All hail the ale

In accordance with ritual, Saturday brings forth a fervent tradition: the third annual Brewvival. Hallelujah, beer lovers.

Organized by the Coast Brewing Co.'s David Merritt and Jamie Tenny and Charleston Beer Exchange partners Rich Carley and Scott Shor, Brewvival brings together a rush of beer aficionados who gather to toast and sample more than 80 varieties of brews.

And much of it is rare, ridiculously rare, including unusual barrel-age versions, sour ales, one-off cask ales and gravity-tapped beers.

"A lot of the stuff is so uncommon that if you don't taste it at Brewvival this year, you may never taste it anywhere else," Shor said.

About 1,500 people attended the first Brewvival. The second year sold out, as 2,000 people bought tickets. This time around, another sellout is likely with 2,200 attendees expected. Organizers capped the event to maintain its character.

"From the first year, we never wanted it to become so big it would be uncomfortable, cramped or have long lines," Shor said. "We always thought to keep it as a small festival."

The invited breweries share in that philosophy, presenting scarce opportunities for a discriminating crowd.

"We try to focus on breweries that are really doing exotic things and want to embrace the festival," Shor said.

This year, Brewvival features a trio of pork-tinged beers.

The Danish brewery Evil Twin has infused its Biscotti Break beer -- an Imperial porter made from vanilla beans, toasted almonds and Charleston Coffee Roasters' espresso -- with Spanish iberico ham.

"It's actually a ham-aged beer," Shor said.

Dogfish also plans on creating a version of its 90 Minute IPA, sifting the ale on-site through a device called a randalizer. The filter system typically flavors the beer with extra hops, but in this case, the device is to be filled with habanero peppers and bacon.

Meantime, North Charleston's own Holy City Brewery will produce a porter made with bacon, obvious in its nose and taste. The name? Notorious P.I.G.

Of course, there's more, including mild and refreshing beers; hard-core, deep, dark stouts; super-hoppy IPAs; and sour ales, such as the Allagash Mattina Rossa.

"This event is all about experimentation and appreciating rarity," Shor said.

Brewvival is slated noon-6 p.m. Saturday at a field adjacent to Coast Brewery. Tickets run $50, and everyone must be at least 21 to attend. The cost includes beer samples and live music from a five-piece bluegrass band called Flatt City, the Widespread Panic-influenced 54 Bicycles and the twangy, acoustic Local Honeys.

Attendees may bring chairs and refillable water bottles, but no coolers, outside food, alcoholic beverages, pets or weapons are allowed. Food vendors include Diggity Doughnuts, D'Allesandro's, Roti Rolls, Ted's Butcherblock and Coleman Public House.

Participating breweries include, but are not limited to:

12% Imports

Allagash Brewing Company

Avery Brewing Company

Bell's Brewery

Brooklyn Brewery

Coast Brewery

Dogfish Head

Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery

Evil Twin Brewing

Fullstream Brewing

Great Divide Brewing Co.

Green Flash Brewing Co.

Highland Brewing Company

Holy City Brewing

Left Hand Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing

New South Brewing

Palmetto Brewing

RJ Rockers Brewery

Saint Somewhere Brewing Co.

Sierra Nevada

Southern Star Brewing Company

Stillwater Artisanal Ales

Stone Brewing Co.

Sweetwater Brewing

Terrapin Beer Co.

Thomas Creek Brewery

Victor Brewing

Westbrook Brewing

Weyerbacher