Everything You Need to Know About the Island Hop Craft Beer Fest
Image courtesy of Meerkat Media Group
The 3rd Annual Festival Returns to Fernandina Beach
Mark your calendars for the Island Hop Craft Beer Fest on Saturday, October 7th, 2023! This family-friendly event is a local favorite every fall where friends and family can get together and enjoy the best food, drink and entertainment Amelia Island has to offer.
We are so excited to not just be a part of the event at Central Park, but the Timoti’s family of businesses will be joining in the festivities on Friday, October 6th and Sunday, October 8th. Duck Pinz will be hosting the free pre-party to start the weekend and MacGregor’s will be treating attendees to discounted mini golf to close things out.
Tickets are available here — children under 12 admitted for free!
Meet the Local Breweries and Distilleries
This year promises to be the biggest and best yet! There will be over 20 alcohol vendors on the day of the event and seven are local to the Amelia Island area.
It’s a virtual pub crawl—without the need for any extra steps.
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Amelia Island Brewing Company
Amelia Island Brewing Co. is a small-batch brewer located in downtown Fernandina Beach. (In fact, their tap room is approximately 450 steps from the front door of Timoti’s Seafood Shak!)
They have been keeping all of the locals well-watered with their signature ales and IPAs since 2016. If you’re looking for a real treat, try the “Laura Joe”, a rich brown coffee porter with notes of espresso and toffee.
Mocama Beer Company
With a name that recognizes both the native Timucuan people and original Spanish settlers of Florida, Mocama Beer Company has wasted no time in making that name their own.
You can’t go wrong with any of their locally brewed beers, but for the full Mocama experience reach for their flagship “Cosmico India Pale Ale”, a brew that took 14 months of research and development before it was perfect.
First Love Brewing
It’s the classic American love story—two high school sweethearts from Maryland go to college in Maine and then move to Florida and open a brewery. First Love Brewing is the passion project of Kevin and Jessie who wanted to take their appreciation for the brewing arts and share it with everyone they knew.
Their core menu is sparse, featuring four potent potables, but stop by their tap room and you’ll find a constantly evolving rotation of 20 in-house beers.
Image courtesy of Meerkat Media Group
The Brew Shed
All this beer talk making you thirsty? The best place to head is The Brew Shed.
Not only do they have classes about how to begin your own home brewing (or home winemaking) journey, they can hook you up with all of the supplies you’ll need to get started.
Marlin and Barrel Distillery
We’re particularly fond of the lone distillery in attendance at the Island Hop Brewfest. It’s with the help of Marlin & Barrel that our friends at Duck Pinz are able to make their signature “Pinkiller” cocktail.
Our only advice is to start your day at the Marlin and Barrel booth on the day of the fest—their spirits pack a serious punch!
Disco Witch Brewing
If you’re searching for something funky, Disco Witch Brewing has the potion for what ails you. Located just up the road in Yulee, we are so excited that they’ll be joining us on the island for a spell.
SJ Brewing Co
You might be surprised to find that little Yulee is home to not one, but two breweries! Opened in 2018, SJ Brewing Co is the brainchild of Shaun and JoAnn Stuart who began homebrewing in 2011.
With over a dozen beers on their menu, SJ Brewing Co has something for every taste.
Island Hop Pre-Party at Duck Pinz
Can’t wait until Saturday to get the party started? No worries, we got you.
Duck Pinz is the host of the official Island Hop Pre-Party on Friday, October 6th from 6PM-11PM. No reservations are required, just bring yourself, your family and friends. We’ll have a variety of special drinks—exclusive to the party—in addition to our regular menu.
Bowling and games will be available, but we advise arriving earlier so you can put your name on our waiting list if the lanes are full!
Chill Out at Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links
Need a little hair of the dog on Sunday? Swing on by Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links starting at 12PM for rounds of $5 putt-putt.
Please note that you’ll need your Island Hop wristband in order to take advantage of this deal—so don’t throw them away on Saturday night! See y’all then!
Fill Your Belly with Timoti’s
Never drink on an empty stomach! Timoti’s is bringing your wild-caught favorites to the Island Hop Beer Fest, but if you’re craving the full menu you can always place an order at our location on 3rd Street.