Fossil Cove Brewing owner Ben Mills (fourth from right) stands with brewery staff and representatives from five local nonprofits during a check presentation ceremony following the annual Frost Fest beer festival. (Courtesy photo)A beer festival held earlier this month raised a record amount of money for local nonprofit organizations.
Frost Fest, the annual outdoor event organized by Fossil Cove Brewing Company, on Monday announced that $55,000 in donations will go to five area nonprofits, making it the largest donation in the festival’s history.
The Arkansas Brewers Guild will receive $15,000, with the Arkansas Climbers Coalition, Apple Seeds, Ozark Highlands Trail Association, and Pedal It Forward each receiving $10,000.
Organizers said this year’s event, held at the Washington County Fairgrounds, included over 2,200 attendees and featured 63 breweries with a diverse range of craft beers on tap.
Frost Fest got its start in 2016 as a way to showcase local and regional breweries, and to provide financial assistance to local organizations. The event was put hold in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic, but returned in 2023 when it raised $50,000 for area nonprofits.
Officials said the event will return on Feb. 1, 2025.
