Barrel and Flow is more than just your average brew fest. Yes, there’s plenty of beer to taste and savor in your day out in the sun. But, that’s just where the fun begins at this event lifting up the Black community and beyond through acts of art and togetherness. 

Barrel and Flow Fest 2025

This year’s 2025 Barrel and Flow Fest takes over The Stacks at 3 Crossings on August 9. To honor and connect the Black community, you’ll walk through a unique selection of food vendors, indie artisans, visual and performing artists, and local non-profits. Each sector of the festival aims to highlight Black businesses and artists alike in order to amplify these voices and spread awareness. 

Barrell…

The barrel side of things lines up over 75 different breweries and distilleries. This list includes Black-owned businesses such as Two Locals Brewing Co, TLC Libations, and DOPE Cider House. Outside of each individual brewer, some of the businesses are also collaborating with local Black artists, performers, and other businesses to craft limited time beverages just for the festival. You’ll get to sample as many of these brews around the festival as you’d like with your ticket purchase.

Flow…

Whenever it comes to the flow at Barrel and Flow, it’s talking about live performances from singers, DJs, and visual artists. Some of the live music performances include The Brothers Footman, a rock, hip-hop, and funk group from Indiana, rapper Brian Brown, as well as jazz and R&B artist/songwriter Katarra Parson from St. Louis, MO. The DJ category features a range from Pittsburgh DJ Marz to Detroit DJ hypemelo. Plus, you can even catch glimpses of live painting and sculpture art presentations or gain inspiration from one of many philanthropic speakers. 

…And More

But, this is not where the fun stops just because the market at Barrel and Flow festival is where you can treat yourself or choose to make a difference in the world around you. Local, regional, and national vendors come together to present a market full of everything you could want or need. Food vendors from the Pittsburgh area cover your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert with options like Pgh DUMPLINGZ, Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe, Community Kitchen Pittsburgh, Sugar Momma Soul and Sweets, and Darnella Darling Delights. 

After your belly is full, continue to shop through artisan makers to take home a pair of handcrafted earrings, a new photo for your wall, a custom pair of shoes, or a new skincare product. Even if you’re not looking to spend any money, you can still stop by a number of organization tables to help support your community and maybe even sign up to lend a hand. 

Barrel and Flow is so much more than an opportunity to entertain yourself. It’s an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the Black community in Pittsburgh while making a difference in an exciting atmosphere. Grab your tickets and get ready to experience the city in an important way.

Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Barrel and Flow

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