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Alys Beach Crafted Is An Unforgettable Feast For The Senses

September 15, 2026 by Teresa Lischka

Alys Beach Crafted was created to celebrate the collaboration of talents that come together to enrich the 30A experience. Crafted has grown into one of South Walton's best festivals.

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Now in its fifth year, Crafted is a weekend full of events in Alys Beach, a gathering of renowned craftspeople from around the country sharing the process, the inspiration, and the product of their craft at the Firkin Fête, Spirited Soirée, Experiential Mixology Dinners, and the Holiday Makers Market. All proceeds will benefit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA). The CAA has been the creative core of our community for three decades – 30 years of fostering creativity as our local arts agency in Walton County.

CAA supports the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs, and education. The CAA’s mission is to encourage and promote creativity. With an emphasis on inclusivity and collaboration, the CAA provides opportunities for residents and visitors to experience diverse forms of art and learning, connecting them to broad, critical explorations through artistic expression and engagement.​

The Alys Foundation and Alys Beach are committed to providing cultural experiences for the broader Alys Beach Community, including creative programming, a permanent collection of art works displayed throughout the town’s landscape, and through partnerships with organizations like the Cultural Arts Alliance. Alys Beach Crafted is delighted to support the CAA while sharing the stories that craft tells.

Crafted aims to bring us together in appreciation for the excellence and authenticity of the creative process, allowing us to pick up tricks-of-the-trade, add a new brew to our repertoire and add elegant, meticulously crafted goods to our collections. Refined and beautifully curated, Crafted events cultivate engagement with top artisans, distillers, brewers, chefs, and mixologists for unique, unmatched experiences and a sharing of the stories that craft tells. 

FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: November 11-15, 2026

Wednesday November 11th 5:30PM, Red Loggia at Caliza - Songwriter Round Table Session 

In partnership with the beneficiary of Alys Beach Crafted, the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), we are proud to present a new event that pays homage to the CAA’s signature event, the 30A Songwriters Festival. The Songwriters Round Table will feature American singer-songwriters and 30A Songwriters Festival favorites (to be announced). Cozy up in the Red Loggia at Caliza and listen to the sweet sounds of two renowned musicians, enjoying the stories behind the lyrics as you experience this intimate showcase. Beverages and light bites will be provided.

Thursday, November 12th at 5PM, Red Loggia at Caliza - Experiential Cocktail Dinner featuring Foursquare Rum Distillery + Chef Rob McDaniel 

Join us for an intimate evening at the Red Loggia as acclaimed Birmingham chef Rob McDaniel of Helen and Bayonet presents a thoughtfully curated multi-course family-style dining experience paired with the exceptional spirits of Foursquare Rum Distillery.

Celebrated for his refined yet deeply personal approach to Southern cuisine, McDaniel draws inspiration from the hardwood coals and live-fire cooking of his grandmother's kitchen, transforming cherished memories into elegant, ingredient-driven dishes that honor both tradition and craftsmanship.

Each course will be thoughtfully paired with cocktails created by José Medina Camacho from Adiós Bar and Salud Birmingham using expressions from Foursquare Rum—widely regarded as one of the world's most respected rum producers. Through expertly crafted cocktails and neat pours, guests will discover the depth, complexity, and versatility of Barbados rum, elevating the spirit beyond expectation.

Set beneath the glow of the Red Loggia, this immersive evening celebrates the artistry of fire, flavor, and fine spirits, bringing together exceptional hospitality, culinary storytelling, and unforgettable conversation around the table.

Thursday, November 12th at 5PM, George’s at Alys Beach - Experiential Cocktail Dinner featuring Brown Forman Spirits + George’s at Alys Beach

Join us for an intimate multi-course dinner by Chef Camille Withall of George's at Alys Beach. Known for her vibrant interpretation of regional coastal cuisine, Chef Camille weaves fresh Gulf ingredients together with bold global influences, creating dishes that are both familiar and unexpected. Her thoughtful approach to flavor celebrates the bounty of the coast while drawing inspiration from culinary traditions around the world.

Each course will be expertly paired with cocktails created by Nicole Greenwell of Pearl & Horn using selections from the Brown-Forman portfolio, showcasing how a diverse range of exceptional spirits can complement and elevate the dining experience. Elevated by bright, refreshing cocktails, every pour has been intentionally chosen to enhance the flavors on the plate and invite discovery with each course.

This exclusive evening at George's offers an unforgettable exploration of flavor, craftsmanship, and connection.

Thursday, November 12th at 5PM, The Summerhouse at The Silva - Experiential Wine Dinner featuring Menagerie Wines + Alys Beach Culinary

Join us at The Summerhouse for an elegant evening celebrating the artistry of exceptional cuisine and wines. Chef Drew Dzejak and the Alys Beach Culinary team present a carefully crafted multi-course menu paired with the distinguished wines of Menagerie.

Renowned for producing wines that embody the finest expression of the vine, Menagerie seamlessly blends the enduring traditions of Old World winemaking with the innovation and precision of the New World. The result is a collection of wines defined by balance, character, and a profound sense of place.

That same philosophy is reflected in the culinary vision of Chef Drew Dzejak, whose approach celebrates seasonality, impeccable ingredients, and refined technique. Each course has been crafted to complement the nuance and complexity of every pour, creating a dialogue between kitchen and cellar that unfolds throughout the evening.

Throughout the dinner, guests will be immersed in the extraordinary photography of David Yarrow, whose powerful imagery captures the beauty, drama, and untamed spirit of the world's most remarkable landscapes and wildlife. His work brings a compelling visual narrative to the evening, inviting guests to experience the intersection of culinary artistry, exceptional winemaking, and fine art.

Set within the intimate surroundings of The Summerhouse, this exclusive dinner offers an immersive celebration of craftsmanship in all its forms—where every course, every glass, and every image tell a story.

Holiday Makers Market

Friday, November 13th from 2-4:30PM in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre 

Saturday, November 14th from 10AM-2PM in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre

Sunday, November 15th from 10AM-2PM in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre

Join us in the Alys Beach Amphitheatre for the Alys Beach Crafted Holiday Makers Market on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 2 - 4:30 pm; Saturday, November 14 from 10 am - 2 pm; and Sunday, November 15 from 10 am - 2 pm. This collection of specially selected artisans will showcase their craft, their inspiration, and their stories with product representing the best in regional workmanship. Guests are invited to stroll through the Amphitheatre in Alys Beach Town Center to peruse the works of these makers while learning more about their process and selecting items for purchase as gifts for the holiday season, or as meaningful pieces for their own collections. Enjoy live music while exploring the Makers Market and enjoy a selection of treats and refreshments available for purchase from surrounding Town Center Merchants. Photos with Santa will be available at select times during the Holiday Makers Market. Be sure to stop by the Alys Beach Crafted Merchandise Booth and say hello to our friends at the Cultural Arts Alliance – stopping by their booth to learn more about the CAA and make time create something special with them. This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, November 13th from 6:30-9PM in Central Park - Firkin Fete 

Join us for our 6th Annual Firkin Fête on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 6:30-9 pm in Central Park. Firkin Fête features a unique tasting experience as we tap firkins of beer created by local and regional breweries. The firkins, each an 11-gallon keg, are unique in that no one, including the brewers themselves, can know what the final product will taste like until the firkins are tapped for the event. Firkin Fête will also feature live music performances by Scott T. Smith and culinary creations of chefs from throughout the Southeast. This festive evening is not to be missed!

Saturday, November 14th from 1PM-4PM along North Sea Garden Walk Pedestrian Path - Spirited Soirée 

Spirited Soirée features craft cocktails from hand-selected mixologists from around the country on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 1-4 pm. These talented mixologists are paired with designated distilleries to share both the perfectly crafted cocktail and tastes of their spirits neat. Guests have the opportunity to visit with the distillers and mixologists at each station to learn about their inspiration and the process behind each unique pairing. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails and spirits, and take home some of the new concepts, trends, and products currently setting the beverage world a-buzz.

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Teresa Lischka's picture

Teresa could never get enough of the beach so she moved to SoWal as soon as she could. She loves sharing all things South Walton with the world.

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