South Florida Food & Drink Events This Weekend: Oyster Fest, Homebrew Competition, and BBQ Fest

Congratulations, you made it through yet another working week. You might as well give yourself a pat on the back to celebrate — or better yet, a drink or three. This weekend in Broward and Palm Beach counties, choose from the debut of Oyster Fest, cooking class, homebrew competition, and more for your fun foodie events.

Oktoberfests
It's officially Oktoberfest season, so check out our roundup of all the specials and events taking place throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Pumpkin Patches
Check out our guide to pumpkin patches in South Florida.

Friday

Oyster Fest Day 3
The last and final day of the Oyster Fest at G&B Oyster Bar (429 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale) concludes with a beer luncheon. Starting at 1 p.m., attendees will enjoy a four-course lunch with Funky Buddha beer pairings. No need to dip right after lunch, though. There will be a Rappahannock River Oyster seminar following. Tickets are $45. Visit GAndBOysterBar.com.

Saturday

Homebrew Competition
The third annual Oktoberfest-themed Homebrew Competition will take place thanks to the Fort Lauderdale Firefighters Benevolent Association. Taking place at the Fort Lauderdale Firefighters Benevolent Hall (309 SW 26th St., Fort Lauderdale), the event will be sponsored by Riverside Market and Craft Beer Cartel. Brewers include Hopaholics Homebrew Club, 403 Brewing Co., Mannikko Brewing Co., K Love Brewing, Brunner Brewing and more. The competition starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 with proceeds benefiting the Sick and Injured Fund. Visit Facebook.com/MalteseCrossaleWorks.

Fort Lauderdale Bar Crawl
Why walk when you can crawl, right? The Fort Lauderdale Bar Crawl includes seven stops, beginning with Tilted Kilt (219 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale). Stops include Bar Stache 1920s Drinking Den, Tarpon Bend, Lucky’s Tavern, Crafti Bar, America’s Backyard, and CYN Nightclub. Starting at 6:30, the event costs $20 in advance. Visit FortLauderdalebBarCrawl.com.

Fort Lauderdale Food Tour
Learn more about your favorite Fort Lauderdale restaurant with a food tour. The five stops include Italian food, American cuisine, gourmet market, Asian and Mediterranean dishes. This starts at noon and ends at 2:30 p.m. Can’t make it this week? No worries, this is a weekly event that happens every Saturday. Tickets are $89 for adults, $49 for children 12 and under. This event takes place in Downtown Fort Lauderdale (East Las Olas Boulevard from SE Sixth to 11th Avenues, Fort Lauderdale). Visit FTLauderdaleFoodTours.com.

Sunday

Pumpkins and Pints
What better to accompany pumpkin beer than a nice pumpkin carving contest? At Tap 42, (5050 Town Center Cir., Boca Raton), they understand this concept. Join the Boca location for a pumpkin carving contest and enjoy many of the 20 pumpkin ales on draft. Brews include Boulevard’s Funky Pumpkin Sour, Cigar City’s Seasonal Creep Chocolate Pumpkin, Harpoon’s UFO Pumpkin, and Shipyard’s Smashed Pumpkin among others. Pumpkins cost $5 and carving kits will be provided. Guests are permitted to bring their own carving kits or pumpkins. This event starts at 5 p.m.

Smoke on the Water BBQ Fest
Riverwalk’s third-annual Smoke on the Water BBQ Feast will feature plenty of BBQ for your hungry self. Barbecue items start at $5 each.
Vendors include Smokin’ Hot Ribs & Wings, Jerk Juice Bar & Grill, Sweet Dewey’s BBQ, Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream, Mr. Cobbs Barbecue, and more. For $25, attendees can enjoy the pop-up beer garden courtesy of Stephens Distributing. Taking place at Esplanade Park (401 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale), the event starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Visit GoRiverWalk.com.

Williams Sonoma Cooking Class
Tis the season to learn new cooking recipes! Learn some Fall baking techniques at Williams Sonoma at Gulfstream Park (901 S. Federal Hwy., Hallandale Beach). Admission is free and the event starts at noon. 

For more events, visit our online calendar or pick up the print edition of the New Times Broward-Palm Beach every Thursday. To submit an event, use our online form. 

Natalya Jones is both a food and music writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in entertainment and fun things to do in South Florida, follow her on Twitter.