Walking Tree Brewery was the place to be for beer buffs and foodies last Friday evening, at the Blood Sweat and Beers third annual VIP event hosted by Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach and co-chaired by Linda Scott and Spring Watson. The event was a kick-off for the main attraction, the sixth annual Florida Craft Brew and Wingfest, this Saturday, Feb. 18, on Royal Palm Pointe.
Friday’s affair was a tasty pairing of tapas-style dishes from local restaurants with a variety of craft beers from Florida breweries, including Cigar City, Florida Brewery, Pareidolia, Sailfish, Tequesta, Walking Tree and 26° Brewing, plus a wine cast in bourbon barrels from Varietals paired with English cheddar cheese.
“We added a VIP event to the entire process three years ago,” said Arthur Hodge, Brew and Wingfest co-chair with Buck Vocelle.
Hodge credits Rotary member and architect Paul Dritenbas for laying the groundwork for the overall event, noting “he went to the merchants on Royal Palm Pointe and they bought into it. Then he brought it to us and said, ‘What do you think?’ He wanted something to go with the beer and we came up with wings. It’s grown every year.”
Steve Kepley, who co-chaired with Hodge last year, said they expected the VIP event would draw between 250 and 300 guests; some ticketed, and others sponsors and government officials.
“It’s just such fun to see the restaurants and breweries collaborate,” said Scott. “Everybody has such a good time.”
“I love get-togethers, I love planning, and I love working elbow to elbow with people; this is like a family to me,” shared Watson.
Walking Tree was the perfect venue, large enough for elbow room as attendees moved from one food/beer station to the next, all the while entertained by music from the Jacks Band.
Delectable dishes included chipotle pork carnitas in tiny taco shells by Italian Cousin; a trio of shrimp & grits, jalapeno poppers and crab bisque from Cajun Cove; and Chelsea’s brie and strawberry jam-stuffed beignets which, paired with Sailfish’s “Johnny Stumbleseed Belgian Strong,” was the People’s Choice winner.
Cobalt offered steak and stout pies, Hurricane Grill & Wings featured coconut shrimp sliders, while Fish Shack featured coconut chicken. The Vero Beach Country Club cooked up chili served with southern banana bread, Off the Rail had potato skins topped with curried chicken salad and mango salsa, and Baci Trattoria offered Italian hotdogs topped with peppers and onions with a dessert of raspberry tiramisu.
Bonefish Grill featured seared ahi tuna with passionfruit salsa, Tommy T’s BBQ served up mouthwatering baby back ribs, Osceola Bistro offered marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, and the Italian Grill served up sausage, peppers and onions in marinara sauce.
Sounds of contentment were everywhere.
Funds raised benefit the Sunrise Rotary Vero Beach Foundation which supports numerous community projects and scholarships.