Beers and Frankfurts Global Corner & Emerald Republic Team up for Frülingfest by Sean Williams If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good lager. Germany is known for its hearty food and even heartier beer, but it’s hard to find the “real thing” somewhere as far away from Germany as Pensacola. Thankfully, The Global Corner is hosting its own Frülingsfest, a German festival sometimes called the “Spring Oktoberfest,” this April to bring that “real thing” to town with traditional food, beer, music and more. The Global Corner and Pensacola’s Emerald Republic Brewing Company are teaming up to hold a German-styled cultural festival on April 24 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Being called a “Spring Oktoberfest,” this event aims to celebrate German culture by providing guests with authentic German food alongside a oneof-a-kind lager brewed just for this event by Emerald Republic. Tickets will cost $50 each or $90 for a pair of them beforehand and $60 at the door with around 100 spots available.
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Vanessa Mayes, the director of The Global Corner, says that this event will be one of two held each year. “These fundraisers come with the goal of educating the community about world cultures with one country being featured each year,” says Mayes. “This year, Global Corner has taught over 6,000 children in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties about Germany and hopes to bring a taste of this European country to Pensacola with Frülingsfest.” The Global Corner is a notfor-profit organization that works to educate children across the Pensacola community about other countries, languages and cultures. For the last 13 years, The Global Corner has continually visited elementary schools to highlight the intricacies of cultures from around the world. Since 2008, the Global Corner has shown more than 75,000 of its “virtual international adventures” of countries like Italy, Kenya, Japan and more.
“We bring the geography, language, art, music, dance, and stories of a day in the lives of children from a particular country,” Mayes explains. “Our two-and-a-half hour in-school immersion program expands children’s horizons and opens their hearts and minds to promoting global competency and nurturing cultural appreciation.” Mayes says that, with local schools teaching geography less and less, if at all, The Global Corner opens the door for students to learn about the world in ways they otherwise would not be able. “The Global Corner meets a need in the learning gap that exists in social studies education,” says Mayes. Frülingsfest will be an extension of these efforts by bringing The Global Corner’s mission to adults. While attendees won’t be able to experience the “virtual adventures” shown to elementary students, they will be treated to delicious, traditional German food and beer. More than that, Frülingsfest will be a fundraiser for The Global Corner’s efforts in the classroom. The proceeds will go toward funding The Global Corner’s educational programs and curriculum for next year. Phil Zayas, owner and brewer of the Emerald Republic Brewing Company is excited to host Frülingsfest
alongside The Global Corner. Emerald Republic will provide both a space for the event and a specially crafted beer typical for a traditional Frülingsfest. “They approached the brewery about hosting the fundraiser and making an authentic German beer, so that is what we’re doing,” says Zayas. “Even though we have two different mission state-
“Even though we have two different mission statements: we make beer and they make kids smarter, we found that we’re a good fit for this year’s event.”
ments: we make beer and they make kids smarter, we found that we’re a good fit for this year’s event.”
Zayas explained that a “helles” is a traditional lager for a German Frülingsfest. Typically, a helles is reserved for late spring or early summer, so it will fit right in with Pensacola. Emerald Republic will have plenty of beer to go around, and Global Corner will bring along its own selection of German food. “Typically, in Frülingsfest, there’s a few different types of beers like a Maibock, pilsners and helles, which are actually pretty popular for Frülingsfest. We’ll have helles, which is a German white lager. It’s crisp and something that can be drunk in the summer heat,” said Zayas. As for the décor, Zayas is leaving it up to Global Corner “I’m leaving the German décor to someone who knows Germany a lot better than me. Global Corner will be decking out the facility with traditional German decorations.” This year’s Frülingsfest will likely see other breweries around Pensacola hosting their own German brews, but only the Global Corner’s fundraiser offers the truest German experience. Food, beer and more will all come together that night to provide a glimpse into what a typical German festival really looks like. For more information, visit theglobalcorner.org or call (850)-332-6404.
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