Food, Wine & Brew Fest [UPDATE: postponed until September]

UPDATE: The Downtown Development Association's 2023 Food, Wine & Brew Fest in downtown Lincolnton has now been postponed until Sept. 23rd. 

Once upon a time, back in the 1970s, the Lincoln Arts Council started an event called 'Arts on the Square.' Held on the Courtsquare in downtown Lincolnton, it paired food and beverages with art, crafts, etc.

Over the years, that original idea morphed into the Art Crawl, held this year at the end of March, and the Food, Wine & Brew Fest, coming up this Saturday (April 22nd).

Attending the event, sponsored by the Downtown Development Association, is free, but to enjoy it fully, you really need to get a Tasting Pass. It allows you to get a 3 oz. tasting from the breweries and a 1 oz. tasting from the distilleries and wineries. You obviously have to be 21 or older to buy one. When you check-in, you'll need a picture ID for verification of your age (like driver's license). A wristband will be placed on your arm that shows you are 21 or older and you will receive your tickets to obtain your tastings. Your ticket does not allow unlimited tastings, but you will be allowed a tasting from each brewery, winery, and distillery. These vendors may also sell you a drink that you would purchase from them but you MUST purchase a tasting pass to obtain the wristband to purchase or sample ANY alcohol. When you buy a Tasting Pass, you'll also get a souvenir bag and a beer or wine glass for the event.

Even if you don't drink alcoholic beverages (and for those who aren't yet 21), the event still has much to offer--including a big variety of food items you don't find every day.

Among the breweries, wineries and distilleries participating this year are:
Royal Bliss Brewing of Denver
Ghostface Brewing from Mooresville
BrickTree Brewing Company of Lincolnton
New Sarum Brewing Company from Salisbury
Lake Norman Brewery
Armored Cow Brewing of Charlotte
Stardust Cellars & Taproom of Wilkesboro
Cavendish Brewing Company from Gastonia
Childress Vineyards of Lexington
Southern Charm Winery of Lincolnton
Twisted Vine Winery from Lenoir
Baker Buffalo Creek - Vineyard and Winery from Lawndale
Seven Jars Winery & Distillery of Charlotte
End of Days Distillery from Wilmington
Old Nick Williams Company Farm & Distillery from Forsyth County

There will be plenty of food to enjoy. All of the downtown restaurants will be open for the event. Food trucks will include:

Cranky Crab Seafood--fish-camp style seafood on wheels
Duck Donuts
Another Food Truck LLC
Asian B on Wheelz
Sandwich Express CLT

GoodWood Pizza will have a booth at the Food, Wine & Brew Fest. In addition to serving up their pizzas at their location on N. Aspen Street, their booth will have treats to pair with your beer and wine. They'll also have homemade chocolates with fillings made from mixtures including beers from Brick Tree & Royal Bliss and coffee bonbons made with Fausto’s coffee.

Artists and crafters coming to the Food, Wine & Beer Fest include:

Jackie Wilson-Scratchboard Artist
The Trippy Hippy
GraceLee Panes
Aprons by Doffing and Donning
Branch Fork Woodworking
Sun's Jewelry
Gutierrez Woodworking
The Porch Potters
Artworks by Maelle
So Posh Soap & Candle Company
1 More Round Crates and Barrels
Turned Bowls and Wood Cowboy Hats
Two Sons Wood Creations
Moretz Scuba and Underwater Photography
Just New Creations
Pink Daisy Candle Body Company
Evolve Natural Skincare and Handcrafted Soaps
Designer Doggie Duds II
Pop's Cornhole Boards
Cabinetry and Chairs Woodworks
Famously Julie

Other vendors will include:

Round Mountain Sauces
Baste Sauces & Seasonings
Charlotte Jerky
Round Mountain Sauces
Tasting Queens Market
RDF Industries
Love, Healing and More
Message Merchants Company
Little Havana Humidor
Food Lion
Capital Resorts/Capital Vacations

Several other downtown merchants will have booths in addition to their stores and the Sunset Revival Band will be playing on the courthouse lawn (east side) from noon until 3 PM.