Big Brew Sussex Beer Festival launching in Sussex County

AUGUSTA — It’s time for craft beer lovers and foodies to plan their first holiday event — The Big Brew Beer Festival is coming to Sussex County.

After the success of the Big Brew Beer Festival events in Morristown, and Westchester County, N.Y., the Big Brew Sussex Beer Festival will have its inaugural launch on Saturday, Dec. 13 with a Winter Fest at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta (inside the Conservatory, with fire pits in the Courtyard).

“We are thrilled to extend the Big Brew brand to Sussex County,” says Allison Kohler, President of JMK Events. "This may be our most fun event ever, with more than 200 craft beers, seven great food trucks, music, fire pits and even an ugly sweater contest. And we’re honored to help the historic Newton Fire Museum. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.”

Big Brew Sussex Winter Fest will feature a diverse list of local, national and international breweries and styles. And with a tip of the hat to food-lovers, seven gourmet food trucks will be parked on-site, including award-winning The Cow & The Curd and their Wisconsin-battered cheese curds, Empanada Guy, Oink & The Moo BBQ, Waffle De Lys, Surf & Turf Truck, Fired Up Flatbread and Mexi-Flip Tacos.

VIP ticket holders will have early admission, more than 20 additional special craft beers (available throughout the event) and food (served during the VIP extra hour) provided by VIP sponsors Forno Italiano of Sparta and Trinity in Newton. VIP Menu includes tomato bruschetta, seared tuna, house made tortellini with short rib, baked stuffed ravioli, and a bread pudding dessert.

Big Brew Sussex Festival is also a benefit for the Newton Fire Museum.

"We're excited to bring such a fun and well-known event to Sussex County," says Dan Finkle of the Newton Fire Museum. The funds raised will support the efforts to restore Newton's historic Spring Street Firehouse."

The festival runs from 4 to 8 p.m. and the VIP extra hour is 3 to 4 p.m.

Door prices are $95, $70, $15.
Tickets are available online at bigbrewnj.com/sussex.

All tickets include unlimited tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. For more information regarding the Newton Fire Museum, visit newtonfiremuseum.org.