Miami’s Best Spring Beer Festivals

Late winter and spring is the best time to be out and about in Miami. The weather is warm but not yet fraught with humidity and the threat of thunderstorms. Sunny days like these call for day drinking with friends.

It’s no wonder, then, that Miami is filled with beer festivals. From elegant fundraisers to all-out extravaganzas touting 100-plus breweries, there’s a beer-centric event for every taste. Here are the best.

February

Veritage Miami. At Veritage Miami, a curated list of topnotch local, regional, and national craft breweries is complemented by food from dozens of South Florida restaurants and an artistic backdrop courtesy of Wynwood Walls and Wynwood Gardens. Celebrating its 23rd year, Veritage Miami introduces attendees to top sommeliers, notable chefs, and prestigious winemakers and brewers to benefit United Way of Miami-Dade. This local chapter supports programs in the community that specialize in improving the education, financial stability, and health of Miamians. Veritage Miami is part of Veritage, a series of celebrations of wine, food, and philanthropy. 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, February 7, at Wynwood Walls, 2520 NW Second Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $55 to $85 via veritagemiami.com.

Tap That Craft. Breweries are joining forces with Carnaval Miami for Tap That Craft. The craft-beer-tasting event offers new and innovative flavors from local breweries, along with live music. 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, February 9, at the Tank Brewing Company, 5100 NW 72nd Ave., Miami; 786-801-1554; tankbrewing.com. Tickets cost $40.

Brew Miami. FIU staff members and the Miami Brewers Alliance collaborate to present locally brewed beer, promote the growth of Miami’s burgeoning craft beer industry, and offer food-and-beer pairings. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, February 9, at Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus, 11310 SW 17th St., Miami. Tickets cost $45 to $70 via brewmiami.com and $50 to $75 at the door.

MIA Megamix Beer & Music Fest. Enjoy unlimited samples of beer as well as live performances by TKA, Lisa Lisa, Rob Base, Cynthia, Johnny O, and Debbie Deb. The evening will also offer food trucks, interactive lawn games, DJs, and other entertainment. A limited number of VIP tickets include early entry, samples from exclusive breweries, and access to the area right in front of the concert stage. 5 p.m. Saturday, February 16, at Magic City Casino, 450 NW 37th Ave., Miami, 305-649-3000; magiccitycasino.com. Tickets cost $50 to $75.

March

13th Street Craft Beer & Wine Festival and Car Show. The festival features vendor booths, craft beer, wine, and food, along with a DJ, live entertainment, local pet rescues, a car show, and other diversions. Ride CycleParty, a roaming bicycle-powered tiki hut bar, will be onsite so you can get a little exercise and refreshment while enjoying a riding tour of NE 13th Street. 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at 690 NE 13th St., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $30 in advance via tiktinevents.com/13th-street-beer-and-wine-festival and $35 at the gate.

Exit One Taproom Craft Beer Not Crap Beer Fest. The Florida City taproom will host a craft beer festival featuring more than 20 breweries, including MIA, Lincoln’s Beard, Old Deck, LauderAle, Mightlife, Veza Sur, Clown Shoes, Terrapin, the Tank, Gulfstream, Stone, Tarpon River, J. Wakefield, Tripping Animals, Legacy, Florida Keys Brewery, Biscayne Bay Brewing, 26 Degrees, Coppertail, and Concrete Beach. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Exit One Taproom, 10 NE Third St., Florida City; exitonetaproom.com. Tickets cost $30.

FemAle Brew Fest: FemAle Brew Fest is a craft beer festival featuring female beer experts and brewers. Its goal is to draw attention to local female brewers, business owners, and chefs. 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Pegasus Park At Gulf Stream Park, 901 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale Beach. Tickets cost $15 to $50 via femalebrewfest.com.

April

Sprung. This annual festival celebrates the beers of spring with more than 100 breweries, live DJs, wrestling, and an artisan village offering art, crafts, and other wares. 2:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Wynwood Marketplace, 2250 NW Second Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $45 to $95 via sprungbeerfest.com.

May

New Times’ Brew at the Zoo. One of Miami’s most established beer fests, Brew at the Zoo is set to return for its tenth year for an evening of music, fun, and suds. Enjoy more than 100 beers, along with a free concert by Locos por Juana. Participating breweries include Concrete Beach, Guinness, Veza Sur, Hop Life, the Shed, Gulf Stream, Biscayne Bay Brewing, and many others. Tickets will go on sale to the public Monday, February 11, at 10 a.m., but New Times readers can take advantage of a special presale offer. Use code ZOOBREW19 to purchase tickets now through Sunday, February 10, at 10 p.m. 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd St., Miami. Tickets cost $40 to $80 via newtimesbrewatthezoo.com.