One of South Florida's premier beer events, the eight annual Field of Beers was held Friday January 29th. The event is limited to 375 people and has 15 stations where a beer is paired with a special food selection. The event is in the dugouts and infield at Roger Dean Stadium. Some memorable pairings: Reindeer Chili with Blue spruce Cream Aigre paired with Brewzzi Sour Red ale. Nam Sod, (Thai Pork Salad) paired with Due South's Saigon Blonde which is infused with cucumber, line and jalapeño peppers.The dessert station, out by second base, had Fresh Cider doughnuts paired with Bold City Bourbon Barrel aged Stout and a Pumpkin Ale. The Field of Beers is a culinary delight and it's great to reconnect with many industry people and make new friends as well. The event quickly sold out on-line; in less than five minutes. I missed the on-line ticket nut was able to secure one just before the event. If you wish to attnd next year,check the website in mid December. See you there!

The festival was on Saturday afternoon. This was the 10h annual and the organizers really have everything down. After entering the stadium there is a wide variety of food available. The festival area is set up with tents around the perimeter and a few in the center. The number of people was right as I rarely felt crowded or had to wait too long in line. If there is a line go somewhere else and come back later. As I have done in the past, the idea was to only drink beer that I had not had before. The brewery could be one I know but try only different brews. This worked out well as the brewers try to bring different special releases and there were many new Florida breweries. Barley Mow was in it's customary spot at the entrance; love that red! 26 ° was next; they just opened in Pompano Beach. Another new Florida Brewery Pareidolia Brewing of Sebastian, FL had some good brews. Copperpoint now open in Boynton Beach had a good selection of their brews. They are making all the beer that can to keep up with emend. The day ended at New Belgium Brewing where the Citradelic Tangerine IPA was tried and enjoyed. Nice new brew from NBB, good job. The local rep was continuing a NBB tradition of mailing out coaster postcards anywhere the visitor addressed it to. Mine arrived at work about a week later. As the festival wrapped up we tried several other brews and got some as the festival was closing up. I look forward to visiting the new NBB brewery in Asheville, NC in the spring. Make your palns soon, the 12th annual festivalt will be here before you know it!

With summer arriving thoughts turn to "What are we going to do this year"? This year the answer was: "Go to Camp". Not just any camp...Beer Camp! Sierra Nevada Brewing has had a version of beer camp for several years. They have decided to take it nationwide with a 'rolling festival' that would have 6 stops. In 2014 they hosted something similar and as brewers will do, it came back "bigger and better". There are 6 collaboration brews this year one from each section of the country. Participating brewers met with other brewers from the same area and came together on what unique beer they would brew for the festival and nationwide distribution. For more on the brews click HERE. I attended the Tampa festival, in Curtis Hixon Park, which went well. The planning that went in this endeavor is amazing. No long lines anywhere, plenty of great beers with emphasis on Florida and southeastern brews. There was even an app for your smartphone where you could list brews you wanted to try and review them as well. The festival was broken up into 3 main tents and the collaboration tent which had the 6 beers mentioned above and a few other special brews. I got a great start at Big Storm Brewery with a Belgian triple tasty and authentic. Right on down the line was Cigar City with their famous Hunahpu Imperial Stout an excellent Imperial Stout which I haven't had in years. Many in the first tent were Florida breweries. There are an incredible number of new breweries so plenty of new versions of many styles were had. I enjoyed Bury me Brewing, Pareidolia Brewing Company and many more. Founders Brewing had Devil Dancer triple IPA which was tasty and running out. Food trucks were at one end of the event and there was something for everyone. The event space left plenty of room for people to relax and sit down if they wanted. My final tent was the collaboration brew tent where all 6 were on tap. My favorite became the Moxee Moron Imperial Session IPA. The sunset was good to see as it cooled things off a bit. After a few more samples it was time to go. The exit was the same as the entrance; easy and fast. Thanks to all who made it happen as it was a great event enjoyed by all in my party. We also like the hotel within walking distance with shuttle if needed. View event photos.