taste OF LOCAL EVENTS
CHEERS TO FOUR YEARS Raise a glass to Rhythm and Brews Hilton Head. By Barry Kaufman
Rhythm and Brews Hilton Head organizer Jeff Gerber has never been afraid to try new things. While working his way through college as manager of a chain pizza restaurant, he ran afoul of corporate management for introducing items like breadsticks that weren’t on the official menu. The suits may not have approved, but his customers did, as did his store’s bottom line. Likewise, after trading in his volunteer apron for a role as executive director with the Hilton Head Wine & Food Festival, he set about making transformative changes. The event went from a grand tasting weekend to an entire week of events
celebrating all aspects of the island from golden hour get togethers to sip and stroll shopping. His decision to add a Craft Beers on the Beach event didn’t just add a new dynamic to the Wine & Food Festival, it spun off an event of its own that has come to define fall in the Lowcountry. The fourth annual Rhythm and Brews Hilton Head, being held at Shelter Cove Community Park on Oct. 3 with VIP admission at 10:30 a.m. and general admission at 11:30 a.m., will once again offer its signature brew of great craft beer, outstanding local music and casual Hilton Head entertainment. “It give people a great excuse to get out and support local breweries. And it 32
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gives those breweries a chance to share something new with their regulars while introducing themselves to new people. There are a lot of positives to it,” said Gerber. Beaufort County breweries will be well represented, with local favorites like Lot 9 Brewing Co., Shellring Ale Works, Hilton Head Brewing Company, Lincoln & South Brewing Company and Local Legend Brewing Company on hand. They’ll be joined by an array of craft breweries from regional favorites like Charleston’s Snafu Brewing Company and Savannah’s Southbound Brewing as well as national names like Deschutes Brewery and Sierra Nevada. “The whole event is focused on the beer, but it’s similar to the way we’ve expanded on the Wine and Food Festival where there’s a lot to explore,” said Gerber. “We’re going to have spirit and wine tents as well as food partners, so even if you don’t drink beer there will be 15-20 different wines you can try. There’s really something for everybody.” Adding to that sudsy appeal is a dedication to offering great live music acts from local and regional favorites. Previous years have seen acts like Nashville-based singer-songwriter Kaylee Rose, with this year seeing local favorites Exit 8 take the main stage with their dynamic harmonies and vast musical catalogue. But Rhythm & Brews is about more than just what its name implies. The entire day is a full-throated celebration of our community. And if there’s one thing our community does best, it’s giving back. As a partner in Ales for ALS, the festival serves as a showcase for beers crafted by local brewers to fight a heartbreaking disease. “Ales for ALS partners with breweries, sending them hops and letting each one craft their own beer with them. A portion of every beer they sell from that style will then get donated back to help fund ALS research. It’s a win-win because it helps
generate funds for research and makes it easier for breweries to give back,” said Gerber. In fact, it may be a win-win-win. Not only does Ales for ALS get needed funds to save lives and breweries get a philanthropic way to show off their creativity, visitors to Rhythm and Brews get to taste the fruits of that creativity. In a community like ours, almost everyone knows someone who has been stricken with ALS, making those beers all the more tasty. “It’s a terrible disease. And when Ales for ALS reached out before our first Rhythm and Brews it was a perfect fit. If we can do some good, why wouldn’t we? The world can always use some more good in it,” said Gerber. That’s very true. And the world could always use some good tunes, a tasty beer and friends to enjoy them with. And Rhythm and Brews Hilton Head delivers, with a day of celebration offering the latest most inspiring creation from local breweries. Rhythm and Brews Hilton Head welcomes you to sample your new favorite beer on October 3 at Shelter Cove Community Park, 39 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island. Visit hiltonheadrhythmandbrews.com to learn more.