Fourth-Annual Delray Beach Craft Beer Fest Coming May 8

Delray Beach Center for the Arts celebrates art and culture in many forms, including the art of a well-crafted beer.

On May 8, the city will welcome the return of the Delray Beach Craft Beer Fest — formerly known as the Old School BeerFest — the Center for the Art's signature fundraiser supporting community programs and outdoor concerts. Now celebrating its 25th anniversary season, Delray Beach Center for the Arts offers art through events, theater, exhibits, and classes.

A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for this year's event, limited to 500 participants. Gates open for VIP ticket holders at 6:30 p.m. and include exclusive tasting of all beers, ciders, and wines for the first hour; a commemorative tasting mug; and access to specialty reserve tap releases.

General admission begins at 7:30 p.m.; ticket holders will be able to sample unlimited sampling of more than 100 craft brews, international beers, and ciders from national and local brewers. Big names include Abita, Anchor Steam Beer, Bell’s Brewery, Big Storm Brewing Co., Blue Moon, Brew Bus Brewing, BrooklynBrewery, Certified Cicerone, Concrete Beach Brewery, Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer, Darwin Brewing Co., 3 Daughters Brewing, Florida Beer Co., Golf Beer, Harpoon Brewery, Holy Waters Brewing, Islamorada Beer Co., Keybilly, Lagunitas Brewing, Leinenkugel’s, Miami Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewing, Orlando Brewing, Samuel Adams, Schofferhofer, Sierra Nevada, SaltWater Brewery, SweetWater Brewing, and Wild Oak Artisan Ales.

Live music will provide the backdrop for sampling all this beer and includes a performance by South Florida reggae band Spred the Dub, which will be taking the pavilion stage at 9 p.m. The event also will include food vendors, a gaming area, photo booths, and a cash liquor bar. For those who prefer wine over beer, a winetasting tent will be onsite, courtesy of several vintners, who will serve three varietals each.

The fourth-annual Old School Beerfest will take place Friday, May 8, at the Delray Beach Center for the Arts outdoor pavilion and Old School Square park from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Advance tickets sales are available now for $35 per person general admission ($50 VIP). At the gate, tickets will sell for $40 per person ($60 VIP). To purchase tickets visit DBCraftBeerFest.org, or call 561-243-7922. Old School Square is located at 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. 

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.