Fourth Annual Bradenton Beer Fest This Saturday

Every now and then the best place in town to enjoy a tasty brew isn’t the local pub. Like this rare Saturday.

If you are a beer connoisseur who likes those elusive American crafts and imports, or if you find your taste buds craving an adventure this weekend, don’t miss the happening this Saturday in downtown Bradenton. The Beer Fest promises a smorgasbord of samplings from imports to obscure crafts from dozens of small, American microbreweries and even some of the popular domestics.

More than 100 beers will be available for swigging, said Bill Britt, the local volunteer coordinator. “There are beers for everyone,” he said.

Beer Fest is scheduled for 4-10 p.m. on Old Main Street (12^th Street West) between Manatee and Third avenues west. Old Main will close to traffic around 3 p.m. to allow for the event’s vendors to set up their beer tasting stations.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 the day of. Tickets are currently on sale at several locations in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. In Bradenton, get your tickets at , 406 Old Main St.; , 313 Old Main St.; and , 427 Old Main St. In Ellenton, visit Evie’s Tavern, 5955 Factory Shops Blvd., and Hickory Hollow Restaurant, 4705 301 North. Sarasota locations are Evie’s Tavern, 1989 Ringling Blvd.; Mr. Beery’s, 2645 Mall Drive; and World of Beer, 8217 Tourist Ctr. Drive.

For day-of purchases only, bring a ticket stub from any Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game and get $5 off.

The ticket price includes a bottomless sample cup. In other words, sample as many beers as you’d like until the event ends. Pair your drinks with free food samplings from several local restaurants.

There will be live music from the Tony Tyler Band throughout the duration of the event.

The event is managed by Florida Beer Festivals. Part of the proceeds will benefit Realize Bradenton, a non-profit group that promotes downtown Bradenton as a place to live, work, play and visit.

With more than 100 beers represented by dozens of breweries, we can’t name them all. But here are some featured American microbreweries: Blue Point Brewing Co. from Long Island, which produces several seasonal ales and lagers; Southern Tier Brewing from Lakewood, N.Y., and its selection of IPAs, wheat beers, seasonals and various shades of ales; Downingtown, Pa.-based Victory Brewing Co., which features a wide range of beers representing the brewing styles of Dublin, Belgium, Munich, Germany, Britain and the Pacific Northwest; and Sarasota’s own Jalehouse Beer, which makes lager, light lager and wheat beers.

Britt said microbreweries build their fan base at beer festivals like this, especially as America’s taste for craft beers grows. Local bar owners in Bradenton have told Bar Tab the same: The past decade has seen the American beer connoisseur seek out beers from the lesser-known microbrewery that was born in the U.S.A.

“These tasting events are a great way for them to introduce their beers to the public,” Britt said. “That’s why the Bradenton Beer Fest has become increasingly popular over the last few years because brewers and distributors want the public to get a chance to try their different beers.”

Treat your taste buds to a beer-drinker’s paradise this Saturday. Check out Bradenton Beer Fest.

IF YOU GO:

The Fourth Annual Bradenton Beer Fest is scheduled from 4-10 p.m. on Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton. Tickets are $30 at the gate and $25 in advance. (See story for details on where to get advanced tickets.) Visit www.floridabeerfestivals.com for more info.

AROUND BRADENTON THIS WEEKEND:

• , 10104 Cortez Rd., welcomes the Loretta James Band from 8-midnight Friday. No cover.
• Live music from the Muphin Chuckrs at , 3561 53^rd Ave. W. from 9-midnight Saturday. This punk-reggae-rock band hails from Palmetto. No cover.
• , 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., welcomes blues artist Joanne Shaw Taylor at 9 p.m. Saturday. “Funky shuffles, soulful ballads or the hypnotic hookline of the title track (White Sugar album), a burning instrumental, she presents her craft powerfully,” according to Ace’s website. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Click here to order tickets. This is a non-smoking show.
• , 108 44^th Ave. E., is a main sponsor of the Bradentucky Bombers all-women’s roller derby league and is offering free draft beers starting at 6 p.m. before the Bomb Squad takes on the Sarasota Roller Girls at 7 p.m. Sunday at Astro Skate Center, 3611 3^rd St. W. Stop by The Distillery afterward for a post-bout party. No cover but you’ll need a ticket for the bout. Click here for ticket info.
• Vocalist Dustin White and lead guitarist Dan Edwards of the Muphin Chuckrs are playing a special going away party Monday night at , 425 Old Main St., for bartender Heidi Gibson. Get there at 7:30 p.m. for the new “Cork’s Game,” a Bingo-styled tournament. Party and music start at 8:30 p.m. Drink specials to be announced. No cover.