Fonthill Castle Beer Fest

Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS), is thrilled once again to host its annual Fonthill Castle Beer Fest fundraising event on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in Doylestown, PA.

This fun-filled afternoon welcomes beer enthusiasts over the age of 21 to the spacious outdoor grounds of Fonthill Castle, with plenty of room to mingle outside and enjoy the one-of-a-kind setting while sampling a variety of regional craft brews. This annual fundraising event supports year-round education, community programs, and conservation efforts at this National Historic Landmark site.

The 2023 Fonthill Castle Beer Fest kicks off with a VIP hour from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m., and general admission hours from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Featured breweries to date include Aristaeus Craft Brewing, Artifact Brewing, Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery, Boston Beer Company, Free Will Brewing, Great Barn Brewery, Mad Princes Brewing, Manic Minds Brewing Co., McAllister Brewing Company, Round Guys Brewing Company, Triumph Brewing Co., Twelve78 Brewing Company, Understable Brewing, Warwick Farm Brewing, and Well Crafted Beer Company. Athletic Brewing Co. and Free Spirit will offer a variety of non-alcoholic options for all to enjoy.

This year’s Fonthill Castle Beer Fest features delicious light bites by THE Catering Company and the musical talents of Billy & Miles from Where’s Pete Band. A commemorative beer-tasting glass for VIP and General Admission ticket holders serves as a perfect keepsake for those supporting Fonthill Castle’s preservation and educational initiatives.

“We are happy to be able to present this wonderful fundraising event for Fonthill Castle again this year!”, says Kyle McKoy, Chief Executive Officer of Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society. “It has never been more important to support local cultural institutions, and what better way to do so than at an outdoor fundraiser on the grounds of a castle in the heart of Bucks County.”

VIP guests enjoy exclusive access to Fonthill Castle’s historic Terrace Pavilion, as well as the VIP Tasting Tent with seating areas created by Bucks Country Gardens, as well as the modern, air- conditioned Fonthill Castle Welcome Center.

Each VIP guest receives an exclusively-curated selection of specialty beers to sample, additional selections of catered cuisine from THE Catering Company, and sweet treats from Pierre's Chocolates. Andy Jarin of B&B Beverages, the sponsor of this year’s VIP tasting experience,

is delighted to host the Fonthill Castle Beer Fest VIP area, where he will share his love and enthusiasm for craft beer with attendees.

Hydration Stations will be located throughout the event with plenty of water and a refreshing selection of non-alcoholic beverages provided by Simply Fresh by McCaffrey’s.

2023 Fonthill Castle Beer Fest is generously sponsored by Aqua, Quire, Lavazza, Dontech, Eiseman Exterior Experts, ESCA Blast, Happ Contractors, J.R. Maxwell Builders, Thompson Networks, and B&B Beverages. Additional support is generously provided by Bucks Country Gardens, Bucks Mont Party Rental, Pierre’s Chocolates, Port A Bowl Restroom Company, Proline Screen Printing, and Simply Fresh by McCaffrey’s.

Bucks County Transport is providing free DART Bus services to all Beer Fest attendees who show their event wristband. The 3-stop loop between Fonthill Castle and the center of Doylestown allows attendees to enjoy the festival, as well as all of the shopping and dining options that Doylestown has to offer. The DART bus runs every 20 minutes between 3:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. and the stops are Fonthill Castle, the corner of S. Main Street and W. State Street (in front of Starbucks), and the corner of W. State Street and Hamilton Street.

Tickets for this fundraising event are $175 for VIP, $75 for General Admission, $65 for BCHS Member General Admission, and $25 for Designated Drivers, and are available now at mercermuseum.org/beerfest.

Fonthill Castle is located at 525 East Court Street in Doylestown, PA, 18901. All drivers, including Uber/Lyft/taxis/personal vehicles will use the Swamp Road/Route 313 entrance to the property to access the event’s parking area.

Valid I.D. is required by law; no one under 21 years of age will be admitted to the event, including children. No pets. Please note that no outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. Designated Driver ticket holders are not permitted to consume any alcohol while at the event.

About the Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle

Located in Doylestown, Bucks County, PA, the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle are historic castles celebrating the legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer (1856-1930), American archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist and scholar. Both sites are operated by the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS).

The Mercer Museum, one of Bucks County's premier cultural attractions and a Smithsonian affiliate, features both local and national seasonal exhibits as well as a core museum collection of over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools. This permanent collection offers visitors a unique window into pre-Industrial America through sixty different crafts and trades and is one of the world's most comprehensive portraits of American material culture. The museum also features a research library that is a center for local history related to Bucks County and the surrounding region, with its roots dating back to the founding of the Bucks County Historical Society in 1880.

Fonthill Castle was built between 1908-1912 and was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer. Mercer built Fonthill Castle as his residence and showplace for his collection of tiles and prints. The castle serves as an early example of reinforced concrete and features forty-four rooms, over two hundred windows, and eighteen fireplaces. Fonthill Castle's interior features Mercer's renowned, hand-crafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement.

The Mercer Museum is located at 84 South Pine Street, Doylestown, PA, 18901. Fonthill Castle is located at 525 East Court Street in Doylestown, PA, 18901.

The Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle are open Tuesdays – Sundays from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For up-to-date ticket and schedule information, please visit mercermuseum.org.