Introduction to Ocean Brews & Blues 2025
The dog days of May are back in South Florida, but that also means Ocean Brews & Blues, one of the state’s largest beer festivals, is just around the corner. The eighth annual event in Deerfield Beach, this year also celebrating the city’s centennial, will take place on Saturday, May 17, with at least 120 brands showcasing more than 170 beers from across the Sunshine State and beyond.
Along with a wide array of craft beer — spiked with a selection of spirits, wine, ciders and seltzers — the location just steps from the sand at the Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier makes Ocean Brews & Blues one of the more distinctive places to sample new brews.
Participating Breweries
The list of participating breweries includes a growing number of local favorites from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, led by hometown Cove Brewery, which will debut a beer brewed for the city, a honey blonde ale called Deerfield Beach Centennial. Others include 3 Sons Brewing, Funky Buddha, LauderAle, Invasive Species, Gulf Stream, Uncommon Path, Pompano Beach Brewing, Barrel of Monks, 26 Degree, Crazy Uncle Mike’s, Prosperity, NOBO, Lost City, MIA and La Tropical, among others. The newest will be Voodoo Brewing, which opened in Oakland Park on April 15.
Curating the List of Breweries
Frank Barecich, who has helped organize and promote the festival since the year after it debuted in 2017, has the unenviable task of curating the list of breweries. “We try to get as many of the locals as possible. There are a lot of really talented brewers in the tricounty area, and South Florida is definitely a hot spot for some really well-known breweries,” Barecich says. New residents may be surprised at what they taste at Ocean Brews & Blues, he says. “There are ingredients in the South Florida area that aren’t used by brewers in other states. People get pretty creative, and there’s some really good stuff that comes out from a lot of the locals that you will not find in other places.”
Out-of-Town Breweries
Out-of-town breweries worth checking out at Ocean Brews & Blues will include Heretic Brewery (Fairfield, California), Prairie Artisan Ales (Oklahoma City), Melvin Brewing (Alpine, Wyoming), Soulmate Brewing Co. (Morrisville, Vermont) and Magnanimous Brewing (Tampa).
Music and Activities
Of course, beer will not be the only thing to enjoy at this free-admission festival. The blues part of the equation will come from a quartet of top local bands: Blues Fuze with David Hadley Ray, Low Ground Trio, Shaw Davis & the Black Ties and The Shaelyn Band. “You can enjoy the music for free, and there are food vendors, other vendors, activities, all sorts of stuff happening besides the [beer] sampling side. There’s something for everybody. It’s family friendly, pet friendly and, best of all, people love it because it’s free,” Barecich says.
Event Details
Returning to the Main Beach Parking Lot in Deerfield Beach on May 17, Ocean Brews & Blues is one of the largest craft-beer festivals in Florida. Admission to Ocean Brews & Blues is free, but a sampling ticket gets you unlimited servings of beer in a souvenir glass. Tickets for general-admission sampling, beginning at 4 p.m., cost $55+ in advance, while VIP tickets are currently set at $100+. VIP includes early sampling access at 3 p.m., along with access to a VIP tent and VIP-only beers and food. Proceeds benefit the Deerfield Beach Rotary Club.
If You Go
Event Information
- WHAT: Ocean Brews & Blues
- WHEN: 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 17
- WHERE: Deerfield Beach Main Beach Parking Lot, 149 SE 21st Ave.
- COST: Free admission; unlimited sampling tickets cost $55+ and VIP tickets (early entry at 3 p.m.) cost $100+; enter code SENTINEL for a $10 discount
- LINEUP: Blues Fuze with David Hadley Ray (3-3:45 p.m.), Low Ground Trio (4:15-5 p.m.), Shaw Davis & the Black Ties (5:30-6:30 p.m.), The Shaelyn Band (7-8 p.m.)
- PARKING: Free shuttle will run from St. Ambrose Catholic Church parking lot, 380 Federal Highway, between 2:30 and 9 p.m.
- INFORMATION: OceanBrewsAndBlues.com
Conclusion
Ocean Brews & Blues 2025 promises to be an exciting event with a wide range of craft beers, live music, and activities for all ages. With its unique location and variety of participating breweries, it’s an event not to be missed. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out, Ocean Brews & Blues has something for everyone.
FAQs
- Q: What is Ocean Brews & Blues?
A: Ocean Brews & Blues is a craft beer festival featuring over 170 beers from 120 brands, live music, and activities. - Q: When and where is the event?
A: The event takes place on Saturday, May 17, at the Deerfield Beach Main Beach Parking Lot. - Q: Is admission free?
A: Yes, admission is free, but sampling tickets are required for unlimited beer servings. - Q: Can I bring my pet?
A: Yes, the event is pet-friendly. - Q: How can I get a discount on sampling tickets?
A: Use the code SENTINEL for a $10 discount on sampling tickets.
