The North Naples Rotary Club has raised over $1 million for local charities through its annual Naples Craft Beer Fest, marking a milestone at the 15th event. Held on March 7 at Bayfront Naples, the festival featured pairings from more than 15 restaurants and nearly 35 breweries. Funds come from ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise.
The 15th annual Naples Craft Beer Fest, organized by the North Naples Rotary Club, achieved a significant fundraising goal this year by surpassing $1 million in total contributions to local charities. "This year, the Rotary surpassed $1 million raised for charity. Most of it stays right here locally from this event," said Jim Moore, the club's immediate past president.
The event, which took place on March 7 at Bayfront Naples, draws revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and collectible merchandise. It has sold out for nine consecutive years and limits attendance to 1,500 people to manage crowds. "The feedback we hear about the festival, one of the main things they like is that the lines aren’t too long," Moore noted. "We don’t want it any more crowded than this. People seem to like it. I think we found the sweet spot."
Participating restaurants select craft brews from a provided list to pair with original dishes, fostering a competitive atmosphere. More than 15 local eateries and nearly 35 breweries joined this year. "We encourage people to bring their best dishes, and we made a competition for the best food and beer pairing," Moore explained. "Thankfully, the restaurants are really taking it seriously. They really elevated their game and they’ve become very competitive."
Judges Jay Schrednitz of Seventh South Waterfront, Casey Gordon of The Local Restaurant, and Tim Aten of The Naples Press and Gulfshore Business evaluated the entries. Tavern On The Bay Sports Bar & Grill took first place with its slow-cooked baby back rib in sweet-and-spicy barbecue sauce paired with Everglades Ale Company's Everglades Fishing Co. Ale. Brookside Market featuring Pies On Pies earned second for sourdough crust pepperoni pizza and sourdough blueberry cobbler matched with Florida Avenue Brewing Co.’s Dead Parrot Light Lager. Dylan's Draft House placed third with its OG Smashburger alongside Golden Road Brewing’s Mango Cart Wheat Ale.
Attendees voted for People's Choice awards, with Mission BBQ and Fire and Rice Paella tying for first: Mission BBQ's BBQ Parfait of pulled pork, coleslaw, and barbecue sauce with Islamorada Beer Co.’s Sandbar Sunday American Wheat Ale, and Fire and Rice's chicken-and-sausage jambalaya with Motorworks Brewing’s Intellectual Property Ale. The Hangout By Two Guys won second for blueberry brie crostini paired with Ace Cider Co.'s Pineapple Craft Cider, while Brookside Market took third.
The Grand Champion trophy circulates like the Stanley Cup, returning to the club annually for engraving. The next event is scheduled for March 6, 2027, with sponsorships available at naplescraftbeerfest.com/sponsors.
