Enjoy the best stews with hearty stouts at the Brunswick Stew & Stout Festival

According to Wikipedia (my go-to source for stew news) both Virginia and Georgia lay claim to being the originators of Brunswick Stew. The main differences between the Georgia and Virginia versions have been the types of meat used. To truly be traditional you’ll be bringing out the squirrel gun and using squirrel meat. In these modern times you’re more likely to find chicken and rabbit in Virginia Brunswick Stew. Georgia goes for pork and beef.

Photo: Henry Stern (via Flickr)

Southern Living has even chimed in on the debate and although they don’t offer a definitive answer they do have this quote which appears to be spot on.

Raconteur and humorist Roy Blount Jr. quips that Brunswick stew is what happens when small mammals carrying ears of corn fall into barbecue pits.

Regardless of which side of the Brunswick Stew Battle you fall on you’re likely to find something to please your tastebuds this Saturday at the Brunswick Stew & Stout Festival. Stew Master start working on the stews Friday night but you won’t be able to get your spoon in on the action until 11 AM on Sunday.

Full Details:

Enrichmond’s annual Brunswick Stew & Stout Festival is back, and stew crews from all over Virginia are lining up to win over your hearts and tastebuds with their spectacular stews! What makes this particular Brunswick Stew Festival so special?? All of the stews you will sample on Saturday are made from scratch onsite! Stew Masters gather at midnight onsite the night before the competition to prepare stews, then serve you the freshest stews on the 18th.

Stew available for purchase by the sample or by the quart. Make sure you get there early before the quarts run out!

Stew Crews will be competing for Best Stew. First place is $1,000, second place is $750, and third place is $500. There will be seven stew crews competing!

Stews are complimented by a fine selection of stouts and a range of other beers. Live music brought to you by Andrew Ali and the Mainline.

NEW Location and Parking:
For 2017, Brunswick Stew & Stout will operate at a temporary location at 1615 East Broad Street, one block from 17th Street Market. Ample free on street and paid parking is available in adjacent parking lots on 17th and Grace Streets. Enrichmond’s Festivals will return to the Market in 2018, following this summer’s highly anticipated renovation.
We will provide free Bicycle Parking right next to the festival.

Entry Fee:
$1 suggested entry donation to Enrichmond Foundation for this unique stew extravaganza. Enrichmond is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your attendance supports Enrichmond’s mission to enhance Richmond parks and activate its public spaces.

Other info:
Feel free to bring lawn chairs – we’ll have live music and tents to kick back under, as well as a Chair Check service. Your four-legged friends are welcome – must be socialized and leashed.