Next week, the city of Sanford is celebrating its 4th Annual Sanford Beer Week with a multitude of brewtastic events! Sanford has been at the forefront of Central Florida’s craft beer scene and is home to countless breweries and taprooms, making it the perfect place for this craft beer extravaganza. From beer dinners to free tastings and even a beer and cheese pairing, we have the details on where you can celebrate each day.
Tuesday, November 13th
Beer Week Progressive Dinner
Through November 15, 4pm-10pm
Da Kine Poke, Buster’s Bistro, and Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
To kick things off, you’ll be enjoying a special Beer Week Progressive Dinner featuring three courses and beer pairings from Da Kine Poke, Buster’s Bistro, and Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe. Make sure to grab your punch card at any one of the three participating locations. Each location will be serving one course/pairing and you can complete your pairings in any order you choose. Once finished, drop your card off at Tuffy’s Bottle Shop & Lounge for your chance to win a Sanfording gift basket. The opportunity to partake in the progressive dinner will be available November 13-15 from 4-10pm.
A la cart; menu prices vary
Sanford Beer Week at Luisa’s Cellar: International Beer
6pm-8pm
Luisa’s Cellar is celebrating Beer Week with a different theme every night. Tuesday’s wine tasting is free and the theme is International Beer, giving you the chance to sample beer from all over the world.
FREE tasting
Wednesday, November 14th
Brewery Walkabout – Sanford Brewers Celebrating Craft for Sanford Beer Week
November 14-30
Go on a self-guided walking tour of 5 breweries in Sanford: Tuffy's Bottle Shop & Lounge, Deviant Wolfe Brewing, Inner Compass Brewing Company, Sanford Brewing Company and WopsHops Brewing Company. Pick up a punch card at any participating location. You’ll receive a punch for every location where you purchase a pint. Complete the full excursion and earn a special souvenir while supplies last. This beer week celebration continues through the end of the month, so you’ll have plenty of time to get your punches!
A la cart; menu prices vary
Beer Week Progressive Dinner
4pm-10pm
Da Kine Poke, Buster’s Bistro, and Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
See above
Sanford Beer Week at Luisa’s Cellar: IPAs
6pm-8pm
Luisa’s Cellar is celebrating Beer Week with a different theme every night. Wednesday’s theme is IPAs, and it is free to attend and sample.
FREE tasting
Beer and Cheese Pairing
5-9pm
The Imperial at Washburn Imports-Sanford
What better combination than beer and cheese? There will be three different beer and cheese pairings offered. The event runs from 5-9pm, so aim to get there early to ensure all pairings are still available.
$8/pairing
Thursday, November 15th
Beer Week Progressive Dinner
4pm-10pm
Da Kine Poke, Buster’s Bistro, and Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe
See above
Sanford Beer Week at Luisa’s Cellar: Welcome to the Dark Side
6pm-8pm
Luisa’s Cellar is celebrating Beer Week with a different theme every night. On Thursday, the theme will be Welcome to the Dark Side, where you’ll learn about and sample different stouts, porters and malts.
FREE tasting
Irish Beer Flight Night
5-11pm
The Sullivan, A Public House
Make your own Irish Beer flight! Your flight will consist of 4 different 6 ounce samples, which you’ll select from a choice of 9 beers. While you find your new favorite beer, enjoy live music from Cahir O'Doherty from Ireland.
$10/flight
Friday, November 16th
Beer 101 and Tapas at Luisa’s Cellar
6:30pm
This class will teach you the basics of beer and the art of beer pairing.
$25
Saturday, November 17th
Tom & Dan “Bad At Business” Beerfest
12pm-5pm
West End Trading Co.
You’ll need to call an Uber or Lyft after partaking in the festivities with Tom & Dan. This free beer fest takes over a few blocks in downtown Sanford, allowing you to indulge in countless beer samples while listening to live music from Melodic Dissent. Over 17 breweries will be on hand with samples including Wolf Branch Brewing, Red Cypress Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, and Ten 10 Brewing Company.
FREE
Sanford Beer Week at Luisa’s Cellar: German beers
6pm-8pm
Luisa’s Cellar is celebrating Beer Week with a different theme every night. Saturday’s event is free and the theme is German beers.
Sunday, November 18th
Sofas & Suds
2-6pm
Celery City Craft
This fun and free event pits local businesses against each other in a friendly race using modified couches. Spectators should grab a spot by Palmetto and 2nd Street to obtain the best view of the shenanigans. The event will be hosted by Tom and Dan from A Mediocre Time with Tom and Dan. A special VIP ticket is available which grants you complimentary beer, wine, spirits, access to food trucks, and pit row access.
FREE; $35 for VIP in advance, $45 for VIP day of
Sanford Beer Week at Luisa’s Cellar: Sour Sunday
6pm-8pm
Luisa’s Cellar is celebrating Beer Week with a different theme every night. Sunday’s theme is Sour Sunday and the special will be $1 off all sour beers all day long.
Menu prices vary
Monday, November 19th
Sanford Craft Beer Summit 2018
5pm-8pm
Celery City Craft
Held at Celery City Craft, the final Beer Week event will be The Sanford Craft Beer Summit. The summit will feature a number of craft beer veterans who will discuss observations made during Beer Week. All attendees are welcome to join in the discussion.
FREE
About the Author/Photographer
Arlene Laboy is a photographer and writer, UCF alumna, and lover of all things local. A wife and a mother, Arlene shares her love for adventuring around Florida through her Instagram account, @arlenemlaboy. Find out more about Arlene here.
Feature image credit: Stephanie Patterson
