Surly Brewing Festival Field Bag Policy

So, You Want to Party at Surly Festival Field? Read This or Get Bounced.

Look, I love Surly Brewing’s beer as much as the next person who enjoys tasting actual personality in a pint glass. But their Festival Field bag policy? It’s less “spontaneous hop-fueled rager” and more “TSA pre-check for the cool kids.” Trust me, if you show up with your standard Costco-sized duffel bag, you’ll be the one crying into your Furious while security gives you the ultimate side-eye.

Let’s start with the good news: you can bring a bag, but it has to be small enough to pass for a purse that belongs to a very minimalist squirrel. The rule is crystal clear: no bag larger than 12” x 12” x 6”. That’s roughly the size of a toddler’s lunchbox or a slightly chubby toaster. If your bag has more cubic volume than a regulation volleyball, leave it in the car.

Here’s where it gets weirdly specific: you can rock a clear plastic bag up to double that size—a slightly larger, see-through prison pocket. But don’t get cocky. No backpacks, no cinch sacks, no coolers, and absolutely no damn duffel bags. I once saw a woman try to sneak in a “hydration pack” that looked like a CamelBak designed for a military operation. They sent her back faster than a flat beer at a keg party.

Why so strict? Well, festival security is basically a Venn diagram of “fun” and “paranoid logistics.” It’s not personal; they’re trying to stop someone from bringing in a bag of mystery goo or a 10-pound bag of live crickets. (Real event: a guy tried to bring in a suitcase full of homemade pickles last summer. The guard asked, “Are these small batch or large batch?” He got laugh-banned.)

The kicker? They do allow one empty water bottle, but it can’t be made of glass or metal. So you’ll be sipping from a sad, floppy plastic bottle while the sun melts your face off. Surprising fact: the policy was actually loosened after the “Great 2019 Fanny Pack Uprising,” where fans smuggled in enough contraband gummy bears to fund a small confectionery. Now you can have a single fanny pack worn around your waist—but it must be completely empty except for the fanny.

What about sealed tampons and medical necessities? Yes, those are allowed, but you’ll need to prove you’re not planning a craft project. Want to bring a small blanket to sit on? Sure, if it fits in that 12-inch bag—which means you’re basically bringing a really nice napkin. Pro tip: wear cargo shorts with deep pockets. I once fit a whole bag of chips, a phone, and a tiny kazoo in my shorts pockets. You’ll look like a tourist, but you’ll have snacks.

Surly Brewing Festival Field Review at Eva Brown blog

And the absolute, no-exceptions deal-breaker: no chairs of any kind. Not even a foldable, sad-looking camping stool. You want to sit? You can squat on the grass like a human lawn ornament or bring that pathetic napkin-blanket. Festival Field is a stand-up comedy show, but for your legs.

So, here’s the bottom line: if you want to enjoy Surly’s hoppy goodness without being publicly humiliated, bring a small, clear bag, leave the pickles at home, and wear pants with pockets so deep you could stash a passport. Respect the bag policy, or prepare to get schooled by a security guard who’s definitely seen it all—and has zero time for your oversized ambitions.

Now go drink some beer—just don’t bring a suitcase for the ride home.