The City of Miami loves its suds. Beer festivals take place all year long and are usually well attended. Just in the past 12 months we've had the Brickell Beer Fest; Grovetoberfest; Burger, Beer and Balls Bash; and New Times Brew at the Zoo, to name a few. The Miami Beer Festival plans to throw its hat into this saturated ring with its inaugural edition January 19 in the West End Pavilion of the new Marlins Park. The festival hasn't even happened yet and has already received more than 5,000 likes on Facebook.
"We're thrilled with the feedback we've gotten and all the support in this, just our first year throwing this event," says MBF promoter Dan Silverstein. "We plan to set ourselves apart with our emphasis on local breweries."
Silverstein and the festival's organizers plan on bringing in more than 50 breweries, which will each feature at least three beers. Do the math and that means you'll have the pleasure of 150-plus types of brew at your disposal. Of the 50 breweries, Silverstein estimates, around 15 to 20 will be Florida-based.
"We want a real local emphasis," continued Silverstein. "Together with the best food trucks in Miami and the unique setting of being under the retracted roof of Marlins Stadium in the heart of Little Havana, there is no beer fest in Miami like this."
The official list of breweries will not be released until about two weeks prior to the event. You can expect to see Inlet Brewing's "Monk in the Trunk," however, and Opus Ales popular craft brew at this year's festival. Other breweries that have already been added include Kona, Red Hook, Widmer, Shock Top, Florida Ave, Capital, Green Flash, Goose Island, Estrella and Hatuey.
"The best thing about our festival is that we are pushing for every brewery to send reps for their beer," said Silverstein. "That way not only will be enjoying the best every brewery has to offer, but you can also be educated about the different types of brew and what goes into making them."
The event takes place January 19 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets for general admission will be $40 and allow you entry at 7 p.m. VIP, which allows you entry at 6 pm, will be $50. For more info, visit miamibeerfestival.com or facebook.com/miamibeerfestival.
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