
Back for its 8th year, the DeLand Craft Beer Fest will once again be held in historic Downtown DeLand, but at a new location. According to Fest Organizer Ann-Marie Bays, the fest has simply "outgrown" the previous site along Georgia Ave. As much as the Fest Committee "loves that part of town," the fest is being moved "a couple of blocks north, to Indiana Ave., still in the heart of downtown." The fest venue runs along East Indiana Ave. from North Woodland Blvd. to and including North Alabama Ave. Those streets will be closed to accommodate the brewery tents and foot traffic.
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Fest attendees huddled up inside Persimmon Hollow Brewing at the 2016 Fest |
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Singin in the Rain? Maybe slingin' in the rain last year. But, there was beer! |
Two local Volusia County breweries, Daytona Beach Brewing and New Smyrna Beach Brewing, brewed a Volusia Beer Week Collab Beer, the Eureka Effect DIPA (9.1 ABV, 90 IBU), which is available now at those tap rooms and is expected to be poured at the Fest.
The second signature event of Volusia Beer Week is the "Brews & Bow Ties" 10-course beer pairing dinner held at the Artisan Alley, on Thursday, February 9 from 7-10pm. The dinner is a cocktail-formal event and pairs 10 unique and/or rare beers with dishes prepared by local chefs. As of this writing, limited tickets are available.
If you aren't familiar with DeLand, it's the Volusia County Seat, home of Stetson University (the oldest private college in Florida), and host of a number of 19th-century historic buildings.
Downtown DeLand might be described as "quaint," and it certainly has a small-town feel. Indiana Avenue is dotted with shops and eating/drinking establishments under lampposts. Proceeds from DeLand Craft Beer Fest benefit Main Street DeLand to help support historical preservation efforts and funding of events presented by the organization to protect and promote DeLand's historic heritage. In addition, a portion of proceeds from the Brews & Bow Ties and Bus Tour events are directed to the Children's Home Society of Florida (seeking to protect abused children) and Drink Safe Florida (community awareness program designed to advance safe environments in bars and restaurants).
The DeLand Craft Beer Fest runs from 1-5pm on Saturday, February 11. Limited tickets are available here.
Hey, Mother Nature, get that sunscreen ready! Because the forecast calls for sunny and 100% chance of pouring beer!
It was a crazy afternoon in DeLand last year! For one of the smaller fests around the state, this one packs a lot of beer. It's likely that you will find a new brewery at this fest!
See you around a beer .... in Florida Somewhere! And, if you see me, stop and say Hi!
Cheers,
Til next time,
Linda
Linda Johnson, Certified Cicerone®
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