Craft Beer, Anyone?

The tournament’s first Beer Fest will feature 30 Connecticut craft breweries offering their product.

As the Connecticut Open staff spitballed ideas for events away from the tennis court, the conversation veered toward a potential new audience.

Craft beer lovers.

“We want to expose as many people to the tournament as possible,” said Tim Curry, Director of Consumer Developement and Marketing. “Get them in by any means we can. The event is more than just the tennis . ... But we figure anybody who comes and enjoys the tournament and sees the world class women’s tennis will get hooked.”

The tournament’s first Beer Fest will feature 30 Connecticut craft breweries offering their product. The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 25, coinciding with the championship matches at the tennis tournament.

Tickets are $40 for beer drinkers ($50 on site the day of the event) and $25 for designated drivers. The ticket is good for unlimited 4 oz. samples, access to food trucks and live music in the upper plaza, and a a general admission ticket for middle-tier seating for the singles and doubles finals.

Fans who already have tickets to the tournament can gain access to the beer festival by purchasing a $25 “Beer Garden extra ticket.”

Proceeds from the Beer Fest will benefit Breast Cancer Research at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Health. The tournament is partnering with the Connecticut Brewers Guild for its first beer event. Tickets can be purchased at beerfests.com.

The tournament has always looked to the latest cultural trends when planning the event, jumping on the food truck wave a few years ago. The popularity of local craft beer makes the festival a natual fit.

“This is the perfect opportunity to get people on the grounds who may not have a strong background or connection to tennis, who will hopefully stop by the stadium and catch a little bit of the singles and doubles final,” Curry said.

Fans should be aware that parking close to the stadium could be impacted by the beer event. Curry expects those attending the Beer Fest to arrive early, so tennis fans who arrive for 3 p.m. single final may find parking close to the stadium limited.

“Our advice is, if you’re coming for the finals, you may plan on coming a little bit earlier,” Curry said. “One, to enjoy the atmosphere. And two, to avoid the logjam that may already have occurred.”

Brew Lineup

30 Mile Brewing Company — Old Saybrook

Alvarium Beer Company — New Britain

Back East Brewing Company — Bloomfield Bad Sons — Derby Brass Works Brewing Company — Waterbury

Brewery Legitimus — New Hartford

Cliffside Brewing Company — Wallingford

Connecticut Valley Brewing — South Windsor

Epicure Brewing — Norwich

Fairfield Craft Ales — Stratford

Firefly Hollow Brewing — Bristol

Hull's Brewing — New Haven

Kinsmen Brewing — Southington

New England Brewing Company — Woodbridge

Shebeen Brewing Company — Wolcott

These Guys Brewing Company — Norwich

Two Roads Brewing Company — Stratford