USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 26, No. 35
September 2, 2026
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 10 Pages
Section A, Page 1
local breweries at the festival, including The Prost Office Brewery (Milton), Rollins Distillery (Gulf Breeze), Yale Brothers (Navarre), McGuire's and Pensacola Bay Brewery.
a little five ounce sampler, and you walk around and fill as many times as you think you're able." Alternatively, you can connect with an EBHB member to receive 25% off your ticket. Anyone who does not already know a member can email the web address info@ escambiabayhomebrewers.org or visit the EBHB’s FaceBook page to meet one. Individuals can upgrade their experience with VIP tickets, offering a limited-edited stainless steel sampler mug; exclusive limitedrelease beers, wines and meads; and access to select distilled spirits. There will also be complimentary food as well as a private air-conditioned lounge to retreat from the heat. VIP ticketholders can also receive a 10% discount from any EBHB member. Patrons with VIP tickets who do not know a member can utilize the same email address or FaceBook page above to connect with one. Only a limited number of VIP tickets are still available for purchase. Whether you're coming for the variety of bold flavors and unique pours; the fun, welcoming and community-centered atmosphere; or looking to support a great cause, Emerald Coast Beer Fest is a mustattend event for those 21 years and older. Tickets are selling out, so get yours while you can, and do not forget your ID on the day of the festival. To purchase tickets or learn more about the festival, visit emeraldcoastbeerfestival.com and get updates by following @emeraldcoastbeerfest on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the EBHB and other upcoming events visit the website escambiabayhomebrewers.org.■
CHEERS TO 30 YEARS EMERALD COAST BEER FESTIVAL RETURNS
By Nic Fenger
P
ensacola's longest-running and largest craft beer tasting event returns to downtown Pensacola on September 11 from 5:30 to 9 pm, celebrating its 30th anniversary with an evening of craft brews, community and remembrance. The Emerald Coast Beer Festival brings together breweries from across the region, giving attendees the chance to sample a wide variety of craft beers while supporting a meaningful cause. This year's festival takes on added meaning as it commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, giving attendees a chance to come together in remembrance while
enjoying one of Pensacola's favorite annual events. The festival began as the vision of Steve Freed, one of the founding members of the Escambia Bay Homebrewers (EBHB). Today, the EBHB and Seville Quarter host the annual celebration, providing a place for the community to tap into tasteful beer and appreciate artisanal breweries from all over the southeast. “We have in the neighborhood of about 100 members in the club now between Escambia and Santa Rosa counties,” EBHB President Paul Wallis said. “They brew a variety. You think Beer Fest — it’s all beer. Escambia Home Brewers is all about meads, wine and beer. So, we've got the whole gamut of brewers in the club, and there's even a
few distillers, as personal distilling has become more acceptable.” Originally created as a fundraiser for the club, the festival has grown into the largest beer festival on the Gulf Coast and one of the top beer festivals in Pensacola. The festival is a gathering place for beer enthusiasts, brewers and the community, providing an exciting and welcoming environment for brewers to showcase a wide selection of craft beers, meads and wines. Today, proceeds continue to support the EBHB while also benefiting local charities. This year’s festival will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, with a portion of the proceeds helping the organization continue its mission of connecting children facing adversity with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, encouragement and support. Along with supporting a great cause, attendees can sample over 250 craft beers produced by breweries of all sizes from all over the country. A variety of artisanal meads and premium wines will also be available for tasting, providing plenty of options to explore throughout the evening. “You can go through and taste little samples here and there, and if you like it, you get a little bit more,” Wallis said. “If you don't, find a swell bucket and pour it out.” Major breweries such as Anheuser Busch, Miller and Sam Adams will be at the event. Smaller breweries and their craft beverages will also feature at the event strongly, including Chattahoochee Brewing Company from Phenix City, Alabama; Urban South from New Orleans and Boston Beer Company. Patrons can look forward to sampling brews from a variety of
“A lot of really good brewers are home brewers, and this is a big event, so they go all out and brew some really interesting beers — beers you probably never thought of tasting.” As usual, a number of different local homebrewers clubs will also feature alongside the big-name and local breweries to showcase bold artisanal brews that few patrons may find in liquor stores. “So far, we have nine different homebrew clubs that are coming this year,” Wallis said. “A lot of really good brewers are home brewers, and this is a big event, so they go all out and brew some really interesting beers — beers you probably never thought of tasting.” At the event, be on the lookout for clubs such as Random Acts of Brewing, Knights of the Hop Table, Crescent City Homebrewers and many more. You will not want to miss their creative concoctions. General admission tickets can be purchased online at bit.ly/ ECBF30 for $47.20 per ticket. Different promo codes can be applied to the tickets to receive a discount. “General admission tickets are $35 after a promo code, and that gets you in," Wallis said. "You get
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