Dog Rose Brewing, St. Augustine: It's Opened Up!

Dog Rose Brewing, seen at sunset

October 29, 2017: 
Dog Rose Brewing quietly opened just off of downtown St. Augustine Friday night. After months of working on construction, permitting, and licensing matters, owner Doug Murr brewed the first batches of beer. Opening weekend features six house beers on tap, with more on the way. 

The area's newest brewery offers a spacious, open tap room and might be described as casual-upscale. The former art gallery property has been transformed into a comfortable, intimate, yet friendly and interactive local bar, with beers that will appeal to any type of palate. 




Over the summer, this website made a construction visit to the new brewery and sat down with Doug, and it was apparent that the finished venue would be an inviting place to grab a local beer. The ambrosia maple natural wood bar that was in its early stages now gleams under the pendant lights. Tables and chairs provide plenty of room for drinking beer (or wine), and the shuffleboard/dartboard area offers fun activities, along with a TV. Yes, there are even ledges to hold your drinks.




The exterior is colorful, with neutral and natural tones inside. 

From the suspended track lighting from the loft-type ceiling over the tap room to the pendant lights to the natural wood tables, there's a cool vibe throughout. 

There are even roses on the tables!

The large front picture window overlooks the street.

Artwork on the walls is a mix of contemporary, artsy, portraits, concert-themed, and, well.... beer. 

Hops as art.

In the back of the tap room, bordered by a standing ledge, sits the 10-barrel brewhouse, which Doug acquired from A1A Ale Works. This is his baby, as he brewed on this system for a number of years at A1A. 

There's even some friendly artwork about the brewing process:

Which, of course, take us to the beer! The tap room bar will pour ten house beers, and for now, there are six. Although the tap list will definitely offer some creative use of ingredients, visitors can also expect classic beer styles. In other words, a variety of styles for everyone! Whether you're looking for a pint or a shorter pour, the bar will accommodate. Beer is available in standard 16-ounce, 10-ounce, or 5-ounce servings, which allow for multiple tastings. And, for those who just aren't into beer (gasp!), take your pick of wines by the glass, including White, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Malbec (from Argentina), and Cabernet Sauvignon. Soft drinks are also available. 

The opening weekend tap list looks like this, with room to grow:

No better way to get introduced to the beers than by going for all six!

Beer menu offers tasting notes, too.

Those beers sure look good! Not only do they look good, but they're on point (then again, that's what we expect from Doug! No pressure.). For those wondering: these are not mere replications of the A1A beers (speaking from personal experience, naturally). 

Recognizing customers' wishes for a go-to "lighter" beer style - style, not substance - the brewery's Lincolnville Lager fills that demand. It's a smooth, crisp, easy-drinking beer, with more body than a typical "light lager." The repeatable beer is a go-to. 

Lincolnville Lager: 5% ABV, 26 IBU

The Palace Pale Ale (4.8% ABV, 36 IBU) -- apparently named for a grocery store that formerly occupied the space -- has a hoppy aroma, but drinks easier than it might seem. With a mild, yet noticeable bitterness on the backend, this is a good beer for those looking for a lesser amount of hoppiness than a fuller IPA. 

Palace Pale Ale, on that awesome wood bar.

If you crave hops, check out the Roadside IPA (6% ABV, 70 IBU). The aroma immediately lets you know that this is not a typical citrus-bomb IPA. There's more going on here, with hops that impart a citrus and earthy character, with floral and fruity notes. This one came back in the growler. 

IPA under the lights by the dartboards

Cool growlers, too

Currently, two stouts are on tap. Oatmeal Stout (5.6% ABV, 24 IBU) offers roasty and bittersweet chocolate flavors, mildly sweet, with a medium-to-full body.

Oatmeal Stout is a chocolate-lovers delight.
Note the wood tables.

If coffee beer is your thing (yes, please), the Speedball Stout (5.6% ABV, 24 IBU) has a pleasing coffee aroma, with a mildly bitter coffee taste.

Speedball Stout: wake up with some coffee

Rounding out the six initial beers is the Ramble on Red (5.2% ABV, 36 IBU), an amber ale with notes of chocolate, with a lingering bitterness on the finish.

All in all, a solid set of initial beers! Look for new beers to make their way to the tap handles soon.

Dog Rose Brewing offers a set of menus from nearby restaurants that will deliver right to your table. Snacks, such as pretzels and chips, are available in the tap room. 

In speaking with Doug, there's a prevailing theme that he appreciates things that are well done. Dog Rose Brewing reflects that. 

And, lastly, what would a brewery visit be without some ladies room banter. Gotta love these:

You go, girl!

Ah, the infamous Burt photo

Wondering about that men's room now. Maybe next time...

Dog Rose Brewing is located at 77 Bridge St., in the Lincolnville area of St. Augustine, just off the main downtown core, behind the Lightner Museum. The tap room is open daily, at 11am. Look for a Grand Opening celebration soon. 

This Rose has bloomed, and it's pretty sweet. 






The opening of Dog Rose Brewing has been anticipated for some time. Thanks to Doug and Courtney for taking some time to chat and for the hospitality. It won't be long until a return visit. 

Congratulations to Dog Rose Brewing!

Thanks for reading! See you around Florida Somewhere with a beer ...

Cheers!
Til next time,

Linda






Linda Johnson,
Certified Cicerone®

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