The calendar says it's October, but this weekend's weather felt like July as thousands of beer lovers converged on Coconut Grove's Peacock Park for the third annual Grovetoberfest. Luckily, there was a lot of ice-cold beer -- more than 200 kinds.
The brews ranged from domestic favorites such as Sam Adams Oktoberfest and imports like Guinness Red Harvest, but savvy beer lovers made a beerline for local Florida suds and the homebrew alley to find the most interesting flavors of the day.
See also: Grovetoberfest Winner: 4th Age Brewing
4th Age Brewing took home two homebrew awards. Its best beer? The Broken Flan, a "mistake" beer that turned the brewery's sweet flan stout into a tart version.
Gravity Brewlab's Kick Alt the Yams is a German Alt brewed with yams. Gravity describes it as "Thanksgiving married Oktoberfest in Vegas, had a love child, and brought it back to Miami."
MIA Brewing's Belgian Tripel won points for sheer drinkability.
Grovetoberfest fans got a bonus at the Michael's Genuine Home Brew table: fresh beer, free tattoos (temporary), and Michael Schwartz serving lunch!
Each hour, Funky Buddha poured a different specialty beer. Our favorite: the Blueberry Cobbler, followed closely by the Mono Blood Orange IPA.
We were torn between Sexy Llama's Guava Mini, with true guava notes, and smoky, rich Bavarian BBQ.
Miami Brewing's line was incredible, due to the fact that its Big Rod Ale was made to be imbibed in warm weather conditions like Saturday's.
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
