[UPDATE, 2/26/2017: The Anniversary Ale referenced below will be subject to a two-bottle limit, at $15 each. Sales of bottles will begin at the back door of the tap room on March 4, 2017. Cheers!]
On March 4, 2016, brothers Steve Mendoza and John French quietly opened Bog Brewing Company on West King St. just off of US 1 and downtown St. Augustine (see pre-opening story from this site here). The brothers opened the 3.5 barrel brewery and tap room in a building that housed a former drugstore and a pawn shop with the intention of bringing a neighborhood brewery to the area. Over the course of the first year in its young existence, they have done just that. Walk into Bog Brewing anytime, and guests are immediately made to feel welcome while enjoying a glass of house-made craft beer (and, yes, this writer speaks from experience).
 |
| Photo by Linda Johnson |
Since its opening day 2016, the brewery has brewed more than 30 different types of beers, served on its ten rotating taps. Signature beers include the brewery's Cream Ale, Amber Rye, Session IPA, IPA and Chipotle Porter. In addition, the brewery serves up a few very creative beers, such as the Smoked Datil Cream Ale. One of this writer's favorite Bog beers is the Oatmeal Coffee Stout, made with local coffee beans.
 |
| Photo provided by Bog Brewing Company |
On Saturday, March 4, 2017, Bog Brewing celebrates its One-Year Anniversary to the day in grand style, as it releases its first bottled beer, a limited edition Anniversary Ale, available in 22 oz. bottles. The special beer (9.1%) is a barrel-aged combination of Barleywine and Belgian Brown styles, with a deep ruby color, a vibrant bourbon aroma, and an "assertive, yet balanced" bitterness, according to a statement by the brewery. As if an Anniversary ale weren't enough, why did Bog Brewing decide to take the added step of making that beer the first barrel-aged beer it produces? Says Steve, "we have a good reason to celebrate and only have one chance at a first anniversary." The Anniversary Ale was aged about six months in Barton bourbon barrels and Templeton Rye Barrels and will be blended together. "We did some sampling, and the beer turned out be a very nice balance," says Steve. In addition to hand-labelling and hand-bottling around 400-450 bottles of the Ale which will be available for purchase at the Anniversary, the brewery is also planning to offer it on tap for the special day. Steve further adds that the brewery is looking to retain some bottles to do vertical tastings in future years.
When asked what has been most challenging during the first year, Steve replied, "What hasn't been?" "We want to give 110% effort and never rest on one good batch or get complacent." Says Steve, he and John have "not let up" since opening last year and have been going non-stop.
So, what does Year Two hold for the brothers and Bog Brewing? "We are looking to continue to hone our craft and at small growth," adds Steve. There's a possibility of adding several new styles of beer to the menu board, such as German beers. With respect to growth, the brewery is looking at possibly acquiring another fermentation tank.
The public is invited to stop by the brewery on March 4, beginning at noon, to meet co-owners/brewers Steve and John. Pie 95 food truck will serve wood-fired pizza starting at 12:30pm.
 |
| Photo by Linda Johnson |
Bog Brewing, or simply "The Bog," as it is called, serves only craft beers brewed on site, along with wine. Patrons may purchase glass growlers of Bog beer in quart and half-gallon sizes. The tap room is family and pet-friendly, and the venue also features a beach-like picnic area (complete with sand) at the back of the tap room. Food trucks are on site regularly.
Bog Brewing is located at 218 West King St., St. Augustine, and is open six days a week, beginning at 4pm Tuesday-Thursday, and at noon, Friday thru Sunday.
Yes, you can find this writer at Bog Brewing frequently! The tap room is cozy, the staff is friendly, the beers are solid, and there's always someone willing to strike up a conversation! Congratulations to Bog Brewing, and Cheers to many more years!
As Florida beerfest season continues to rock along, and many more special events continue to find their way onto events calendars, I'll see you around a beer in Florida Somewhere! Thanks for reading!
Til next time,
Cheers,
Linda
Linda Johnson, Certified Cicerone®
original posting date: 2/21/2017
©2017 BrewNymph, LLC. All text and photos. All rights
reserved. BrewNymph; Peace,
Love, Pints; Where the Beer Meets the Beach, and Beer is my Trademark are federally-registered trademarks of
BrewNymph, LLC; BeerSphere and I'm Fun; Deal With It! are trademarks of BrewNymph, LLC
