The beer garden at the 2011 SeaWorld Orlando Bands, Brew & BBQ impressed me with the variety of craft beer available.
I’m looking forward to returning in 2012. The event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays this year, on Feb. 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, and March 3-4. The SeaWorld Orlando website promises nearly 50 craft beers from about 20 breweries. Granted, some of the offerings last year pushed the definition of craft beer (Bass, Beck’s and Stella Artois), but there were brews from others such as Starr Hill, Florida Beer, Victory and Blue Point.
This year’s beer list has not been released.
Several local barbecue restaurants will offer plenty of smoky goodness to accompany the brew.
Admission includes admission to a headline concert. Here’s the lineup.
- Saturday, February 11: Foreigner
- Sunday, February 12: Gary Allan
- Saturday, February 18: Trace Adkins
- Sunday, February 19: Kenny Rogers
- Saturday, February 25: Doobie Brothers
- Sunday, February 26: Ronnie Dunn
- Saturday, March 3: Sarah Evans
- Sunday, March 4: Scotty McCreery
Sister park Busch Gardens Tampa Bay also holds a Bands, Brew & BBQ, though last year its beer selection was not as extensive. However, Busch Gardens offered an all-you-can-drink armband option, while SeaWorld sold a lanyard for $20 that allowed sampling of 12 3-oz beers.
The Busch Gardens band lineup includes Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels, 38 Special and REO Speedwagon.
