A brewery, seminars, and beer -- sounds like college, right? It is. The South Florida BrewFest this Saturday at FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality, except there's no entrance exam.
If that doesn't sound enticing enough, then how about learning about the business of craft beer from some of the state's top craft brewers while enjoying some fresh beer? For all of this knowledge and beverage in a four-hour period, the price at the gate is only $40 for same-day general admission. It may be best bargained beer baccalaureate ever.
See also: South Florida BrewFest: Drink the Best Local Craft Beers This Saturday
This year's theme is "Discover Your Craft." Paige Wuensch, an alumnus and one of the event organizers from student homebrew club B.R.E.W FIU, said this year's BrewFest is as much learning about beer as it is enjoying it.
"Because we are a school, our festival is alla bout growing education and craft beer," Wuensch explains.
Three seminars will be offered ranging from beer tasting to the business and art of beer, taught by faculty and pro-brewers. Alumnus Luis Brignoni, co-founder of Wynwood Brewing, is joining forces with chef Juan Carlos Lopategui of Casavana on beer and food pairing. They start at 1 p.m. and go until 3, running an hour each.
The university's new Brewing Science Lab will be on display, too. The lab opened last April, which gives FIU the ability to brew beer, a feature that most American universities do not share.
See also: FIU's Brewing Science Lab Opens Today
The price of admission is $15 for students, $20 for registered alumni, $25 for staff and faculty, $30 for pre-order general admission, and, as mentioned, $40 for the day of the fest. This guarantees you a tasting cup that can be filled contently with at least 70 locally-brewed craft beers.
The list of vendors includes some of the most successful and newest breweries in Florida, including Funky Buddha Brewery, Cigar City, and MIA brewing companies. This year will also feature Delray's Saltwater Brewery.
Food from Sparky's Roadside Barbecue will be served, the cost of which is separate from the ticket price. Or else fest goers can munch on freshly-baked spent grain bread smothered in butter.
According to Wuensch, rumor has it that B.R.E.W. FIU will be bringing back Golden Panther Ale, a classic recipe brewed by the club but discontinued years ago.
Wensch said that the school is expecting about 400 people this year, but hoping for more. The tickets are not even close to being sold out. She counted the tasting cups and says there are too many to count. Sounds like a good opportunity to learn how to double-fist.
Send feedback and tips to author David Minsky at his e-mail, Twitter or Instagram.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
