Craft Spirits Fest week starts this week

The Craft Spirits Fest (CSF), the original exhibition of artisanal, boutique, craft, premium, small-batch spirits and cocktails returns for its fourth year from September 27 through  October 6, 2016. The CSF showcases spirit producers, bartenders and beverage industry leaders who are influencing today’s resurgent craft spirits and craft cocktail movement.  While the ten-day celebration will peak with the Grand Tasting at the Cruz Building in Coconut Grove, the preceding days are packed with many events.  Here’s a look at what's on tap for the week:

Tuesday, September 27
Rock, Smoke & Barrel kicks off the week of events at Prime Cigar Brickell (1100 SW S. Miami Ave.) from 8-11 pm. Rock music will be playing while you enjoy cigars and fine whiskey. Meet Jonathan Drew, Founder of Drew Estate Cigars and John Drew Spirits. Enjoy Drew Estate cigars, a welcome cocktail and preview samplings of John Drew Rye - a 100% Canadian Rye aged 4 years in toasted oak barrels.  Light bites provided all night.  Availability is very limited.  Contact Prime Cigar Brickell at 786-522-2220 or info@primecigar.com

Wednesday, September 28
The 3rd Annual Women, Whiskey & Wieners at The Mighty (2224 Coral Way) happens from 6-9 pm. This Ultimate Whiskey Wednesday will benefit the beloved industry pro Cesar Diaz’s family (his wife lost her battle to breast cancer this year) in honor of the upcoming Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Featuring the finest women in the spirits industry representing:  High West Distillery, Michter’s American Whiskey, Tullamore DEW Irish Whiskey, Concrete Beach Brewery and more. Whiskey specials all night long,  whiskey cocktails and house-made wieners. Open to the public.

Saturday, October 1
WallBrawl and El Jimador Tequila will team up at the Surfcomber (1717 Collins Ave.) for an amazing night of “live art competition” and tequila cocktails. Vote for your favorite artists and watch “Art Happen”. Open to the public. Details at Wall-Brawl.com

Monday, October 3
The festivities continue with the BareKnuckle Bartender presented by Casa Noble Tequila at Copper 29 (206 Miracle Mile) at 8pm.   Top bartenders will compete to make their best cocktails to earn the coveted title of Craft Spirits Fest’s BareKnuckle Bartender Champ.  Free punch will be served and this event is open to the public.

Thursday, October 6
The Grand Tasting is the Craft Spirits Fest's main event, and it’s happening from 7:30  to 10:30 pm at the Cruz Building (3157 Commodore Plaza) in Coconut Grove.  This event brings together 30+ spirit producers from across the country/world for a comprehensive, large-scale tasting event.  Over 120+ different Spirits and Cocktails will be available to sample.  At bars throughout the building, Miami’s best bartenders from the U.S. Bartenders’ Guild will serve amazing craft cocktails.  Special guest Joaquin Simo from Pouring Ribbons New York - Tales of the Cocktail American Bartender of the Year 2012,  will be joined by local bartenders to bring a little New York cocktail flavor to Miami.  Brown-Forman and William Grant are both presenting amazing bar experiences featuring their spirits on the 2nd and 3rd floor bars.  Pair a cocktail with free food samples from local restaurants and top it off with Relentless Roaster’s Coffee on our terrace.  Tickets for Grand Tasting are $75 and are extremely limited.  

Tickets available at:  CraftSpiritsFest.MixStir.com

Friday, October 6-7
Any great Party needs a great “After Party”.   After imbibing all those great spirits; nothing is better than a nice cold brew.   The CSF Beer Chaser After Party starts at 10pm and will continue until 2am at Taurus: Beer & Whisk(e)y House (3524 Main Hwy)  Attendees of the Grand Tasting receive a complimentary brew plus other food and drink specials throughout the night!

For more information of the Craft Spirits Fest Week of events and for tickets please visit CraftSpiritsFest.com