Fewer things are more all-American than that ritual of summer that takes place in towns and cities all over the nation. In parks both grand and make-shift, players face off and swing for the fences. Fans pack bleachers, line up along fences and cheer on their teams with a hot dog in one hand and a cold brew in the other. I am referring to baseball of course; the big leagues started play earlier this week and the Jacksonville Suns – minor league representatives of the Florida Marlins – begin play tonight.
Another tradition that is returning this week in conjunction with baseball is European Street’s Beer and Baseball nights in the left field Beer Garden. This year the first of five Beer and Baseball nights is this Saturday, April 6, just in time to end Jax Beer Week. Beer and Baseball nights include a ticket to the game, all-you-can-eat European Street Monster German Wieners and sandwiches and, of course, all the beer you can drink.
The event this Saturday costs $30, with proceeds going to a long-time E-Street bartender that is battling breast cancer and includes a Monster German Weiner t-shirt. The cost of the remaining Beer and Baseball nights will be $20, but will not include the t-shirt. The way the event works is that the food and beer are put out approximately 30 minutes prior to the first pitch. There are generally two kegs of beer available and they flow until both kegs are dry.
Andrew Zarka, of European Street, says that the featured beers this Saturday night will be Blue Moon and Third Shift. He also says that both Highland and Lazy Magnolia have expressed interest in sponsoring future games.
The remaining Beer and Baseball nights will take place:
- May 25
- June 22
- July 13
- August 31
Tickets are available at all four European Street locations.
