The excitement is building. The town is abuzz. Next week is American Craft Beer Week and there is a plethora of events that will keep you busy tasting great beers all week. Here’s the list I have so far:
Monday, May 16
Kickback’s Gastropub
5:00 PM until Whenever
Sample beers from Jacksonville’s largest selection of draught brews – 84 to be exact. If you are looking for something good to drink and can’t find it here, you just aren’t trying. The available beers are constantly changing, so there is always something new to try. Come by for prizes and fun!
European Street – Riverside
6:00 PM to Whenever
An epic selection of beers both on draught and bottles with a concentration of really great imports. Prizes and surprises all night!
Tuesday, May 17
Publix Apron’s Cooking School
6:30 PM
Join Chef Patrick and his team to celebrate the new craft beer movement in honor of the American Craft Beer Week. Watch as the team prepares dishes specifically matched to the great artisanal beers they will be pouring. They will also be giving away free passes, donated by Team Hop Heads, to the Jacksonville Craft & Import Beer Festival!
The menu includes: Arugula Salad & Seared Scallops with a Warm Orange Vinaigrette & Spicy Candied Macadamia Nuts; Biscuit Topped Bacon Mac & Cheese; Andy Gator Braised Bratwurst with Potatoes, Sauerkraut & Sweet Mustard; Pan Roasted Duck Breast, Lentil Dahl & Roasted Corn & Tomato Chutney; Chocolate Stout Laced Tiramisu.
This is an event that you will not want to miss!
For details and registration click the link below:
http://www.publix.com/aprons/schools/Jacksonville/ClassDetailReservations.do?childId=14543
Wednesday, May 18
Mellow Mushroom Tinseltown
5:30 PM to Whenever
Challenge your taste buds as you sample your way through a Sierra Nevada Bigfoot vertical tasting. Enjoy the subtle variations in flavors that come from aging this legendary brew from year to year.
Thursday, May 19
Intuition Ale Works Tap Room
Come in and sample a wide variety of locally brewed craft beers from our very own local boy – Ben Davis Brewmaster and Founder of Intuition. Brush up on your beer trivia before you arrive, there will be prizes and lots of fun!
Friday, May 20
The Jacksonville Craft & Import Beer Festival
Jacksonville Memorial Arena
6:00 PM to 10:00 V.I.P. / 7:00 PM to 10:00 General Admission
This is it! The main event! Join the Springfield Brew Crew at Jacksonville’s premier event to celebrate beer in all its glory. With one of the largest collection of breweries ever at a beer festival in Jacksonville, this event will be one to remember.
Over 20 local restaurants will come out with some of their finest fare for patrons to taste. Purveyors include: European Street, Carrabba’s, Publix Apron’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Lynch’s and North Beach Bistro, and many more, serving up delicious cuisine to pair with the beer samples.
VIP tickets are available for $45.00 to the event. VIP ticket members will receive an extra hour – doors open at 6:00 PM for VIP ticketholder — of admission and a private selection of beers not available to general admission including special firkins you won’t find anywhere else.
General admission tickets are $30.00. Doors open at 7pm to General Admission ticketholders.
During the event there will be a silent auction and other prize giveaways open to all patrons. Entertainment will be provided throughout the evening by various local bands and DJs.
A portion of the proceeds are going to the charities of the Southside Businessmen’s Club, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, First Coast No More Homeless Pets, and the Greater Jacksonville USO.
So, if you are a beer lover and who isn’t, next week is the week to explore the scene here in Jacksonville. Look for the Springfield Brew Crew at many of the events and join our merry band to keep the beer adventure going all year!
The ATL Beer Guy 