Jump into Yuma's Rio de Cerveza for a taste of great craft brews

YUMA, Ariz. - A river of beer will wash into Yuma's Desert Sun Stadium Oct. 24 as the Yuma Visitors Bureau hosts its third annual brew fest spotlighting craft beers from the Southwest and beyond - and benefiting local veterans.

Rio de Cerveza flows from 5 to 9 p.m., with VIP ticket holders getting a special-access preview beginning at 4 p.m. Nearly 80 beers will be available from a variety of brewers - find the full list online at RioDeCerveza.com.

Live entertainment will again be provided by 80's and Gentlemen from Tucson, and a variety of food vendors will be on hand selling savory eats to soak up the suds.

New this year, the festival will also offer lawn games (mega-sized Jenga, cornhole), voting for the People's Choice Award brew and Beer 101 classes at Brew U.

"Fall is a perfect time to visit Yuma and the perfect time to enjoy a beer, so it's a great kickoff for both residents and visitors," said Linda Morgan, YVB's executive director.

Tickets are available online at RioDeCerveza.com, at the Visitor Information Center at 201 N. 4th Ave. in Yuma, or at the gate the day of the event.

General admission ($45) includes a 4-ounce souvenir tasting mug and a passbook to be stamped for your choice of two dozen brews.

Along with early access, VIP tickets ($80) get you a souvenir mug and 24 brew samples, an event T-shirt, and access to a reserved area where A Healing Touch Day Spa will provide chair massages and Chef Alex Trujillo and his Catering by Design team will serve wines and an exquisite appetizer menu including stout-braised shortribs with Irish cheddar potatoes, Kamman sausage sandwiches, crispy pork skins with lime crema, herb citrus shrimp skewers, bacon-wrapped dates with chipotle sauce, stuffed jalapeno peppers, fresh seasonal fruit and cheese.

Discounted tickets for active-duty military and veterans are available in advance only at MCAS Yuma Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS).

Discounted tickets also are available for nondrinking designated drivers for both general ($10) and VIP ($20) admission, and includes complimentary water and soft drinks.

For those the Rio leaves a little "under water," YVB has also lined up safe and free transportation. Crazy 8 Cab Company will provide taxi service anywhere within the Yuma city limits at no charge, though tips for the drivers are encouraged, while YCAT will run free buses from the event to MCAS Yuma.

Best of all, the tasting and quaffing also supports a worthy cause, with a portion of the event's proceeds going to the Arizona Community Foundation'of Yuma's Veterans Fund.