2nd Annual Hilton Head Bold Beer Festival 

Mark Weisner has 30 years of experience discovering the best beers in the world. He grew up in New Jersey, and one of his first jobs was as a bartender. Next door to the bar was a package store where he would buy a different beer every week to sample on the weekends.

“I’ve traveled all over the world to visit breweries. I’ve gone to Belgium, Germany, Holland, Greece and all over the United States. I was a beer tourist before it became a thing,” Weisner said.

On Saturday, March 1 from 3-6 p.m., the 2nd Annual Hilton Head Bold Beer Festival will take place in Shelter Cove Community Park. The festival is organized by Bear Foot Sports, Weisner’s event planning company.

“This is a boutique festival, a tasting experience where beer lovers can try some rare, high-quality beers. We will offer stronger and harder to find beers that have more flavor. We search out beer from around the world, like Belgium. There will be great craft beer from local breweries, from across the state and the region. It is an opportunity to try some rare, high quality, high gravity beers, flavored beers, stouts, double IPA and Belgium Golden,” Weisner said. “There will be 25-30 different two-ounce beer samples to try. It’s a premium experience of quality, not quantity.”

High gravity beer, also known as “big beer,” refers to beers with a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) than standard beers, typically greater than 7.5%. It also has more flavor and complexity such as malt sweetness, robust hop bitterness and a warming alcohol presence.

In addition to a diverse selection of beers, attendees will also enjoy live music with Pat Cristaldi, premium cigars and food. Ticket packages are available for both beer lovers and cigar aficionados. For tickets and more information visit bearfootsports.com or call 843-757-8520. All purchases at the event are cash only.

Edwina Hoyle is a freelance writer in Bluffton.