United Against Poverty Indian River County Executive Director Matt Tanner PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

Storm clouds weren’t the only things brewing during the eighth annual Burgers & Brews Festival, an American Heritage Celebration, hosted by United Against Poverty of Indian River County, which celebrated its 20th anniversary this year.

Held this year at Riverside Park, the event celebrates two American favorites – burgers and brews. Local restaurants battled it out in the Best Burger in Indian River County Competition, offering up 11 tantalizing sliders to be decided upon by attendees and a panel of judges.

In the end, attendees awarded the People’s Choice Award to Pepper & Salt BBQ for their tallow-crusted mesquite smoked Texas meets California animal-style burger – a delicious mouthful.

Before making their decision, judges Kenny Holmes, Gifford community leader and former NFL player; Lisa Hastings, wine sommelier and food blogger; Chef Jared Young, American Icon co-owner; and Chef Scott Varricchio, Citrus owner, contemplated taste, texture and presentation. After careful consideration, the Judges’ Choice Award was presented to Wilke’s 14 Bones Barbeque for its brisket short rib burger with jam truffle ranch, fried pickled onion and cheddar.

The Barefoot Cafe, BigShots Golf, the Brennity at Vero Beach, CW Willis Family Farms, Heaton’s Vero Beach, Marsh Landing Restaurant, Nettie’s Roadside Restaurant, Southern Social Kitchen and Bar, and Waldo’s had also flipped great burgers, each adding their own unique ingredients.

To wash all that deliciousness down, American Icon, Islamorada Beer Company, Motorworks Brewing, Orchid Island Brewery, Sailfish Brewing Company, Side Door Brewing and Tampa Bay Brewing Co. tapped an assortment of flavorful brews.

The day also featured a Car Show, with Robert Shoetzel taking First Place for his 1965 Cobra Daytona Coupe, live music, vendor tents and a Kids Zone.

A rather raucous storm swept through and cleared the park for a while, with some taking shelter in the VIP tent. But once the skies cleared, grills sizzled once more as cooler temperatures delighted those who had opted to weather the storm.

The purpose of the event is to raise community awareness of United Against Poverty programs – to anyone who may have a friend or family member who could use its services, as well as those “philanthropic-minded folks that recognize the value of what we’re doing and want to become an annual donor,” explained Matt Tanner, UPIRC executive director.

UP programs are geared toward empowering and inspiring people out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency through four core programs: Membership Grocery; Crisis Stabilization; Workforce Development or STEP (Success Training Employment Program); and Education.

Tanner noted that salaries have not risen at the same rate as inflation and the cost of living, which has “boxed a lot of folks out of their living situations.” He added that 45 percent of county residents are living paycheck to paycheck, according to the recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report by the United Way of Indian River County.

“We are not resting. We are not comfortable as an organization. We know that there are still thousands of families in this community that are just one missed paycheck away from being in a crisis situation,” said Tanner.

For more information, visit upirc.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis