by ALICIA CARTER & TIFFANY BELFLOWER | PHOTOS by JON ROGERS, PHIL MISTRY, ANGELA VEUGELER, & ALEXIS DUNSTON
The 2025 Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest is almost here, and the excitement is brewing! Mark your calendars for March 15th, when Town Center Park becomes the spot for craft beer lovers looking to sip, savor, and celebrate all things beer. This year marks the 14th annual festival, and over 400 craft beers from more than 100 breweries will be at your fingertips — plus, you’ll be surrounded by 6,000 fellow beer enthusiasts, making memories and raising a glass (or two, or three… we don’t judge!).
Suwanee Beer Fest is so much more than your average beer gathering — it’s an all-out celebration of craft beer, good vibes, and St. Paddy’s Day shenanigans… Suwanee Beer Fest has you covered with 400+ beers, cocktails, seltzers, meads, ciders, wine, kombucha, and even select spirits. There’s something for everyone to sip on! From live entertainment and interactive games to new vendors and breweries making their Suwanee Beer Fest debut, this guide has you covered. Don’t miss a minute of the fun — we’ve got everything you need to make sure you’re ready for the 2025 Suwanee Beer Fest!
NEW BREWERIES! 5 breweries making their 2025 Suwanee American Craft Beer fest debut!
Elixir Brewing: Buford’s original brewery, Elixir Brew Co., is nestled in the heart of the downtown community in the historic Bona Allen Leather factory. Elixir serves up exceptional craft beers, each brewed with a unique twist. Dive into the taste of innovation and community spirit. They’re more than just a brewery; they’re a gathering place for creators, crafters, and experimenters. Enjoy their board games, partake in events, or just relax with friends and family. 115 E. Main St. N.E., Suite C12, Buford, Georgia, 404-495-4708, ElixirBrewCo.com.
Meander Brewing: Meander Brewing opened in late fall of 2024 in downtown Buford. The brewery was founded by two friends, Mike Branam and Paul Bushell, who crafted beers together for almost two decades. At Meander Brewing, they believe the best journeys aren’t rushed — they’re savored, much like a great beer. Founded with a passion for craft and a love for adventure, the brewery is dedicated to creating balanced, flavorful beers that inspire exploration and conversation. Meander Brewing blends time- honored brewing traditions with a spirit of innovation. From the crisp, refreshing Dog Tired Kolsch to their delicious pale ales and IPAs, every pour is a reflection of their commitment to quality and creativity. So take a detour, raise a glass, and meander with them. 110 E. Moreno St., Buford, Georgia, 678-765-8133, MeanderBrewingCo.com.
Normaltown Brewing: Known for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship, Athens’ Normaltown creates a diverse array of beers that marry the best ingredients with time-honored brewing practices. Whether you’re a fan of crisp lagers or bold ales, their innovative approach is sure to leave an impression. 425 Barber St., Athens, Georgia, instagram.com/ NormaltownBrewingCo.
Silver Bluff Brewing: Silver Bluff Brewing Company
is located in historic Downtown Brunswick. As the largest production brewery in Glynn County and the surrounding region, Silver Bluff brews a wide range of beer styles focusing on quality, approachability, and balance. Simply put, they brew great craft beer in Golden Isles, Georgia! 1325 Newcastle St., Brunswick, Georgia, 912-275-7024, SilverBluff.com
Tampa Bay Brewing: Tampa Bay Brewing Company was founded by the Doble family in 1995 and almost 28 years later, it is still a family-run company with David Doble as the leader for all operations. Utilizing their Ybor and Westchase breweries, TBBC specializes in hop-centric APAs, IPAs, expressive sours, and more for the South-inspired lifestyle. Two locations: 13937 Monroes Business Park, Tampa, Florida; 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, Florida, 813-247-1422, TBBC.beer.
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It’s all fun and games…
Take a break from the beer samples and enjoy some good ol’ fashioned fun! Festival favorites Giant Jenga and Peach State Cornhole are back, offering plenty of chances to tap into your competitive side.
This year, American Axes makes its debut, adding some thrilling fun into the mix. Head over to the street near the center of the park to test your precision and unleash your inner lumberjack with some exciting axe throwing. Whether you’re stacking giant blocks, slinging axes, or attempting the perfect cornhole toss, these games are sure to keep the fun going.
BEHIND THE SCENES: A look at the magic makers behind the best beer fest in the United States
Let’s face it — Suwanee Beer Fest is the highlight of the year for many in our community and beyond, and there’s a team of beer-loving superheroes working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen. With 6,000 attendees, over 100 breweries, and more than 80 vendors and sponsors, the amount of planning required is nothing short of extraordinary — and it starts way before the first keg is tapped. This year, we’re pulling back the curtain to show you how it all comes together and introduce you to some of the unsung heroes of the 2025 Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest!
The Brainstorming Begins
While festivalgoers are still recovering from the previous year’s event, the team at Big South Productions is already laying thegroundwork for the next year. In April, Suwanee Beer Fest Event Director Tiffany Belflower begins diving into surveys, gathering social media feedback, and meticulously planning the festival’s lineup. It’s not just about choosing the beers — it’s about creating an experience that people will remember for years to come.
Designing the Vibe
Fast forward a few months, and the folks at Veugeler Creative take the reins. With the festival date confirmed, it’s time to craft the visual identity of Suwanee Beer Fest. From designing logos and social media graphics to creating posters and postcards, this creative team works behind the scenes to ensure the festival has the perfect look and feel. By the time November rolls around, the marketing machine is in full swing, keeping the buzz alive across all platforms.
Ready, Set, Print!
As the event draws closer, the pace picks up. Suwanee’s Postal Plus steps in to handle all the last-minute prints — from posters and programs to festival maps and signage. Express Color partners with SBF to handle all the large format signage; from banners and posters to 3D signs, helping brand the festival, give sponsors exposure, and guide attendees to key attractions, breweries and event areas. With deadlines looming, these printing pros race against the clock to make sure everything is ready for the big day. Their attention to detail ensures that no matter where you are in the park, you’re never far from the information you need.
Transforming Town Center Park
On the Thursday before the event, Classic Tents and Events rolls in to transform Town Center Park into the ultimate beer lover’s playground. Tents go up, tables are set, and the grounds are prepped for a crowd of 6,000. Dimensional Design and their team elevate the experience by outfitting the VIP tent and bringing in large structures and signage including bars, high tops and more – helping set the event apart and enhance attendees’ experience. Meanwhile, the city’s public works staff sets up hundreds of barricade around the park in preparation for the festivities.
The Beer
Let’s not forget the beer! Before the sun even thinks about rising on Friday morning, a refrigerated truck arrives to keep the beer perfectly chilled. At least 10 different distributors, who have spent weeks working with Tiffany to curate the beer list, roll in to unload cases and kegs. Each beer is tagged and labeled to ensure it makes it to the right brewery tent the next day. On Saturday, as the sun comes up, both the Suwanee Beer Fest team and city staff get to work. Using hand trucks, trailers, and carts, they transport beer to every corner of the park. By 11 a.m., the final kegs are in place, ready to be iced down—just in time for 6,000 thirsty beer lovers to enjoy.
The Merch Tent
The Merch Tent team gets there at the crack of dawn to set up, helping with vendor and brewery check-in, VIP shirts and merchandise sales. They are there to answer questions throughout the day.
Volunteers Making it Happen
Over 300 volunteers, led by Volunteer Director April Miller, sign up to help with ticketing, beer pouring, set-up and breakdown. “We have the best and most loyal volunteer managers that work hard to keep the festival running smoothly, from Bill at our General Admission entrance who has volunteered for over 11 years, to Diana at the beer tents and Carol and Kristen in VIP who have both volunteered for many years; the festival could not happen without our volunteers and volunteer managers!,” says Miller.
Security and Safety
From overnight security before Suwanee Beer Fest to day-of security, Mike, Jeremy and the ESP Security team work hard to make sure everyone is safe and the festival is secure. There are also a number of police officers to help ensure everyone’s safety.
The Countdown Begins
On the morning of the event, the park is buzzing — breweries and beer distributors bring in beer tents, vendors are getting organized, and the City of Suwanee’s Events Team and Public Works are setting up waste management stations, working with the SBF team to deliver beer, and taking care of last minute setup needs. Amy Doherty and her team from the City of Suwanee work with event coordinators to make sure the event runs without a hitch. Meanwhile, Event Director Tiffany Belflower can be found walking laps around the park, hauling supplies, putting out last-minute fires, and fielding questions. She’s the glue holding it all together, the problem- solver, the calm during the storm. And, she still manages to rock a smile while coordinating it all. At Suwanee Beer Fest, superheroes don’t just wear capes, they also carry kegs.
Let the Fun Begin
And then, bam! The gates open, the crowds flood in, and it’s all systems go! You’re in
the midst of the best beer fest in the country.
As you sip, taste, and wander the park, remember that every beer you’re holding, every banner you’re under, and every Instagram-worthy moment you’re snapping was meticulously planned by a team of passionate people.
The Sound of Success
Meanwhile, Sound Solutions is busy behind the scenes, making sure the main stage comes to life with the perfect acoustics for live music, contests, and announcements. No one wants to miss out on the latest band lineup or contest winner, and thanks to the audio pros, every announcement hits the mark.
Breakdown
And let’s not forget our breakdown crew… when it’s all over, and everyone is exhausted, the hardest part is the clean-up. From the SBF team and friends they can talk into moving all the kegs, picking up all the buckets, and breaking down tents, to the city’s event and public works team, it takes several hours to clean up, remove the barricade, and restore the park to the way they found it, but the team works hard to ensure it is left in good condition for families to enjoy.
And there you have it — behind every sample poured at Suwanee Beer Fest is a team working nonstop to make the magic happen. So, the next time you raise a glass, you’ll know exactly who to toast to. Cheers to the hardworking crew that makes it all possible!
The Cause
Giving back to the community and supporting local organizations is important to the Suwanee Beer Fest team, and this year a portion of the Beer Fest proceeds will go towards raising awareness and finding a cure for childhood cancer. Cooper’s Crew is an esteemed Suwanee-based organization that was created in honor of Cooper O-Brien, who lost his battle to a rare form of cancer at just 14 years old. Participating in Beer Fest helps raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer as well as celebrate Cooper’s legacy. Your attendance doubles as a contribution to this inspiring organization, and helps support the Cooper’s Crew Fund as well as the Cooper O’Brien Scholarship Fund – a scholarship awarded to graduating North Gwinnett seniors who have overcome unique hardships. This year, Heritage Auctions will be in attendance selling sports memorabilia with a portion of all sales being donated to Cooper’s Crew.
Q+A with the Suwanee Beer Fest Staff
Tiffany Belflower, Event Director
What is Your Favorite Memory from Suwanee Beer Fest? Hands down, when the general admission gates open and a sea of green takes over the park.
Name a few things people don’t know about Suwanee Beer Fest. It takes the Suwanee Beer Fest team roughly 10 hours to label and tag all the beer on Friday to make sure it gets to the correct tent on Saturday. Also, most local beer fests require breweries to donate the beer to participate. Our goal is to support and promote craft beer. Therefore, we purchase all the beer for the festival.
What is your best advice for someone attending? Come for the beer but enjoy everything the festival has to offer. There are photo ops, yard games, vendors, food, free swag, music, etc. Suwanee Beer Fest is so much more than just a beer fest.
What is your favorite thing about SBF? The spirit of our attendees. They embrace all things beer and St. Paddy’s and truly elevate the festival to a different level. It’s an experience like no other in the area and you don’t truly grasp it until you are standing in the middle of it all.
Amy Doherty, City of Suwanee Events and Outreach Manager
What is your job at the festival? My main task at the festival is to make sure that our Suwanee staff gets everything done that needs to
be done in order for the festival to happen. I’m the main communication channel between the event organizers, Suwanee Police, and Public Works.
Best advice for attendees? Hydrate and make sure you eat something before the day starts. Also, make sure that you pre-plan your ride home after the event.
What is your favorite festival memory? It’s hard to pick just one. It’s the fact that I know we put on the best beer festival in the Southeast. The work that the SBF team does to pick the right vendors and beer and seeing the attendees enjoy it — it’s a highlight of the event calendar! I enjoy being a small part of a team that makes that day one to remember.
Name something people don’t know about Suwanee Beer Fest. It takes longer to set up and clean up than the festival actually lasts! Also, I don’t drink beer (because I am gluten free) so I tell people that it’s like being a vegetarian at a steak eating competition! It’s great people watching and it’s fun to see so many people I know at the event.
April Miller, Volunteer Director
What is Your Favorite Memory from Suwanee Beer Fest? I have lots of favorite memories, but I think there is one that stands out the most. As a Volunteer Manger I spend all day walking around the festival and checking in on vendor and volunteer tents. A few years ago, as I was checking in on our benefitting charity, Cooper’s Crew, I asked them how they were doing and they said “GREAT! We are almost sold out!” I remember looking at my watch and realizing it was so early in the day and they already had so many visitors not just learning about their charity, but also supporting them by purchasing merchandise and it just stuck with me how amazing SBF is at bringing the community together.
Name something people don’t know about Suwanee Beer Fest. It amazes me that our reach is so far. We have people who visit from all over the country to attend!
What is your best advice for someone attending? 1. Don’t wait to buy VIP because they will sell out quickly and 2. Get there EARLY! The corral fills up fast and if you want the best samples early, you definitely want to be one of the first in line.
What is your favorite thing about SBF? My favorite thing about SBF is its ability to bring together; not just the city of Suwanee, but so many surrounding communities. We gather over 6,000 people to drink great beer, try unique food options, listen to local bands, support an amazing charity and just have an all-around incredible day. How cool is that?!
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Suwanee Beer Fest takes place March 15 from 1-5 p.m. at Town Center Park. Tickets on sale now. SuwaneeBeerFest.com
