4th Annual G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest Returns to Galesburg This Saturday

The popular craft beer festival benefits a local family's nonprofit supporting vascular birthmark treatment.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:42pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a craft beer glass or bottle in vibrant neon hues, conceptually representing the energy and community spirit of the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest.The 4th Annual G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest celebrates the region's thriving craft beer scene while raising funds for a local family's nonprofit supporting vascular birthmark treatment.Galesburg Today

The 4th Annual G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest is set for this Saturday, April 11, at The Vault at Reserve Artisan Ales in downtown Galesburg. The event features over 30 regional breweries, along with wine, cider, mead, and food. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Vascular Anomalies Alliance, a nonprofit founded by the owners of Reserve Artisan Ales to support families affected by vascular birthmarks.

Why it matters

The G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest has become a must-attend event for craft beer enthusiasts in the Galesburg area, showcasing the region's thriving brewing scene. Beyond the beer, the festival's charitable mission to support families dealing with vascular birthmarks adds a meaningful community component.

The details

The festival will feature beer ranging from light lagers to sours to barrel-aged stouts, with brewery representatives on hand to discuss the products. Reserve Artisan Ales is releasing two special barrel-aged beers for the event, including a collaboration stout. In addition to beer, wine, cider, mead, and whiskey will be available, along with food from local vendors. Attendees can also participate in games like a 300-cup beer pong setup with prizes.

  • The 4th Annual G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest takes place on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
  • General admission entry begins at 1 p.m. and the event runs until 4 p.m.

The players

Blake Benedict

Owner and head brewer at Reserve Artisan Ales, the host of the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest.

Lindsay Benedict

Co-founder of the Vascular Anomalies Alliance, the nonprofit that benefits from the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest.

Vascular Anomalies Alliance

A nonprofit organization founded in 2024 to support families affected by vascular birthmarks, which the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest raises funds for.

Reserve Artisan Ales

The host brewery of the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest, located in downtown Galesburg.

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What they’re saying

“We have brewer representatives there — owners, brewers, people actually from the brewery. A lot of times at other events they're volunteers pouring beer and they don't know as much about the product as the people making it.”

— Blake Benedict, Owner and Head Brewer, Reserve Artisan Ales

“Finding a specialist is not easy. Without the birthmark community that helped us find our doctor, I don't know what we would have done.”

— Lindsay Benedict, Co-Founder, Vascular Anomalies Alliance

What’s next

Tickets for the 4th Annual G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest are still available, but selling quickly. General admission tickets with food are limited, while general admission without food tickets are still widely available. The event is expected to sell out, so interested attendees should purchase tickets soon.

The takeaway

The G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest has become a beloved annual tradition in Galesburg, showcasing the region's thriving craft beer scene while also supporting a meaningful charitable cause. The festival's growth over the past four years reflects the community's enthusiasm for both great beer and giving back.