SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Distillery 98, the award-winning micro-distillery and home to Half Shell Vodka, is proud to host the first-ever Emerald Coast Spirits Festival in partnership with the Florida Craft Spirits Association (FCSA). During the Sept. 22-23 event, distillers from across the state will come together to showcase their products, with complimentary tastings and specialty cocktails for spirits enthusiasts, along with live entertainment and food sampling from restaurants in the 30Avenue business district.
“This festival is for everyone—craft spirits aficionados and those who just want to experience something new,” said Harrison Holditch, Co-Owner and CEO of Distillery 98. “As members of the Florida Craft Spirits Association, we’re honored to be working with them to create an event that bolsters small businesses such as ours while elevating the Emerald Coast as a craft spirits destination.”
The main festival, which runs from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23, will feature nearly a dozen craft distillers, representing tequila, vodka, gin, rum, whiskey and bourbon categories. Inspired by the FCSA’s Jacksonville-area Sunshine Spirits Festival, Distillery 98 is collaborating with the organization and sponsors including Emerald Coast Magazine, Cultural Arts Alliance and Driftwood Wine and Spirits to create a similar event to elevate local businesses in Santa Rosa Beach’s 30Avenue district and attract tourists to the world famous Emerald Coast beaches.
“It’s been great working with Distillery 98 on the Emerald Coast Spirits Festival,” said David Cohen, President of Florida Craft Spirits Association. “As the voice of Florida’s distilled spirits industry, the FCSA’s goal is always to grow our community and create more industry awareness. The Distillery 98 team has created a special event space with their award-winning tasting room, and we look forward to bringing together distillers and tourists from all over Florida and beyond.”
Tickets to the Emerald Coast Spirits Festival include spirits tasting, a commemorative glass and T-shirt, and food offerings from local restaurants such as Amici Italian Kitchen, Amigos 30A and Cuvee 30A. Attendees will also have the chance to purchase their favorite bottles on site.
Guests will enjoy music from local artists and Alaqua Animal Refuge will be onsite with animals looking for their forever homes. Exclusive cocktails crafted with spirits from participating distillers will be created by Better Together Beverage.
The festival kicks off with a VIP event on Friday, Sept. 22 at Distillery 98, located at 835 Serenoa Road in Santa Rosa Beach.
Tickets start at $50 and are now available here. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for purchase, providing entry to the VIP event and early access to the main festival starting at 11am for $150. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the FSCA. Limited sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For additional information visit distillery98.com.
About Distillery 98
Distillery 98 is a family-run, sustainably operated microdistillery and tasting room in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Named for U.S. Route 98 which runs from Palm Beach to Pensacola, Distillery 98’s portfolio of spirits utilize regional ingredients to capture the spirit of the Florida Panhandle. The company was founded in 2016 by Harrison Holditch and his brother-in-law and head distiller David Kapitanoff. Together they have developed a small-batch, locally-minded spirits operation that includes Dune Laker, Half Shell and ultra-limited seasonal releases like Martin Migration vodka flavored with Meyer lemon, hibiscus, blackberries and Tupelo honeycomb. A member of the growing Florida Distillery Trail, Distillery 98’s full bar and tasting room is a welcoming community hub close to 30A and some of the best beaches in the United States, and can be booked for events in addition to regular operating hours. Learn more at distillery98.com
