This Saturday the Biscayne Brewers Exposition will be held at the Kovens Conference Center on the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University, and will feature area brewers who are known for creating the best product in their line of work.
What originally was going to be a home brewing competition turned out to be an exposition to showcase the success of the Florida beer industry. At the heart of the success are the brewers.
"The whole concept was to stay local with Florida beer," B.R.E.W. FIU president Matt Weintraub says. "It was supposed to be a local home brewing competition but the school really wants to promote all local businesses. We want only Florida beers."
The exposition is smaller than most beerfests in recent days, but is featuring the best local brew has to offer. There will be 15 brewers at the event, among them there will be Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery, Schnebly Miami Brewing Company, Opus Ales, Due South Brewing Company, Wynwood Brewing Company, Titanic Brewing Company, Cigar City Brewing Company, The Abbey Brewing Company, B.R.E.W FIU, Florida Beer Company, Hoops Sports Bar and Grill and Most Wanted Brewery.
Even FIU will bring beer made in its brewing lab to the event. How many educational institutions around here do you know of that contribute suds to a beer festival?
At a minimum each brewer is required to bring two styles of beer, five gallons each, but it's probable the minimum will be surpassed by a long shot.
Pre-ordered tickets cost $25 and $20 for FIU students, and $35 at the day of the event. Tickets are capped at 450 and you must be 21 or older to purchase one.
What you do get with each ticket? Unlimited beer tastings, spent grain pretzels and bread with beer butter and beer mustard, and a chance to meet and greet some of the best brewers in the craft beer industry.
Weintraub says this event is different because of the small size, but that was intentional. He hopes to follow the lead of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which started 12 years ago and grew to an international phenomenon.
It's the weekend before the big election. Take one day off from freaking out about politics and have a few good beers at a low-key event. Leave your political affiliation at the door, please, or just throw it away all together.
"There is not going to be a shortage of beer I can promise you that," Weintraub says.
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