It is another busy and fun week in the craft beer world here in Jacksonville. It seems like our sleepy little town is getting more and more excited about good beer and good fun that goes along with it. So, without any further fanfare here are some of the things happening around town this week:

Tonight, February 21

Pele’s Wood Fire

You have all read my review of the wonderful Pele’s Wood Fire restaurant in Riverside/Avondale. These guys have truly awesome food and a phenomenal beer selection. Tonight that beer selection gets kicked-up a notch in honor of Fat Tuesday: they will be tapping a keg of Bell’s Brewing Hopslam! If you have not had the opportunity to try a pint of this delicious and big IPA you owe it to yourself to swing by and try one. To sweeten the deal and get the party atmosphere really hopping, Grandpa’s Cough Syrup will be playing at 7:00 PM as well. This is a not-to-be-missed event that will be spoken about for quite a while!

Copeland’s

What could be more appropriate for the end of Mardi Gras than to host an Abita event at Copeland’s near Tinseltown? Nothing in my book! If it isn’t already Abita beer should be the official beer of New Orleans – party central for all things Mardi Gras. Be sure to try such Abita favorites as, Turbo Dog, Andygator, Purple Haze, and Jockomo IPA.

Brewer’s Pizza

If you cannot make it to Riverside – or cannot get a reservation – do not fret. The guys at Brewer’s Pizza are also tapping Bell’s Hopslam tonight for your hop-loving pleasure.

Wednesday, February 22

Engine 15

Engine 15 at the beach has a Pint Night planned with Blue Point Brewery starting at 4:00 PM. Swing by and sample such great brews as Hoptical Illusion, Rastfa Rye Pale Ale, Old Howling Bastard, and Sour Cherry Russian Imperial Stout.

Thursday, February 23 through Sunday, February 26

In celebration of the Northeast Florida Highland Games to be held Saturday at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Green Cove Springs, Highland Brewery is sponsoring four great pub crawls aboard the Big Red Bus, a double-decker party bus. The details from the Highland Brewing website are below:

ATTENTION DIE HARD CRAWLERS:

The Double Decker English Bus is coming to town for more Pub Crawls! This time we will have 3 nights & 1 afternoon of official fun. For the price of $25 riders can enjoy being chauffeured around town while they take in great beer and some of the areas great bars & pubs!

Thursday, Feb. 23 will be our traditional St. Augustine crawl and we will once again partner up with Ghost Augustine ghost tours for ghost tales and brews on our “Haunted Crawl”. Unlike last year, St. Augustine fans may join up with Jacksonville riders for the crawl in progress at a reduced rate ($15)! Friday and Saturday,

Feb. 24 & 25 we will have our traditional Riverside/Southside and Beaches runs. This year the bus is sponsored by Highland Brewing.

Sunday afternoon (Feb. 26) will be our craft beer lovers crawl as we enjoy some of the great beers produced by Highland.

Another change this year is our new ticket sales location and loading and unloading venue, Southside’s very own Tilted Kilt near Tinseltown. We encourage all of you to bring friends and come early to buy tickets and enjoy the Tilted Kilt’s great food and hospitality!

The plan this year is for a few new stops and new surprises. Anyone who’s been on the bus knows there are always stories to be had and a good time with good food, music and Adult beverages!

Some remaining tickets will be available on site the days of the crawls at Tilted Kilt, but why wait! Seating is limited so get your tickets now online at http://www.partybuscharters.com or call 704-399-9393.