Yes, friends, it’s still winter; a frost-filled February is surely on deck for most of the country. Here in sunny South Florida, however, the only frost you should expect to see is the kind accumulating on the side of your favorite beer mug.
Plus, with time away from last month’s South Florida Beer Week and the very first Miami Beer Festival, you should be fully recuperated and ready to don your fur-lined chancletas, leather coat and sunglasses to brave the 63 degrees. Here are some events to help you stay warm:
Feb. 2: Miami Beach Beer Festival
Boasting “over 50 big-name breweries and craft brewers,” Miami Beach Beer Fest, AKA Beach Brews Beer Fest (on Facebook), is a one-stop spot for three hours of sampling a full range of flavorful combinations from light and hoppy to the dark and malty.
Hometown heroes Fourth Age Brewing, Opus Ales, Misfit Homebrewers, Schnebly Miami Brewing Company, Moron Brothers Brewing Company, Most Wanted Brewery, and Subvert Ales will all be on hand to represent Miami’s burgeoning craft beer scene alongside Melbourne neighbors Florida Beer Company and Ft. Lauderdale’s Holy Mackerel Beers.
And of course, craft beer superstars Abita, Sierra Nevada and many more will join Florida’s breweries at the ample sized Miami Beach Convention Center on Feb. 2. Your only “Groundhog Day” moment should be the feeling of déjà vu when you reach the next booth for yet another tasty brew.
Oh, and if three hours of drinking and walking in a circle isn’t enough, keep the party going with an after party at either the on-site dance party with DJ Bill or head to Clandestino’s where you can slur/scream “Hey I just saw youze!?!” at strangers without judgment. Take your stub to receive 15 percent off your tab.
Feb. 1-3: Super Bowl tastings at Total Wine
Sure, you may be the nacho king of your Super Bowl parties, but do you know how to pair that jalapeno cheese dip with the right IPA? Find out at one of the various, free in-store tastings at Total Wine from Feb. 1 to 3.
Feb. 4, Feb. 19, Feb. 25: Sprung! Beer Festival tastings
In case you've been living under a coaster, March’s upcoming Sprung! Beer Festival is the other side of Grovetoberfest’s coin. And in a gesture of genuine palate preparation, the good people behind the event have organized several free tastings of featured craft beers at some of Miami’s low-key bars with high taste.
Feb. 22: South Beach Wine & Food Festival, “Beer tasting with Spiegelau: Does the glass make a difference?”
The Food Network’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival juggernaut has no short supply of both wine and beer connoisseurs with knowledge that ranges from tasting fruits and spices to serving recommendations and glassware.
Join Spiegelau VP of Sales Matt Rutkowski as he guides you through the best way of serving a fine brew. The BREW FIU Brewing Club, comprising current and former students of Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, will be providing all of the craft beers to pair with the perfect vessel.
So beer lovers, with all these events this month, there's no reason to doubt taking your sweetie out for a chocolate stout. Happy February!
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