Eat My Florida

NYC-based guerrilla performance artists Improv Everywhere staged an impromptu musical recently at a food court in and LA mall. Well, impromptu is actually a misnomer, since this musical spectacle obviously took a lot of rehearsal, as well as the cooperation of the mall administrators so they could get their wireless mics running through the PA system. When it comes down to it, this scene is clever and all, but not really within the parameters of improv, is it?

Still, fun to watch.

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This weekend is the 10th annual Sarasota Reading Festival and, as usual, they’ve lined up a nice list of authors hawking new books, from immigrant-hatin’ Lou Dobbs to serial killer lovin’ Jeff Lindsay (of Dexter fame).

On the undercard are a whole slew of cookbook authors worth coming out to see, including Barbara Kafka, Robert Santibanez and, lo and behold, Robert Irvine (who I recently mentioned in this very blog). Most of the cookbook authors will be doing cooking demos on Saturday — I’ll be there trying to nail Irvine down about Ooze and Schmooze.

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Enjoy Beerfest? Yeah, me too.

Right in the middle of the Fest festivities, CL editor David Warner took the stage to run the finals of our Everyperson International Beer Challenge. Let’s air this out right now: this on-stage tasting was my idea, originally. I accept all blame for the fact that watching four people taste beer for a half hour is a big-time buzz kill. No matter that Dave innovated by bringing red-faced schmoes on stage to try the same beer the judges were trying or that lovely Ashle was up there pouring, it was a long 30 minutes.

But who cares? Our mugs and hearts were already full of two hour of generous pours from Beerfest vendors.

When it was all over and the votes were tabulated, perhaps the most commonplace beer on the tasting — Fullers E.S.B. — took home top honors. Other beers had their proponents, especially the St. Feuillien Triple, but there was always one person who took offense to those worthy brews and marked them harshly. Fullers was universally popular.

Thanks to all the judges — Bethany Sherwin of World Of Beer, Bob Sylvester of Saint Somewhere Brewery, our own Wade Tatangelo and Wayne Roddy from barproducts.com — as well as to Ashle and Dave for their fine work.

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It’s a busy month for beer, folks. Here’s a list of Oktoberfestivities to get you started, not to mention Creative Loafing’s very own INTERNATIONAL BEERFEST! Oops, I mentioned it.

Dunedin Brewery OktoBEERfest, Oct. 4-6, Dunedin Brewery, 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606 - The tent goes up once again during that fun weekend festival that celebrates autumn, Florida, and most importantly BEER! Dunedin Brewery’s 7th Annual OktoBEERfest will be held Oct. 4th-6th under the big tent at the Dunedin Brewery with the usual brats, brew, and brew ha ha, along with a few new surprises, including an added day of fun under the tent. Thursday night kicks off the festivities with our “Liter Release” Party, which will be a special night for our mug club members new and old, Dunedin Brewery dimpled liter mugs are released this night and every one must have a mug or purchase one to participate in this night. Friday night brings Stein Holding Contests; Pickle eating contests, of course fresh brews from our “braumeisters”. 7pm brings the “raise your stein and sing along” sounds of Full Fledged Unit the ceremonial keg will be tapped at 9pm with our own infamous Brew master and perhaps a local celebrity or two. Saturday afternoon the fun continues with a local musician showcase, then Uncle John’s Band will take the stage at 7pm for what is sure to be a stunning show, stein holding and pickle eating contests will continue this night as well.

World Of Beer Oktoberfest, $5, Oct. 5, 3-10 p.m., Oct. 6, Noon-10 p.m., field adjacent to World Of Beer, 9524 Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-852-2337 - Enjoy a wide selection of Oktoberfest beer, delicious German food, and live music. Get your football fix and attend; we will be playing college football on our outdoor projection screen all day Saturday, including the Florida vs LSU game on Saturday at 8pm. Family friendly.

Oktoberfest Brew Ha-Ha, Oct. 13, 1-7 p.m., St. Petersburg Clay Company, 420 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-896-2529 - The artists at St. Petersburg Clay Company ceramic studios will celebrate Oktoberfest Brew-Ha-Ha with the community.Over 60 artists have been working hard making beer mugs to sell full of Yeungling beer for this event.In addition, local musical acts, food, a raffle, artist demonstrations and a kid¡¦s art booth will provide entertainment throughout the evening.The artists encourage the community to come and meet them at the old Historic Seaboard Train Station, at the corner of 5^th Avenue South and 22 Street South, and enjoy all St. Pete Clay has to offer them!

Oktoberfest Biergarten at Centro Ybor, $15, Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, 813-241-8838 -As part of this year’s Streetcar Fest, the Ybor Chamber of Commerce will host an Oktoberfest Biergarten in partnership with Centro Ybor, its members and their tenants. This special event is designed to bring back the German heritage that was so much a part of Ybor’s famed cigar industry. The event will feature Ybor City’s own award winning brew pub, Tampa Bay Brewing Company and all things German, including genuine Oktoberfest beer, authentic German cuisine, a live polka band, and German raffle items, such as German beer steins and beer boots.

Oktoberfest On The Beach, Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Kolb Park, Bay Palm Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, 727-512-7292 - Fun-filled family day with continuous live music, foods from around the world, arts & crafts tents. Brats, saurerkraut, Oktoberfest beers. Games for adults and kids. Free Admission. Check out our website for details.

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