(MENAFNEditorial)
Summary: The unofficial last weekend of summer has become one of the most popular vacation getaways in Key West Florida thanks to the rousing success of the Key West Brewfest.
August 17 2014 Key West FL-When people think of drinking in Key West Florida they normally think of ice cold frozen concoctions or fruit colored punches with little umbrellas. The closest they may think about beer is something from Mexico with a lime stuck in it. Five years ago that perception started to change and now one of the biggest events on the Southernmost Island is the Key West Brewfest. This year marks the festival’s fifth year in existence and the promoters promise it will be even bigger and better than years past.
When the first brewfest came to town in 2009 there was little expectation that it could turn into something so successful. A few of the better known Key West restaurants like the Roof Top Café were experimenting by expanding their beer lists with one or two less obvious choices but there didn’t seem to be that much of a demand for a wide array of craft beers. That inaugural brewfest changed everything.
Now there are at least a half dozen bars on the tiny island that are known for their beer selections with some of them featuring over one hundred different choices. These bars are both locally owned endeavors as well as an outpost of a nationally recognized beer-centric operation. There are even plans to install the first working brewery in Key West Florida’s history.
The Key West Brewfest this year running August 28th through September 1st has grown just as exponentially as the town. The first event was a small day and a half activity featuring selections from about three dozen microbreweries most of those from Florida. Now the event covers five days with differently breweries hosting “tap takeovers” where they go into a bar one night and offer all of their beers. There are beer pairing dinners brew cruises and even fishing tournaments. The highlight is still however the tasting event.
On Saturday August 30th the signature tasting event will take place on the same beach where so many couples celebrate their island weddings. Now it is the perfect beer themed vacation destination as over one hundred breweries from around the world will have samples for everyone to taste. It may never replace the margarita as the official drink of Key West Florida but the 5th annual Key West Brewfest sure looks like it’s going to help put beer back on the southernmost map.
For more information about the Brewfest please visit their website: http://www.keywestbrewfest.com/
For more information about the Roof Top Café please visit their website: http://www.rooftopcafekeywest.com/
Jack Terry is a travel and lifestyle writer who has lived in Key West for several years.
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