Alys Beach launching first Firkin Fête

A new experience awaits residents and visitors to South Walton this fall at Alys Beach, a new event thoughtfully designed for curious craft beer lovers and people who simply live and love to sample outstanding culinary and cocktail creations in an extraordinary setting.

The inaugural Alys Beach Firkin Fête will take place from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 25 at Kelly Green in Alys Beach, with participating breweries showcasing their special brews in a distinctive cask, called a firkin, which holds 10.8 gallons of beer.

Unique in the sense that the beer goes through a secondary fermentation in the firkin, the end result is a surprise to all. Not the brewer nor the taster knows what lies within until the firkin is tapped — an air of excitement and buzz wafts through the crowd as people line up to be among the first to sample what could be the next great ale. An eclectic and unique tasting experience in an elegantly rustic setting, Firkin Fête is expected become a new tradition for ushering in cooler, crisper weather along Gulf Coast beaches.

Be sure to also purchase tickets to the kickoff party for the Firkin Fête from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Grayton Beer Company Taproom. Mix and mingle with participating breweries at the taproom with live music and food by Grayton Beer Brewpub. Purchase tickets at bigtickets.com.

Come learn first hand the excitement around tapping a firkin and why exploring and discovering new beers is a hundreds year old tradition that has in recent years become a new experience again for many.