The pre-conference excursion is often one of the most-anticipated events of the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference. This year, we are doubling up by offering both a pre-conference and post-conference excursion, visiting the nearby cities of Jacksonville and St. Pete / Clearwater.

Just three hours up the state of Florida from our conference location in Jacksonville is one of the hottest beer scenes in the state. Represented by eight breweries on the Jax Ale Trail, we will have a chance to taste beers from all eight of them.  With pick ups in Tampa and Jacksonville,  this excursion starts July 7th and includes tours, tastings, and dinner and ends the next day at the Tampa Marriott in time for the Conference Opening.  For itinerary details, transportation information and the host hotel booking code, check out the Pre-Conference Excursion Page.

Back in the Tampa area, did you know that just across the Bay are the second (St. Petersburg) and eighth (Clearwater) best beaches in the United States, according to readers of Trip Advisor? What better way to end a trip to Florida, especially considering the St. Pete / Clearwater Craft Beer Trail runs for 30 miles along the Gulf Coast, “the Sunshine State’s answer to California wine country”.

Our post-conference excursion picks up at the Marriott hotel in Tampa at 12:45 PM on Sunday, visits three breweries that afternoon across the bay, and returns by 9:00 PM that evening. As an option, you can choose to stay the night at the TradeWinds beach resort in St. Pete.

Each excursion is only $25 for Citizen Bloggers or Writers and $50 for all others. You can register via the conference registration form or, if you are already registered for the conference, via the excursion registration form. Space is limited on each excursion.