Beer lovers, rejoice. The annual Baytowne Wharf Beer Fest is right around the corner.
Known as the “Best Beer Fest on the Emerald Coast,” the festival, slated for Oct. 17-18 at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, will have opportunities for beer aficionados to rediscover some old favorites, as well as sample some new specialty beers from around the nation.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf will become a taster’s paradise, with more than 200 domestic and international beers on site from 40 craft brewers.
The festival, in its seventh year, should prove to be more popular than ever, given the boom in the popularity of craft brews. Attendees will be able to sample beers that vary in their styles, as well as strengths, whether it’s an American Lager, a stout or robust, hoppy India Pale Ale.
New this year to the beer festival is Friday night’s Beer Bingo event, which takes place from 6-9:30 p.m. Participants will have a bingo card and will compete for a variety of prizes, said Baytowne’s Julie Stuckey.
“We’ll have a Yolo board that’s custom-wrapped with our beer fest logo, as well as a free flyboard session from PowerUp,” she said. “It’s really going to be an exciting event.”
There will also be a VIP event prior to the main beer fest Saturday. With Marlin Grill serving as the host, VIPs will be treated to mouthwatering barbeque from the restaurant, as well as exclusive beer tastings and a signature beer glass that will be different from the rest of the festival’s attendees.
Saturday’s main event will take place from 2-6 p.m. and boast delectable suds from Blue Point Brewery, Kona Brewing Company, Grayton Beer Company, Sweetwater Brewery, Back Forty Beer Company and many more.
Live music from the Owsley Brothers and country music duo Native Run! will serve as the festival’s soundtrack. For more information about the Baytowne Beer Festival or to purchase tickets, www.baytownebeerfestival.com.