Baytowne Beer Fest 2015 Photos

It’s a perfect day in Sandestin and you’re walking through a sea of people, many wearing pretzel necklaces and “cheersing” with glasses full of liquid happiness. Welcome to Baytowne Beerfest!

Beer lovers came together this past Saturday on October 17 for the 8th annual festival celebrating a wide variety of incredible and unique beers. The popular SoWal.com sponsored event always has a a little something for everyone.

Booths flanked the pedestrian walk in the village with 63 breweries from across the country, and some local companies as well – Idyll Hounds, Grayton Beer Company, New Belgium, Oyster City Brewing Company, Back Forty, Sea Dog Brewing Company, Shipyard Brewing Company, SweetWater, Abita, Good People, Sierra Nevada and many more. Live music by The Modern Eldorados and The Owsley Brothers was at the heart of the scene and even local boy scouts were out and about selling soft pretzels to fest goers.

With the boom of interest in craft brewing, the festival at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort grows each year and is a ton of fun. It’s the largest beer event in Northwest Florida and knowledgeable brewers love to share info about what you’re tasting and ingredients used.

There were also exclusive opportunities to taste some craft beers not even in stores yet, such as Back Forty Brewery’s Cuban Coffee Stout. This beer was a great surprise and a personal favorite. Keep an eye out for it. Seeking out our favorites over the next year will keep us happy until the 2016 Baytowne Beer Festival – see you there!