Spotlight on sponsors: Barrel of Monks' Kat and Matt Saady
Though one might not think to pair together a ballet company and a brewery, Boca Ballet Theatre has shared close ties with Boca’s own Barrel of Monks Brewing for many years, teaming up to host the Best of the Belgians Beer Fest each February. This month, we spotlight two of Barrel of Monks’ co-founders and co-owners, who are proud supporters of BBT: Kat and Matt Saady!
Barrel of Monks Brewing was formed by a group of friends who shared a passion for Belgian-style beer. They dreamed of one day establishing a brewery that would bring the authentic flavors of Belgium to the United States. Their journey toward this dream began with series of trips to Belgium, the birthplace of their favorite beers. As they immersed themselves in the vibrant Belgian brewing culture, they delved into the heart and soul of the beers they loved. Fast forward to today, and Barrel of Monks Brewing is now a destination brewery that blends traditional techniques with modern technology to deliver beers of unparalleled excellence!
A scientist by heart and dedication, Matt Saady oversees lab activities that include yeast management, quality control, and yeast strain development. He and his wife Kat Saady are two of the co-owners of the brewery, which connected with Boca Ballet Theatre through our Co-Artistic Director Dan Guin. “We were introduced to Dan around the same time we were formally introduced to Belgian beer (technically Belgian beer was only new to me as Matt had already been a fan and brewed in college) at a small restaurant called Brother Tucker’s,” Kat recently shared. After learning about Boca Ballet Theatre, Matt and Kat started attending BBT’s performances and eventually became supporters. “Over the years, we have shared a love of ballet and beer,” Kat went on to say, “so it seemed a natural fit . . . local ballet company meets local brewery.”
This natural fit eventually led to the creation of the Best of the Belgians Beer Fest, an annual festival hosted in Delray Beach, featuring Belgian-made and Belgian-style beers. Now in its fifth year, this festival has grown to attract Belgian beer enthusiasts from all over! “The love of art is part of what makes Best of the Belgians Beer Festival special,” Kat shared. “The love of the art of ballet and the art of creating delicious beer. The other part is the people who come to the festival. People aren't generally going to get intoxicated; they’re going for the appreciation of the craft. They want to interact with the brewers and ask questions, learn, and experience the beer culture. Belgian beer is not a simple beverage. Lots of thought and creativity go into each recipe. The same goes for BBT, and both also strive to be the best.”
After years of sponsoring this event, Matt and Kat are proud of how Best of the Belgians has evolved. “Dan has cultivated some wonderful relationships with brewers in Belgium over the years,” Kat added, “who also look forward to coming to this festival, which makes this a very unique and amazing beer festival. It makes the world feel a little closer.”
We hope you’ll join us in thanking Kat and Matt Saady and Barrel of Monks Brewing for being proud supporters of Boca Ballet Theatre! It’s these connections that make our community a place where small businesses and arts organizations can thrive together! Be sure to also save the date for this year’s Best of the Belgians Beer Fest, set to take place on February 21, 2026!
Join us Best of the Belgians Beer Fest!
Boca Ballet Theatre is proud to present the Best of the Belgians Beer Fest, featuring Belgian-made and Belgian-style breweries like Bosteels, De Dolle, Duvel, St. Bernardus, Rochefort, Barrel of Monks Brewing, and more! Festival tickets include live music, food trucks, a Best of the Belgians beer glass, and unlimited samplings of amazing Belgian ales! This year’s festival will take place on February 21, 2026, at the Dr. André Fladell Civic Center (formerly known as South County Civic Center). Learn more about this year’s event in the link below!