28th Annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival

by Kayla Tolbert

Pensacola’s largest and oldest craft tasting beer event is back for its 28th year. The annual Emerald Coast Beer Festival will return to the streets of downtown Pensacola on September 6 featuring more than 200 beers.

Organized and hosted by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival has earned its reputation as the longest running beer festival on the Gulf Coast.

The Emerald Coast City Beer Fest in Seville Quarter features over 200 craft beers for sampling, featuring more than 50 Gulf Coast breweries and microbreweries.

With multiple vendors, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival features an abundance of local craft beers to sample.

“We usually have about 250 to 300 different beers and other adult beverages to serve,” Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club Treasurer Jim Martin said. “Although Goldring is the main distributor, there are many independent breweries from different areas that attend the event. We expect about 65 breweries and homebrew clubs. Most are from Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Others come from all over the country.”

Hosted by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club and Seville Quarter, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival holds the title of the longest running beer festival on the Gulf Coast. Originally started by the Florida Brewers Guild, the festival was taken over by the Escambia Bay Homebrewers Club back in 1999.

Since then, the festival has grown, multiplying the number of attendees. “We have grown from 176 attendees the first year to 2,500 the year before COVID,” Martin explained.

The Homebrewers Club started with some craft beer lovers in the spring of 1985, back when the craft brew scene only happened in the garages and basements of enthusiasts. Today, it consists of more than 100 members who craft all types of adult beverages including beer, wine, mead and cider. Since its establishment in 1985, the club has developed connections with other homebrew clubs across the country.

In 2023, the Emerald Coast Beer Festival attracted nearly 2,300 attendees, and according to event organizers, they are anticipating at least 2,500 individuals to attend this year’s event.

The festival will also feature a variety of tasty brews and craft beverages from more than a dozen regional homebrew clubs, as well as several major regional beer distributors. Attendees will also be able to purchase food from local food truck vendors and enjoy live music performed across several stages.

“Guests can choose from more than 200 different types of beverages to sample at the event, including seltzers, wines, meads and beers,” Martin said.

The 2024 Emerald Coast Beer Festival will be held on September 6 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola.

With two types of admission tickets available, attendees will have a wide range of fun activities available throughout the day.

For $35, individuals can purchase a general admission ticket that allows attendees to sample over 200 craft beers, receive a 28th anniversary sampling glass, listen to live music, visit various food vendors and gain exclusive entry to the event after-party inside Seville Quarter.

For $80, individuals can purchase VIP admission tickets, which includes everything from general admission, but also gives ticket holders early access to the festival with entry beginning at 5 pm, along with hors d’oeuvres, mead tasting and complimentary craft spirits from local distilleries. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at emeraldcoastbeerfest.com.

This is the perfect opportunity to sample some of the best beers from the Emerald Coast and beyond. With more than 200 craft beers to choose from, you’re sure to find something you love.

For tickets and complete event details, visit emeraldcoastbeerfest.com, or follow @emeraldcoastbeerfest on Instagram.