The list of featured breweries at this year’s Northern Virginia BrewFest reads like a character roll call from a merged version of “Alice In Wonderland” and “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

There will be Mad Fox, Magic Hat, Duck Rabbit Craft, Flying Dog and Devil’s Backbone, joining more than 50 others, all ready to give thirsty visitors a chance to find their new favorite brew.

Gates open each day of the June 23-24 event at 11 a.m. They close at 9 p.m. June 23 and 8 p.m. June 24. Beer sampling will stop one hour prior to the gates closing.

The event will also feature not only local favorites Vintage 50 and Lost Rhino’s frothy masterpieces, but 12 new breweries that have signed up for the 5th annual Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest.

The newcomers include: Laughing Dog Brewery, Bold Rock Ciders, Climax Brewing, Devils Backbone, DuClaw Brewing, Epic Brewing, Sixpoint Brewery, Goose Island Brewery, Great Lakes Brewing, Green Flash Brewing, Highland Brewing and Three Heads Brewing.

The popular festival held in Leesburg’s Morven Park is a great way to beat the heat this weekend (temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s) and expand your pallet.

The goal of the festival,  sponsored by Vintage 50 Restaurant Group, is to encourage visitors to sample different beers, “and enjoy all the tasty libations, but be careful because some of these are much stronger than what you’re used to drinking.”

Not a beer drinker? No worries.

Local winery, The Lone Winery, will serve several varieties of vino for purchase by the glass.

And of course, beer and wine is nothing without their yang – food.

The festival will feature several food venders, including Blue Ridge Kettle Corn, a Charlottsville-based business that sells its modified German recipe, but the slightly sweet, slightly salty taste remains.
Leesburg-based Big Pan Parties will offer jambalaya to BrewFest patrons. Their food is described as American Classic with a twist.

Thai Palms Grill and Sang’s Thai concession will fire up with authentic dining for beer drinkers to enjoy. Based in Delaware Beach, their specialty grill is teriyaki chicken.

All that food and drink can’t go down without some good sounds. The festival’s two-day event will boast seven bands covering almost every genre of music. The lineup on June 23 includes: Story for Hire at 12:30 p.m.; Rebelicious at 2:15 p.m.; The Greenbeats at 4 p.m.; and Josh Burguss at 5:45 p.m.

On June 24, Shane Gamble takes the stage at 12:30 p.m., followed by Flow in the Dark at 2:15 p.m. and Levi Stephens at 4 p.m.

Still not ready to just eat, drink and be merry?

The festival will also be home for two days to several arts and crafts vendors, including Jewelry Designs by Melisa Dent, Sara England Designs and Aunt Becky’s Candle Shoppe. A list full of national and local vendors will be on hand to educate visitors on their services.

Advance sale tickets are available online and at five area locations: Norms Beer & Wine in Vienna, Ricks Wine & Gourmet in Alexandria, Westover Market in Arlington, Vintage 51 Restaurant in South Riding and Vintage 50 Restaurant & Brew Lounge in Leesburg.

For online sales go to http://www.novabrewfest.com and click on the “Buy and Print a Ticket” logo on the right-hand side.

If you go

Admission for adults 21 and older is $20 plus a fee; designated drivers pay $15 plus a fee; and a round trip bus pass and adult admission is $45 plus a fee. The bus pass includes a round trip between Morven Park and the Vienna Metro station.
Adult tickets include a commemorative BrewFest sampling glass and four sampling tickets. Additional beer sampling tickets can be purchased for $1 each.
Valid identification is required and responsible drinking is expected.