The annual craft brew fest is back and bigger than ever. The format has changed this year with the International Tasting being moved to Friday, the Grand Tasting still taking center stage on Saturday, and the new Rhythm and Brews concert being added to Sunday with North Mississippi Allstars, Sister Hazel, The Heavy Pets, Stokeswood, and Jason D. Williams. I like this change and think that it will make for an even better turnout and flow of events.

I absolutely love this event for lots of reasons. Possibly the biggest reason is that it has helped Savannah’s craft beer scene grow significantly since I moved to Savannah in 2005. The craft brew fest didn’t start until 2008, which was the same year craft beer havens The Distillery and Blowin’ Smoke opened. Since its inception, the list of solid craft establishments has grown dramatically—including World of Beer, Green Truck Pub, Congress Street Social Club, Blue Turtle Bistro, Foxy Loxy Cafe, and even Parker’s Market Urban Gourmet this year introducing eight craft beers on draft to fill 64-ounce growlers.

This growth has led to a new nickname, the Toast-Us City, which pairs perfectly our Southern hospitality roots as the Hostess City and our newfound reputation as a craft beer destination. Savannah has received recognition for our abundance of quality suds spots from BeerAdvocate in Issue #63 and America’s Best Beer Cities by Travel+Leisure. We’ve even been selected as a new destination for a Beerathon in November, and two new breweries are slated to open soon (Southbound Brewing Company and Dockside Brewery).

This week, lots of Lowcountry restaurants helped celebrate what has become a week-long, end-of-summer complement to American Craft Beer Week in May with beer pairing dinners, hosting beer reps, and busting out rare liquid treats. Of course, the main attraction is the three-day long festival at the Westin Hotel across the river, which is another reason I love this event. I rarely make my way over to their beautiful courtyard, but there is something magical about sipping on tasty craft beers throughout the day and gazing across at the Savannah skyline