Virginia Beach, VA – 21 Hampton Roads breweries will be participating in the modified “8th Annual 757 Battle of the Beers-Home Edition” presented by Beach Ambassadors, Veer Magazine, and Virginia Craft Beer Magazine on Saturday, September 26, 2020. The event will be presented virtually thanks to loosened state ABC guidelines for the shipping of beer paired with corresponding online media content. 757 Battle of the Beers, which benefits multiple Hampton Roads-based charities, became the area’s longest-running local beer festival and attracted a record number of attendees in 2019.
Due to safety concerns regarding COVID-19, organizers made the difficult decision to alter this year’s traditional event which was previously scheduled for the same day at Camp Pendleton in Virginia Beach.
“There are just too many risks versus rewards in planning/holding any kind of festival in the current environment. We truly have no interest in being a part of the problem. However, we just couldn’t sit on the bench all year when it comes to supporting local charities AND our local craft brewing community,” said Shawn Fischer, Event Chair for Beach Ambassadors. Now in its second year, the partnership between Beach Ambassadors, Veer Magazine, and Virginia Craft Beer Magazine was formed to streamline and strengthen the area’s award-winning and only 757-exclusive beer festival. “There’s a reason Veer Magazine readers and judges agree 757 Battle of the Beers is the region’s best beer festival – it is. We greatly appreciate our partnership with Beach Ambassadors – good people doing good things for our community,” said Veer Magazine Publisher, Jeff Maisey. Proceeds from this year’s event will again benefit St. Mary’s Home, Hope House Foundation, and other local non-profits chosen by the participating brewers.
The modified event will give all attendees a “festival-in-a-box” which will include one 16oz beer from each participating brewery, event glassware, access to online media content starting on the event day, and the ability to vote for the People’s Choice winner. Each box will provide tastings for (up to) four people. A list of participating breweries and corresponding beers will be posted on the event website and on social media outlets. Last year’s category winners included The Garage Brewery (Chesapeake), Tradition Brewing Company (Newport News), and Big Ugly Brewing Company (Chesapeake). The attendee package will be available in limited quantities online-only starting Monday, July 20th, 2020.