[Sarasota, Fla. — March 4, 2012] Darwin Brewing Company of Darwin’s on 4^th restaurant received thirteen medals during Tampa Bay Beer Week, as well as coming in 2^nd runner up overall for “Best Beer in Florida 2013” with their Summadayze IPA. The list of awards is as follows:

 
Brewmaster Jared Barnes developed his recipes over the last year to tie in with Chef Darwin Santa Maria’s Peruvian flavors, incorporating unusual ingredients like quinoa, cacao nibs and Aji Charapita peppers into his brews. Barnes, who Charlie Papazian, founder of the Great American Beer Festival, called “an excellent and creative brewer,” will also introduce a number of monthly beer events in the coming weeks. Papazian also raved about Darwin’s on 4^th, praising the “brainstorm of owner Darwin Santa Maria” as a “great venue.” Events include:

 
Darwin Brewing Company Beers are on tap at Darwin’s on 4^th restaurant nightly during regular business hours; the full beer menu is available at http://darwinson4th.com/site/menus/beer-menu/

Darwin’s on 4th: 1525 4th St., 343-2165 or darwinson4th.com
5–10 p.m., Sun.–Tues. / 5-11 p.m., Wed. / 5 p.m.-midnight, Thurs-Sat.

To download the press release as a word document, click here.
To download a picture of Brewmaster Jared Barnes, click here.

More about Darwin’s on 4th
Sarasota has a new spirit with the opening of Darwin’s on 4^th. This restaurant is not only a local favorite, but continues to draw attention nationally and internationally. Chef Darwin Santa Maria opened Darwin’s on 4th in December 2011 as a venue where diners can explore authentic urban street foods from the cuisine capitals of the world as well as Latin favorites that have made this young Peruvian chef famous.
 
Chef Santa Maria, born in the jungles of Peru, came to America at the age 13, and attended Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts in Miami. At age 19, Michael’s on East in Sarasota, Fla. recruited him and he quickly rose to the position of sous chef. When Food & Wine Magazine named Santa Maria one of the Top 10 Chefs in the Nation in 2001, Darwin was convinced to branch out and try something new.
 
His latest venture and namesake, Darwin’s on 4th, at 1525 4th St. in lively downtown Sarasota, has quickly become the talk of the town with everything from Ladies Night to beerology classes and wine dinners. The restaurant, which seats 168 on two levels, has ample parking at the back of the building and serves dinner, in addition to hosting major special events. What makes this hotspot truly unique is the artisan brewery on the premises with Brewmaster Jared Barnes in charge of the signature beer menu.
 
The venue has the perfect blend of urban, local and global in an intimate and comfortable upscale setting just north of downtown Sarasota. Santa Maria is also the founder of Selva Grill, another now renowned Sarasota restaurant which first gave him the stage to present authentic Peruvian specialties such as ceviche and his special techniques with seafood and beef. Many of those recipes have made the transition to Darwin’s on 4th along with his new urban street food concept.
 
The awards alone that Darwin’s on 4th has already received should be enough to convince anyone of the great affection towards the restaurant. Recently, it was Voted No. 1 on the list of the “10 Great Places to Eat in Florida” by FloridaTravelLife.com and received a Best New Restaurant Golden Spoon award from Florida Trend Magazine. Chef Darwin and his team invite you to come in and enjoy this truly unique and scrumptious new world they’ve created in right here in Sarasota. 

 
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