Bigger Is Better: Baseball & Brews Returns to Roger Dean Stadium on August 4

jasonippolito via Flickr Creative Commons

You can't control what happens on the diamond, but you can control what goes into your cup.

The second annual Baseball & Brews at Roger Dean Stadium is a marriage of two great all-American pastimes. It's also a bit of respite for the game-loving beer snob who might bristle at the typical foamy, watered-down suds offered in most stadium settings.

Stadium general manager Mike Bauer said organizers tweaked the tasting to meet the needs of the growing event. In the inaugural run last summer, the stadium had planned for about 600 or so people based on advance ticket sales; roughly 1,000 people showed up for the event.

"It was a little tight," Bauer said of the first-time event.

This year, organizers are erring on the side of caution, planning for an attendance of 2,000 but capping the ticket sales at 1,500.

"We want to keep it intimate," Bauer said of the beer tasting, which he is quick to differentiate from a beer festival. "It's still a family-friendly, controlled environment."

Brown Distributing Company is partnering with the stadium to plan the "tasting menu" with plans for 25 vendors each sampling two to three microbrews, many of which will be regional or Florida locals. Attendees will get a souvenir take-home mini-mug to use throughout the three-hour tasting, which takes place in the stadium's concourse.

The tasting is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 4. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Designated drivers and those simply wishing to attend the game but steer clear of the drinking will pay $12. Admission to the festival also buys a seat to watch hometown minor league team Jupiter Hammerheads take on the Port Charlotte Stone Crabs. Other activities include a hot dog eating contest and a cornhole competition. Call 561-630-1828 for details.

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