KEY WEST BREWFEST IS BACK!

Organizers 1 Key West Brewfest organizers Brad Lutz, Sue Fowler and Charlie Mench practice their beer-tasting talents ahead of this year’s Key West Brewfest. MANDY MILES/Keys Weekly

The Key West Sunrise Rotary Club is making its third attempt to hold its 10th annual Key West Brewfest.

The pandemic forced the cancellation of last year’s event, and the threat of Hurricane Dorian put the kibosh on the 2019 event.

But as of Wednesday afternoon, this year’s 10th annual Key West Brewfest is a go, said Charlie Mench, one of the organizers of the sudsy event that raises money for the Rotary club’s local scholarship programs and other charitable endeavors.

But they certainly make it easy to support a good cause, when the signature tasting event on Saturday, Sept. 4 offers scores of beers, hard ciders, seltzers and other adult beverages.

The $40 general admission fee includes a tasting glass that can be filled and refilled at dozens of booths that pack Key West’s South Beach in the 1400 block of Duval Street for the tasting event. The $100 VIP tickets include early admission into the tasting booths, a T-shirt and passed appetizers.

Always looking out for each other, Sunrise Rotary is also selling Designated Driver tickets for $25 each. Those tickets come with unlimited soft drinks and water as well as a complimentary meal for the responsible driver.

Key West Brewfest starts Thursday, Sept. 2 with a kickoff party, and continues with pool parties and beer pairing dinners at restaurants and venues all over town.

A complete schedule and tickets for individual events are available at keywestbrewfest.com.

“Key West BrewFest has grown to be the largest event put on by Key West Sunrise Rotary,” the club’s website states. “The multi-day festival hosted by Southernmost Beach Resort includes beer pairing dinners, pool parties along with other activities around town culminating with the signature tasting event. Each day offers things to do with events taking place at many restaurants, hotels, and bars all over Key West.”

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.