FAU offering craft beer at FIU football matchup

The Owls don’t want you to be thirsty at the stadium tonight, so they’re hosting a craft beer tasting along with your $20 ticket.

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic University’s is offering a special tailgating option ahead of tonight’s rivalry football game against Florida International:

Craft Beer Night.

The Boca Raton-based university is selling $20 tickets that give access to the game and a craft beer tasting just steps from the stadium.

The craft beer tasting starts at 3:30 p.m. ahead of the 7 p.m. game. It’ll be held at Fan Fest, a section just outside the on-campus stadium.

Tickets are limited, and you’ll need to show ID both when you buy the ticket and when you show up for the tasting, said Katrina McCormack, spokeswoman for Florida Atlantic’s athletics department.

They’ll offer 6-ounce cups of each of the craft brews, but there is no limit on the amount they’ll serve. The quantity will be left up to the bartenders, McCormack said.

Several local breweries are participating, including Biscayne Bay Brewing Company, Saltwater Brewery, Islamorada Beer Company, Prosperity Brewers, Tampa bay Brewing Company, Florida Beer Company, Broski Ciderworks, Barrel of Monks brewing, and the Tank Brewing Company.

FAU said in a social media post that the university and its sponsors promote “responsible drinking.”

More than 17,000 tickets to the game had been sold as of Thursday.

”It is a rivalry game so the turnout should be strong,” McCormack said.

The stadium itself expanded its beer, wine and liquor sales to areas outside premier seating — everywhere but the student section — in 2014.

Florida International also offers beer at its on-campus stadium.

To buy tickets to FAU’s Craft Beer Night and football game, call 866-FAU-OWLS.