Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko Kettleheads started their Homebrew Fest in Winona Lake.
This year, after a few years elsewhere, they’re back in Winona Lake for year 15.
Jason Rich, Kettleheads president, said they’re having the fundraiser for Combined Community Services (CCS) at the Miller Sunset Pavilion, Winona Lake, from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
“So, rain or shine, it’s going to be beautiful,” he said. “We used to have it in Winona Lake, but over the last few years they’ve approached us about coming back. We decided to try the new venue because the pavilion is beautiful.”
Tickets can be purchased through CCS’ website at ccsgives.com, Kettleheads.org/HBF2026 or the Kettleheads’ Facebook page. They are $31 in advance online, or $36 at the door.
“Basically, you, with your ticket, get a tasting glass and you have access to all of the 60 offerings we’re bringing this year,” he stated. “We have had a lot of brewers make a lot of things, more so than in years past for this festival. We’re over 60 beers, wines, meads and ciders. So, if you like sweet things, if you like hoppy things, if you like dark beers, everything will be there.”
Rich said the number of beverages is “easily” a record for them and it’s about 10 more than last year.
“It’s just a great chance for us to show off our love for fermenting things and help a great cause at the same time. CCS helps way more people than anybody imagines, and if we can be a part of that then it’s very rewarding,” he said.
In the last 14 years, the Kettleheads have raised more than $115,000 for CCS with the Homebrew Fests they’ve hosted.
Ledgeview Food Truck will be on hand for anyone who wants to buy some food while enjoying the beverages. Or, there’s other places to eat at in Winona Lake a person could walk to and return.
“You can get a pass out and go eat dinner or whatever and then come back into the festival later,” Rich said.
Homebrew Fest is for ages 21 and older. Designated drivers can be let in for free, but they won’t get a wristband so they won’t get any samples.
This year for the event, Rich has made a very strong pineapple Belgian beer, a classic German lager and a “beautifully malty Scottish ale.”
His oldest daughter will be there and she and his other girls have made a dandelion wine as always, as well as a cherry liqueur that was made from the cherries on the tree at their house.
“A lot of other guys are bringing a lot of things that they specialize in. There’s a gentleman who moved to Michigan, but he’s bringing 12 beers this year,” Rich said.
The goal this year, like every year, is to raise as much money for CCS as possible.
“We have great sponsors this year,” he said. They are title sponsor Maple Leaf Farms, Crossroads Bank, The Spectacle Shoppe, Sym Financial and Blue Note Design.
The Kettleheads are the first and, so far, only homebrew club in Kosciusko County. They’ve been brewing since 2010, with some members brewing longer.
“I know you can just go buy beer, but the process of making it is just fun, and like, with me personally, I just make a lot of beers that you can’t buy at the store. There’s a lot of different kinds that commercially aren’t available, and it’s just fun creating your own. We’re using something that is local, like honey, to ferment that, and you know what farmer gave that to you. It’s just fun. The creation part is just fun,” Rich stated.
They meet once a month at various locations. Check their Facebook page, under Kosciusko Kettleheads, to see where they’ll be meeting next. There’s no cost to join and no dues.
“There’s guys in our club that make one beer a year, but they come every month. There’s other guys who bring two or three every month. It’s just as much as you want to or not want to make,” he stated.
