsburgh recording artists such as Kenny Stockard and Mars Jackson.

Kenny Stockard performing a few weeks ago at South Park Amphitheater.
Kenny Stockard performing a few weeks ago at South Park Amphitheater.

Barrel & Flow also invites visitors to:

  • Explore a family-friendly S.T.E.A.M. tent area, featuring hands-on science, tech, engineering, arts, and math activities coordinated and supported by The Carnegie Science Center and Atithi Art Studios.

  • Learn how to brew with interactive brewing demonstrations presented by the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild, Master Brew Association and Three Rivers Alliance of Serious Homebrewers.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey will present a city proclamation Aug. 6 naming this Official Barrel & Flow Week in the city.

Festival prepares: Barrel & Flow, one of America's top beer festivals, announces lineup for Pittsburgh event

For a full list of the festival's musicians, artists, deejays and speakers, visit barrelandflow.com/flow

For a list of festival-exclusive collaboration brews, visit barrelandflow.com/barrelFind Barrel & Flow across social media: @barrelandflow.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Pittsburgh's Barrel & Flow named America's best beer festival