A Taste of Success: Hamlin Craft Beer Festival Brews Bright Futures for Local Students
With 50+ Brews and a Backyard Vibe, the Third Annual Festival Inspires Both Young Dreams and the Love of Local Beer
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, the third annual Hamlin Craft Beer Festival transformed the Hamlin Green Space into a sunny neighborhood hangout with a mix of local lagers, area ambers and outdoor fun. More than a festive day out, the event also delivered meaningful impact, as strong early ticket sales helped Legacy Events for Education generate proceeds for local scholarships and community programs.
The festival featured more than 50 varieties of beer, ciders and other beverages from local, regional and national breweries and drink makers. Brewers served in sample-size cups for a chance to taste your way through all kinds of styles. Of course, you had to be 21 or older to enter the beer festival area.
“Nowadays, I think people like simplicity,” says Windermere Brewing Company’s Mike McKee. “You know, something that’s done right with quality and care. Watermann, our helles (light) lager, that’s a staple at our brewery. Try that for sure.”
Sean Hamilton, head brewer at New York Beer Project, moved from Newport, New York to help open the Hamlin outpost in 2022. “The biggest surprise for me is a lot of people like darker beers all year round,” says Hamilton. “Where we're from originally, they like that only during the wintertime.”
“People like variety,” says Justin Alcaraz, brewer at Home State Brewing Co. - just a couple minutes’ walk from the Hamlin Green Space. “We do a lot of traditional styles, but we mix in some modern interpretations. We have the fruited sours, the hazy IPAs, different adjunct beers like pastry stouts and experimental stuff like that.”
Beyond the tasting tents, DJ Bubbles kept the music going while guests played in a giant interactive game zone with golf, football, and giant versions of garden games. The festival was also dog-friendly – both a chance for human beer fans to bring out their hounds and terriers and an opportunity for Skyline Chili fans to help themselves to a free Cheese Coney hot dog, maybe two.
The craft beer festival was created in 2024 by local nonprofit Legacy Events for Education. “Our mission is to inspire students, teachers, and communities to leave their legacy on the world,” says President David Terry. “We've given over $100,000 in scholarships in the last six years, all funded by the events that we run. Then, we do educational programs … resume writing, interview skills, financial literacy, classes for parents on helping them understand the college entrance process.”
Max McGouirk graduated from Windermere High School in 2019, the first class to benefit from Legacy Events for Education scholarships. “I got a thousand dollars. It was really helpful,” says McGouirk. “It got me in my laptop for school. I graduated from the University of Central Florida in December with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. I'm actually working for NASA right now.” McGouirk works at Kennedy Space Center as an engineer. Some folks would call that a rocket scientist.
Horizon West Magazine participated in the craft beer festival as a sponsor for the VIP area, which provided early entry, shaded seating, freshly grilled cheeseburgers, private restrooms and more.
“We’re so proud to sponsor the Hamlin Craft Beer Festival,” says Horizon West Magazine Founder and Publisher Cynthia Dailey. “It’s a win-win, really. You get to enjoy some great cold local beer, and that money goes straight toward supporting local students' educations and dreams through Legacy Events for Education. Every pour is helping a local student's future look a lot brighter.”
Horizon West Magazine Publisher Cynthia Dailey with Legacy Events for Education Founder David Terry.
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