We Got Funky: Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Day 2016 at Funky Buddha Brewery

I didn't attend the prior two Maple Bacon Coffee Porter Day festivals hosted by Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park.  Last year (2015), the event fell about a week before an already-scheduled weekend trip for a concert in Fort Lauderdale. I had tracked the release dates of the prized MBCP around Lauderdale, and I was thrilled to find it on tap at American Social.  By the way, if you haven't figured it out yet, not only does this beer have its own Day, it has its own acronym (MBCP; it IS a mouthful). 

Freedom for the 64 oz Growler!

When I moved here four years ago, I tried to get a refill on a half-gallon (64 oz.) growler that relocated here with me from Northwest Indiana, just outside of Chicago. I mean, what's the big deal; they're everywhere in the Midwest and elsewhere.  No, I was told, can't do that. At first I thought it was because the growler was some kind of out-of-state alien, that needed proof of state residency. Well, we all know the story.....

Point Ybel Brewing: Head to the "Hurricane Hole" After a Tough Day at the Beach (or, anytime)

As you might know, I recently spent a few days on Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida, just over the causeway from Fort Myers. I had heard about the beaches and the seashells and the gorgeous color of the water on the gulf side. And, lately, we have been hearing more and more about the beer and new breweries in this part of the state. So, in true journalistic fashion, this beachgirl did some research: Yes, I had some "tough" days at the beach looking at that water and walking the seemingly endless stretches, all while watching the shorebirds and investigating the abundance of seashells. I even came up with some beach-and-beer photos that I posted on social media sites (that all takes work, y'know). But, at the end of the day, you just need a beer! So, on one particular day, I headed over the causeway toward Fort Myers and onward to Point Ybel Brewing Company. It was a fairly easy drive (hey, I'm on vacation).  The brewery is located in a small shopping center and is visible from the street.  

Hey, How Was Your Weekend? Part 2: Race to the Taste and Taste of St. Augustine

Mother Nature was smiling on the St. Augustine Amphitheatre last Saturday, April 25, for the 19th Annual Taste of St. Augustine. Not only is this a gastronomic food fest which featured over 30 local food and beverage vendors, the event kicked off with the Race to the Taste 5k. I participated in the 5k, and then proceeded to check out some of the flavorful and beautifully presented food items.  I almost felt like I needed another 5k!  Two live bands rocked the fest attendees during the afternoon, and restaurants vied for awards. All in all, it was a fun day at a fun venue. 

The event, a fundraiser for Epic Behavioral Healthcare, was first held in the downtown Plaza, then moved to Francis Field, and has been held in the Amphitheatre since the venue was renovated about 9 years ago.  According to Theresa Andrews, the Director of Development for Epic, and the coordinator of the event, this year's Taste featured a slightly re-vamped layout, which utilized additional space in the upper level grassy areas and overall provided a more "spread out" scheme to allow attendees to wander around more easily.  I thought the set-up was friendly, and this was no small feat, in view of the Alan Jackson concert the night before. Volunteers began working on tent setup on Thursday, and everything else was done on Saturday morning.  The food vendors began arriving between 8:30-10am, and the event was ready to go!

Hey, How Was Your Weekend? (Part 1): The Brew Bus - Jacksonville

I hear it all the time: "You're always going somewhere." "Where did you go this weekend?" I'm always on the lookout for a new place to visit, and yeah, I like beerfests!  So, here's news for ya:  I stayed put in North Florida this weekend. Hey, there was a lot going on around here (if you read my prior blog posts, you would know that [wink, wink]). I couldn't make all those events, but my weekend was pretty full of activities. So much so, actually, that I'm dividing this into two parts. So, here ya go. 

It Poured at Hogtown Craft Beer Festival (Beer, that is...)

The forecast for the 4th Annual Hogtown Craft Beer Festival last Saturday, April 18, called for rain and storms.  Little by little, hour by hour, the forecast improved, and it turned out to be a beautiful day for some beer sampling and meeting new and old friends. 

There's Too Much Going On!

OK, so it's Tuesday afternoon, and you're already thinking about the weekend? Well, why not, there are plenty of things going on! Check out some of these events:

Now Boarding: Sit Back, Relax and Enjoy Your "FLLight"... at LauderAle Brewery

It's THIS way....

I can't tell you how to get here.  I can only tell you it's in Fort Lauderdale, it's in an industrial-warehouse park, it's close to the airport, it's not too far from US 1, and it's closeby to overhead expressway ramps. So, unless you know the area, just get your Google maps and GPS in gear, and just get here...because ... you're gonna like it. 

Where?  I'm talking about LauderAle Brewery, located at 3305 SE 14th Ave. in Ft. Lauderdale. It's the city's first (and only) nano-brewery. 

I gotta tell you, though, for a 1-barrel system, this place sure brews a lot of beer. On the night I visited, this was the tap list (of their own beers):  Heisenberg Hefe, Lordy Gourdy, Berry Nice, Monkey Red Ale, Mild Child (English Mild), Immigration IPA, Bush Brown, Sizzler Saison, Mr. White's Wit, Port Everglades Porter and SS Stout. 

Slainte!: St. Patrick's Day and Life Thereafter in St. Augustine

Hey, St. Augustine, so you survived Celtic Fest this past weekend.  I had a fun time out there yesterday selling beverage tokens and listening to Irish music. 

You get one day to recover (except for you really hard-core Irish party animals who probably haven't stopped yet).  There's a lot of Irish going on in St. Augustine, so get your green derby, shamrocks, and whatever else green you can put on your body, and check out some of these Irish shindigs. Whether you're talkin' Guinness, Murphy's, Smithwick's (do you know how to pronouce that, by the way), or Harp (and I hear there's something called Jameson), there's somethin' for ya in town on this March 17, whether you're hoisting a green beer or not.  Of course, I'd recommend at least an Irish Stout! Here are a few places that will be partying like leprechauns with a pot of gold:

Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival Tapped It as Tampa Bay Beer Week 2015 Opened

Last week at this time, I was heading across the state from St. Augustine on the ocean to Tampa on the bay, where the breweries seem to be opening faster than a hard pour.  The duffel bags were loaded with too many clothes for a 2-day trip, and the cooler was enjoying its quiet time off while dutifully awaiting its return cargo. It had been a couple of years since I visited Tampa (see the two "WaZoo" posts from August 2013), and it was time to go back. 

Something to Get All Shook Up About: Tomoka Brewing Co. Opens New Brewpub in Port Orange

The new Tomoka Brewing Company brewpub in Port Orange, FL.

There was one, now there are two. Peter and Jen of Tomoka Brewery in Ormond Beach have now opened a second, larger brewpub location in Port Orange, which is also home to a 15-bbl production facility.  The Port Orange brewpub opened on February 12 at 4pm.  So, what better way to spend Saturday Valentine's Day than to visit a new brewpub, eh?  

Pull Up a Chair and Park It Here: Persimmon Hollow Brewing

DeLand?  About the only thing I knew about DeLand, Florida is that there's a road sign on I-95 around Daytona Beach pointing to DeLand: somewhere between Orlando and Daytona.  So, I consulted Wikipedia and learned a little bit about this city: county seat of Volusia County, home to a number of 19th century historic buildings, and site of Stetson University, Florida's oldest private college.  OK, pretty informative stuff.  Last Saturday, I decided to take a little ride to check out Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company.  

100 Taps Overlooking Downtown St. Augustine: Henley's Steak and Seafood Opens

You probably heard about it, as it had been in the works since Summer.  The new Henley's  Steak and Seafood is now open in downtown St. Augustine, upstairs at the corner of St. George and Hypolita Streets. It's the sister to the J.P.Henley's pub on Marine Street (which, as you know [especially if you read my posts], has 70 taps, along with wine, and salads and sandwiches). 

Surfin' for Cool Brews? Line-Up at New Smyrna Beach Brewing and Catch 'Em....

Turn here for beer! To the East...

One of the cool things about having easy access to I-95 is that it's pretty convenient for short or long trips covering Florida's Atlantic coastal corridor.  So, when I first visited New Smyrna Beach Brewing ("NSB Brewing") on my way back from Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest in August, I knew right away that I'd be back for another visit.  A flat tire nixed an intended visit a couple of weeks ago, but mission accomplished last weekend. 

Playalinda Brewing Co. Takes Off

When one thinks of Titusville, Florida, the images typically invoked are likely those of Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center launches, astronauts, rockets, and the famous T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, "We have liftoff!" Ah yes, the thrill of it all.

But, there's another reason to visit this area now. One of the newest Florida breweries to enter the local craft brew scene launched on Friday, November 14, at 4pm. And, yes, there was a countdown of sorts leading up to it. Say Hello to Playalinda Brewing Co. 

Slingin' in the Rain .... It Poured at Rocky Water Brew Fest!

The drive south on I-95 from St. Augustine on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 20 was a bit ominous: dark skies, rainy interludes, a peek of sun providing some glimmer of optimism, followed by generally gray cloud cover. I had this marked on the calendar for a while, and it was a definite go:  the first Rocky Water Brew Fest in Melbourne. (Do we say "first annual"?)

Look! Over in Jax Beach! It's A Restaurant, Bar, Brewery, Burger Joint and Trendy Tapas Place: Zeta Brewing Delivers It

I just love it when I visit a new place and have such a good experience that I can't wait to go back.  That's what happened recently after a stop to Zeta Brewing Company in Jacksonville Beach.  I didn't expect to stay there as long as I did, and that says something.  I had posted on social media that night that "I might not leave." 

It Was A Party in Palm Beach: Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest

Little Intimate Indoor Party With A Few Thousand Beer-Lovin' Friends

You knew right away when you turned into the South Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Center off of Southern Blvd. that there were just a few people here for the Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest.  Once you found a parking space and made your way in the line to the front door, the sounds of the band came through loud and clear.  This was a party, to be sure.  It was Palm Beach Summer Beer Fest 2014!

Spaced Out on Florida's Space Coast: Brews and Beach (Episodes 2, 3 and More)

Tale of a Beach and Two More Breweries....

And, on that first night in the Space Coast, following all that awesome beer at Bugnutty Brewing, the focus turned to food.  Being the diligent planner that I am, I had earlier consulted Google and found Coasters Pub, what looked like a really cool little place in Melbourne at the corner of A1A and Eau Gallie.  Close to the Hilton Melbourne Beach Hotel, good-looking food menu, and, yes, a bunch of beer taps!  No brainer, right?  So, yeah, next stop.  

Spaced Out on Florida's Space Coast: Brews and Beach (Episode 1)

Got a Little "Bugnutty" on Merritt Island

Not like I really need a reason or excuse for a "Beertrip," but, I thought it would be a cool little getaway thing to do on the last weekend in June. The criteria: there must be craft beer and beaches; also, for this short trip, somewhere not too far from the St. Augustine homebase. Actually, heading out to points south from here is pretty much a snap courtesy of I-95. Well, I already knew about three breweries in the Space Coast:  Bugnutty Brewing, Cocoa Beach Brewing and Intracoastal Brewing, so this Mission Control set the destination and reserved an oceanview room at the Hilton Melbourne Beach on A1A (Florida resident rate, by the way). T-minus and counting.