Minnesota beer lovers are in for a real treat. The Harvest Moon Brew Fest, now in its fifth year, will return to Aitkin on Saturday, September 8.

Presented by the Glacial Lakes Home Brewers and featuring dozens of the best craft and home brews, and ciders the great state of Minnesota has to offer, the Harvest Moon Brew Fest is not to be missed.

Rain-or-shine, this years Brew Fest will take place once again in the parking lot of the historic Butler Building (301 Minnesota Avenue North) from 2 to 3 p.m., with a special 50-person-only VIP event, and then opening up to the general public from 3 to 6 p.m.

Many of last years beer companies will be returning again, including: Surly Brewing Company, Castle Danger Brewery, Gull Dam Brewing, Jack Pine Brewery, Sociable Cider Works, Yellow Belly Sapsucker and Cuyuna Brewing.

Ross Otto will be there with Hammerschlagen, a German game dating back to 1940, in which several contestants take turns hammering nails into a tree stump.  Proceeds from the game will go to Sylvias Children, a 501(c)3 non-profit supporting a school in Uganda.

There will also be a selection of tasty food options available for purchase, in addition to live entertainment. Paulbecks County Market will feature their various homemade bratwursts as well as having coffee for the Designated Drivers.  (This year Designated Drivers get a coffee mug from Brandl Motors as well as free coffee and bratwurst.)

The cost for the general public to attend from 3 to 6 p.m. is $20 in advance or $30 at the gate on the day of the event. Designated drivers will pay $7.50.

Tickets to the VIP Session are $40 in advance or $50 at the gate. All VIP tickets will include entry, at no additional cost, to the general admission portion of the festival from 3 to 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale now through Paulbecks County Market, Aitkin Independent Age, Security State Bank and online through EventBrite.

Sponsors for the festival include Security State Bank, the Aitkin Independent Age, Culligan Water, Brandl Motors, Allen Consulting and Paulbecks County Market.

All net proceeds from the event will go to the official beneficiary of the event, Sylvias Children, a 501(c)3 non-profit working to improve the lives of more than 1,000 children living in Uganda, Africa.

For more information on the Harvest Moon Brew Fest, contact Sylvia Allen at (218) 678-2441, http://www.glaciallakesbrewers.org/hmbf.html or visit www.thebutlerbuilding.org