Long Beach Beer, Brats & BBQ Festival 2026

You can smell it two blocks before you see it - woodsmoke off the pits mixing with salt off the harbor, that particular combination that tells your stomach the afternoon is going to be a long, happy one. The Long Beach Beer, Brats and BBQ Festival is a summer gathering on the waterfront where the city's own craft scene pours next to pitmasters who came to compete. Long Beach has one of the most active craft beer scenes in Southern California, anchored by Beachwood, Ambitious Ales, Trademark, and Smog City - and those breweries pour samples all day alongside dozens of others. The BBQ side pulls dedicated pitmasters from across the greater LA region who use the festival as a proving ground, going head to head in brisket, ribs, and pulled pork while a main stage runs live music the whole time. It stays family-friendly during daytime hours, with a non-alcoholic zone for anyone not drinking, and the harbor location means scenic sightlines and easy parking along the water. Ticket price typically includes unlimited samples for the first session. This is for the Long Beach food regulars and craft beer people who want a real community gathering, not a corporate brand activation. Check the organizer's website for the confirmed 2026 date and venue.