Beer Connoisseurs and beer lovers alike gathered in Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Riverfront on Friday, October 16, 2009 to enjoy the festivities. Beer vendors setup shop all along Las Olas Riverfront serving ales, lagers and stouts to an ever-thirsty Downtown Fort Lauderdale crowd.
Participating beer providers included Abita Beer, Anheuser-Bush, Asahi Beer, Bud Light Golden Wheat Ale, Exit 66 Beer, Holy Mackerel Beer, Michelob, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Native Brewing Company, Presidente Beer, Prestige Beer, Shipyard Brewing, Singha Beer, Stephen’s Distributing and more.
The event also featured live performances from Fourth Dimension, The Pretty Faces, Hep Cat Boo Daddies, Stonefox and the Freakin Hott. Guests even enjoyed complimentary samples from Briny Riverfront Pub, America’s Backyard, Riverfront Pizza and HomeSlice Bread. All beer and food samplings were included with the $25 entrance fee.
The outdoor beer and music festival was not all fun and games. The event raised funds for two local charities, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Riverwalk Trust. Riverwalk Trust is currently pursuing projects to enhance and protect the Riverwalk community by creating a public space in Downtown Fort Lauderdale where community life can take place and where Riverfront Park can be considered true common ground.
At the close of Rocktoberfest, the tipsy crowd continued the party at several Las Olas Bars like Elbo Room, Automatic Slims, Brick Rock Bar and Art Bar. Automatic Slims is a fifties throwback bar with a modern twist. With pool tables and good looking bartenders it is definitely a good choice for a Friday night in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Those who chose the Brick Rock Bar enjoyed $1.00 well drinks and live music until midnight. The plenty of bars on Las Olas Blvd provided the perfect after party to Rocktoberfest.
