San Diego is more than just sun, sand, beach-life and craft beer! With a nationally prominent nightlife scene and craft cocktail bars popping up throughout the area, San Diego is one of America’s most trendsetting cities for spirits. In its fifth year, the San Diego Spirits Festival is expanding and will take over the Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier for the weekend of August 24 & 25. The two-day celebration merges the three elements of a perfect time - cocktails, culinary creations and culture, and is sure to please the palates of everyone from the serious mixologist and professional chef, to the novice culinary enthusiast and regular cocktail drinker. With live entertainment, bartender battles, chef shakedowns and demonstrations, burlesque, live music and even a fashion show, the 5th annual San Diego Spirits Festival will be the best version yet!
San Diego Spirits Festival was recently named by Fodors.com as one of the Top 5 Cocktail Festivals in America. This one of a kind weekend brings together hundreds of distinct liquors and gourmet morsels in a festive and fun loving environment. The San Diego Spirits Festival is planed for the consumer and industry insider alike – with endless opportunities to learn about all trends in both cocktails and culinary. From under-the-radar artisan craft spirits to discovering the ‘next big brand’ – the San Diego Spirits Festival offers something for everyone.
San Diego Spirits Festival was founded and launched in San Diego in 2009 by Liz Edwards. San Diego Spirits Festival is a nationally acclaimed celebration of cocktail culture, and is the premiere west coast spirits festival held on the beautiful San Diego bay. The stunning waterfront at the Port Pier Pavilion on Broadway Pier is home to the festival and offers an absolutely beautiful backdrop.
New this year, and in addition to the bartender battle, is a spirit competition. Open to emerging craft distillers, American merchant bottlers and large distillers alike, the competition will bring renowned experts from the worlds of spirits and hospitality together to determine the best tasting spirits in a blind analysis in August.
•Canadian Mist Whiskey •Old Forestor Whiskey •Woodford Reserve Bourbon •Fire Eater Hot Cinnamon Whiskey •Zephyr Gin •Bracero Tequila •Diplomatico Rum •Kahunaville Party Rum •Tuttiltown Spirits •Hudson Whiskeys •Dulce Dorado Tequila •Crater Lake Vodka Crater Lake Sweet Ginger Vodka •Cascade Mtn Gin •Mazama Pepper Vodka •Cofia Vodka •Pisco Porton •Java Juice •Milagro Tequila •Hendricks Gin •Montelbelos Mezcal •Tequila Rose •Tarantula Tequila •360 Peach Vodka • 360 Double Chocolate Vodka •Hooks Rum •Triple Crown •Ron Jeremy Rum •El Cartel Tequila •Distillery •209 Gin •Zing Red Velvet Vodka •Failte Vodka •Tin Play •Naughty Cow Liqueur •Twisted Shots •619 Vodka •Voo Vodka •Russian Standard Original & Platinum Vodka •Imperia Vodka •Zu Vodka •Greenmark Vodka •Black Momma Vodka •Dirty Tequila •Venom Vodka •Peregrine Rock – California Pure Malt Whisky •Mojo Vodka •Tequila Fortaleza •Julio Cesar Chavez Tequila •Semental Tequila •Agwa Cocoa Leaf Liquor •Mickey Fin Whiskey •Aga Vie esprit de Agave •Buzz Ballz •TeAgave sparkling Tequila •Snap •Sage •Solerno •Rhubarb •Rx Bitters •Auchentoshan Single Malt Whiskey •Craft & Imported Beers: •Lucky Buddha •Left Coast Brewing Company with •Trestles IPA – •Una Mas Amber Lager •Vina Sympatica •Roaring Lion Energy Drink •Joia All Natural Soda…and many more!
Tickets to the San Diego Spirits Festival are $90 for daily admission from 1-5pm and are all-inclusing with unlimited tastings of food offerings and spirit samples (while supplies last). Late entry tickets are $50 for Saturday the 24th and $45 for Sunday the 25th and allow participants admission and unlimited offerings from 3-5pm. This is a 21 and over event and tickets can be purchased online.
For more information, visit sandiegospiritsfestival.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
