For Hometown News
In celebration of the DeLand Craft Beer Festival on Feb. 9 in downtown DeLand, the MainStreet DeLand Association is declaring Feb. 3-9 DeLand Craft Beer Week.
Each year craft beer lovers make a pilgrimage to the festival in Artisan Alley to enjoy craft beer from breweries across the country and the world, as well as rare, vintage and cask beers. There are also educational break-out sessions and a homebrew competition. There will be events and activities throughout the week leading up to the festival.
Festivities get started with the homebrew competition judging. The judging is open to the public and will be at the MainStreet DeLand Association, 100 N. Woodland Blvd., Suite 4, DeLand, from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 5-6. Home brewers will present their most creative porters and "Valentine Inspired" brews. No food, smoking, perfumes or strong smells allowed.
The festival kickoff party will be from 8 p.m. to close, Feb. 7, at DeLand Abbey, 117 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand. There will be raffles and prizes all night long.
There will be a meet and greet at several locations in downtown DeLand from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 8 to give the public, event attendees, organizers and brewery representatives an opportunity to meet and network the night before the festival. Locations are at www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com.
The week culminates on Feb. 9 with the festival from 1 to 5 p.m. in Artisan Alley in Downtown DeLand.
There will be more than 50 breweries and 120 beers represented at nearly 40 pour stations.
This year's break out session topics include, "The Future of Craft Beer in Cans," "The Growth of Craft Beer in Florida," "The History of Post Prohibition Beer in America" and a Skype session with Southern Tier Brewing Co. Sanford Homebrew Shop also will be on site for a brewing demonstration. The workshops and demonstrations are free with festival admission. The after party continues at nightspots throughout downtown DeLand.
Funds raised at the festival benefit the MainStreet DeLand Association.
Festival tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door (if available). Tickets can be purchased in person at DeLand Abbey (cash only) and at the MainStreet DeLand Association or online at www.delandcraftbeerfestival.com. Must be 21 to enter. No pets. No children, including infants.
For more information, call (386) 738-0649, e-mail info@mainstreetdeland.org.