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Like barbecue?
Fans of the fare have the opportunity to try sample portions from six different food trucks at the SWFL BBQ Showdown at Millennial Brewing Company this weekend.
Millennial Brewing Company Owner Kyle Cebull said this is the first time they are hosting the SWFL BBQ Showdown. He said they hold a lot of food festivals, but due to it being summertime -- getting outside, having picnics and being from the Midwest -- a barbecue competition sounded great.
"I am big into barbecue myself. We have done events centered around 4th of July. I love 4th of July, but events are never exciting as I want them to be (because we are) competing with a lot of stuff," Cebull said, adding that a barbecue competition sounds like a lot of fun. "It's something people can really get into."
The competition will include six vendors, which he said he is excited to taste and see who is the best.
The free-entry, free-parking event will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at Millennial Brewing Company, 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Fort Myers.
The top pitmasters will go head-to-head in three categories - best brisket, best ribs, and the crowd favorite.
The contestants were chosen from a cross section of ratings and reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp for the top mobilized barbecue places.
"Other places that have brick and mortar, it is hard to mobilize their product in a sustainable way, fresh and servable," Cebull said. "The mobile food vendors are equipped for that. We chose the top six places and invited them to come, and they all accepted."
The food trucks are traveling as far north as North Port and as far south as Naples for the event.
He said what is cool about this event is that attendees can purchase sample tickets for the barbecue .
"What is cool about it is that we require all the competitors to not only submit their tasting portions to the judges, but the competitors will sell tasting portions of their competitive entrees," Cebull said. "In the past, in comparison with other food truck events, you have to buy a full portion, a full entree of food. That makes it tough for someone to come and try a lot of different options. You buy a whole meal, eat all of it, and you are full."
He said they shifted to the format to tasting portions, so attendees can try four, or five, or all six of the different competitive entrees, while having a good experience of trying different barbecue places.
"If you are really into barbecue this is huge. There are six totally different styles of barbecue and sauces all in one shot," Cebull said.
In addition to the food, there will also be a "phenomenal country duo Weaver & Wilkins playing," from 4 to 7 p.m.
There is a plethora of drink options for attendees - beer, hard ciders, cocktails and mocktails -- 25 nonalcoholic options that are kid friendly.
"We have something for everybody," he said.
The event is also kid and pet friendly.
"We love families. I have kids," he said, adding that they wanted to create an atmosphere that parents could bring their kids to.
"It's really nice to be able to provide that to the community - a place to let your kids run around. They don't have to be locked down in a chair. They can wander around and enjoy the event," Cebull said.
Millennial Brewing Company -- a microbrewery --was established in 2016 in downtown Fort Myers by two millennials.