The Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise, a.k.a. Sunrise Rotary, pulled off another successful event with its fifth annual Florida Craft Brew and Wingfest on Royal Palm Pointe, featuring 70 beer vendors offering taste samplings and 18 local restaurants competing for bragging rights as having the best wings in Vero Beach.
The crowd grew quickly as attendees arrived by car, bicycle and on foot, and even via pontoon boats from Memorial Island, all relishing weather that was slightly cooler than in the past. Attendance numbers have continued to increase since its inception and co-chairs Dr. Stephen Kepley and Arthur Hodge expected 8,000 to 12,000 would show up this year. They noted that the number of craft beer distributors from around the state has increased as attendance has grown.
“The first year we had only half the amount of brewers,” said Kepley. “I think they come because this is a very well organized event. I have been told we are considered one of the top five beer events in the state.”
Similar to vineyards and distilleries, attendees were given small tastes in sampling glasses rather than full bottles. Long lines began to form early for individual taste tickets as well as for bracelets enabling purchasers to have unlimited samples.
“It is always such a great community event,” said Heather Dean, commenting on the number of families attending. “There are so many different people of varying ages coming together and having a good time to support such a great cause.”
Money raised supports the many agencies Rotary works with, including St. Francis Manor, Youth Guidance, CASTLE, and Youth Sailing Foundation, and also funds five scholarships each year.
“It’s 72 degrees, overcast, a perfect day and we hope to exceed 10,000 people,” said board President Buck Vocelle, who thought the event might raise $100,000. “The money we raise today goes into a special fund called Matchbook. What that means is that if a charity comes to us and they say they have a donor that will give them a certain amount, we will match it to make the dollar go further.”
Although the beer was the main draw, many others came to chow down on some of the best wings in town from restaurants across the spectrum, from Hurricane Grill, which is known for their wings, to Osceola Bistro which generally serves more upscale fare.
“For years the wings were left over after we cooked the whole chicken,” said Osceola owner Chris Bireley. “They were the ‘Scooby Snacks’ for my staff. My wife Charlotte suggested we add it to the menu and now we have slowly become pretty well-known for our wings too.”
In addition to the 175 selections of craft beers and the delicious food, four bands – Gas House Gorillas, Southern Exposure, Jeff Vitolo and the Quarter Mile Rebels, and Dave Scott and the Reckless Shots kept everyone entertained.
“We never thought it would get this big. We hoped to attract 5,000 to 6,000 people but with the success of craft brewing it just took off,” said Paul Dritenbas, who originally came up with the event idea to raise money for local projects.
“The event is four and a half hours of fun that seriously benefits our community,” added Vocelle.