PITTSBURGH — A rousing success its rookie year, Fresh Fest Beer Fest will return Aug. 10 to Pittsburgh, offering even more beer and activities.

The nation's first beer festival highlighting black-owned breweries will occur at Nova Place on the city's North Side.

"We've tripled the black brewers from last year, from nine to 28," Fresh Fest co-founder Day Bracey, a Beaver resident, said. "We also nearly doubled the collaborative beers from last year, from 25 to 47."

About 50 Pittsburgh breweries will participate.

"So 75 breweries in total," Bracey said.

This year's beer fest spills over to three days, with an Aug. 9 gathering set for the Ace Hotel in East Liberty where VIP ticket-buyers can watch a panel discussing access, education and inclusion in the beer industry. Topics include "Diversity and Inclusion: Beyond Browner Taprooms," hosted by national beer writer Ale Sharpton. Afterward comes a VIP bottle share with brewers from the festival. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, or as part of your all-inclusive, three-day VIP admission.

On Aug. 11, there's a wrap-up brunch at Nova Place sponsored and poured by New Belgium brewery.

Last year, the main festival took place outdoors in Nova Place's comfy courtyard. It'll be there again this year, as well as inside Nova Place, which is the former Allegheny Center mall.

"Last year, we had 1,200 people, this year we expect 3,000," Bracey said. "That's why we chose to expand the space, to keep the same comfortable feel. We also have two stages. The courtyard will feature six live music acts. The mall stage will feature four rotating DJs and a dance floor."

The main festival starts at noon for VIP ticket holders with event co-hosts the Drinking Partners (Bracey and fellow comic Ed Bailey) taping their popular podcast with special guest Garrett Oliver, a craft beer legend from Brooklyn Brewery. The VIP portion of the festival, lasting until 3 p.m. also offers a catering event featuring James Beard Award-winning executive chef Kwame Onwuachi (Kith/Kin), author of "Notes from a Young Black Chef" and the owner of the Philly Wing Fry franchise. VIP tickets are $150.

From 3 to 5 p.m., those who buy a $75 early admission ticket get two additional hours of festival-going that includes early pours of limited beer, early band and DJ access (including Flow Band) and a swag bag.

The regular festival takes place 5 to 9 p.m., with tickets $45 at freshfestbeerfest.com.

The live music schedule:

5 p.m. — Elias Khouri.

6 p.m. — BBGuns.

7 p.m. — Starship Mantis.

8 p.m. — Nappy Roots.

As well-received as last year's first-try festival was, Bracey said he and co-organizers, Black Brew Culture learned some things for this year.

"I learned to buy more glasses than you need," Bracey said. "Last year, we expected 500 to 700 people, so we bought 700 glasses. We got 1,200 people, and had to run to the Restaurant Depot several times for more, and discount tickets as a result. Not the worst problem, but it looked very unprofessional."

They also learned you can never have enough ice.

Bracey said the impact of the first Fresh Fest was astounding.

"I've traveled from New York to L.A. and met people who are excited about this festival, and what it means to the black community and craft beer," Bracey said. "The industry needed this injection of adrenaline and creativity. Online, there has been so much positive feedback from people across the world who feel connected by it. This year we have people from as far as India, Guatemala and Canada putting Pittsburgh on their calendar as a summer destination."

Bracey spoke earlier this year with Jose Beteta, who was so inspired by Fresh Fest he started Suave Fest in Colorado, America's first Latino beer festival.

"It's a beautiful thing to see," Bracey said.

Bracey also learned last year is that people like to wait until the last minute to buy tickets, which could pose a problem for procrastinators this year.

"You should buy tickets in advance, because we can't guarantee there will be any at the door, and I don't like anyone enough to slide them in for free," Bracey said. "If you snooze, we'll see you in 2020."