ENTERTAINMENT
VISITSTLUCIE / ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURISM
41
BERNIE WOODALL
Alexis Ariall of Okeechobee, a bartender in the tap room at Hop Life
Brewing in Port St, Lucie, holds a beer glass awarded to those who buy a
beer, wine or cider at each spot on the Treasure Coast Wine & Ale Trail.
Coast, said Roberts and Bireley. Anderson said brewers
sold out of beer tickets.
Bireley said the next festival and fundraiser will be held
in November 2020.
Maps for the Wine & Ale Trail resemble the popular
notion of a pirate treasure map, with each craft beverage
location marked with an “X.” They are available at the
businesses on the Wine & Ale Trail. The newest, and southernmost,
point on the trail is Ocean Republic Brewing in
Stuart, which opened in late July along with a full kitchen
and weekend brunches.
Guests who go to each of the tasting rooms on the trail
and buy a full-size beer, wine or cider get a stamp to prove
they were there. Once they get stamps from each place,
they get a mug.
“Everybody said they saw an uptick in business as soon
as the trail launched,” says Anderson.
Bireley says the St. Lucie and Indian River tourism agencies
promote the Wine & Ale Trail on social media, primarily
to prospective customers in Orlando and Miami, and
also Brevard County.
BREW BUS SERVICE
Indian River Brew Bus began operation in November for
tours of the craft beverage makers on the Wine & Ale Trail
and is gaining momentum in time for the arrival of winter
seasonal residents, said Brooke Walsh, who along with her
fiancé, Adam Cooney, own the fledgling service.
A 14-passenger bus will make runs open to the public
that will be five-hour tours of the pubs where riders will >>