The Schuylkill BrewFest, which would have been entering its third year this fall at Gen. George A. Joulwan Park, Pottsville, is no more.
Regina Gargano, executive director of the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau, said Friday that with the bureau being a nonprofit organization, it doesn't have the funding to hold the BrewFest this fall.
"It's strictly a matter of money," Gargano said. "We can't afford to do it without sponsorships and support. We aren't in the position to do it again and it breaks my heart."
According to newspaper archives, the first BrewFest was held in October 2011 and attendees could purchases their beers of choice and there were 15 half barrels of a variety of Yuengling products, including Oktoberfest, Lager, Black and Tan, Premium and Lord Chesterfield Ale.
There was also a homebrew competition that drew 15 entries.
During the second annual BrewFest in September 2012, there was a new tasting session where, for a price, beer lovers could sample from eight breweries and more than 15 types of beer.
While Yuengling was among the available brews, others were from breweries including Bullfrog Brewery, Williamsport; Berwick Brewing, Berwick; Victory Brewing Co., Downingtown; and Troegs Brewing Co., Hershey.
The homebrew competition in 2012 drew 37 beer entries and the nine judges were all certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program. The homebrews were judged by five judges in 2011 that were not certified by the program.
Both events included music and food and drew about 1,000 people.
"Last year, we had a lot more in terms of the mix of the crowd," Gargano said. "We had visitors from all parts of New York and Pennsylvania."
Although the BrewFest is no more, Gargano said that the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau is doing some revamping and is hoping to bring about something new for 2014.
"We hate to see it go," Gargano said. "We had nothing from good reviews from visitors as well as the locals. We showcased the best brews, the best homebrews and the best entertainment."