Greater Fort Lauderdale Beer Week raises toast to South Florida brews
If you want to toast to the final days of our sunsteeped summer, the inaugural Greater Fort Lauderdale Beer Week is offering a refreshing series of events from Sept. 14 to 22.
The events at roughly 20 venues in eight Broward County cities will range from tap takeovers and a beer-pairing dinner to a beer brunch and beer-andcheese pairing.
“Having breweries like 3 Sons Brewing right in our backyard has really helped put the area on the map,” says Frances AntonioMartineau, founder and organizer with her husband’s marketing agency, UniteUs Group. “The hardest part is getting the first year off the ground — getting the beer community engaged and open to collaborating on the week.”
She forged her connections in the local beer scene when she created the annual FemAle Brew Fest in Broward three years ago to highlight women in brewing.
“Each event is independently produced by each of the participating breweries, bottle shops, craft-beer bars and restaurants,” she says of the upcoming inaugural week, adding that pricing varies by event. “We may look into possibly creating packages for next year.”
You can visit GFlBeerWeek.com for a list of the events, but the series kicks off 4-10 p.m. Sept. 14 with Four Beers Strong, a joint anniversary party for Pompano Beach’s Bangin’ Banjo Brewing and 26 Degree Brewing. All-you-can drink tickets include transportation between the two locations for $35 (or $55 for VIP).
On Sept. 15, a bus will shuttle attendees to Odd Breed Wild Ales, 3 Sons and Tarpon River Brewing during the Craft Beer Crawl from 1 to 5 p.m. to reap exclusive discounts and specials. Tickets cost $30, which include snack boxes.
“With the abundance of quality beers, it has allowed consumers to also evolve with the industry by expanding palates,” AntonioMartineau says. “Brewers have reacted by giving new takes on old traditional styles.”
As one of the concluding events, Gulf Stream Brewing in Fort Lauderdale will its first anniversary with unlimited samples at 4-8 p.m. Sept. 21. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door, while VIP is $75 with early 3 p.m. entry.
“The goal is to have this beer week, the area and its participants recognized on a national level,” AntonioMartineau says. “We hope to continue to grow particicelebrate pation next year and include a possible beer collaboration, as well as incorporate more educational events and possibly the homebrew community.”