November is right around the corner, which means big brews and bubbles are headed to Orlando’s Milk District.
Every November, Orlando’s Festival Park transforms into the ultimate playground for craft beer fans with the Orlando Beer Festival. This year, the showdown goes down on Saturday, November 15, as the fest celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The largest event of its kind in Central Florida, Orlando Beer Festival brings a sprawling tasting lineup and big time entertainment. It’s not just about filling a cup — it’s about showcasing how Orlando drinks, eats and parties together.
On tap
With more than 200 bev options on offer, this year’s pours range from the local and familiar to the bold and experimental. Some of Central Florida’s best-loved breweries will be on hand, including Crooked Can, Broken Strings Brewery, The Salty Llama and Central 28, plus many others.
But beer is just the beginning. The festival has steadily expanded to embrace spirits, canned cocktails and seltzers. And for the first time, THC-infused drinks are taking the stage, too. Attendees can try Hi Seltzer, 3Chi, Wynk, Cornbread Hemp, Onward, and Beach Daze — a lineup that mirrors how Orlando’s beverage scene continues to evolve.
“We’re seeing people embrace not just beer, but seltzers, cocktails, spirits, and now cannabis-infused drinks,” says Graham Jarrett, Orlando Weekly publisher and creator of Orlando Beer Festival. “That’s what excites me most — the way this festival has evolved with the community. Having THC beverages for the first time is a big step, and I think people are going to love exploring these new options right alongside their favorite breweries.”
Very. Important. Pours.
For those who like to beerfest in style, the VIP experience is hard to top. VIP ticket holders get two extra hours of tasting time and an exclusive lounge featuring bites from Marlow’s Tavern and cocktails from Tin Roof. There will be shaded seating, a private bathroom trailer, exclusive pours, and a commemorative T-shirt that won’t be available anywhere else.
GA+ ticket holders score a one-hour head start. Standard GA tickets still unlock a full afternoon of sampling. And for both GA and GA+ guests, the food court opens an hour before tastings begin, giving you a chance to fuel up before drinking the day away.
Big bites
The food lineup this year is as tempting as the drinks. Talkin’ Tacos, Mohawk Smokehouse, Teal Kitchen, La Patrona, The Hook, Caribbean Sunshine Bakery and Talkin Sweet are just a few of the trucks and vendors keeping stomachs lined and energy high. From smoky barbecue to Caribbean comfort to decadent desserts, there’s no shortage of options to soak up your sips.
Beyond the glass
Orlando Beer Festival has always been more than just a massive tasting. This year, Cat Ridgeway and Beemo provide the live soundtrack, with DJ ET spinning to keep the energy high in between sets. Oversized inflatable games and giant beer pong bring a playful, carnival vibe to the park.
And yes, dogs are welcome. The festival is famously pup-friendly, with a lure course set up so four-legged friends can burn some energy while you sample your way through the park.
The pours don’t stop
From its earliest days to this 11th anniversary, the Orlando Beer Festival has grown into an institution — not just for beer lovers, but for anyone who wants to experience the full spectrum of Central Florida’s food, drink, and entertainment culture. Whether you’re coming for the rarest pours, the THC seltzers, the bites, the music, or just to spend an afternoon outdoors with friends, this is one tradition that continues to get bigger, bolder, and buzzier every year.
Tickets are on sale now, but as veterans know, the best brews and bites don’t last long. Show up early, pace yourself, and raise a glass to 11 years of Orlando Beer Festival — and to wherever the next decade of discovery takes us.
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