
What's on deck?: A Bohemian Pilsner, Speit IPA and a Dark Belgian Farmhouse Ale, at Brewzzi in Cityplace, that will be featured at the Jupiter Craft Beer Festival. (Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post)
Update: Field of Beers event on Friday has been sold out. Tickets are not available online or at the door.
Organizers have upped the ante once again for the 5th rendition of the Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival, featuring 175 craft beers from over 50 breweries. There will also be more room this year, as the Fest area, just outside of Roger Dean Stadium, has been expanded by 4,000 square feet, allowing extra space to accommodate the beer tents, “silent disco,” live entertainment, and, among the 3,200 fest-goers, a certain Beer Guy dressed in a monk’s habit.
If you haven’t picked up tickets by now, your chances of getting in (assuming you arrive plenty early) are actually still pretty good. Website sales have ended, but 1,600 more will be available at the door on Saturday. Festival organizer Fran Andrewlevich estimates 97 percent of folks waiting in line last year made it inside.
But this time, there’s a contingency plan in place just in case you get turned away at the gate, or would prefer a little more chill atmosphere. It is called “Craftoberfest.”
A special beer tent will be raised nearby at Jupiter’s Abacoa Green, where those who miss the festival can still enjoy special craft beers (sold by the cup), along with live music from an authentic Oompah band and German eats as well prepared by an authentic German chef. Admission is free.
Friday night’s Field of Beers event, held inside Roger Dean Stadium, has become a very tough ticket indeed. (At deadline time there were still tickets available, but it may be sold out by now. Check out the website jupitercraftbrewersfestival.com to find out.
What might you be missing? Fifteen different craft breweries create special batches of beer and pair them with 15 different gourmet bites of food from a team organized by local chef John Carlino. It is truly a feast for the senses and, in my opinion, well worth the $77 price tag.
As for Saturday’s festival, with more brewers and hence, more beer, the selection will again be dizzying.
Andrewlevich is looking forward to trying several different offerings from visiting breweries, including 2009 and 2010 Great American Beer Festival medalist Cigar City’s White Oak IPA.
He’s also eager to sample a Coffee Porter, brewed by Mike Silvernale, his former assistant brewer and now brew master of Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Flying Fish Brewery of New Jersey and Southern Tier of New York will both be making their festival debut, as well.
The festival is also importing volunteers, 55 of them to be exact, from 12 states and three countries — Ecuador, Canada and Trinidad.
Importing is just fine, but The Beer Guy subscribes to the theory, well espoused by Dorothy of Kansas, that “there’s no place like home.” In that spirit, I invite you to meet and support your local brewers and beer retailers and make sure to sample their products at the festival.
They look forward to this event every year and brew up special batches for the occasion. You won’t find anything fresher or better tasting at the event, I assure you.
Meet Five Local Beer Masters – Who are they and what are they pouring at the fest?

Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post.
Fran Andrewlevich
Head brewer, Brewzzi, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton
Years Brewing: 17
Beer is his life because: “To me, it’s the creative process. You’re constantly creating different beers using yeast, a living organism, and it never gets old. As soon as you think you’re in control, brewing can humble you very quickly. So it’s constant challenge as well.”
Beers serving at the fest: Darkhouse-American/Belgian Farmhouse Ale, Boca Blonde-German Helles Lager, Black Duke Dark-German Schwarzbier, City Fest-Vienna Lager, Bohemian Pilsner.
Favorite beer quote: “Beer will save the world. I don’t know how, but it will” – Anonymous

Photo provided.
Jim Stewart
Co-owner, Al’s Beer City, Jupiter
Years Brewing: 12 years, on and off
Beer is his life because: “I have a great appreciation for its fine craftsmanship as well as teh culture and history that surrounds it…and lastly, beer is in my life because I can’t wait to enjoy the next one. Cheers!”
Beers serving at the fest: Home brew from Treasure Coast Brewmasters: American Hoppy RED, American Brown, APA, Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Wit, Lemon Wheat, English Mild, Oaked Black IPA.
Favorite beer quote: “If it weren’t for great beer there would be no great quotes” – Jim Stewart

Photo provided.
Matt Webster
Head brewer, Tequesta Brewing Company
Years Brewing: 18, 2 professionally
Beer is his life because: “Nothing can bring a smile to someone’s face at the end of a rough day like a great pint of beer.”
Beers serving at the fest: Gnarley Barley-American Pale Ale, Der Chancellor-Kolsh, Terminally Ale-American Brown Ale, Julio’s Weizen-Bavarian Hefe, English IPA, Belgian Dubbel .
Favorite beer quote: “I would trade all my fame for pint of ale and bit of safety” – Shakespeare

Photo provided.
Patrick Fossett
President, Palm Beach Draughtsmen Homebrewers
Years Brewing: 13 years
Beer is his life because: “It is my inspiration for getting up in the morning and frequently the reason I can’t get out of bed.”
Beers serving at the fest: Carry My Bags Porter, Beaver Cleaver IPA, Frau Blucher Kolsch.
Favorite beer quote: “All right, brain, you don’t like me and I don’t like you. But let’s just doing this, and I can get back to killing you with beer” – Homer Simpson

Sally Parson (left) with Nicole Tippe. (Photo provided)
Sally Parsons
Owner, BX Beer Depot, Lake Worth
Years Brewing: 4
Beer is his life because: “The possibilities of brewing and enjoying beer are endless and the people who love and make craft beer are some of the best people in the world.”
Beers serving at the fest: Black IPA, Hefeweizen, Stout.
Favorite beer quote: “Beer is proof God loves us and wants up to be happy” – Benjamin Franklin
2011 Jupiter Craft Brewers Festival Weekend
Jupiter CraftBrewers Festival
When: Saturday, Jan. 29, 1 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
Tickets: $30 at the door (cash only)
Field of Beers
When: Friday, Jan. 28, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Roger Dean Stadium, Abacoa, Jupiter
Tickets: Sold out online and tickets won’t be available at the day of
Craftoberfest
When: Saturday, Jan. 29, 2 to 7 p.m.
Where: Abacoa Green, Jupiter
Tickets: None needed. Beer sold by souvenir cup.
Dan Oliver is a member of the Palm Beach Draughtsmen homebrewing club. He can be contacted at doliver@pbpost.com.