International Beer Tasting to feature new twist
The International Beer Festival is returning to downtown Cape Coral next weekend, but this year’s event features an exciting and brand new twist.
Last year’s tasting featured a passport, which, for one price, allowed attendees to visit all participating locations to sample international brews paired with select foods.
While that approach was wildly successful, organizers found a flaw.
According to Community Redevelopment Agency Public Relations Manager Helen Ramey, the event format didn’t give people the opportunity to slow down, really take their time to enjoy the evening.
So, this year, the event is free, with each participating location offering its own great specials on beer and food.
“There’s no need to purchase a ticket, the admission is free,” Ramey said. “Instead of rushing from place to place in order to taste all the samples, people can now travel at their own pace and savor all the flavors of the establishments of the South Cape.”
The International Beer Fest takes place Saturday, Sept. 19, from 5 – 10 p.m., with trolly service running until midnight.
As tasting events have become perennial favorites for owners and attendees alike – the CRA has also hosted martini and wine tastings, as well as an American beer fest, this new approach to the event seems to have caught the favor of everyone involved.
Twisted Conch owner Karen Scarbrough said she has expanded her customer base from the most recent martini tasting competition.
Along with her husband Bob, the Scarbroughs took over ownership of the Twisted Conch in December 2008, so the martini competition was their first “taste,” so to speak, of the potential of these unique events.
“Whatever we can do to have people come down and check out downtown Cape Coral and the Twisted Conch is great,” she said. “And to see them come back … we love that!”
The Twisted Conch will be offering El Presidente draft beer from the Dominican Republic for $2, and conch fritter for $4.99.
Even with that special, Scarbrough said the Twisted Conch wants to keep the older approach alive by offering free samples.
“We want to give back and keep that alive and encourage people to come down to the Twisted Conch and relax,” Scarborough said.
Much like the Scarbroughs, Mary Ann Evans, owner of Leapin’ Lizard, thinks the tasting events have had a positive, lasting impact on the downtown corridor of Cape Coral.
“We definitely get new people in the door,” Evans said. “A lot of people see our patio and don’t realize there’s a restaurant and three bars in here.”
The Leapin Lizard is offering a whole host of German-inspired dishes and brews.
Evans added that a large part of her business’ client base is from Germany, so she decided to start Oktoberfest a little early this year.
“We have an awful lot of German clients,” Evans said. “So we’re planning to carry German food all the way through Oktoberfest, to the end of October … we’re using the event as an excuse to kick off our own little Oktoberfest here.”
The Leapin’ Lizard is offering bottles of St. Pauli Girl for $3, and Beck’s and Warsteiner drafts for $3.
The restaurant’s food offerings includes grilled bratwurst and kraut on a roll for $4.99; rueben corned beef for $5.99; hot German potato salad for $2.50; and sauted bone-in veal chop with mushrooms, spatzle, red cabbage and apples for $10.99.
Joining Leapin Lizards and the Twisted Conch are for the event are Back Streets, which is offering Peroni beer for $2 and pizza slices for 99 cents; Rack ’em Billiards with New Castle beer for $3.50 and hot dogs for buck; Mardi Gras with Imperial beer and Empanada’s for $5; Pearl Lounge with Corona and Jalapeno poppers for $10 and Kirin Ichiban and a sushi sampler for $10; Paradise Tiki Hut with a variety of Carribean beers for $3 and pork loin in a jerk sauce for $6.95; Monkey Bar and Steakhouse with Dos Equis beer drafts and taquitos for $3; and finally Sushiyaki with Kirin Ichiban and Mexico roll sampler for $5.
Also running that night will be the downtown free trolly system, which will connect the participating establishments via a continuous route.
With the exception of Sushiyaki, riders will be able to get dropped off right in front of all location. People looking for Sushiyaki will have no difficulty, however, as they get dropped off right behind the restaurant and just have to make their way around to the front.
Even though the format has changed since the first tasting events, the purpose is the same.
According the Ramey, the International Beer Tasting event allows people to get out for a night on the town at reasonable prices, and support local businesses in the process.
“People can take a trip around the world without leaving the comforts of Cape Coral,” she said.
For more information, contact the Community Redevelopment Agency at 549-5615.