Hogtown Craft Beer Fest, Gainesville 2019: An Afternoon of March Merry-ness

First beer of the fest: local First Magnitude Brewing
Travelers Czech Pilsner: off to a crisp start!
(photo: Linda Johnson/BrewNymph)

March 26, 2019: The Hogtown Brewers Homebrew Club -- that self-proclaimed "merry band of beer enthusiasts with a homebrewing problem" -- once again hosted the 8th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival in Gainesville on Saturday, March 23.  The popular beer-sampling fest returned to the Alachua County Fairgrounds for its second year.  

Just under 100 breweries (including several homebrew clubs), arranged in the signature "pods" generally grouped by geographic location, poured beer of all styles. In addition to the large number of Florida breweries on site, regional, national and even international breweries offered beer to attendees at the sold-out fest (hey, we tried to warn you ahead of time: don't snooze on this in 2020!).  

For those who just couldn't wait to see the fest beer list, or who wanted to plan ahead, there was an app for that, including a list of breweries by name and fest location right there in the palm of your hand. At the fest entry, pick up the printed program and fest glass and ....  go! 

All's Fair at Hogtown Craft Beer Fest 2018, Gainesville

April 26, 2018:  It had: over 100 breweries, six homebrew clubs, 47 special tappings, nine pods, food trucks, music under the pavilion, plenty of on-site parking ... even rain and sunshine. The 7th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Fest presented by the Hogtown Brewers on April 21 pretty much had it all at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, a new fest venue this year. 

This was my sixth trek to Hogtown, and the beertrip once again included more than a beerfest -- it's a Gainesville weekend! 

Beers in a Pod: 6th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Fest

What had 113 breweries, 5 homebrew clubs/shops, around 368 beers, ciders and meads, and 10 pods all in one place? Answer: the Sixth Annual Hogtown Craft Brewers Festival, presented by the Hogtown Brewers in Gainesville, Florida on Saturday, April 22!

Craft beer enthusiasts descended upon Gainesville's Tioga Town Center for the 1pm start of the annual beerfest that features breweries from all across Florida, in addition to regional, national and international breweries. Weather was perfect for beer sampling, with a mix of sun and clouds. What more could you ask for?

Non-Stop Beer Weekend in Gainesville (Fla): Brewery Visits, Hogtown Craft Beer Fest, 5k

When the calendar rolls around to mid-April, you know it's time for Gainesville Craft Beer Week and its signature event, the HOGTOWN CRAFT BEER FEST!

The fifth edition of the Fest marked my fourth year in a row attending (last year's recap here), with my first two times behind the tables as a vendor. 

Organized by the Hogtown Brewers Home Brew Club, this was the second year the fest was held at the Tioga Town Center. While the Fest was the main reason for my visit to Gainesville this time around, that wasn't all -- it was a Beer Weekend in Hogtown -- from late Friday afternoon thru late Sunday morning. So, at the outset, you just might want to put this fest on your to-do list for 2017 when they'll do it again for the sixth time, because it's one you don't want to miss.

It Poured at Hogtown Craft Beer Festival (Beer, that is...)

The forecast for the 4th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival last Saturday, April 18, called for rain and storms.  Little by little, hour by hour, the forecast improved, and it turned out to be a beautiful day for some beer sampling and meeting new and old friends.