No. 1 beer festival in North America is returning to Katy in March at Typhoon Texas
Suburbs // Katy
Claire Goodman, Staff writer
Dec. 28, 2022 Updated: Dec. 28, 2022 4 p.m.
Wild West Brew Fest returns to Katy March 23-25, 2023.
Courtesy/ Wild West Brew Fest
Wild West Brew Fest, one of Katy's largest philanthropic events, will return for its 12th year March 23 through March 25. Rated the No. 1 beer event in North America by BeerYeti.com, the festival will take place at Typhoon Texas Waterpark.
The charity event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Katy. Since its inception, Wild West Brew Fest has generated more than $1 million for local charities, event coordinator Chris Garcia said.
INSIDER NEWSLETTER: Stay updated on important stories and news to know around Katy
This year's event will feature more than 500 beer vendors and is expected to draw a crowd of 9,000.
The event kicks off Thursday, March 23, with "K-Town Throwdown," a night with no admission fee and and $5 beers. "Here is your opportunity to taste some great beers, listen to some fantastic music, eat some terrific foods from the top food trucks around, and hang out with your friends all while giving back to our community," a statement from the Katy Rotary Club said. The evening runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
COMING TO KATY: Popular fried chicken joint Crack Shack opening first Texas location in Katy this spring
The launch party takes place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, March 24. Visitors can enjoy a smaller, more intimate beer drinking experience at Typhoon Texas' Hop House. Patrons will also get a first glimpse of the full beer selection at the main festival.
Wild West Brew Fest's main event is from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 25. Saturday's festivities include "over 500 different brews in separate areas under shade where you will find one or two brews you can't live without," the Rotary Club said. "Our 'purveyors of intoxicating liquid' stewards travel the country tasting individualized brews."
Tickets on March 24 and 25 range from $40 for general admission to $175 for VIP access. For the March 23 "Throwdown," free tickets are available in advance, and people are encouraged to reserve them as the event might reach capacity. Any leftover tickets will be sold at the door.
Tickets are on sale now at seetickets.us/event/Wild-West-BrewFest-2023/519157. Typhoon Texas Waterpark is at 555 Katy Fort Bend Road in Katy.
Because the event is run by volunteers, every dollar raised from the festival goes directly back to local charities.
Last year alone, the Rotary Club was able to donate $135,000 from the event. Beneficiaries included Katy ISD FFA projects, auction and Special Rodeo; Katy ISD fine arts and band; Katy ISD Education Foundation; Christ Clinic of Katy; The Ballard House; Katy Christian Ministries; Mother's Against Drunk Driving; and Special Olympics Texas.
"We had a dream many years ago to say, 'Let's do something that we all enjoy, but can also impact our community,'" Garcia said. "So we're here to give back to our Katy community, and we're touching lives."
claire.goodman@chron.com
Claire Goodman
Reach Claire on
Claire Goodman is a senior reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering the Katy area.
She also produces the Katy Insider newsletter, which sends every Monday and Wednesday.