The tantalizing aroma of sizzling burgers, and the chance to help families in need, tempted several thousand people to the 11th annual Burgers and Brews Festival: An American Heritage Celebration to support United Against Poverty and its myriad programs.
In addition to 11 restaurants competing for the title of Best Burger in Vero Beach, 12 brewers offered multiple selections of icy cold, refreshing drinks.
The event was moved to the Indian River County Fairgrounds this year, a new venue that provided more than ample space to spread everything out. The outdoor pavilion, where the restaurants and brewers were, provided shelter from the sun and the afternoon shower that swept through.
A large white tent on the grass filled with tables sat opposite the stage, where the East Harbor Band entertained the crowd the whole day through. Also on the field, people shopped at two rows of vendors, watched a K-9 Demo Show, perused the Car and Jeep Show and entertained little ones in the Kids Zone. In classic American tradition, there was also an Apple Pie Eating Contest, followed by Flip Cup Challenge Contests.
Just past the main entrance, the expansive Expo Center offered everyone a respite from the heat.
Sponsor tables and nonprofit organizations were located in the front of the building, open to all ticket holders, and the back served as a haven for VIP ticket holders to sit and enjoy their burgers and drinks.
This year’s competitors were Costa d’Este Cabana Bar, Florida Irish American Society, Green Marlin Restaurant and Raw Bar, Heaton’s Vero Beach, Jackie’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine, Mangrove Sands Golf Club and Restaurant, Oak Harbor Club, Post and Vine, Seaside Grill, Sebastian Elks Lodge 274, Treasure Coast Technical College and Tuohy’s Downtown.
The brewers ‘on tap’ to wash things down were American Icon Brewery, Beatbox Nütrl, Best Day Brewing, Golden Road Brewing, Good Boy Vodka, Happy Dad Hard Seltzer, Hop Life Brewing Company, Kona Brewing Co, Sailfish Brewing Company, Super Lyte Vodka+Ade, Surfside Cutwater Spirits and Sweetwater Brewing Company.
This year’s judges, charged with chowing down on all 11 deliciously innovative burgers, were Chef Travis Beckett, owner of Wild Thyme Catering; Chef Brian Mock of Wilke’s 14 Bones; and restaurant critic Maribeth Renne.
In the end, Tuohy’s Downtown won the Judges’ Choice First Place Award, securing the Best Burger title with their specialty French Quarter Burger. Green Marlin was the crowd favorite, taking home the 2026 People’s Choice Award, and earning Second Place from the Judges.
Jackie’s received Third Place from the judges and Second Place in People’s Choice. And rounding things out, Mangrove Sands received the People’s Choice Third Place.
Funds raised were targeted for UP programs, which take a holistic approach to create sustainable change by empowering individuals to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency.
Among them, their Success Training Employment Program assists participants to achieve meaningful employment with livable wages.
The Member Share Grocery Program, free to qualified families, offers food and household goods at a fraction of the cost.
Their Crisis Stabilization Program provides emergency support, community-based resources and assistance in creating long-term future plans.
The Build UP program provides hands-on skills training to secure high paying employment in the trades, construction and manufacturing fields.
For more information, visit UnitedAgainstPoverty.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
