New Times' 19th-Annual Beerfest Returns October 22

Get out your beer goggles, South Florida. We're about to celebrate the 19th-annual New Times Original Beerfest October 22 at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines.

If you attend, you'll be participating in one of the longest-running beer festivals in South Florida, and you'll get to experience beers that run the gamut from dry Irish stouts to Czech lagers, from Citra IPAs to pumpkin stouts. 

New Times' Beerfest isn't one of those fests where brewers come just to bring their about-to-expire kegs of their core beers: Many of them come laden with kegs, like sherpas ascending the highest beer-soaked summit, filled to the brim with interesting and unique flavors in addition to some of their core selection.

This year, you'll find an array of local and nationally recognized brewers, from Bangin' Banjo in Pompano Beach and Khoffner Brewery in Fort Lauderdale to California's Lagunitas Brewing Company and Oregon's Widmer Brothers Brewing. 

Brewers that have been recently added to the Beerfest event lineup include Copperpoint Brewing in Boynton Beach, Mahou 5 Estrellas and Alhambra Cervesa from Spain, and Vermont's Alchemy & Science Brewing. There are even a few newcomers showcasing beers no one has sampled yet (because their locations aren't even open).

To help soak up all those suds, you'll be able to try everything from gourmet tacos featuring steak, shrimp, and braised short rib with BC Cafe to smoked brisket nachos or five-bean chili, compliments of E&J Texas BBQ. Trust us: It's very important to eat during a beer festival, especially one where the brewers bring their A-games.

To add to the excitement, this year's Beerfest is also announcing some major improvements. The slightly revamped event will feature expanded hours from 2 to 6 p.m., allowing the anticipated 4,000 beer aficionados in attendance more time to enjoy samplings of over 100 of the best local and international beers, all while enjoying music from local bands and national acts.

For a limited time through September 16, New Times is offering a special rate for its Four Pour 4-pack ticket options. You can save $86 on a Craft Connoisseur Four Pour 4-Pack that gets you early event entry, or save $65 on a general admission Four Pour 4-pack. 

Craft Connoisseur ticket holders will receive special lounge access to sample specialty crafts not available anywhere else at the event. Special VIP ticket holders will be given access to an area offering complimentary food and larger beer pours, along with access to the Craft Connoisseur section. All ticket holders are given unlimited access to local and international beer samplings from 100-plus vendors, food, and live music performances. General admission entrance begins at 3 p.m., while the Craft Connoisseur and VIP entrance begins at 2 p.m. Buy tickets online at bit.ly/nt_beerfest2016.

The New Times 19th Annual Original Beerfest will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 22, at C.B. Smith Park located at 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines.