Jacksonville will be hosting the 2015 Master Brewers Association of the America's on October 7th thru 10th
I think it speaks volumes about our growing craft brewing industry in Jax.
This ran in the JBJ today.
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/07/31/prost-master-brewers-heading-to-jacksonville.htmlBy Catherine Byerly
Digital Producer-
Jacksonville Business Journal
"Jacksonville has been tapped to host the 2015 Master Brewers Association of the Americas' annual conference.
As well as bringing in what Visit Jacksonville says will be an economic impact of $1 million, having the conference here shows the traction that Jacksonville's brew scene is gaining on a national scale.
“Jacksonville is home to some of the best craft breweries in the state of Florida, and we see that as a big draw for both leisure and business travelers from all over the world,” said Katie Mitura, director of marketing and product development for Visit Jacksonville.
The conference has been held in such cities as Austin and Chicago.
Jacksonville's selection as host, coupled with Bold City's recent selection to be featured at Epcot's International Food and Wine festival, suggest that small breweries are turning out to be businesses worth paying attention to.
Jacksonville breweries are generating an estimated 15,000 barrels of beer each year, according to Visit Jacksonville.
The conference, Oct. 7 to 10, 2015, isn't just one big party. Instead, some 500 members gather to talk shop, focusing on the technical aspect of brewing.
“We have all of these homegrown craft breweries here now and since MBAA is more about the chemistry and science of brewing, all of us in the business can glean a lot of useful information that we can take back to our own processes,” Luch Scremin, owner and brewmaster at the Engine 15 Brewing Co., said in a release.
The 3,000-member-strong association has also noted the growth in the Jacksonville brewery industry.
“The Southeast region is witnessing a lot of activity in the local brewing community and Jacksonville is a perfect city to host a brewing meeting of this scale,” Tressa Patrias, senior meeting manager for the association, said in a release."
