USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
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This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 25, No.36
September 3, 2025
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 10 Pages
Section A, Page 1
EMERALD COAST
BEER FESTIVAL PENSACOLA'S LARGEST & OLDEST BEER EVENT RETURNS FOR 29TH YEAR
By Darien Hardy
P
ensacola’s largest and oldest craft beer tasting event is back for its 29th year. The Emerald Coast Beer Festival will return to the streets of downtown Pensacola on September 5, featuring more than 300 different beers and beverages provided by the Rollins Distillery and the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club (EBHC). Hosted annually by the EBHC and Seville Quarter, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival has earned its reputation as the longest-running beer festival on the Gulf Coast. The festival offers attendees the chance to sample over 200 different craft beers from more than 60 breweries and microbreweries from across the country, including Urban South Brewery, Boston Beer Co., Goat Island Brewing Company, Braided River Brewing Co., Grayton Beer Company, Iron Hand Brewing, Timber Creek Winery and Distillery and many more. In addition to breweries, the festival will also host several wineries and area homebrew clubs from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Originally founded by the Florida Brewers Guild, the festival was taken over by the EBHC back in 1999. “It started as an event to get area brewers and homebrewers together for a fun time after Labor Day,” EBHC Treasurer Jim Martin said.
Since the EBHC takeover, the festival has grown to become one of the largest beer events in the Southeast. “We worked with the folks at Seville Quarter to set it up,” Martin explained. “The festival started out in the parking lot in the back of Seville and Apple Annie’s [inside Seville Quarter]. Today, we close the entire street out front and use all the rooms inside Seville. Since being taken over by the EBHC, the festival has experienced tremendous growth, attracting more than 2,500 attendees in 2019. “We have grown from 176 attendees the first year to more than 2,500 the year before COVID,” Martin explained. “Last year was the first time we had rain during the festival, but attendance was still around 1,400.” The ECHBC started with a small group of craft beer lovers in the spring of 1985, back when the craft brew scene only happened in the garages and basements of enthusiasts. Today, the ECHBC consists of more than 100 members who craft all types of adult beverages, including beer, wine, mead and cider. Since its establishment, the club has developed connections with other homebrew clubs across the country. The festival will feature a variety of tasty brews and craft beverages from more than a dozen regional homebrew clubs, as well as several major regional beer distributors. Attendees will also be able
to purchase food from local food truck vendors and enjoy live music performed across several stages. The 2025 Emerald Coast Beer Festival will be held on September 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola. With two types of admission tickets available, attendees will have a range of fun activities to choose from throughout the event. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at the website emeraldcoastbeerfest.com. General admission tickets are $25 for EBHC members and $35 for
general admission before the event. Tickets can also be purchased the day of the event for $40. General admission tickets provide access to samples of more than 200 craft beers with an Emerald Coast Beer Fest tasting glass, live music, various food vendors and exclusive entry to the event after-party inside Seville Quarter. For $80, individuals can purchase VIP admission tickets, which include everything from general admission, as well as early access to the festival with entry beginning at 5 pm, hors d’oeuvres, mead tasting and
complimentary craft spirits from local distilleries. The EBHC will donate a portion of this year’s event proceeds to benefit the Seville Rotary Club and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul AlfredWashburn Center. This is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the best beers from the Emerald Coast and beyond. With hundreds of craft beers to choose from, you’re sure to find something you love. For tickets and event details, visit emeraldcoastbeerfest.com and follow @emeraldcoastbeerfest on Facebook and Instagram.■
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