Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Burgers & beers
Weekend events in Fort Lauderdale offer grub and suds by the river.
This weekend brings the perfect harmony of beer, burgers and women to Fort Lauderdale, where two festivals offer comfort-food bliss along the downtown riverfront.
The first, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Burger Battle IX, will feature 11 of Broward's best burger-peddling restaurants vying for bragging rights and a shiny golden-burger trophy today at Huizenga Park.
The festival normally coincides with May’s National Hamburger Month, but arrives two months early this year, kind of like Christmas in March.
This year’s contenders will include Bokampers, BRGR STOP, Burger Craze, Gulfstream Park, Hard Rock Café, JWB Prime Steakhouse and Seadood, Metro Diner, Pelican Grand, Pincho Factory, ROK:BRGR and Tucker Duke’s.
Each restaurant keeps its concoctions under wraps until the main event, when it will unveil the creation that nails the perfect combination of flavors.
The public can then sample and cast their votes for the best-tasting burgers. Ticket-buyers will also have access to a french-fry bar, three drink tickets and an open bar with craft beer.
A celebration of beer and the local women who brew it professionally, FemAle Brew Fest 2018 arrives at Huizenga Park on Saturday. The event, which toasts women in the brewery industry, will feature beer from 30 Florida and out-ofstate breweries, including J. Wakefield, Due South, Barrel of Monks, Bousa and Invasive Species.
There will also be 18 food and craft vendors, along with live music from female-led acts DJ La Trice Perry, Drawing Bored, Dyna Edyne, Mona Lisa Tribe and Summer Gill.
A portion of proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and the Pink Boots Society, a nonprofit supporting women in brewing.
The Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Burger Battle IX will take place 7-10 p.m. today at Huizenga Plaza, 32 E. Las Olas Blvd., in Fort Lauderdale. Admission is $45 for general admission, $125 for VIP via Eventbrite.com. Go to GoRiverwalk.com. FemAle Brew Fest 2018 will take place 2-8 p.m. Saturday. at the same venue. Admission is $45-$95 via Eventbrite.com. Go to FemAleBrewFest.com.