Craft Beverage Festival Returns with Food and Drink Samples, Activities and Fun
Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau is spotlighting Southwest Illinois makers at this year’s Craft Beverage Festival. Find out how attendees can sip, savor and meet the people behind the products.
Our Daily Show Interview! Craft Beverage Festiva Set for Sep 12th!
GRAFTON - Community members are invited to “sip, savor, and celebrate” the region’s local flavors at the third annual Craft Beverage Festival.
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From 1–5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at the Grafton Winery Vineyards, the festival will feature over 20 vendors with wine, beer, spirits, coffee, soda and food samples. All of these vendors are local makers who are eager to share their products with the community. Hosted by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, the event aims to spread awareness about the local food and craft beverage scene.
“We are so excited for another amazing Craft Beverage Festival,” said Grace Sakry with Great Rivers and Routes. “This region is so special for many, many reasons, but for sure, our local businesses really make us shine. [It’s great] being able to showcase all of these local businesses — all of the vendors are local businesses, which is super exciting — in our Southwest Illinois region, and making sure that not only do you get to try their amazing product, but you get to meet them.”
Presale tickets cost $45, or $50 at the door. This gives you access to all samples and a commemorative glass.
Designated drivers can enjoy a $25 presale ticket, or $30 at the door. Designated drivers can enjoy food, coffee, soda and mocktails.
Samples will be abundant, but there are also options to purchase entrees from the Grafton Winery Vineyards and enjoy their full bar.
In addition to the food and drink samples, there will be several activities for attendees to enjoy, from a beer steinholding contest to a caricature artist to a coffee roasting demo. American Jackals will provide live music throughout the event.
“There’s so much in store,” Sakry said. “Get there right when you can get in. There’s so much to do. It's not just trying all these samples. You want to have all these conversations, meet all these people. But also there are all these games and activities.”
Sakry highlighted the benefits of meeting the makers and supporting these local businesses. She believes these businesses add to the vibrancy of the region, and there are a lot of great reasons to get to know them and enjoy their products.
She added that the Craft Beverage Festival is growing every year, and Great Rivers and Routes is eager to continue supporting these local makers through events like this. Sakry hopes many people come out on Saturday, Sept. 12 to enjoy the experience.
“There’s just so much in store for activities and getting to really enjoy that with so many different people and getting to meet people and those makers,” she added. “It’s so exciting.”
For more information about the Craft Beverage Festival, including a full lineup of vendors and to purchase your tickets, visit the official webpage. For more about Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau and their upcoming events, check out their official website.
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