This first-year event in Pensacola brings together celebrity chefs and craft brewers to help seafood workers affected by Hurricane Michael. Photo: Prestige Oysters
by Blue Collards staff and Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Craft brewers and celebrity chefs from across the South are rallying with beer-loving foodies to help Florida seafood workers affected by Hurricane Michael. Barleybrine Oyster & Craft Beer Weekend is an effort to raise funds for the Gulf Seafood Foundation’s “Helping Hands” relief efforts providing work gloves and other compensation to Gulf fishermen.
“If you’ve ever tossed back a dozen Florida oysters with a pitcher of beer, you’ve benefited from the hard work of Gulf fishermen,” said event organizer T.S. Strickland, founder of Blue Collards. Photo: Blue Collards
The latest in a long line of natural and manmade disasters to afflict the Gulf of Mexico seafood industry, Hurricane Michael was especially devastating to oyster production along the Emerald Coast of Florida’s panhandle.
The Barleybrine Oyster & Craft Beer Weekend will be held April 4-6 in the colonial-era seaport of Pensacola, Florida. Organizers expect approximately a dozen chefs and 30 breweries for the event’s first year. Programming will include a storytelling salon, VIP tastings and a host of other activities.
“Florida’s Forgotten Coast is home to some of the fiercest folks you’ll ever meet. If you’ve ever tossed back a dozen Florida oysters with a pitcher of beer, you’ve benefited from their hard work,” said event organizer T.S. Strickland, founder of Blue Collards, a Florida-based publishing and live events company. “The seafood industry here has had it tough, but they’ve always been tougher. We want to honor their oysters, their way of life and the fighting spirit that sustains it.”
On April 5, Alabama Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark, a contestant on the most recent season of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” will treat guests to a five-course dinner featuring craft beer pairings and a guided oyster tasting. Photo: Raskind/Bravo
On April 5, Alabama Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark, a contestant on the most recent season of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” will treat guests to a five-course dinner featuring craft beer pairings and a guided oyster tasting with Joseph and Teresa Mercer, of Florida’s TAB Oyster Company.
Hurricane Michael struck in the midst of their first commercial harvest, dealing a near fatal blow to the couple’s fledgling business, which was named for their three young daughters’ first initials. The couple now is working to rebuild their “Piney Island Select” brand while Joseph holds down a day job at a nearby gunpowder factory.
Joseph and Teresa Mercer, of Florida’s TAB Oyster Company are part of an emerging class of oyster farmers using aquaculture techniques to revive the state’s beleaguered industry. Photo: AB Oyster Company
“The increasing number 0f oyster aquaculture farms in the Gulf is important for the survival of the oyster industry,” Teresa Mercer told Gulf Seafood News. “Hurricane Michael was a setback, but we are once again harvesting our Piney Island Select oysters. In Pensacola we look forward to serving some of the best oysters coming from the Gulf.”
The Mercers are part of an emerging class of oyster farmers using aquaculture techniques to revive the state’s beleaguered industry. In just a few short years, Florida has seen the number of oyster farming leases jump to nearly 100. “It’s a very hopeful trend for the state’s seafood industry, as well as the Gulf of Mexico,” Strickland said.
“The Gulf seafood industry is facing very challenging times, especially the oyster industry,” said Gulf Seafood Foundation Chairman Jim Gossen. “Natural disasters, combined with manmade adversities, have plagued the industry from South Padre Isle to the Florida Keys. Our fishermen, as well as processors, are suffering, and there are few organizations reaching out to help. We are proud to partner with Blue Collards on this event to benefit Gulf fishermen like Joseph and Teresa Mercer.”
According to Strickland, the Mercers’ story is a perfect illustration of the mission of Blue Collards, which also hosts Peat & Pearls, a celebration of Scotch and premium oysters held each fall in Pensacola.
“The Gulf seafood industry is facing very challenging times, especially the oyster industry,” said Gulf Seafood Foundation Chairman Jim Gossen. Gossen visits with Louisiana oyster farmer Jules Melancon on Grand Isle. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“The Mercers were one of the featured farms at last year’s Peat & Pearls event,” Strickland said. “At that time, we paired them with Chef Kelsey, and she fell in love with their oysters and their story. Michael hit just days after the event, and the industry have struggled since. Using her Top Chef’ platform, Chef Kelsey has been instrumental in helping. Building these connections is at the heart of what we do. That is why we are proud to partner with the Gulf Seafood Foundation.”
It is Strickland’s hope guests will leave Barleybrine with more than a few new beers on their list of favorites.
This isn’t your typical festival,” said Strickland. “Of course, we’ll have great beer and delicious food, but we believe people are hungry for more. They crave understanding and connection. Photo: Blue Collards
“This isn’t your typical festival,” he said about the upcoming event. “Of course, we’ll have great beer and delicious food, but we believe people are hungry for more. They crave understanding and connection.
The Forgotten Coast has been in the news a lot since the storm, but, to most, it’s still just a headline. We want our guests to leave understanding why this place and its people, especially the fishermen, are so special and why they shouldn’t be forgotten — especially right now.”
Ticket Information:
Barleybrine is made possible through the support of Visit Pensacola, the tourism marketing arm of Escambia County, Florida. For ticket prices and programming details please visit www.bluecollards.com/barleybrine.
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