Peg's Cantina to Host Florida Brewers' Fest

Peg's Cantina is hosting a most unusual craft beer street party on April 20, called the Berliner Bash.

The gathering of craft beer makers and enthusiasts is to celebrate – and, of course, taste – a low-alcohol beer blend known as Berliner Weisse, Florida style, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The Berliner Weisse beers being brewed in Florida have a fruity taste and attracting quite a following.

Joe Tucker, executive director of Rate Beer, told Tampa Bay Times: "Florida brewers have really put something together. There's been an ongoing stink about it at Rate Beer — it's not a traditional Berliner Weisse because it's brewed with the fruit, the fruit's not added at the end. That's not traditional, and there are purists who would never put the sweet fruit in early. (The style) has gained a lot of attention."

The second annual Berliner Bash starts at noon, April 20, at Peg's Cantina, 3038 Beach Blvd. S. Admission is free, but you must buy tickets to sample the beers. At least 11 Florida beers will be available for sampling.

Florida's first Berliner Bash also was in Gulfport, back in May 2012. For this second one, the street in front of Peg's will be closed for Florida brewers to show off their beers.

There will be fruity beers from Cigar City and Angry Chair in Tampa, 7venth Sun Brewing in Dunedin, Rapp Brewing in Seminole, Funky Buddha in Boca Raton, Green Room Brewing and Intuition Ale Works in Jacksonville, Proof Brewing in Tallahassee and Gravity Brew Lab in Miami.

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