Celebrate Maifest with Us!

At Readington Brewery, we’re excited to bring the authentic Maifest experience to our gorgeous hop-farm property in the heart of Hunterdon County. There are festivities all weekend long from May 18-19. With traditional music, beer-styles, food, and activities in store, there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.

What is Maifest?

Maifest, or May Day Festival, is a cherished German tradition that celebrates the arrival of Spring. Dating back centuries, this joyous occasion is marked by vibrant festivities, colorful decorations and attire, and a sense of renewal after the long winter months.

In Germany, Maifest is typically observed on May 1st, although celebrations often extend throughout the entire month. At its core, Maifest is a time to honor nature’s rebirth and the abundance of life that comes with Spring. It’s a time for communities to come together, rejoice in the blooming flowers, greenery, and sunshine, and share some beers. Throughout Germany, you’ll find a variety of customs and rituals associated with Maifest. Each region has its own unique traditions that add to the festive atmosphere. During a traditional Maifest, you’ll find lively parades, dancing, and folk music filling the streets.

Overall, Maifest is a time of joy, camaraderie, and the anticipation of warmer days ahead. It’s a celebration of life, love, and the beauty of nature, bringing people together to embrace the spirit of Spring in all its splendor.

What to Expect

Beverages for Everyone: Raise your stein and toast to Spring! We have 12 beers on tap, and a wide variety of styles. We also have hard seltzer and award-winning hard kombucha for gluten-sensitive folks. Don’t drink alcohol? No worries! We have delicious homemade soda (crafted with real cane sugar), hop-infused non-alcoholic seltzer, and juice boxes for the little ones.

Live Music: Immerse yourself in the lively sounds of traditional German music, performed by the Silver Starlite Orchestra . From upbeat polkas to melodic waltzes, the music will keep you tapping your feet and wanting to sing “zicke zacke” over and over again. After the German set on Saturday, you will get a Hall-of-Fame-quality performance from BBD Rhythm & Blues, and on Sunday, Ruby West will knock your socks off with a new-wave rock mix of originals and covers.

Authentic Beer Styles: Our special Maifest menu will feature traditional German beer styles and recipes. Try the festbier and maibock, beers specifically brewed to celebrate this holiday! We will have a style for every beer lover’s palate.

Delicious Food: Indulge in a variety of foods on the Hop Farm. We partnered with local restaurants, so we will have authentic German options, gourmet pizza, and delicious dessert options.

Games and Activities: We have an awesome agenda that includes a steinholding competition, pony rides, goat race, attire contest, story telling, and more fun! Scroll to the bottom for the full agenda.

Agenda

SATURDAY
MAY 18, 2024

SUNDAY
MAY 19, 2024

About the Venue

Admission is FREE and open to all ages.
All parking, including handicap parking is on grass. This is a farm.
Absolutely no outside beverage is permitted. Readington Brewery will check bags upon entry. We have water, juice, soda, and seltzer here for those who do not drink alcohol. There will be food and drink options on site.
No coolers or pop-up tents are permitted. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are fine.
This venue is family and dog friendly over the weekend. Please keep your pets and children close to your person at all times, and be courteous to the other guests. Pick up after your pets and children, and do not let them play in/with the gravel or run indoors. If your party is disturbing other guests or if your child is found away from you, you will be asked to leave.
Seating is first-come, first-serve. In the spirit of fairness, we do not allow “seat saving.” Please do not leave your food or belongings on a table that could be seating other guests.
We will not sell any ToGo beverages outside of the specified ToGo hours including crowler and growler fills. Please plan accordingly.