Key West Brewfest started in 2010, and exploded with popularity amongst craft beer lovers in the United States. Word got around that Key West had developed a great taste for deliciously, brewed beer, and supporters keep growing in numbers.
The Key West Brewfest is held during Labor Day weekend, usually the last Thursday of August thru the following Monday. Famous breweries from all over the U.S. come to show off their latest specialty beers at the main beer tasting event on the Saturday. From Thursday to Sunday, Key West will be filled with events for the Key West Brewfest such as a beer school, beer seminars, football tailgating, pool parties, beer dinners, and meet and greets with the BrewMasters. Events will be held at places like 2 Cents, The Porch, World of Beer, Krawl Off Duval, The Green Parrot Bar, Old Town Manor, Smokin’ Tuna Saloon, and the Rum Barrel, just to name a few.
The city of Key West comes together as a community to throw different parties and events for the Brewfest throughout the weekend, and then come together for the main event. The main beer tasting event is on Saturday, and is located on the beach at the Southernmost Hotel’s beach. So if you walk East all the way to the end of Duval Street, you will hit the Key West Brewfest. The Brewfest raises money and benefits the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of the Conch Republic. In five years, the Key West Brewfest has raised over $30,000 for the Rotary Club.
Brewfest visitors can get a chance to try some local brews from the homebrewers club, when they compete against each other in Old Town Manor. Some flavors these brewers have come up with include mint chocolate chip, and apple pie cider. Visitors get to cast a vote and determine which homebrew was the crowd favorite. Portion of the proceeds received for this event will benefit the Key West B.U.B.B.A., otherwise known as Brewers United Brewing Better Ales.
Beers and breweries involved with the Key West Brewfest include Stella Artois, Lagunitas, SweetWater, Founders, Swamp Head, Abita, Cigar City, Due South, Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn Brewery, and Stone Brewing Co. to name just a few. Tickets for the event are $35 in advance, or $40 at the door for the Saturday tasting event. VIP tickets will cost $75. For any of the events outside of the Saturday tasting will have to be reserved, and tickets bought ahead of time. For times, dates and more information on the events, please visit the official Key West Brewfest website.