Orlando Beer Week is gearing up for another extraordinary year, celebrating craft beer and community from January 25 to February 1, 2025. Over the last five years, this event has evolved from humble beginnings into a vibrant celebration that draws together breweries, beer enthusiasts, and local businesses. This year promises to be one of the most exciting yet, with a lineup of events that anyone in the craft beer scene won’t want to miss. The episode captures the fascinating journey of Orlando Beer Week as discussed with Kreis Holland from Tactical Brewing. Listening to him, you can hear the passion and dedication that has gone into making this week a focal point for the local beer community.
In the very beginning, Orlando Beer Week emerged as a grassroots effort, aiming to bring together breweries from central Florida and increase awareness about the local beer scene. Kreis shares how their initial marketing strategies revolved around community engagement and how importantly they involved various local entities alongside breweries. The hard work paid off, as over the years, participation has grown exponentially, with more breweries, bottle shops, and beer enthusiasts joining the cause. According to Kreis, last year marked a significant turning point, as more casual beer drinkers began to take notice of the celebrations. People who don’t typically follow every new release have started asking about Orlando Beer Week, illustrating the event’s expanding reach beyond just hardcore craft beer fans.
The atmosphere around Orlando Beer Week is lively, with numerous events that cater to every taste. From food pairings to special releases, there’s a little something for everyone. As noted during the conversation, the success of this beer week is a collective effort, with independent breweries, distributors, and local businesses working together. Especially noteworthy this year is the Mega Collaboration Beer, where various breweries come together to create a unique product that represents the spirit of the week. This collaboration showcases Orlando’s creative brewing talent and fosters a sense of camaraderie among the participating breweries.
For those who want to truly experience what Orlando Beer Week has to offer, Kreis emphasizes the importance of exploring different breweries and trying new styles. Encouragement is given for local enthusiasts and newcomers alike to step out of their usual comfort zones and visit a variety of events hosted throughout the week. With a festival kicking off the week and various special events taking place every night, the opportunity to discover new brews is practically limitless.
As your friendly podcast hosts encourage, don’t forget to follow Orlando Beer Week through their social media pages for all the most current event information. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this celebration provides an ideal entry point to explore the brewing scene in central Florida. The podcast closes with Kreis reflecting on the need for flexibility and emphasizing the collective spirit driving the Orlando craft beer scene. A final reminder rings out: Orlando Beer Week is not just a showcase of beers, but a testament to community spirit, mutual support, and love for quality craft brews.
