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Coconut Grove got SPRUNG

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From the producers who brought you GROVETOBERFEST, I pronounce that Coconut Grove has been officially SPRUNG!  Peacock Park was full of thousands, eager, thirsty beer drinkers this past Saturday. The Spring/Summer beer festival came into town for the first time ever and they came prepared with over 100 different types of beer.

Beer bar

The event started at 4 and ended at 7PM but, VIP/Press pass holders were able to begin making rounds at 2:30PM!  It’s a good thing Miami time has rubbed off on me since I arrived close to 4PM because, I am not sure how I could have kept up.  I was a little surprised to see it cost $40 at the door but, it’s UNLIMITED BEER for 3 hours so that’s actually pretty reasonable.

Human bowling

Everyone upon arrival received about a 4 oz. cup and a very handy map with beer pouring locations.  There were mostly restaurants and bars serving up some unique craft beers in addition to some liquor stores and various vendors.  About every hour starting from 3:15 was a beer pairing workshop by the Gold Coast beverage distributors.  During the event was also some live appropriate reggae and more laid back music.  Attendees also had the option of buying full beers at 3 designated bar areas if you dislike people breathing on you and the whole waiting thing.

When Joey and I arrived we were pretty surprised by the wide amount of beers available. The VIP tent was even more enjoyable as there was free food and more free micro brews   I must say, the catering company Le Fragole made a fantastic impression.  Joey and I didn’t really want to leave…  This food was not just decent but, it was surprisingly exceptional.  Our favorites included a crushed plantain topped with a tuna salad, some sort of beef empanada with cilantro aioli and a refreshing white fish ceviche.

Beer pong

I was very pleased to see a lot of Coconut Grove businesses and surely recognized some friendly faces.  The lines were not too bad but, after 4PM more and more beer quenchers arrived and some areas did get crowded.  It seemed more like a cluster rather than a line which seemed a little unorganized.   However, that is pretty inevitable and obvious to occur at any gathering involving A LOT of booze.

The set up of the event was in a thoughtful circle, so anyone could walk around being able to score a sample in a rotating pattern. Unfortunately, I cannot recall many of the tastes I experienced from the large amount I drank but, I do remember some of my favorites which were:

SweetwaterBlue from Big Game Liquors-this wasn’t too sweet and had a very mild blueberry taste

Big Rod Key West Ale & Gator Tail Ale were excellent when mixed and brewed from Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery 

*If you’re not an avid brewskie fan the Strongbow from John Martin’s has a great cider from the UK and it’s Gluten Free!*

Vice City Rollers-Chocolate Bacon Cookies: These were the best cookies I’ve ever eaten in my life. It was moist, dense and there were generous amounts of bacon chunks inside…and who wouldn’t love that?  Side note: This awesome roller derby team was holding a bake sale but, I wish they opened their own bakery.

A small food court was set up at the event too for a “munchy” remedy.  There wasn’t too much of a variety which I kind of hoped for.  I know it wasn’t a food festival but, practically everyone was serving burgers and dogs, including Panorama which I expected a bit more from.  Even a fish sandwich would have been refreshing.  Maybe I should just come to the realization I’m a bit of a food snob. Maybe next time the bars could provide and sell some of their own bites to better promote themselves.  It never hurts to have more people eating in Coconut Grove.

The game section was pretty crowded with groups playing corn hole, beer pong and giant jenga. It was $20 to participate in Human Bowling, which is a tad pricey but some proceeds went to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.   I am also pleased to announce that no accidents occurred, which I am kind of shocked about.

All in all SPRUNG! was a huge success with over 3,000 attendees. Even though the festival is over, there will still be many more free beer tastings.  Check their Facebook and Twitter page for future info.  Don’t forget about Florida’s largest beer festival, Grovetoberfest either!

Drink up and be careful this upcoming ULTRA & St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

Can't wait for next year!

Can’t wait for next year!



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