Southern Brewers Festival in Chattanooga: A Curated Craft Beer Competition
The Southern Brewers Festival is an invitational competition and public tasting held annually in Chattanooga that brings together craft breweries from across the Southeast to showcase their best work in a judged format, followed by an open sampling session for the public. Unlike general beer festivals that accept any brewery willing to pay, this one operates on selection: entries compete in categories before the public arrives, and breweries must apply to participate. The result is a more filtered lineup focused on quality and regional reputation.
What the Southern Brewers Festival actually is
Held in spring each year, the festival functions as both a serious brewing competition and a consumer experience. Participating breweries represent Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and neighboring states, competing in categories like IPA, stout, lager, and specialty styles. Winners are announced before the public gates open, giving attendees access to medal-winning beers alongside lesser-known entries. The festival typically draws 30 to 50 breweries per year, which is substantially smaller than Chattanooga's other major beer event, the Chattanooga Beer Week programming (which spans two weeks across multiple venues citywide), making this more intimate and focused on competition winners.
Services and pricing
General admission costs approximately $40 to $50 per person and includes a souvenir tasting glass and a set number of tastings (typically 12 to 15 pours). VIP tickets, when offered, run around $75 to $85 and provide early entry (usually one hour before the public session), a larger souvenir glass, and bonus tastings. Designated driver tickets are available at a reduced rate of $15 to $20. Breweries pour full-size samples (4 to 5 ounces) rather than the thimble pours common at larger festivals, meaning beer costs are factored into admission rather than charged per pour. Food is sold separately, typically by local food vendors at standard festival markup ($8 to $14 per entree). Details and exact pricing change annually; the official event page or Chattanooga's visitor bureau should be consulted closer to the event date.
How it compares to other Chattanooga beer events
The Southern Brewers Festival emphasizes competition and curation, which separates it from Chattanooga Beer Week, an industry-focused celebration of local and visiting breweries held across independent taprooms and restaurants throughout the city with variable programming and no single entry fee. If you want to taste medal-winners in one afternoon and support a judged competition, choose Southern Brewers. If you prefer exploring multiple venues over several days and sampling lesser-known drafts at individual taprooms (often free to enter), Beer Week is the better fit. For year-round casual beer drinking, Chattanooga's breweries like Hutton & Smith and Tennessee River Brewing operate taprooms with regular releases and no festival atmosphere.
Who this suits and who it does not suit
The festival appeals to competitive home brewers scouting technique and ingredients, craft beer enthusiasts interested in the Southeast's brewing scene, and anyone wanting to sample 30+ beers in one curated session. The judged format and smaller scale attract people who dislike the crowded chaos of massive beer festivals in nearby cities. It does not suit attendees seeking rare limited releases or a raucous party atmosphere; the tone is more tasting event than celebration. Those with limited alcohol tolerance should plan conservatively, as 12 to 15 full-size pours in an afternoon is substantial.
What the first visit involves
Arrive 15 to 30 minutes after gates open to avoid the initial rush. Pick up your tasting glass at entry and collect a list of participating breweries and categories. Walk the floor at your own pace, stopping at each booth to chat with brewers and pour your own tastes (not all festivals allow this, but the Southern Brewers typically does). Attend the winners announcement if you want context on medal-winners. Eat between breweries to pace yourself. The full experience takes two to three hours; many attendees finish in 90 minutes.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The festival is held once per year in spring, typically on a Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though these dates and times change annually. It is usually held at a downtown or near-downtown venue in Chattanooga; exact location varies. Parking is typically available in nearby paid or free lots, though confirming venue details is essential since the location shifts. The event sometimes sells out, especially VIP tickets, so advance purchase is recommended. Check the official festival website or call the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau to confirm date, time, venue, and ticket availability for the upcoming year.
The Southern Brewers Festival occupies a specific niche in Chattanooga's beer calendar by prioritizing quality and competition over scale, making it the right choice for anyone serious about tasting well-made Southeast craft beer in a structured setting.
