Brewfest 2010

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — More than 60 beers and ales including unique microbrews are to be on tap at Key West BrewFest, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Sept. 3-5, beside the Atlantic Ocean.

Also featuring mouthwatering food and live reggae and calypso music, the Labor Day weekend celebration is hosted by the Southernmost Hotel Collection and the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club of the Conch Republic. Proceeds are to benefit the club and its charitable efforts both locally and worldwide.

The selection of beers is to include such intriguingly named offerings as Holy Mackerel, Monk in the Trunk, Magic Hat, Dogfish Head Raison D’Etre and UFO White as well as widely recognized specialty brews. Local favorites such as Key West Sunset Ale and Bubba are to be on hand as well.

“I thought that because so many of us enjoy beer in Key West to replenish our fluids on hot summer days, we should celebrate beer in some fashion,” said festival founder Matthew Babich, general manager of the Southernmost Hotel Collection and president of the Key West Sunrise Rotary Club.

BrewFest begins with a 5-7 p.m. VIP welcome party Friday, Sept. 3, at the Shores Bar at Southernmost on the Beach Hotel, 508 South St. A $5 donation is requested.

S_Most Beach CafeThe festival’s centerpiece, a lively oceanfront food and brew gala, is set for 4-8 p.m. Saturday at Southernmost on the Beach. Attendees can taste featured beers, savor food provided by the Southernmost Beach Café and rock to the reggae sounds of Toko Irie. Admission is $20 per person.

Lovers of libations will find fine ale, lager, stout and other brews paired with fine food Sunday during the six-course Samuel Adams Beer Dinner. Slated to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Southernmost Beach Café, 1405 Duval St., the feast features such palate–pleasers as blackened shrimp over arugula, chilled lobster gazpacho, grilled swordfish with a citrus drizzle and dark chocolate lava cake. Cost is $50 per person plus tax and gratuities.

For event information, ticketing and Southernmost Hotel Collection accommodations packages, visit www.keywestbrewfest.com, call 800-354-4455 or e-mail info@keywestbrewfest.com.

For additional lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or visit the Keys website at www.fla-keys.com.

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