This year’s Fonthill Castle Beer Fest was the ultimate mashup of history, craft beer, and the beautiful Bucks County scenery. Hosted on the grounds of the iconic Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, the 2024 edition welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of beer lovers, local brewers, and curious newcomers for an unforgettable Saturday afternoon.
As the gates opened at 1 PM, the smell of hops mingled with the fresh summer air, drawing people into a lush setting under the towering presence of the century-old concrete castle. Built between 1908 and 1912 by Henry Chapman Mercer, Fonthill Castle is a true architectural marvel, blending medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine styles into one of the most unique buildings in the country. Once home to Mercer, an archaeologist and tile maker, the castle now stands as a museum and testament to his eccentric genius.
This year’s beer fest was not just about the brews (though they certainly took center stage), but about the blending of culture and history. Attendees could sip on their favorite local craft beers while wandering through Mercer’s vast collection of artifacts, ceramics, and ancient tools housed within the castle walls. For history buffs, the opportunity to explore Fonthill added an extra layer of intrigue to the event. Whether it was the hand-crafted tiles covering the walls or the maze of winding staircases, the castle’s quirky charm added an unforgettable dimension to the beer festival experience.
But let’s not forget the craft beer, which was flowing freely across the castle’s scenic grounds. Breweries from across the region set up tasting booths, offering everything from crispy pilsners and juicy IPAs to rich stouts and experimental sours. Some of the crowd favorites this year included Aristaeus Craft Brewing, Artifact Brewing, Athletic Brewing Co., Atomic Dog Hard Cider, Bald Birds Brewing Co., Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery, Broad Street Brewing, Free Will Brewing, Geronimo Brewing, Manic Minds Brewing Co., Mudhen Brewing Co., Round Guys Brewing Company, Sly Fox Brewing Company, Two Rivers Brewing, Vault Brewing, Warwick Farm Brewing, Wissahickon Brewing Co., and I’m sure a few more that I’m missing here.
The event wasn’t just about beer (though that was the main attraction, let’s be honest). Attendees were also treated to a slice of local history. Learning about Mercer’s fascination with archaeology and his unique contributions to the Arts and Crafts Movement while sipping a cold brew created an atmosphere unlike any other beer festival in the region.
In addition to the castle tours, visitors relaxed under open-air tents while enjoying live music from Billy & Miles from Where’s Pete Band, whose smooth rock set the perfect background vibe. The beer-and-cheese pairing workshop was another highlight, teaching attendees how to match flavors to enhance their tasting experience.
And, of course, no beer fest is complete without great food. THE Catering Company served up everything from wood-fired pizza to massive soft pretzels, offering the perfect bites to pair with a day of beer tasting. The sun slowly set over the castle grounds, bringing this year’s Fonthill Castle Beer Fest to a close in the most picturesque way possible.
As much a celebration of history and community as it was a craft beer event, this year’s Fonthill Castle Beer Fest was truly one for the books. If you missed it, don’t worry – start planning for next year. Fonthill’s unique combination of culture, history, and craft beer is an experience you won’t want to miss in 2025!
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