Over 250 craft beers and more at Grovetoberfest

Last year's event in Peacock Park

Grovetoberfest is back for it's third year on Saturday, October 19 and the next day, Sunday, October 20, is the Coconut Grove Seafood Festival. Busy weekend in Peacock Park, the venue for both events.

Grovetoberfest is said to be the "most scenic beer festival in the world." Between 2:30 – 7:00 pm, beer lovers will take an active role in sampling and voting for favorite beers. Interactive elements of the festival include an entertainment stage featuring live music, Brew FIU’s Beer Tasting 101, the Milam’s Kitchen Lab hosted by some of South Florida’s popular chefs, a Resorts World Bimini VIP Lounge, Miami’s Best Homebrew Contest and the ever-popular Safe Ride Home option for those who sample more than they can handle. 

The list is quite impressive with 250 beers to choose from. American craft beer legends like New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, Abita, Bells, Sweetwater, Founder's, Brooklyn and Goose Island, to name a few, will be present. Imports such as Duvel, Chimay, New Castle and Magners will also be there. From a local standpoint, Cigar City, Wynwood Brewing, Miami Brewing, Funky Budha and others will be representing.

Aficionados and the “casual beer fan” will take an active role in beer sampling by voting for their favorite beer in three categories – Domestic, Import and Wild Card. The friendly competition will make it fun for all including the breweries that are eager to become “The Top Beer of Choice” among consumers.

Milam's Kitchen Lab is something new where the Miami Heat’s Chef Michael Jacobs, Chef Giorgio Rapicavoli from Eating House and Chopped fame and Chef Michael Pirolo from Macchialina Taverna Rustica will all conduct food/beer pairings throughout the day.

Home brewers will battle it out with their beer entries in the Home Brew Contest. South Florida breweries will judge these beers, and the winner will be announced at Grovetoberfest. He/she will not only have bragging rights, but their brew will be featured at a local restaurant/bar until supplies last.

Beer Tasting 101 is presented by Brew FIU. It’s a short workshop conducted in an easy and informative manner. Matthew Weintraub, professor and president of FIU Brew Club will be officiating. He’ll cover beer history, beer making, and lastly, beer tasting. This clinic is 20-minutes long and will take place several times throughout the day.

Bougies Bar has booked Liza Quin + The Bureau to perform during the festival at the Bougainvilla Live Music Stage. Liza has been in the music industry for a long time; writing songs, recording back-up vocals, producing and singing alongside several successful artists such as Alejandro Sanz, Jon Secada, Ziggy Marley, Carlos Ponce, Gloria Estefan, Francisco Cespedes, and as a featured vocalist with Ricky Martin on his One Night Only tour and UnPlugged for MTV.

A collection of the best beer-drinking food that money can buy will be at Food Row.

For a separate ticket price, guests enjoy open bar, complimentary food and private bathrooms at the Resorts World Bimini VIP Lounge. It also offers early entry and a commemorative Grovetoberfest glass. VIP entrance opens at 2:30 pm.

After all that beer, you'll need a safe ride home. Grovetoberfest will offer complimentary shuttle rides from the Metro Rail/Coconut Grove station to the event and back. Last shuttle leaves at 7:30 pm.

Tickets – $40 General Admission ticket, if purchased now via www.grovetoberfest.com / $45 at the gate / $70 Beer Socialite Package – Includes early entrance, commemorative glass and souvenir tote / $90 VIP – This ticket offers early admittance, access to the VIP Lounge, complimentary food, a commemorative beer glass and special selection of high-end beer @ VIP Lounge.