Wilm, Del: -Craft beer breweries in and around Wilmington will celebrate the city’s rich brewing history while toasting the growth of locally-brewed beer when Wilmington Beer Week returns Feb. 28-March 5.
Wilmington Beer Week 2023 features seven beer breweries and the mead/cider craft producer Liquid Alchemy. The participating breweries are Bellefonte Brewing, Dew Point Brewing, Hangman Brewing, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Stitch House Brewery, Twisted Irons Craft Brewing and Wilmington Brew Works.
Participating restaurants with a significant craft beer profile include Chelsea Tavern, Dorcea, Grain (Trolley Square), Two Stones Pub (Wilmington), Trolley Tap House and Washington Street Ale House. The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar, the popular new gathering venue at 1313 N. Market St., is also participating and will host a Beer Can Art Exhibition.
“It’s great to see a Wilmington Beer Week return with a focus on locally brewed beer,” says Craig Wensell, CEO and Brewer for Wilmington Brew Works. “Wilmington has a great brewing tradition with some big breweries that unfortunately didn’t survive much past prohibition. Now we’ve got three breweries in the city limits and plenty more a short drive away. When someone visits Wilmington and heads to a bar or restaurant, they can now find beer on tap that was brewed a few miles away.”
“I think it was the right move to shift the focus to local beer,” adds Justin Sproul, Senior Head Brewer at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant. “It opens up opportunities for breweries to participate, which creates more excitement and makes for better events.”
Collaboration is the word for this year’s events as the participating brewers are joining forces for three nights that will feature their collective talent: Sour Night at Wilmington Brew Works (Tue., Feb. 28), IPA Night at Iron Hill (Wed., Mar. 1), Atlantic 10 Watch Party with Lagers at Stitch House (Thur., Mar. 2).
The Chancery will host a Beer Can Art Exhibition from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 3 in conjunction with the Art Loop. A Brewers Reserve Rare Beer Tasting is set for Saturday, March 4 at Iron Hill, featuring a lecture on Wilmington’s brewing history by local beer historian John Medkeff. Tickets can be reserved by calling Iron Hill at (302) 540-8919. Proceeds benefit “Restore The King,” a fundraising campaign to restore the King Gambrinus statue. Finally, the week concludes with Beer & Brunch at participating WBW venues that offer food.
As a reward to those who plan to visit multiple venues, a WBW Passport is available. Those who get their passport stamped five times will be eligible to win the Ultimate Wilmington Beer Tour ($250 in gift certificates to select WBW venues). Second- and third-place prizes will also be awarded.
To download the passport as well as get contest and WBW event details, visit WilmingtonBeerWeek.com
