Powder Keg Celebrates 14 Years of Local Beers
Fall's favorite beer event: the annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival is celebrating its 14th year on Swasey Parkway in Exeter
Exeter’s annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival is back for its 14th year, complete with cold beer, delicious food and great company. Also returning are children’s activities including a kid’s zone, and chili samples from several vendors.
A little over a decade ago, the Town of Exeter Parks and Recreation and Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce caught the “craft beer wave,” and have been putting on this popular event since then, growing each year. This year’s festival will feature a new voting system, which organizers are excited to debut.
“This year we have 12 chili vendors in the competition zone and we changed the voting for chili and beer,” says Renee Weiland, the Director of Events and Programs for the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce, “This year, we’ll be doing a rating scale instead of having attendees pick just one. We think it’ll be more fun for everybody, because while you’re eating you can rate your chili and beer.”
“The Powder Keg Beer Festival is a great opportunity to highlight and support our community. We look forward to welcoming new and returning attendees to this year’s festival. When people come to Exeter for the festival, they stay and enjoy the shopping, restaurants, and all that we have to offer here.” remarked Jennifer Wheeler, President of the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by Allie Burke Photography
The festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, Oct. 3 along the Swasey Parkway in Exeter from 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Exeter’s Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival is family-friendly and includes unlimited beer and chili samples (while supplies last), entertainment by Matty & The Penders, artisan tents to visit, local food venders, a kid’s zone and more.
“It’s a beautiful parkway, and a a really wonderful day for family and friends to be together,” says Weiland.
The event will feature 100+ different beers, ciders, non-alcoholic options and hard seltzers from several breweries, including Baxter Brewing Co., Hobbs Brewing Co., Samuel Adams, Truly Hard Seltzer, and many more. Chili samples will also be available from area restaurants and breweries who will be competing for the “People’s Choice Award” for best chili. You can read the full beer list here.
“We want people to come in and enjoy Exeter; we have a lot of great establishments and retailers downtown. There’s ample opportunity for them to come before or after… to really explore Exeter,” says Greg Bisson, Director of Exeter Parks & Recreation.
“Before working for the chamber of commerce my family and friends went to the festival each year,” says Weiland, “Even if you hadn’t seen each other for months, this was the day you set aside to be together. Now that I am part of the team that puts it on, I’m always so excited to see the same people coming back each and every year. Some groups come with costumes, some with matching hats but they have set aside time to be together and that is very special to see each year.”
The event is community-driven and community-focused. “Not only is it about bringing people here and trying beer, it’s about highlighting the community, supporting the community and coming together. There’s always a real sense of excitement,” says Wheeler.
Still hungry after all those delicious chili samples? There will also be a variety of food trucks (pretzels, french fries, burgers, fried dough and kettle corn), water and non-alocholic beverages available for purchase.
One pro-tip from a seasoned Powderkeg attendee?
“This is a quote from my son,” says Weiland, “Look at the map ahead of time- if there are certain things you want to try, make sure to check the map ahead of time. You can also go in and have fun!”
Tickets are on sale now with V.I.P admission starting at 12 p.m. for $70 and General admission starting at 1 p.m. for $55 and includes unlimited beer and chili samples (while supplies last), entertainment, and more. Designated driver and youth tickets are $15 and all tickets can be purchased by visiting powderkegbeerfest.com.
Powder Keg Beer and Chili Festival is brought to you by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and Exeter Parks and Recreation in partnership with visitnh.gov and is underwritten by M&T Bank. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud, longtime sponsor of Powder Keg Beer and Chili Festival.
