Rare brews featured at Deland Craft Beer Festival

Deland, Fla. Is a small town northeast of the bustling hub of Florida’s tourist mecca Orlando. It is a sleepy town that boasts just over 27,000 people, is home to Stetson College, and is the county seat of Volusia County.  But, this weekend, Deland’s quaint downtown historic district’s population will swell with an influx of beer-lovers seeking to quench their unswerving desire for fresh, new beer at the Deland Craft Beer Festival. This year’s festival celebrates its fourth year and is bigger and better than ever.

The event is not just a drinking affair, though. This beer festival includes beer-making demonstrations, breakout sessions, an art auction, beer cars, food vendors, and of course lots of beer. Breakout sessions this year will discuss topics such as the effect of prohibition on modern beer culture in America, the state of craft beer in Florida, and the future of cans in the craft beer industry. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a Skype session with the brewers from Southern Tier Brewing Company.

But, for many, the highlight of the event will be the rare, cask, and vintage beers that will be served. Each year, the organizers come up with an amazing array of hard-to-come by brews that make the knees of beer geeks go weak. The exact brews that will show up in this section of the festival is not known at the moment, but rest assured that there will be several real gems.

The event takes place in Deland’s Artisan Alley and begins Saturday, February 9 and 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $37 and may be purchased online at: www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com.

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• Jupiter Beer Festival kicks off 2013 Florida beer festival season (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)

 

Jupiter Beer Festival kicks off 2013 Florida beer festival season

The 2013 craft beer festival season officially kicks off next week with the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival Saturday, Jan. 26. Now in its seventh year, the festival will feature over 200 beers from 73 breweries. But, if you plan to attend, you may want to plan on arriving at Roger Dean Stadium early since all 1,500 online tickets are sold out and only 1,500 additional tickets will be available the day of the event at the door.

Created in 2007 by Fran Andrewlevich the head brewmaster of Brewzzi a duo of American-Italian eateries in South Florida, the focus of the event is on brews from Florida. That is not to say that some of your other favorites will not be there – Blue Point, Dogfish Head, Brooklyn, and Highland will all be there. But, so will Florida brewers like Bold City Brewing from Jacksonville, Cigar City Brewing from Tampa, and Swamp Head Brewing from Gainesville.

Attendees at the festival will also enjoy entertainment from local musicians and the return fo the popular Silent Disco.

In addition to the beer festival, the organizers will feature for the second year Craftoberfest a German-themed celebration of beer, food, and music that will take place across the street from the main event. So, if you are not able to score tickets to the Festival, take heart. You can still attend the party at Craftoberfest for free. The event will feature a pay-per-beer beer tent, live oompah music from Sonnenschein Express, and German-style food. The festivities will take place at the Abacoa Theater from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The festival is actually the culminating event for the annual South Florida Craft Beer Week that features beer dinners, tap takeovers, and plenty of tastings. Beer Week events are spread out from Jupiter to Miami and there is sure to be something that will catch every beer-lover’s attention. For an updated list of all the events going on, follow this link.

Tickets for the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival are $35 at the door and will go on sale shortly before the gates open tot he event. All attendees must prevent a valid, government-issued ID for admission to the event. The festival hours are 1:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Keep up to date on all the beer happenings and news going on in town at the ALL NEW www.JaxBeerGuy.com.

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• South Florida to host Sprung! beer festival in March (sprbrewcrew.wordpress.com)

 

South Florida to host Sprung! beer festival in March

Miami, Fla. has a cool vibe that is fueled by images of pastel colors, extravagant night life, and beautiful people. One can imagine those hard-bodied South Beachers sipping Mojitos and other tropical Rum drinks as they work the clubs and strut their stuff. Somehow, craft beer seems far from the glitter and glitz of the Miami we have all been shown on shows like CSI: Miami and Miami Vice. But, Tony Albelo wants to change all that.

Several years ago, Albelo came to a realization that there are craft beer fans in the Miami area that would probably enjoy a festival in their city. So, he came up with a concept for a beer festival that included a well-rounded slate of events as well as over 110 tasty craft beers. He dubbed his event Grovetoberfest as a nod to the festival being held near the traditional time of Oktoberfest and its location at Coconut Grove. Prior to Albelo’s event, beer lovers had to drive to Jupiter, Fla. to find a craft beer festival.

Grovetoberfest was a success, attracting 6,500 thirsty fans to the festival. The event was so popular it let Albelo to begin thinking about a spring event. He wanted to use the same successful formula he had used with Grovetoberfest; good food, fun games, live music, and lots of great craft beer. He decided on calling the event Sprung! and to hold it at the same venue as Grovetoberfest this coming March 9th.

“The atmosphere at Sprung! is meant to be fun and spirited. There’s no event like it in the area, and much like Grovetoberfest, Sprung! will become a staple of the South Florida scene,” Albelo said in a press release about the event. Because the event is taking place in the spring, the focus will be on spring and summer craft beers. Attendees will be able to sample over 150 brews from the likes of Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Brewery, Kona, Magic Hat, Shiner, Shipyard, Harpoon, Blue Moon and many more. There will also be a full complement of hard ciders and even several brews from SweetWater Brewing Company.

Sprung! will also feature plenty of great food from a number of local food vendors to help soak up some of the brew and live music to keep things lively. But, one of the more interesting features will be the dedicated game area where those who are looking for a challenge can play beer pong, giant Jenga, corn hole, mega twister, and human bowling that utilizes huge plastic balls to hurl players and massive pins.

Tickets for the event will be available online via the event’s website (www.IGotSprung.com) and will range in prices from $39 for general admission, $69 for Beer Socialite, and $89 for VIP access that will allow purchasers into a special, VIP only tent with food and beers not available to other attendees.

Keep up to date on new developments on  the events Facebook page at www.facebook.com/IGotSprung.

 

Northeast Florida Beer Cup set for Sept. 27 at Florida Theater

If you are planning on attending this year’s Northeast Florida Beer Cup event at the Florida Theater on Thursday, September 27, you had better get your tickets soon. The event, which features craft beers from both local and regional brewers and tasty foods from local eateries, is limiting ticket sales to 500 this year. If last year’s event is any indication of the fun to be had, this is a not-to-be-missed party.

Jacksonville’s premier lifestyle magazine, Jacksonville Magazine, is putting on the event again this year to sponsor the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year the event attracted over 400 beer enthusiasts and foodies who descended upon the glamorous and exciting Florida Theater to eat, drink, and enjoy the sound of local bluegrass sensation Grandpa’s Cough Medicine.

This year the event will once again feature music from GCM along with food and drink from a stellar list of brewers and fooderies. Among the beer suppliers this year are: Bold City Brewery, Intuition Ale Works, Beer:30, Green Room Brewing, Engine 15, Pinglehead Brewing Company, Sweetwater Brewing Company. Food will be furnished by European Street Café, Mellow Mushroom, French Fry Heaven, MOJO No. 4, Pele’s Wood Fire, and two outstanding food trucks: Mother Fletcher’s and On The Fly will be set up to feed departing guests. In addition the member of Jacksonville’s home brew club, C.A.S.K. (Cowford Ale Sharing Klub), will be providing samples of their creations and Baking Under the Influence will supply sweet treats made with beer. Other beer-centric folks expected to be at the event include the guys from the Jax Brew Bus, a local beer tour operator and Just Brew It, a local home brewer supply shop.

As if all that were not enough, the members of C.A.S.K. will be conducting a “People’s Choice” competition where you get to choose your favorite from among the club’s brews. There will also be a silent auction with an outstanding collection of very exciting merchandise up for grabs.

The event runs from 6:30 to 9:00, Thursday, September 27 at the Florida Theater downtown Jacksonville on Forsyth Street. Tickets are $35 for one or four for $120 and may be purchased online at Event Brite by following this link: https://beercup2012.eventbrite.com/.

 

Beaches Summer Fest set to heat up Jax Beach for MDA

Beer folk are known for their generosity. Often you can find them discussing new beers and offering to buy a pint for conversation mates. Tables of beer lovers frequently purchase rounds for each other to share the fun and show their love for each other. They are also known for their willingness to adopt a good cause and work towards raising money to help it along. Earlier this year we saw the Jacksonville Craft and Import Beer Festival benefit the Southside Business Men’s Club and this weekend you can drink for a cause again at the Beaches Summer Fest for MDA.

Now in its second year, the festival is a described by its creator, Jamie Gillis, as, “A very unique event with no crowds, and direct access to the brewers, chefs, and proprietors in a spacious oceanfront venue.” Entry to the event is limited to 300 with tickets purchased in advance. If there any tickets left on the day of the event, they will be available at the door. But, Gillis says that is unlikely. “This is a sell-out event,” he says due to the venue and charitable cause.

The ‘Fest will feature beer from local Florida breweries including Intuition Ale Works, Bold City, Green Room, Pinglehead, Engine 15, Three Palms, St. Somewhere, and Swamp Head. For those you prefer, wine will be served by Royal Palms Wine & Tapas as well.

Beaches and other area restaurants will also be highlighted at the event. Look for heavy hors d’oeuvres creations from North Beach Bistro, Engine 15 Brewing Company, Joseph’s Pizza, Alley Cakes, On The Fly Catering, Grassroots Natural Market, and Brewer’s Pizza.

Music to keep your toes tapping for the ‘Fest will be provided by Firewater Tent Revival and Paxton & Mike Acoustic Duo.

In addition to the food, drink, and music, the event will also feature a silent auction with local works of art for sale and other great items.

Discounted overnight stays for the event are available from the Courtyard by Marriott or the adjacent Fairfield Suites. Room rates start at $149 for the Courtyard and $99 for the Fairfield with $10 of each room rate going to the MDA. To reserve a room go to: http://cwp.marriott.com/jaxjv/beachessummerfest/.

This year’s ‘Fest is set for Saturday, Sept. 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Oceanfront in Jacksonville Beach. Tickets are $40 in advance. To purchase tickets or get more information go to the event Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/beachessummerfest.