Glasses ready: Three Eagles Beer Festival returns to downtown Goldsboro
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 28, 2018 9:45 PM
News-Argus file photo
Throngs gather at downtown Goldsboro's Cornerstone Commons for the 2015 Three Eagles Beer Festival. The 2018 festival is right around the corner, taking place at the Cornerstone Commons once again, on Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. The craft beer extravaganza is put on by the Three Eagles Rotary Club and will benefit local charities, including the local Boys and Girls Club, arts council and others.
The fourth annual Three Eagles Beer Festival will be held downtown next weekend, featuring entertainment, food trucks and the opportunity to learn more about craft beers and sample 50 different ones.
Sponsored by the Goldsboro Three Eagles Rotary Club, a non-profit civic club, it will take place on Saturday, May 5, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Cornerstone Commons.
It is a fundraising effort to benefit such local organizations as Boys and Girls Clubs of Wayne County, HGDC Community Crisis Center, Arts Council of Wayne County, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, Wayne Opportunity Center, the Family Y and Hurricane Matthew Relief.
Funds also support the international Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio, support clean water and strengthen local economies, said Tom Bradshaw, event coordinator.
"Beer festivals have become increasingly popular as the craft beer market has grown exponentially in the last decade," he said, explaining the term craft beer simply means they use the best ingredients.
The occasion provides a good opportunity to learn about the different flavors and tastes and styles, he said.
"There are over 230 breweries in North Carolina alone -- we have two coming from the state of Virginia -- but the other breweries are all N.C. breweries," he said. "We have about 14 breweries that are coming that day."
Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased from any Three Eagles Rotarian or at Well Traveled Beer, Goldsboro Brew Works and Brew Masters, or online for $35. They can also be purchased the day of the event. Designated drivers can also attend for a special ticket price of $5.
The way it works is very simple, Bradshaw said. Upon arrival, there will be an ID check to ensure each person meets the appropriate legal alcohol consumption age, then issued a wristband and signature four-ounce glass for tasting.
They will move from station to station, given two-ounce samples of the various beers.
Representatives from the breweries or distributors will also on hand to answer questions or provide literature.
The event is actually an educational one as well, Bradshaw said.
"Now it's more about the taste and drinking responsibly so this is a great time to learn about the different styles of beer and what you like and don't like," he said. "And (patrons) will have a card given when they come in, with a list of all the beers. They can mark what they like and what they don't like."
Two food trucks will be on site at the event, from Brewmasters and What's the Dilla?
Shuttle services will be available for local transportation, specifically for residents of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Headlining entertainer is Donna Hughes, an Americana country bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and animal rights activities. She has recorded several albums and written more than 200 songs, Bradshaw said, including one recorded by country artist Alison Krauss.
"I equate it to a spring Saturday afternoon garden party," he said. "We encourage people to bring their children, bring their dogs."
For more information on the event, visit www.ThreeEaglesBeer.com or follow on Facebook at 3 Eagles Beer Festival.