THE BUZZ FROM KEY WEST’S BREWFEST

No one went thirsty over Labor Day weekend in Key West, where the annual BrewFest kept the hot crowds cool with pool parties, boat trips, beer-pairing dinners and the signature tasting event on Sept. 2.

Though the sad news of Jimmy Buffett’s death made its way through the crowd, attendees celebrated the songwriter’s life as he would have wanted — with drinks in their hand and a necklace made of pretzels around their neck. 

Organized by Key West’s Sunrise Rotary Club, the event raises money for local scholarships while serving samples of more than 100 varieties of craft beers, hard ciders and other frothy adult beverages.

Local hotels, restaurants and boats hosted special events, dinners and pool parties throughout the holiday weekend.

The final fundraising tally is still being calculated.

No one went thirsty over Labor Day weekend in Key West, where the annual BrewFest kept the hot crowds cool with pool parties, boat trips, beer-pairing dinners and the signature tasting event on Sept. 2. Though the sad news of Jimmy Buffett’s death made its way through the crowd, attendees celebrated the songwriter’s life as he would have wanted — with drinks in their hand and a necklace made of pretzels around their neck. Organized by Key West’s Sunrise Rotary Club, the event raises money for local scholarships while serving samples of more than 100 varieties of craft beers, hard ciders and other frothy adult beverages. Local hotels, restaurants and boats hosted special events, dinners and pool parties throughout the holiday weekend. The final fundraising tally is still being calculated.
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.