Last year Jacksonville played host city to a new and innovative event founded to help artists, inventors and innovators find funding for the projects they are so passionate about. That event, the first of its kind in the world, was a smashing success and brought thousands of people from all over the world to the downtown core of Jacksonville. That event was One Spark, a five-day festival that show-cased hundreds of hopeful participants vying for a piece of a purse that was distributed according to how visitors voted. Beginning Wednesday, April 9, the second annual One Spark festival will kick off over 20 square blocks of downtown. Among the creators this year are a number of beer-centric ventures that hope to garner some favor and walk away with their piece of this year’s $300,000 pot.
In addition to the creators, One Spark will feature a Craft Beer Village sponsored by Sea Best Seafood that will highlight the delicious beers of Intuition Ale Works. For this year’s festival the Jacksonville brewery created to beers; One Spark Kolsch and One Spark Alt Ales. Both are examples of the only two German ales styles. Kolsch is a lighter, crisp brew that has a low hop profile and a refreshing, clean finish. The German Alt style is characterized by its amber color and malty flavors.
The festival will also feature a food village sponsored by San Marco Dining District. Attendees will be able to dine on gourmet cuisine from local restaurants such as Bistro Aix, BB’s, Matthew’s Taveran and the Grotto. But, if street food is more your style, a wide selection of local food trucks will be hawking their dishes in the two-block-long district.
Whether you go to One Spark to socialize with thousands of other attendees, to grab a cold beer and a great bite to eat or to browse the creators’ booths, you are sure to have a great time.
Some of the beer-centric booths you do not want to miss include:
Gastrofest 2015
The folks behind this idea – an eclectic group consisting of Erin Thursby, Kamron Perry and Nathaniel Price – want to bring the Jacksonville culinary scene to the forefront with a festival that incorporates craft beer, food truck fare and fine dining in a gastronomical festival; Gastrofest 2015. The group is seeking $24,000 in funding to market, promote and organize their event.
Placemaking Lager
Many who are aware of some of the major events that happen in downtown Jacksonville are certainly familiar with the name Tony Allegretti. Allegretti is the man whose vision started the popular first Wednesday of each month downtown event known as Art Walk. For One Spark Allegretti is seeking $20,000 to begin contract brewing, canning and distributing Placemaker Lager. In his description on the One Spark web site, Allegeretti says, “Placemaking Lager is a bit of a radical idea that goes beyond the excellent quality of local craft beer. It also forms a conduit between events and people and creates a way for non-profits to benefit directly.
Brewing Up a Bier Garten
Jacksonville Beach beer-lovers are no doubt well aware of the fine craft beer brewed and served at Engine 15 Brewing Company. Kara Scremin wants to build a three-part brewery and rain-water recovery system that Engine 15 will use at their new brewery on Myrtle Avenue. The goal is to reuse waste water from the brewery’s operations along with rain-water to irrigate the on-site bier garten, clean equipment and eventually make beer. The group is seeking $20,000.
Golden Isles Brewing Supply
Joshua Austin is a man who loves beer. He is the owner of Risen Dead Brewing, LLC and the president of the Golden Isles Brewing Club in Brunswick, Ga. He and his peers in the home brewing community have noticed a distinct absence of quality brewing supplies in the Brunswick area. Austin’s goal is to raise enough money to open a brewing supply store that specializes in, “high quality ingredients, affordable equipment, apparel, and more. We plan to keep costs low through low overhead and great product selection.” He seeks $5,000.
I Know Jax Mobile Magazine
Joe Talentino has been bringing Jacksonville viewers fun and exciting information on local restaurants, events and – shameless plug – the Beer Guy, for over 100 episodes on his CW17 television show ‘I Know Jax.’ With this One Spark project he wants to take the same enthusiasm he has for his television show to mobile mediums. Of the project, Talentino says, “I Know Jax Mobile Magazine will focus on positive stories about fun things to do, food and dining, outdoor activities, sports, culture and much more.” To make his dream a reality, Talentino is seeking $7,500 for computer equipment and programming.
