Blending craft beer, history and America's 250th anniversary

Historic Odessa Brewfest returns Sept. 12, 2026, bringing together more than 50 breweries, live music on two stages, historical demonstrations and thousands of visitors on the grounds of the Wilson-Warner House in Odessa, Delaware. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the event celebrates both contemporary craft brewing and the rich history of one of Delaware's best-preserved colonial towns.

ODESSA, Del. -- June 16, 2026 -- The Historic Odessa Foundation and Cantwell's Tavern announced that tickets are now on sale for the 13th annual Historic Odessa Brewfest, one of the Mid-Atlantic region's premier craft beer festivals, returning Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from noon to 5 p.m.

Held on the scenic grounds of the 257-year-old Wilson-Warner House, Delaware's first house museum, the Brewfest combines craft beer, live music, food and historical experiences in one of the state's most picturesque colonial settings.

As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this year's event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate America's past while enjoying one of Delaware's signature fall traditions. Set amid Odessa's remarkably preserved historic district, Brewfest highlights the enduring legacy of a community that played an important role in the commercial and cultural life of early America.

From the earliest European settlements along the Delaware River in the 17th century, brewing beer was as essential a household craft as preparing meals, tending gardens and making textiles. Generations of settlers on both sides of the river relied on locally grown grains, fruits, herbs and hops to produce beverages for daily life and community gatherings. It is fitting, then, that Historic Odessa, a once bustling colonial grain-shipping port and vital Mid-Atlantic transportation hub of the 18th and early 19th centuries, serves as the backdrop for a craft beer festival where today's enthusiasts can step back more than 250 years and experience a pastoral setting that celebrates both the ingredients and traditions that helped shape early America.

Attendees at the 2026 Odessa Brewfest will have the opportunity to experience the colonial brewing process as historical interpreter, reenactor, and journeyman brewer Regimental Brewmeister Michael Carver makes beer on site, using historically accurate methods and materials, and shares the history of beer making in colonial America. Photo Credit: Jay Gorodetzer

"This year's Historic Odessa Brewfest is especially meaningful as our nation commemorates its 250th anniversary," said Debbie Buckson, executive director of the Historic Odessa Foundation. "Few places offer the opportunity to celebrate America's past and present quite like Odessa. Guests can enjoy exceptional craft beer, live music and unique experiences such as our colonial brewing demonstration and third annual Steinholding competition, all while surrounded by the architecture, landscapes and stories that have shaped our community for more than two centuries.

"Every ticket purchased directly supports the Historic Odessa Foundation's mission to preserve and promote the houses, grounds, collections and historic legacy of Odessa. The Brewfest is one of our most important annual fundraisers, helping us maintain historic properties, support scholarly and archaeological research, and educate future generations about Delaware's rich history. As we mark this milestone in our nation's story, we're proud to invite visitors to raise a glass to America's past while helping preserve it for the future."

The third annual Steinholding Competition will test the strength and stamina of Odessa Brewfest attendees on Sept. 12. Photo Credit: Jay Gorodetzer

The 2026 Historic Odessa Brewfest will feature more than 50 breweries, including 15 Delaware craft brewers, offering unlimited tastings of a wide variety of beers, from hop-forward IPAs and crisp lagers to rich porters and stouts. Attendees will receive a commemorative 2-ounce tasting mug and have the opportunity to sample beers from local favorites and acclaimed breweries from across the region and country.

In addition to craft beer tastings, attendees can enjoy:

• Live music by regional bands and performers on two stages. 
• Food and other refreshments provided from Cantwell’s Tavern.
• A colonial brewing demonstration by historical interpreter and Regimental Brewmeister Michael Carver, showcasing brewing techniques and traditions from America's earliest days.
• Men's and women's Steinholding Competitions, endorsed by the U.S. Steinholding Association.
• The popular Fusion Beer Mile, a spirited challenge combining running and beer-drinking for participants seeking a unique test of endurance and fun.
• Lawn games and other festival activities.
• Artisan vendors offering handcrafted jewelry, soaps, gourmet foods, cigars and other locally sourced products.

A VIP experience is available and includes early admission, access to limited-release beers and a commemorative glass tasting mug.

All proceeds from the Historic Odessa Brewfest benefit the Historic Odessa Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to preserve and promote the houses, grounds, collections and historic legacy of Odessa, Delaware. Through preservation, research, education and community engagement, the organization helps ensure that Odessa's nationally significant historic resources remain accessible for future generations.

The Historic Odessa Foundation also welcomes sponsors and volunteers to help make this year's Brewfest a success. Sponsorship opportunities offer businesses valuable visibility while supporting historic preservation and educational programming. Volunteers are needed throughout the day to assist with brewery operations, guest services and event logistics.

For sponsorship information, contact Jennifer Cabell Kostik at Jennifer.cabell@historicodessa.org or 302-378-4119. Individuals interested in volunteering may contact Cantwell's Tavern at 302-376-0600.

Tickets are available now at www.odessabrewfest.com. General admission tickets are $60, VIP tickets are $75, and designated driver tickets are $15. General admission tickets purchased at the gate are $70. For more information, visit www.odessabrewfest.com.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: 13th Annual Historic Odessa Brewfest

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026
VIP Admission: Noon
General Admission: 1 p.m.
Festival concludes: 5 p.m.

WHERE:
Historic Odessa, 202 Main St., Odessa, DE 19730

TICKETS:
VIP: $75
General Admission: $60 ($70 at the gate)
Designated Driver: $15

Advance tickets are available at www.odessabrewfest.com or by calling 302-378-4119.
For media inquiries, and/or to request hi-res images, contact John Xuereb, at 610-520-6140 x202 or jxuereb@alvare.com