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First beer of the fest: local First Magnitude Brewing Travelers Czech Pilsner: off to a crisp start! (photo: Linda Johnson/BrewNymph) |
Just under 100 breweries (including several homebrew clubs), arranged in the signature "pods" generally grouped by geographic location, poured beer of all styles. In addition to the large number of Florida breweries on site, regional, national and even international breweries offered beer to attendees at the sold-out fest (hey, we tried to warn you ahead of time: don't snooze on this in 2020!).
For those who just couldn't wait to see the fest beer list, or who wanted to plan ahead, there was an app for that, including a list of breweries by name and fest location right there in the palm of your hand. At the fest entry, pick up the printed program and fest glass and .... go!
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Hey, I don't make this stuff up! It's a sign of things to come! |
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New color this year! |
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With the brewery list on the back of the program, find that beer! |
The grounds opened at noon, and food trucks were already busy serving food (pre-fest sustenance) ahead of the 1pm beerfest start. The view from high-above provided a great look around (video):
Sometimes it's tough to tell whether the beerfest is about the beer or the people! Yeah, it's both, but there's always so much camaraderie among the brewers and attendees, and the people are just as much of the story as the beer! That said, let's get to it!
This site is no stranger to Gainesville, so the first stop had to be a Gainesville brewery (when in Gainesville, you know). Hello, again, First Magnitude Brewing! The day started off with a crisp Travelers Czech (get it?) Pilsner, and a visit with the First Mag crew, including John, Christine, Simon at the tent (actually there were several stops here).
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With John Denny, co-owner and brewer, at First Magnitude. Had been to two events already this year at First Mag. BTW: Congrats on another medal (Silver for Ursa IPA at 2019 Best Florida Beer) |
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They're waiting.... |
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Hey, Matt, I want more red ale.. with Old Coast Ales |
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Doug is one intense guy; never a dull moment! |
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Always a popular tent at beerfests. And, Lance looking the part! |
Four Tallahassee breweries made the trip south on I-75 to GNV, and that's another area that's up-n-coming for craft beer. Whaddaya know, another familiar, friendly face!
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Gabe Grass (right; co-owner, brewer) of GrassLands Brewing, with the "jamz," as in LeBron Jamz, a blackberry/raspberry Berliner. Have known Gabe since about 2012 or so, and always an awesome visit! |
Lake Tribe Brewing (Tallahassee) celebrates its 4-year anniversary at the end of March, and this site caught up with Tyler to talk about that (video):
In another one from the don't-wait-til-it's-over lesson, Proof Brewing (Tallahassee) also had a good afternoon pouring its beers, because a return trip near the end of the day for a second visit with David found the tent down and the table empty. Ah, next time!
Of course, this site is always up for another visit with Space Coast favorite Intracoastal Brewing (Melbourne):
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Dragon Point IPA on point. Never short on the fun here. |
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Yes, that's really a pink beer: Fruit Punch Project Berliner. Also known for their IPAs (you may have heard that) |
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No Wake Zone Coconut Key Lime Ale from Islamorada Beer Co.: Just like a beach! Nicely done, Craig (head brewer)! |
The beerfest crowd loved the weather (and the beer), and it was hello's and hugs all around!
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St Augustine crowd |
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Always love meeting cyber-friends in person! This is Eric from Eric_Loves_IPA |
This guy might be the persona of a beerfest:
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Caption it! Gotta love it! |
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Water stations were scattered around the grounds Cheers to that! |
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Co-Owner David (right) and crew. Already getting a larger 7-barrel system. Oh, that Maibock, though! |
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Strawberry Creamsicle with Halpatter Brewing |
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Head Brewer Isaac and Bar Manager Chris getting a taste of beerfests! |
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Coming to Palatka in 2019 |
A dinner visit to Wahoo Seafood Grill along Hwy 222 was in the plans for some... seafood! This is a lively place, with a bar, restaurant and outdoor patio seating. Basketball on the TVs (not the happy outcome for the Gators fans, though). Several local beers on tap. It was tough to decide on the food, so the decision was crab cake appetizers, shrimp and scallops ... and leftovers! First time here, and won't be the last!
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Wahoo! Well, it's crab cake, shrimp and scallops! |
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Hogtown 5k Beer Run is a week later (really missed it on the day of the beerfest this year), so this was my own version of a Gainesville 5k |
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Watching wildlife at the pond behind the tap room at Swamp Head Brewery. What's that, a new pavilion going up there? The gator was out and about! |
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Land Manatee Double IPA: 2019 Gold Medalist |
It was another awesome time at an awesome fest (and thanks to Mother Nature, too). Be on the lookout for tickets for next year's fest sometime around December, and be sure to snag 'em before they're gone (because they will be).
And, that's how to do a weekend! Thanks to all the brewers/owners for the photos here ... couldn't do it without you! Cheers to Hogtown Brewers once again!
Thanks for reading! See you next time!
Til then,
Linda
Linda Johnson,
Certified Cicerone®
Escapades, Brews and Running Shoes™
www.brewnymph.com
(All photos: Linda Johnson/BrewNymph, LLC)
© 2019 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; Escapades, Brews and Running Shoes; BeerSphere; Let’s Get a Beer, Florida!; All Jax’d Up!; Nature Flights; and I'm Fun; Deal With It! are trademarks of BrewNymph, LLC