Beer fest: craft beer plus cool AC
Looking for a cool respite from the midsummer heat?
The seventh annual Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest returns to the Expo Center in West Palm Beach on July 20.
“It’s probably the only beer fest held inside with AC. We wanted to find a way to be different in the beginning,” says Gabriel Rangel, events manager for Hubbard Radio in West Palm Beach. “Most of these festivals are outside, and it’s super-hot during the summer.”
At least 50 breweries will be offering about 200 beers, accompanied by samples of whiskey and vodka, and a cash bar.
“We’re getting new breweries locally and nationally. One that’s really known nationally is Shiner,” he says. “You get to meet the brewers and have a conversation with them about how they made their beer. It’s grown into an experience instead of a just a drink-fest.”
Local favorites such as Funky Buddha Brewery and Tequesta Brewing are returning, while Steam Horse Brewing from West Palm Beach and Veza Sur Brewing and NightLife Brewing, both from Miami, will be new to the fest.
“We’re also adding some spiked seltzers, such as Fling and Bon & Viv. They’re actually putting booze into them now,” Rangel says. “If it’s a trend, it’s definitely going to be at the Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest. It’s crazy that every year there is something new.”
About a dozen food vendors or trucks will sell pizza, tacos, Greek fare, perogies and barbecue.
“Some vendors are doing food pairings with the breweries,” he says. “We’re doing a live Das beer podcast with Kevin Rolston from the ‘KVJ Show’.” Also, we’re bringing back the silent disco. If people don’t want to hear live music, they can choose their music channel on their headphones. We’ll have a live DJ that will be mixing.”
Live music includes Austin Burke, a national recording country artist based in Nashville, plus four local bands.
“Everybody is doing a beer fest every week, so now you have to pick and choose where you want to go and figure out which one has the best bang for your buck,” Rangel says.
Tickets for the fest, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., cost $55, and $100 for VIP, which includes early entry, meal voucher and commemorative pint glass. Go to PalmBeachSummerBeerFest.com.
“You’re getting a great price for music, beer and rare specialty beers that the breweries make for the event itself,” he says. “At the end, the hardest part is getting everybody out when it’s time to leave.”