A celebration of flight and beer at the 7th annual OBX Brewtag

By Submitted Story on November 1, 2023

Large crowds gathered on Saturday, Oct. 28 for the 7^th Annual OBX Brewtag

(Rogallo Foundation)

On Saturday, Oct. 28, The Rogallo Foundation hosted the 7^th Annual OBX Brewtag, presented by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, TowneBank, and First National Bank at the Soundside Event Center in Nags Head, NC. A celebration of flight and beer, OBX Brewtag is modeled after the whimsical and entertaining Red Bull Flugtag, translated to “flying day” in German.

Contestants gathered from near and far and were tasked with designing large, aerodynamic gliders capable of holding and flying an empty 1/6^th keg barrel the farthest distance. Additionally, the day brought beers and beverages from six local and surrounding breweries, live music from Outer Banks area artists, and impressive attendance from the local community and beyond.

Team Knight Glider came in first place with a record-breaking distance of 177’4”.

Larger crowds than ever before gathered to watch 10 flying teams compete for the winning title based on scoring criteria accounting for distance, time aloft, creativity of craft, and showmanship. After results were tallied, Team Knight Glider came in first place with a record-breaking distance of 177’4”, followed by local Colington Harbour team Wrong Brothers and Sista with a distance of 91’4”.  Richmond, Virginia, natives Team Flying High Again finished out the podium with third place and a distance of 83 feet.

Over $47,000 dollars were raised in benefit of the Rogallo Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created in 1992 to honor former NASA scientist and free flight pioneer Francis Rogallo and his wife Gertrude, who worked together to invent the flexible wing. The foundation’s mission is to preserve the Rogallo legacy and to stimulate and support research and education in aerodonetics, the science of gliding and soaring flight and low speed aerodynamics. Current efforts for the non-profit are focused on designing and constructing a Rogallo History Museum right here in the Outer Banks, as well as publishing a book about the Rogallos and their invention.

Plans for next year’s 8^th annual OBX Brewtag are already in the works with a date scheduled for Oct. 26, 2024. Thanks to the support of our incredible sponsors, Brewtag is continually growing into a memorable and beloved Outer Banks community event!