The Proof is in the Beerfest: Florida Tap Invitational Held at Proof Brewing, Tallahassee

October 4, 2017: 
Tallahassee brewery Proof Brewing Co. hosted its 5th Annual Florida Tap Invitational beerfest, on September 29-30, with a Kickoff Party on Friday night at Madison Social in the city's College Town entertainment district, followed by an all-Florida beerfest at the brewery on Saturday afternoon. 

The unique beerfest featured 47 Florida breweries. The catch? The beers were rare, limited release, or tap room-only brews, with some having been tapped for the first time anywhere at this fest. Brewers highlighted creativity in beers that many have not tasted before, and the craft beer-lovin' crowd sampled beers in many different styles, flavors, and colors. 

Tap Into Dirty Oar Beer Company, Cocoa Village

September 28, 2017:
For well over a year, the crew from Dirty Oar Beer Company had attended beerfests and beer events sampling their house-brewed small batches and handing out logo stickers for their up-and-coming new brewery in Cocoa Village. No longer a "brewery-in-planning" as of this past summer, Dirty Oar Beer Company is now up-and-running with a fun neighborhood tap room and outdoor beer garden -- and, their own house beers on tap.

Co-owners and brewers Pat Buonomo and Chris Hughes met while both were bartenders at Bugnutty Brewing Company in Merritt Island. Just so happens, that's where I met each of them for the first time several years ago - they're the kind of guys with whom you just start talking beer. Since then, they began homebrewing together and then branched out and explored opening their own brewery. During the Spring of 2016, they started popping up at beerfests with Dirty Oar beer and/or stickers in hand. The process of opening the brewery included demolition, design and construction of the former King Street furniture store site, which they had acquired in early 2016. 

Cypress & Grove Brewing, Gainesville: Cool New Place

August 29, 2017:
It seems that new breweries are always "cool," but Cypress & Grove Brewing, which opened its brewery just this past June in a former Gainesville ice plant, gives new meaning to "cool brewery."  

The brewery is located just a bit north of downtown Gainesville and University of Florida, two blocks off of Main Street, at the intersection of NW 4th Street and NW 10th Avenue. Unless you're a map geek, that may not be especially significant by itself, but those cross-streets were formerly named Cypress and Grove. Ah, yes, the name! 

A Firkin Good Time at First Magnitude Third Anniversary

Driving into Gainesville last Saturday, the skies were dark except for the bright lightning bolts that flashed up ahead toward the downtown. Knowing that parking at First Magnitude Brewing would spill over onto nearby Main Street for what was expected to be another rockin' Anniversary party, a rain poncho and umbrella sat ready for duty. In what may have been a case of celestial intervention, however, the rain clouds decided to move on, clearing the way for First Magnitude Brewing's Third Anniversary party inside and outside. (Caution: lots of photos and fun in this story!)

From Flight Deck to Brew Deck: Veterans United Craft Brewery Celebrates Three Years

If you've ever been on a brewery tour at Veterans United Craft Brewery in Jacksonville, you know the story about the "pilot" system that Ron Gamble used to begin his journey into craft beer when his wife Sheryl purchased the starter equipment some years ago. The homebrewing hobby morphed into technical brewing education and positions as a professional brewer in New England. A former Naval Flight Officer, Ron formed Veterans United Craft Brewery in 2013, along with other veterans, and opened the military-themed brewery in August 2014, trading a flight deck for a brew deck on a 20-barrel brewhouse. 

Education, Business and Beer: Florida Brewers Guild First Brewers Conference Delivered It

The Florida Brewers Guild presented its first Florida Brewers Conference August 7-9 at the beautiful Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek in the land of Disney. 

With an agenda of 22 presentations and panel discussions and two evening social events, the event was packed with information, education and networking. And, yes, there was even a bit of beer flowing during hospitality suite hours. Attended by brewers, distributors, retailers and industry partners, topics included brewery operations, distribution, legal issues, statistics, event planning, and marketing.

Wicked Barley Brewing "Just Getting Started" With First Anniversary

When Wicked Barley Brewing Company celebrates its First Anniversary Saturday, July 29, the beer-lovin' crowd will enjoy a huge party, a bottle release, outdoor activities, an outdoor beer garden with a covered tent, food specials, games and music. The brewpub has a lot to celebrate, and it's "just getting started," says Co-Founder/Brewmaster Philip Maple. 

Just about a year ago, the doors opened after building the brewery from the ground up along the banks of Goodby's Creek in Jacksonville. 

It's Summer: Time to Hit the .... Beachside Brew Pub, Ormond Beach

Ah, yes, Summertime. And, not only that, Summertime in Florida! Ocean breezes, sand between your toes, endless horizon, beach umbrellas ... and, of course, some cold beer to go with your beach day. Along scenic Highway A1A in Ormond-by-the-Sea, you'll find Beachside Brew Pub, a small brewery with some big-tasting beers. But, don't just wait for a beach day to head over to this place, because anytime is a good time to make a visit here. I enjoyed my first stop so much that recently, I made a second trip, finding new brews on tap. 

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HYPERION BREWING, JAX, HOSTS FREE "WELCOME TO SPRINGFIELD" NETWORKING EVENT WITH SPRINGFIELD AREA MERCHANTS AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ("SAMBA"), AUGUST 1

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LEGACY ALE WORKS, JACKSONVILLE BREWERY-IN-PLANNING, HOSTS FIRST LOCAL PUBLIC TASTING JULY 22; GET TO KNOW THE OWNERS

 Jacksonville, FL:   Brewery-in-planning Legacy Ale Works holds its first local public tasting at noon on Saturday, July 22, at Beer:30 San Marco, 1543 San Marco Blvd. The new brewery will offer two of its house beers for sampling. Its Red Run Red IPA/Summer Edition is a modified version of its Red Run Red IPA. The Summer Edition has notes of tropical fruit, along with the caramel character of the original beer. The second beer, Downtown Eric's Brown Ale, has a delicate hoppy finish that complements the caramel and nutty flavors.  

Walking Tree Brewery, Vero Beach, Celebrates Runaway First Year

When a brewery picks up three medals at Best Florida Beer Championship, has one of those named Best Beer in Florida, and is then awarded the title of Best Small Brewery in the state, that's a reason to celebrate. But, to have all that happen in your first year as an operating brewery? Yeah, that probably calls for a large-scale anniversary bash. Walking Tree Brewery did just that as it threw one huge party in Vero Beach last Saturday, July 15 to mark its first anniversary. 

A Rose by the Name of Dog Rose Brewing to Open in St. Augustine

Dog Rose Brewing, St. Augustine

(photo by Linda Johnson)

"Handcrafted." That's the word Doug Murr uses to describe his new brewery, Dog Rose Brewing Co., as it moves toward opening later this summer in the historic Lincolnville area of downtown St. Augustine. While still undergoing construction, the brewery is all about attention to details and giving brewery guests the experience and beers that they want. The beer, the bar, the tables - all handcrafted - says Doug.  

Engine 15 Brewing Seventh Anniversary: Annual Chupacabra Three Ways

Last week, Engine 15 Brewing Co. hosted a Vertical Tasting of its annual Imperial Chupacabra Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout, an event which leads into its Seventh Anniversary party and bottle release on Saturday, July 1 at its Jacksonville Beach brewpub. Masters of Ceremonies and Brewery Co-owners Luch Scremin and Sean Bielman imparted some humorous anecdotes much to the delight of the event attendees (picture bourbon barrels so fresh that they contained "charcoal black liquid" in 2014). The pre-anniversary event featured tastings of Chupacabra from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, along with this year's 2017 versions (yes, that last one is plural). 

Hurricane Inspires Wicked Barley Brewing's First Bottle Release

Last fall, someone named Matthew decided to make a stop in the Jacksonville area and caused some havoc. Different people have different ways of dealing with such an occurrence. The brewers at Wicked Barley Brewing had one advantage over most of the population dealing with the storm: they hunkered down in their brewpub. Their experiences during that time inspired the brewery's first barrel-aged beer, which also happens to be its first bottle release. Wicked Barley will release its "Isolated Incident" Bourbon-Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with a party and cookout on Saturday, June 24, starting at 11am. 

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June 20, 2017: ENGINE 15 BREWING CO. SETS STAGE FOR SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY WITH VERTICAL TASTING OF ANNUAL IMPERIAL CHUPACABRA, JUNE 22

New Smyrna Beach Brewing: Something New is Brewing

Original brewery & tap room on Sams Avenue

[Ed. Note: 7/17/2017: I made a return visit to New Smyrna Beach Brewing on July 16 for the first time since the new location opened. New beers on tap, and the place is awesome. Check out the "after" photos here ]

When the last beer is served, and the doors close Friday night (June 16) at New Smyrna Beach Brewing Co. on Sams Avenue in downtown New Smyrna Beach, it will be a historic chapter in the young life of the popular neighborhood brewery. When Owner and Brewmaster Chris Coyle opens the doors on Saturday, June 17, it's sure to be an exciting, yet bittersweet, moment, as the brewery switches operations over to its new location just around the corner at 143 Canal Street. 

Green Room Brewing Barrels Into Sixth Anniversary

With its laid-back beach and surfing vibe and named after one of surfing's most sought-after wave actions, Green Room Brewing in Jacksonville Beach is heading into its Sixth Anniversary on Saturday, June 17 with a quiet intensity. Much like being in the barrel of a wave for surfers, the brewery on Third Street will be the place to be when it releases its annual Secret Spot Imperial Stout aged in Dominican rum barrels for the special occasion. Festivities will begin at noon on Saturday, with limited bottles of the annual anniversary beer available for purchase. 

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May 22, 2017: HYPERION BREWING OPENING WEEKEND EXCEEDS EXPECTIONS

Hyperion Brewing Taps Into History as Jacksonville's First Nano-Brewery Opens

Named after one of the mythological Titan siblings who was the father of Helios (Sun), Selene (Moon) and Eos (Dawn), Jacksonville's newest brewery Hyperion Brewing Company draws upon Greek mythology and local history as it looks ahead to a bright future. The brewery holds its Grand Opening on Friday, May 19, beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:30pm, followed by the 5pm official opening of the doors at 1740 N. Main Street in the Springfield neighborhood. The first 50 guests will receive a souvenir glass and a ticket for a free pour on the next visit. Eddis & Sons food truck will be on site with cheesesteak sandwiches. The Grand Opening weekend coincides with the Historic Springfield Tour of Homes on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 

Atlantic Beach Brewing Company Reaches Jacksonville Area Shores

Quietly, Atlantic Beach Brewing Company has made its way onto the Jacksonville craft beer landscape. The area's newest brewery opened the doors at 725 N. Atlantic Blvd in Atlantic Beach earlier this week, followed by last night's preview nite, which gave friends and family a chance to see (and taste) the finished product. Soft opening continues today (Friday, May 5) at noon, with a ribbon cutting and Grand Opening celebration slated for noon on Saturday, May 6, with music, brewery tours, growler giveaways and more. It's official ... ABBC has reached the shores of the Jacksonville area!