Experience “Huntington’s Favorite Day” with top-notch brews, live music, and the Jewel City’s best cuisine.
Huntington’s popular Rails & Ales Festival has grown dramatically since it launched in 2013, in both attendance and quality of the beer selection. “It’s Huntington’s favorite day,” says Jessica Pressman, member of the Better Beer Coalition, which organizes the event.
This year’s event—coming to Harris Riverfront Park on Saturday, August 11—will be bigger than ever, but the goal remains the same. “Our objective has always been to promote a craft beer culture in the area and to make Huntington a craft beer destination,” Pressman says.
Fellow member Jeff McKay, who owns Huntington’s Summit Beer Station, is putting together a beer list featuring more than 300 brews from across the United States and Europe, securing limited-edition kegs you won’t find at your local watering hole. But the festival will also include many offerings from breweries around West Virginia. In fact, this year’s event will feature beers from almost every one of the state’s 20-plus breweries.
Pressman says the festival is popular with beer aficionados, “but it’s also for people who are just starting to dabble.” The beer isn’t the only reason to buy a ticket though. The coalition has recruited some of the area’s best restaurants to feed attendees, booked top-notch musical acts for live entertainment, and invited the state’s most talented artists to sell their wares.
“We feel strongly about providing the best possible experience for our guests,” Pressman says.
For tickets, visit railsandales.com, @railsandalesfestival on Facebook
Can’t make it to Rails & Ales Beer Festival on August 11? No worries. DIY Pub Crawl.
Black Sheep Burrito and Brews
Now in a bigger, better location at Pullman Square, Black Sheep offers the same gourmet tacos and burritos alongside an ever-changing list of brews from Bad Shepherd Beer Company, a microbrewery located at Black Sheep’s Charleston location.
279 9th Street, blacksheepwv.com, @blacksheepwv on Facebook
Taps at Heritage
Located in Huntington’s historical Heritage Station, this 14-tap bar offers up beer and cider plus more than 20 additional selections in cans and bottles.
210 11th Street, tapsatheritage.com
The Peddler
In 2017, this burger-centric restaurant launched the first craft brewery in Huntington since the late 1990s. Order a pint with dinner, then take home a growler to enjoy later.
835 3rd Avenue, “The Peddler” on Facebook
Summit Beer Station
Ranked as one of America’s best beer bars by the Brewers Association, Summit offers a wide array of American Craft and imported beers on its 26 taps, plus 120 more varieties in cans and bottles.
321 9th Street, @summitbeerstation on Facebook
Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar
Whether you’re having brunch, enjoying a pizza, or slurping down oysters on the halfshell, you’ll find the perfect beer pairing thanks to Backyard’s eclectic draft list. Brews come from Backyard’s sister restaurant The Peddler as well as from craft breweries from around the country.
833 3rd Avenue, backyardpizzawv.com, @backyardpizzaandrawbar on Facebook
Bahnhof WVrsthaus & Biergarten
With German-inspired entrees, house-made sausages, and an impressive 30-beer tap list, Bahnhof is quickly becoming one of the city’s favorite haunts.
745 7th Avenue, bahnhofwv.com, “Bahnhof WVrsthaus & Biergarten” on Facebook
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