Ah, spring. It’s a welcomed mingling of gentle breezes, sunshine and if you listen closely to the wind, an echoing “untz, untz, untz, untz” that surely means you’re about to be swallowed by the Ultra neon tide.
Fear not though, if you can wade through the crowd (aka all of downtown Miami), you may find a spot to grab a cold hoppy one and plot your journey of March’s best craft beer events.
March 1, March 22, March 30: FIU Beer Academy
Continuing your education is a wonderful goal, especially when it comes to the art of brewing beer. Join Barry H. Gump, Chaplin of the FIU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and President of B.R.E.W. FIU Club Matthew Weintraub as they host three different seminars on brewing fundamentals and beyond.
Each course is a hands-on, participatory experience where attendees will get to create their own beer, and for the first time, is available to the public.
March 2: World of Beer Dadeland Anniversary Party
Kids and franchises grow up so fast. Come help mark World of Beer’s first anniversary with a party that will include 50% off of food and 10 selected drafts for everyone wearing a loyalty shirt. Bring your mug for more “loyalty” perks.
For the first timers, there will be other craft beer specials, giveaways, live music and a raffle of some pretty interesting prizes, including a Kona Brewing Company longboard. Note: There is no dedicated longboard lane down Kendall Dr.
March 9: Sprung! Beer Festival
If you’re an Examiner fan (as you should be, hit subscribe!), you’ll see no short supply of hype for the first Sprung! Beer Festival. You’ve probably heard a short list of big name craft breweries including Abita, Brooklyn, Kona, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada and Stone; but an added treat is supporting local upstarts Wynwood Brewing Co. (“Octopus on the Wall” Double India Pale Ale sounds enticing), Schnebly’s, Most Wanted Brewery, Opus Ales, and others.
So you must be asking yourself, “Hmm, should I go to this outdoor all-out beer barrage with unlimited sampling, live music and games?” I think if you’re even asking, you've had too many. Clear your head and your schedule for this craft beer blitz.
March 16: Beer Snob Pub Crawl
There are arguably no better views of Miami than from a bicycle and through beer goggles. Experience both (not simultaneously!) at the seventh Beer Snob Pub Crawl where you can meet and mingle with other bike enthusiasts, visit and receive discounts at the beach and downtown’s slickest bars (The Abbey, Rio Station, Gramps, The DRB, The Filling Station), and burn off a little of those liquid-bread, caloric car bombs the next day will surely bring. Remember to engage your core!
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
Well, we’re no Boston, but we definitely have a love of celebrating all things Irish; “all things,” of course, meaning a stereotypical propensity to binge drink. Hence, you've got options:
Don’t get duped into drinking green swill at Captain O’ Holliflannery’s sports bar chain, this year try some authenticity by visiting John Martin’s Irish Pub and Restaurant in Coral Gables, where the owners are (gasp!) actually from Ireland.
Sometimes holidays feel so confined by, you know, dates. Skip that mess by purchasing a St. Patty’s Pub Crawl ticket that can be used Fri. 15 - Sun. 17. The crawl gives discounts to several South Beach spots including Fire-Bar Lounge, Rok Bar, Dal Toro, Sushi Rock, Catalina Hotel’s Rooftop Pool Lounge and Red Bar.
For those who want to get lost in a green crowd, check out the Brickell St. Patty’s Day Fest, where you can bounce along to some outdoor (most likely house loving) DJs and feel consumed by a general beer loving audience. It’s an 11 hour event so, pack some crubeens.
So gear up, Miami, a March mad with delectable craft beer events is headed your way. First to post a picture of a tripping naked leprechaun headed to Ultra gets a green beer on me.
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