When the Cooper-Young Beerfest debuted in 2010, many of the breweries that will pour at this year’s festival didn’t exist yet.
In fact, nearly nine out of 10 commercial breweries announced so far for this year’s event began selling beer after the festival got its start 16 years ago.
A lot has changed in the years since. Breweries have opened across Memphis and the surrounding region as craft beer boomed, while others have since closed as the industry has entered a more challenging period.
Through it all, the pioneering Cooper-Young Beerfest has remained a fixture in Memphis, sticking to its original focus on bringing together breweries from within a day’s drive of the city.
Festival committee member Andy Ashby attributes that longevity in part to an emphasis on the experience for both attendees and the brewers who make the trip to Memphis.
Organizers provide visiting brewers with hotel rooms, meals and gift bags, among other things. Each brewery also gets a volunteer “beer ambassador” who can help pour, freeing up the brewers to spend more time talking with attendees about their beers.
“It also helps that this is a not-for-profit beer festival that benefits a neighborhood we care deeply about,” Ashby added.
The volunteer-run festival is a fundraiser for the Cooper-Young Community Association, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit neighborhood organization.
This year’s Cooper-Young Beerfest will be held Oct. 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Bluff City Sports, 769 Cooper.
With the festival’s focus on breweries within a day’s drive of Memphis, this year’s lineup features breweries from Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Illinois and Louisiana.
First-time participants this year include Blue Jay Brewing Co. of St. Louis; Cedar Glade Brews and Middle Ground Brewing Co. of Murfreesboro; Half Batch Brewing of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and Xül Beer Co. of Knoxville.
Tickets are $45 before fees and include a 2026 Beerfest mug and unlimited samples. Designated drivers who are 21 or older can enter free at the gate.
Goner Records will provide music, and local food trucks will have food available for purchase.
