The Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen (JFDK) will stage the first annual Kingston City Beer Fest on April 7 to April 8 in commemoration of National Beer Day.

The event will highlight the range of beer offerings available across Jamaica and even tease patrons with some ‘soon to be introduced’ brews.

Over the last two years, Jamaica has expanded its beer offering with the emergence of a few microbrewers speaking to the growth of an industry sub-sector that will significantly boost the food and drink offering in Jamaica.

According to the JFD Kitchen Managing Director, Nicole Pandohie, the Jamaica Food and Drink Company is on a mission to position Kingston as a gastronomy destination through the creation of strategic events throughout the year that will not only diversify the culinary entertainment landscape in Jamaica but drive visitors into Kingston for memorable food and drink experiences. An event that celebrates our growing beer industry on National Beer Day seems a natural fit.

This year’s Kingston City Beer Fest is a beer and food inclusive event, and will focus on the art of beer, featuring live entertainment along with over 20 beer samplings, multiple food stations, seminars and mixology sessions that will educate on notes and pairings.

Industry events will take place in the mornings on April 7 and 8, while the festival will be open to the public from 5:00 pm on each day.

Tickets are available at www.jamaicafoodanddrinkkitchen.com, click view calendar to book.

Participants in the Beer Fest will include Jamaica’s national beer company, Red Stripe, with additional offerings from Heineken and Guinness, and include samples of some six new beers not yet on the market. Select Brands will showcase their current portfolio with ales from the US, UK, Holland, Belgium, Mexico and India.

Not to be outdone will be microbrewers Troubles Brewing and Royal Jamaican Brewery (RJB).

Troubles Brewing will be sampling four different beer styles including a not yet launched golden strong ale featuring rye malt and Bombay mango, while RJB will be promoting its iconic brands – Royal Jamaican Alcoholic Ginger Beer and Sorrel Beer.

The beers will be complemented with a range of food offerings in partnership with VISA, CB Foods, Rainforest Seafoods Limited and Wisynco.

The Jamaica Food and Drink Kitchen Kingston City Beer Fest experience will be held in partnership with VISA, Red Stripe, Select Brands, CB Foods, Rainforest Seafoods, Trouble’s Brewing, Royal Jamaican Brewery, Wisynco, Main Event and iPrint Digital.