Beer lovers rejoice! The 27th annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival returning Sept. 8
The Emerald Coast Beer Festival is known as the longest running beer festival on the Gulf Coast and the biggest street party in Pensacola, and you can bet on this year’s event continuing to keep it that way.
“I’m the one that helped get it started,” Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club Treasurer Jim Martin said. “I was in charge of the club back then. We started at Seville, and then the next year we grew a little bit more, using Apple Annie’s and the little area out back. And then finally, in our fifth year, we decided to use the whole complex — and the street out front.”
On Sept. 8, the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter will be taking the Emerald Coast Beer Festival to 130 E Government St. a 27th time, featuring more than 200 different beers from microbreweries, regional beer distributors, and homebrewing clubs throughout the country.
“We have about 45 breweries so far, and we’ll expect a few more to be joining us,” Martin said. “We’ve had as many as 65 sign up in previous years.”
According to Martin, more than 2,500 are expected to attend, and it’s a number that’s only continued to grow each year. But even though the event itself is only for one day, the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter use the other 364 days to generate buzz for the next event.
As you scroll down the Emerald Coast Beer Festival website, you’ll notice a timer counting down the months, days, hours, and minutes until Beer Fest 2023. Just above the timer, you’ll also find a growing list of confirmed brewers and a featured beer of the day. Pensacola Bay Brewery, Braided River Brewing Company, Iron Hand Brewing, Terrapin Beer Co, McGuire’s Irish Pub, and Bywater Brew Pub are just a few of the many brewers that will be serving samples throughout the festival.
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In addition to the beer sampling, there will be food and live music performances from the Cat Daddy Blues Band, McGuire’s Pipe Band, Pensacola Steel, and Bangarang Peter.
“If you haven’t been before, you need to come early so you can get in quickly,” Martin said. “We usually open the doors around 5:30 and you’ll get a 27th Anniversary tasting glass at the door to use for samples. But if you aren’t here early enough, you can expect to wait a while in line.”
Martin says it might also be wise to purchase your tickets online ahead of time. The general admission price goes up to $40 from $35 at the door. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Doc’s Hop Shop, Pensacola Bay Brewery, Seville Quarter, Ye Olde Brothers Brewery, A Little Madness Brewery, St. Michael’s Brewing Company, and 2B Postal.
Perhaps you’re also interested in kicking things off early. At 7 p.m. on Sept. 7, there will be a Beer Pairing Dinner at Apple Annie’s in Seville Quarter. This three-course meal prepared by Seville Quarter Executive Chef Jason Duckworth will be paired with a choice of five beer selections, appetizers, and dessert. Tickets for the pre event are $75, and are first come, first serve. Call 850-434-6211 to save your spot or put “2023 Beer Pairing Dinner” in the subject line to RSVP via email [email protected]
“Once you’re here, you’ll see what I mean,” Martin said. “It’s going to be a good time, and we’ve never been rained out. A lot of (the proceeds are) going to good causes, the Seville Rotary and the Alfred-Washburn Center in Pensacola.”
For more information, visit www.emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Emerald Coast Beer festival returning to downtown Pensacola Sept. 8
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